Video of the Week

I'm gonna get back on the Video of the Week routine.  This one shows a pretty good breakdown on the rear naked strangle.  Enjoy...

Big Changes

I want to start by mentioning an event that happened two weeks ago, and expressing my thanks.  Chris Charlebois, Amy Forbes, and Katie Gallant helped me set up for, and teach a jujitsu clinic at Camp Tracy, The YMCA's campground in the Belgrade region.  We had a great time teaching two groups of young people about our art.  It gave the students an exposure to something different, and provided us with a platform to roll out our new class at the Boys & Girls Club, and YMCA at the Alfond Youth Center.  We got great reviews, according to Renshi Craig Sargent.  Thanks for all the help folks!

Our move the Alfond Youth Center has gone over without a hitch.  I moved the mats out of Champions and over to the AYC with Chris's help.  We had our first class on Thursday.  I was very happy to see Aaron Saucier back.  He is playing football, and came to class after a 26-0 victory over an opposing team.  I appreciate that commitment Aaron. 

Sensei Tracey Charlebois plans to attend the Thursday night classes.  She brings her years of experience in jujitsu with her, as well as her new love of Tae Kwon Do.  She studies that art with Master Julienne Begin, in Skowhegan.  

The new dojo is beautiful.  I very much appreciate the welcome we have received from Renshi Craig Sargent, and Renshi Ken Walsh.  Let's make this class grow!  

I hope to see you all Sunday.

California!

Joseph Larsen, Amy Forbes, and I just returned from California, where we attended Reunion 2008.  We had a great time.  Joe and Amy participated in clinics all day Saturday, taught by some of the best that Danzan has to offer. 

There were three mats running most of the day, plus an additional classroom for subjects like massage therapy, legal aspects of teaching the arts, weapons as an extension of the body, and medical aspects of teaching martial arts.  Clinics included all the basic boards (nage, yawara, shime, and oku), the advanced boards like Shinnin and Shi

nyo, and some sessions on blended arts and fighting strategies.  Amy liked all the classes.  For her, the highlight was the Medlin Brothers class on effective fighting techniques.  For me, it was enough to learn that Roger and John had another brother!  He looks a lot like them, but he talks funny.

Sunday was all about the contest in the morning, and then the banquet in the evening.  Joseph Larsen entered the 5th kyu division and took First Place!  Congratulations Joe.  His scores were excellent.  He had a good uke, though.  Joe was very nervous going in, but overcame it to perform like a pro.  For me, I had the privilege of a front-row seat during the Black Belt

 divisions (I was judging).  I love watching my art done with such expertise.  It is a humbling experience.

The banquet opened with a Hawaiian show featuring music, Hula, and Bryan Stanley's stirring rendition of modern jazz dance set to sweet Hawaiian tones.  I did take some video, but Bryan assures me that, if I publish it, he will face lifelong derision and humiliation befo

re his high school students.  So, I won't.

The highlight of the evening was the keynote address by Dr. H. Bruce Stokes.  Reverend Stokes has known Prof. Chubb for over thirty years, and recalled his path through these arts, and with these people in touching detail.  It had most of us reaching for our dinner napkins to dry our eyes.

The Reunion did exactly what it was supposed to do.  Joe and I got to reunite with old friends, and Amy

 got to meet some new friends.  I'm already looking forward to next year's Reunion in Central California.