Monthly Newsletter – June Dear Friends,
It seems that spring is finally here! From seminars, to competitions, demo’s and parties, you won’t want to miss out on the action!
School Closings 2015 New Jersey International Wushu Kungfu Tournament Recap Kungfu Sash Test 3rd Annual Kungfu Wushu Competition Kungfu- Tai Chi Seminars Recap Student of the Month – Maya “The Next Karate Kid” Looney Chinese Cultural Gala Demo
As usual please stay tuned for more exciting action at CMAA!
Best,
Shifu School Closings All classes will be held as regularly scheduled.
2015 New Jersey International Wushu Kungfu Tournament Recap
Where to start!? In short notice, CMAA put together a competition team. I spoke to many coaches who all said the same thing about this tournament, that is was poorly organized but that all the top school on the East Coast would be sending teams. I knew we would be facing our toughest competition to date.
With school’s bringing students to use this tournament as a benchmark for the USA National Wushu Team Trials selection in July (in California), CMAA students got to see firsthand what that caliber athlete looks like. I think the take away was that this competition was certainly no walk in the park, but we weren’t out of our league either. With all students placing top three in at least one event, and 1 gold medal each for Cindy Pang, Schuyler Wang, Caleb Juman and Shawn Paxton I know we are on the right track!
Win or lose, I hope everyone came away proud of their performance and ready to start working toward new goals. Special thanks to all the dedicated parents. Your time, energy and dedication is meaningful and appreciated!
Chinese Cultural Gala Demo: June 21 What: Chinese Cultural Gala Where: Sunday, June 21. 1:30pm – 3pm Where: Clifton Park – Halfmoon Public Library 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park NY 12065
Kungfu Sash Test: June 28 Please note that we will be holding our quarterly Sash Test on Sunday, June 28th at 10:30 am.
You know exactly what we will be testing but if you have any questions, check the Sash Requirements page on the website and feel free to clarify things with me during class.http://www.martialartsalbany.com/kungfu-sash-requirements/
If you are unsure whether or not you (or your child) are ready to test, please speak with me before or during class, via email at AlbanyCMAA@gmail.com or by phone (518) 755-7512.
Remember, you will not “get” your sash at CMAA – you will EARN it! There is a big difference. It’s important you (your child) learns the value of their sash- the value of hard work! Let’s stay focused and step up our training so we’re fully prepared for the test!
White/Yellow/Green/Blue: $25, Red/Purple/Orange: $50, Light Brown/Dark Brown/Gold: $75 3rd Annual Kungfu Wushu Competition: July 25th If you are interested in competing, this is a great opportunity. CMAA will be organizing a competition team to participate in the 3rd Annual Kungfu Wushu Competition. Yellow sashes and above are encouraged to compete. Everyone is welcome to come and support your team! As a smaller tournament with simple organization, this competition has been a good venue for new competitors.
Just like sash tests, the true value of competition is still self-improvement. All the fun and team bonding is just a nice extra!
Online Registration here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UuPl3A43Iy3FKKOSlouTAJfhWWZUCQLb-0Z54kpdDUU/viewform
Date: Saturday, July 25. Competition begins at 10am sharp. Location: Hopkins Academy High School Gymnasium. (1.5-2 hours from Albany, NY)
Kungfu and Tai Chi Seminars Recap Sensitivity Training for Martial Arts What a blast! Practical martial arts applications using softness, and multi angle weapons strikes and blocks presented in an easy to understand format. Instructor Steve Juman through his years of training traditional Kungfu, Bruce Lee’s JKD, and Kali has a deep understanding of sensitivity and how it can be applied practically in martial arts. In addition, as a Kali (Phillipino Weapons) specialist, Master Juman knows how to quickly present weapons basics in a very practical way.
If you weren’t able to attend the seminar or just want more of the same type of fun, and practical training, come try a class! Instructor Juman’s class is held every Saturday from 2-3pm.
Next- Tai Chi and Kungfu Seminars with Shifu Ching Yin Lee! Coach Ching-Yin Lee has been training in Kung Fu since 1993 and Tai Chi Chuan since 1994. He is a two time US Wushu National Team Member and has been a Professional Coach since 2002. He has trained with Lu Xiao Lin and Dr. Sims at O-Mei Wushu Center, He Qiang and Chen Yang Ping (both two time National China Champions in Nanquan or Southern Fist) in Guangdong, China, and coach Herb Martin (Assistant Coach for 2008 US Olympic Boxing Team) at Enigma Boxing Gym.
Student of the Month – Maya “The Next Karate Kid” Looney Maya, her name is fun to say and on a weekly basis her hair changes to just about every color in in a rainbow. When Maya first started, she seemed quiet and not quick sure of her physical skillsets. Now, she’s often cracking the loudest inside crescent kicks in class and fearlessly charging into her front rolls.
As a team, we recently entered in our toughest competition to date. When Maya asked if she could compete I told her, this will be a much more difficult competition than usual and I would not recommend it for a first time competitor BUT if she still wanted to, that I would help her prepare. She said she wanted to take on the challenge. What impressed me more than her physical improvements was her newly expressed attitude and confidence. I’m not impressed by martial artists who claim to have no fear, I am impressed by those who choose to face their fears and accept new challenges. For that, Maya Looney is this month’s Student of the Month.
Shifu: When did you initially get involved in martial arts?
Maya: I got involved with marital arts about a year ago, however I've been interested in it since I was young. What brought me to actually doing Kung Fu was my former math teacher. She and her kids do Kung Fu and brought me along to a class and just kept bringing me. They pushed me to start and now I really love it.
Shifu: What drew you to martial arts?
Maya: Honestly the video games and tv shows I grew up with. Shows like Avatar the Last Airbender were particularly important to me. I remmber playing with my brother and pretending I was a fire bender with crazy kicks and hand gestures. (Although I do think I would be an earth bender if I had the choice now.)
Shifu: What are a few of the main things you have taken away from your time training?
Maya: As cheesy as it sounds I think I've learned that I shouldn't give up and to keep trying. When I started I was so afraid of doing dive rolls that I could barely even get into the position without feeling like I was going to pass out. Now they're one of my favorite things to do. I have really bad anxiety and being at the competition recently was hard for me but I'm so glad I did it and I am already thinking about the next one. Have somebody drag you to whatever it is you should be doing and after a while you'll either love it or it just becomes routine enough that you don't mind it.
Shifu: What’s your favorite part of training?
Maya: I love the feeling of improvement. I've grown a lot the past year and I can feel it almost every time I train. I can feel my splits getting lower and lower and every time I make good contact with a kick I feel so accomplished. It's amazing how far I've gone and I'm excited for the future.
Shifu: I know it’s still early, but could you tell us more about what you think you’d like to do after high school?
Maya: Right now my current plan is to go to art school somewhere in the city for fashion design. I would love to become a costume designer for things like Superhero movies and fantasy films. It combines all of my loves for nerdy things and sewing into one and the thought of designing clothes for a character I loved as a kid inspires me so much.
Shifu: If you could give any advice to someone who has a passion for martial arts, what would it be?
Maya: Just keep doing it. That's one of the best things I've ever done. I'm in the best shape of my life and I don't hate PE anymore because I actually have stamina now. It's really easy to find excuses even with things you like, and believe me I do it all the time, but don't make it a habit. If you can't be at your gym, train at home. If you want to get a split/kick/jump/etc. down, try it all the time. Nike is on the right track with their slogan being "Just do it."
Shifu: Anything else about yourself you’d like to share?
Maya: I'm going to be leaving for almost all of July for a college program at the Pratt Institute for fashion design. It's going to be tough leaving my family and Kung Fu for a month but I'm really excited for it.
Summary
As usual please stay tuned for more exciting action at CMAA!
Best,
Shifu