Newsletter March 2013 Dear Friends,
Welcome to another monthly newsletter full of important information and exciting news!
Chinese New Year Performances: WOW! CMAA worked hard to prepare for several exciting demonstrations (demo’s) and boy did we put on a show! Please see the attached photos from our performances at the Clifton Park Half Moon Library and the Egg! I may be biased, but I'm sure we were the most exciting performances at these eventsJ CMAA has been asked to do more already including an upcoming cultural Gala in June. Great job guys! If you were not involved with the demo this time, it is possible to be included in future performances. We are working hard on developing a strong martial arts demo team and will continue to evaluate students in class performance for qualification.
School Closings: Monday the 11th, Tuesday the 12th and Wednesday the 13th: All classes are canceled! (Kungfu, Tai Chi and CrossFit) Shifu will be taking a much needed vacation to visit his grandparents. Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with Grandpa Geller at age 92 on the secrets of longevity!
Kungfu Sash Test: Please note that we will be holding our quarterly Sash Test on Sunday, March 3rd at 11am.
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
Is your child a future Olympian? Wushu has been bidding for a spot in the Olympics since 2008. It’s been on the short list of 7 sports to potentially be included since then. Now that wrestling has been cut, Wushu has again risen to the top of a short list of sports to be potentially included in the 2020 Olympics!
Will Wushu Replace Wrestling in 2020 Olympic Games? http://www.isportstimes.com/articles/5816/20130212/wrestling-cut-2020-olympic-games-wushu-replace.htm
See an exciting display of wushu in the original IOC Wushu Promotional video from 2008 (event demonstrations beginning at 2:50!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsgQ6YuVYUY
As a former member of the USA National Wushu Kungfu Team, CMAA can help your child reach the elite levels required for competition. Shifu Geller has been invited to judge at the 2013 USA Team Trials (the national team’s qualifying event). From a technical perspective to all the unwritten rules and politics – Shifu Geller knows exactly what it takes to qualify. March Challenge:
Study the greats! Whether you practice Kungfu or Tai Chi, you should study the greats. Know who the “all time” best were. Not “Jackie Chan”, or “Zhang San Feng”, but the “Prince of Wushu” Yuan Wen Qing and the lineage hold of Chen style Tai Chi- Chen Xiao Wang. Watch their movements, see why they are legends, and LEARN from them! Want more? Ask Shifu who to watch. Eagle? Xu Xiangdong. Praying Mantis? Yu Hai. Bagua? Liu Hai Bo. Tiger? Yang Shiwen. There is a master of every style and each master is someone we can learn from!
Summary
As always, lots of exciting things are happening right now. Stay tuned for more great updates!
Best-
Shifu