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   TrueNews - Overlake

 

December, 2011

Edition 56

 

Happy Holidays!

Please take this time of year to appreciate everything you have and to remember the best gift will probably be the one you give from the heart.

 

 

This month I’d like to introduce Kyo Bum Nim Jennifer Berg!

 Why and when did you start your martial arts training?
I started training in martial arts because it seemed like a fun way to get into better shape and learn some self defense.  I had watched martial arts movies and, like so many people, I was fascinated, so I thought I might give it a try.  Just as I was getting serious about looking for a place to learn, a friend received a brochure in the mail from True Martial Arts.  We both thought the school sounded like it might fit the bill, so we came to check it out.  Sixteen years later, here I still am.  TMA has become a second home and family for me.
When and why did you start teaching at TMA?
I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, so it seemed natural to volunteer when SBN Zoppi said he was looking for assistant instructors.  I was  a brown belt when I started assisting with classes  and before my internship was done,  I had helped teach all levels of students – from the youngest beginners to the adults and even an after school class at Discovery Elementary – before I finally had my own little class of adults to teach at the Pine Lake TMA.  The more I taught and spent time at TMA, the more I loved it.  I made the decision to focus my energy on the martial arts school about eleven years ago, teaching and becoming the school manager at Overlake TMA full time. 
What are your interests (including job) outside of martial arts?
Outside of teaching martial arts I… well, I teach.  I tutor students in a variety of subjects including Spanish, math, and writing.  A lot of my time is also focused on my daughter, Elizabeth, who is growing and learning every day.  In my spare time I like to read and spend time with my family and friends.
What is your favorite part of training/teaching?.
I love learning new things about the martial arts.  It’s still just as exciting for me to learn a new move or a new form as it was when I had just started.  But it’s also exciting for me to learn new applications for old techniques or even just to hone my skills and improve the finer points of my martial arts.  Teaching is the other side of the coin.  I love it when a student has that “ah ha” moment, when learn something new or they figure something out for the first time.  It’s a thrill to pass on what I’ve learned to other students and hopefully to give them the some of the same passion for martial arts that I’ve found.

 

 

 

Thank you to everyone that participated in the Sparring Tournament

This year, the new rules went into effect and we saw a huge increase in high kicks and a happy decrease in warnings which means much cleaner and safer fighting… Great job EVERYONE!

 

Congratulations Student Of The Month – Karol Jamison!
Karol has worked hard to recover from injuries and surgeries so she can continue training.  She's recently started teaching, jumping in with both feet into multiple classes.  She does good works outside of the school (running Birthday Dreams among other things). And she's just joined the Adult Advanced Class!  Wow!

Progress
We all know that everyone learns and makes progress at different rates.  I can remember a few ranks that seemed to take forever to get through.  I remember other ranks that flew past so quickly I thought I was dreaming how quickly I learned the requirements.
Our program was built on the premise that students will make good progress if they train at least twice a week.  Some folks need more than that and others mange on less (although I don’t know how).
I am saddened when I hear that someone is thinking about leaving because they aren’t making progress.  And they usually aren’t making progress because they are unable to get to class twice a week, because of another activity like football, soccer, baseball, or just generally being too busy.  Even the busiest people at school still find time to get to class at least twice a week; more accurately, they make time to get to TMA twice a week. 
I want all our students to make progress.  I know our students want to make progress.  Let’s help them do just that.  If you notice you, or your son or daughter has hit a plateau, don’t take a break from class.  Instead, try getting to an additional class for the next couple of weeks.  Maybe take a private lesson to get past whatever hump is impeding progress.  Another idea to help you (or your children progress) is to be sure you are seeing the same instructor(s) weekly.
If you find yourself stuck, don’t give up!  We’ve all been there.  I’ve tried the take a break thing myself.  The result was falling even further behind where I wanted to be.  Talk with your instructor, KBN Berg, or SBN Barrett if you feel like you are moving slower than you’d like.  We will do whatever we can to help you make the progress you want.

 

 

 

                          Notables

Welcome Our Newest Students: Gregory Hatch, Kristina Hyde, and Tyler Hyde!

      Tae Kwon Do Promotions for November
Yellow Belt: Tee Trahan, Janelle Simpliciano, Trudy Silver, Shane Sawyer, Edan Jacobson, Jeffrey Chen, and Lina Albernaz
Adv. Yellow Belt:  Onur Ozyer
Adv. Green Belt:  Kai Newton and Karl Kammereck
Blue Belt:  Eshika Saxena, Freddie Rash, Matthew Kaczmarek, and Joey Kaczmarek
Brown Belt:  Roy Dunn
Adv. Brown Belt:  Ben Koch and Ariel Kiesler

     Arnis Promotions for November
Yellow Belt: Kristiina Tulleau, Eugene Yum, Ian Yum, and Aiden Lim
Green Belt:  Ethan Ma, Taylor Clark, and Jonah Byther
Blue Belt:  Alisha Saxena
Brown Belt:  Tyler Hammond

     December Training Anniversaries
One Year:  Edan Jacobson
Three Years:  Allan Rousselle
Four Years:  Drew Bogdan
Eight Years:  Owen Wessling
Eleven Years:  Jonathan McKinley

 

    December Birthdays

Joseph Almanza, Bronwyn Beatty, Marty Budinger, Evan Dragich, Tobey Goan, Noam Hezroni, Ofir Horovitz, Danielle Kaczmarek, Carson Kloeck, Jonathan McKinley, Keegan Pana, Rashmi Phadake, Freddie Rash and Tyler Reardon! 

 

 

If we left out your name or have the wrong information, please submit your correction to the front desk in written form so we can correct our information.