Arnott Kenpo Karate

A great exercise post from one of our best teaching teams - Pete and Ollie Mann. If you do any group classes, make sure you take a gander at this. Thanks, Mr. and Mr. Mann.

The out back is looking good, and will be fully dry in another day. But we will stay off it for awhile. Until things improve (Covid, I mean, not yahoos mistaking the Capitol for the Bastille) we will be Zoom-only for all group classes. There is not a student at the dojo who would want to pass on the corona virus; we will continue to err on the side of caution. But we shall return. Meanwhile, see you on Zoom. I am being led by the recommendations of the CDC, the LA County Health, and the Medical Fitness Association. We are doing the best that can be done. We can start up with private lessons outside when new work is dry. Our landlord has also allowed me to paint on the full Universal Symbol. Which will be totally cool. A couple of fully-distanced volunteers would not go amiss. On to a better 2021.

Definitely Zooming for Tuesday classes - hoping to be outback for Wednesday, but stay tuned. The parking lot cut-up crew took longer than expected. They will be filling in tomorrow. But we are online, for all classes, and look forward to seeing you there.

many thanks to that totally cool crew who made it in today for the first class of 2021, and then stayed to clear the decks for our new dojo out back. you all are the bees' knees.

We are back, vacation is done, and kenpo beckons. Full classes on Sunday, and on Monday a new parking lot (Tuesday will be Zoom-only to make sure it's dry) and 2021 awaits. Here's a shot of Essien, the final 2020 visitor to the dojo, with some of his bling from his triumph at his most recent Zoom tournament. Bob was miffed that he only got a tinsel boa. 2021 is a blank canvas and I'm looking forward to filling it, with your help.

Wingy and his merrie band are a flat-out hoot. I'm mighty glad to've met them.

A champion never stops getting better - well done Essien

Focus is one skill you can always bring to the game, and will always make you better. When that focus is brought by the whole family, you are an unstoppable force. Lily and Sofia are the exact examples of parents who care enough to take a punch. An unstoppable family force.

a mighty good trainer, concise and clear

Some folks never stop working, never stop improving, always strive to better their best. Congratulations Kayleen, on your step to Brown, and for the lovely work here in Long Form 2.

We have only two more classes this week - Friday (when Sebastian Cohen steps up to Blue) and Saturday. I hope to see you all at both of them, and then wish you all the best of Labor Day weekends this Sunday and Monday.

dealing with multiple attackers - take control, don't wait for them to attack - advance with weapons - change tack or direction without thought. https://laughingsquid.com/cat-leaps-over-other-cats-set-t/

Chris Chinn stepped up to 3rd Brown with power and grace. A solo test, no rest, wearing a mask, 1 1/2 hours of techniques, drills, kata and sparring. Chris had to learn most of his techniques on Zoom, on his own, and with just a few days practice with the most generous of fellow students - Cassius Mohapi and Johnny Fujikawa, Chris brought it all to life. Black Belt control. And a truly beautiful personal kata. Many pictures and video to come - well done Chris - you owned that Brown Belt.

Saturday morning classes work in the shade alongside the dojo, a great way to start the weekend. Warmups today are led by our newest Purple Belt, Stefan Ogbac, and as well as the family team of Pete and Ollie Mann, we are joined by our newest family team of Jacobi and dad Dennis Serras. Miss Taylor will be testing tomorrow for the second stripe on her Brown Belt, and Felix Rose continues as one of the most dedicated out-back dojo students. It is people like these few, these happy few, this band of brothers (and sisters) that will emerge from the Covid Era stronger and better for it. Truly an inspiring bunch of folks to start a day.

kenpo in the shade

Congratulations to three exceptional martial artists. Miss Erin's test to 1st Black was shorter than I had figured, only two grueling hours. It was action-packed. Her command of basics was faultless - every technique called out was done instantly and powerfully. Black Belt requires power and control, and the way she smashed through a stack of boards using kicks and knees and elbows made it very clear that she owned Black Belt control and that her attackers were fortunate. H...er personal kata was flat-out brilliant. Powerful, kenpo-filled, and witty. A joy of work. The skills she demonstrated today were matched by her hundreds of hours of service to the dojo as a teacher and friend. Erin earned her Black and our respect. Rank beyond 3rd Black is earned solely by service, there are no further techniques or kata, and for his 4th Black demonstration Carlos Alvarez chose to perform all of the kata, Short One through Long 8. Beautifully. Miss Jane was awarded her 2nd stripe today, with deepest respect and gratitude for keeping the dojo alive and growing. These three students bring their very best to the mat every day and give to all of us with all of their hearts and hard-won skill. I am deeply grateful to have you here.

The Black Belt test will commence at noon, and run about 3 hours. Miss Morissette to 1st Black, and Mr. Alvarez to 4th Degree Black. This is going to be an extraordinary day with some extraordinary people. Erin has come a long way with us.

Earning a Brown Belt is a test of the student, not just of his knowledge. To earn his 3rd Degree Brown Belt Essien Gagnon had to do far more than learn kata and technique. His actual test, in this time of Covid, took place over 5 days and 15 classes. He had to assist in every Yellow/Orange/Purple/Blue/Green/Brown belt uni-belt class, helping every student needing to work on any technique, set or kata required of the curriculum, assist in all the online breakout room classes ...over the last weekend, and his final step yesterday consisted of having every instructor in our outdoor class call out any 3rd Brown technique that struck our fancy and having him perform it immediately with clarity and power. He then performed about the finest, cleanest most diamond-cut Long Form 3 I have ever seen. Essien is 12 years old, has been a student here at the studio for most of his life and earned the respect of every student at the dojo. Testing to Brown was a test of character, and he earned it, the only way you can. Bravo, Essien.

This outdoor life is pretty cool - all the 6:00 evening classes, the 9 AM Saturday and Sunday out back classes, and here is Miss Sophie and Dad at home. Kenpo means never having to say quit. Well done, Miss Sophie and thanks for sending this on.

outdoor kenpo, all the time

feel the beat, make it happen