Blind Community Martial Arts

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our Saturday morning Zoom class! We’ll be back at it again next week. If you want the connection information for the class, please send a private message to this page. Also, if you are intersted in developing an adaptive martial arts program in your own gym or dojo, we’ll do our best to help.

Join us tomorrow, Saturday Jan 16 for a Live Zoom Martial Art's class from 10 am to 11 am! All abilities welcome! If you're interested please send a private message to this facebook page.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Dec 5, 2020 10 am to 11 am Join us for a zoom class with ... Shihan Mario Schapp If you are interested please send a message to our page.

A big Congratulations to Shihan Mario after 12 years of BJJ training he was promoted to BJJ Black Belt at Studio 540! Definitely well deserved! Two Photos below: Both of Shihan Mario in a white BJJ Gi with his Super Mario Bros rash guard underneath, his old brown belt drapped around his neck and his new black belt wrapped and tied around his waist. And of course a big smile on his face.

Every day is a new day. Yes, we take with us everything we learned from the day before, yes we take with us the pain & the hurt and yes, we take with us the beauty and wonder we saw & experienced the day before. Today, we again become more than we were yesterday. Below is an excerpt from the Introduction to our Tekio Jitsu Training Manual written by Shihan Mario Schapp: As we begin our journey we adhere to guidelines or requirements to give us structure and direction durin...g our daily struggles. Nothing in life comes easy but it's worth fighting for. We all are diverse, and yet so alike. We may look and speak different, we have our cultural and religious preferences. We represent ourselves based on parental upbringing, civic duty, moral, courtesy, respect, religion, education , physical constitution and our mental capacity. When inspiration, motivation and determination paired with focus, ability and strength become the driving force to conquer our challenges, we become successful in reaching goals. See more

The Blind Community Center where we meet to run our Martial Arts classes is still closed and the President of the Center has told me that they have no available date to open. The one obstacle to opening is the 6' physical distancing which is extremely difficult to follow because of the need to make contact. We will continue to keep everyone updated with any changes. Below is an excerpt from the Introduction to the Tekio Jutsu Training Manual written by Shihan Mario Shcapp: E...veryone has the right to improve the quality of life and experience the beautiful aspects of our worldly existence. We are engaged in a struggle of constant survival while we strive to fulfill our hearts desire. We laugh, we love, we celebrate life, we surround ourselves with like minded people and enjoy every present moment. Step by step, little by little we are moving closer to our dreams and we establish new ones alongside our journey.In times where assaults and violence are daily concerns for all of us, we no longer can be careless about our personal safety or the safety of our loved ones. Many people take action. They learn to defend themselves and live a healthier life through the practice of Martial Arts. With motivation to change and the excitement to train physically as well as mentally, the rewarding self-healing process has been initiated.A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, and while we keep on taking one step after the other, we come to terms with the challenges that lay ahead of us. Not losing sight at what is important to us, we venture out and experience being a student in the martial arts, something so humbling and yet empowering. It fills us with bliss and happiness. See more

This is an excerpt from the Tekio Jutsu Training Manual written by Shihan Mario Schapp: Words of Wisdom We don't know what the future holds, we can only hope for the best and prepare for challenges ahead.... Each moment that we spend embracing the unknown, we give gratitude towards our struggles and achievements. I do not want, I am, we manifest our deepest desires. Nothing is granted to us, we work hard to get it. If it makes us better, it's worth fighting for. We favor the Mind over Matter. When we have an opportunity to help, we do so with compassion, reverence and patience. We engage with others, strengthening our communities. Learning is a privilege that we honor with our greatest efforts. There is no failure, only opportunity for self improvement. Each defeat is a chance to be better prepared next time. We pay it forward with help, favors and sometimes with pain. We expect the best, yet we are not concerned with the outcome. Repetition and consistency are key to good martial arts training. For every problem we strive to find a solution. We don't give up. We seek to harmonize with Time, Space and Distance. We look to restore balance throughout. See more

Hey Guys! You are facing tough challenges In your life, I know. Face them and do your best. This grainy photo of two different sized guys fighting, reminds me that anyone has the power to make a choice to face the challenges ahead. Keep on fighting. In this photo from a nationals team sparring match with the region 9 competition team, we have a smaller competitor moving in underneath the high kick to off balance the much larger opponent and counter strike.... Stay safe. Shihan Mario