Memorial Day
We wish all of our students, their families and our friends a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend.  Please take time to say "thank you" to the men and women that you see this weekend who serve for our freedom and safety.

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." - John F. Kennedy
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Kyo Sa Torchia & Grand Master Estioko
Congratulations to Kyo Sa Nim Torchia for repeating as the Mens Sparring Grand Champion at the 8th Battle of LA on May 29th!  And congratulations to the other 17 OCKicks competitors who all received medals in at least one event that they entered.  Although the holiday weekend made for a smaller tournament than normal the level of competition was still quite high and we're proud of everyone for rising to the challenge.
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From all of us at Orange County School of Martial Arts | OCKicks - Happy Mothers Day!  We hope you all had fun in class yesterday with your kids and that you felt a little more empowered after smashing through that board!  If it weren't for you, well, let's face it, we wouldn't be here. And we wouldn't have received such sage advice as:
  • Don't make that face or it'll freeze in that position.
  • Be careful or you'll put your eye out.
  • What if everyone jumped off a cliff? Would you do it, too?
  • You have enough dirt behind those ears to grow potatoes!
  • I hope that when you grow up, you have kids "Just Like you"! (aka the "Mother's Curse").
  • If you fall out of that tree and break your leg, don't come running to me.
  • Bored! How can you be bored? I was never bored at your age.
  • Just wait till your father gets home.
And of course:
  • It doesn't matter what you accomplish, I'll always be proud of you.
Thanks for always believing in us Mom!

Sincerely, 

Larry, Mike, Matt & (fellow mom) Kendra 
Orange County School of Martial Arts | OCKicks
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On  Saturday May 1st we held our Spring Red Belt Test.  We are extremely proud of the efforts of our 11 candidates who demonstrated the fire associated with the belt.  Our theme in April was In Neh, the Korean word for endurance.  Our new red belts showed endurance, perseverance and indomitable spirit with their efforts during their test.  Congratulations to you all!
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In Neh (인내) 05/01/2010
 
Last month the underlying theme behind many of our lessons was In Neh which is Korean for endurance.  Sa Bom Nim Gilliland defined endurance as "the ability for the body to keep going when tired."  He further defined perseverence as "the ability for the mind to push the body when tired."  Lastly, he explained that indomitable spirit is the unyeilding character or will that demonstrates enduring perserverence.  It is that special quality (spirit) that makes you unique.  These definitions clearly tie-in the concept of In Neh to body, mind and spirit. It is important in your martial arts training to recognize the connection and train in a way that challanges you to improve your own stamina on all 3 levels.
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