Inspired by a video shared by one of our students, last night's class followed the premise of earning "XP" during different drills in the class (calisthenics, stretching, proper technique, mistake free forms and board breaking). Bonus "XP" could be earned for certain challenges (like breaking a board during a form without losing concentration and finishing strong). We discussed how a character in a video game evolves and related it to the process of becoming more powerful and skilled as an individual. Leveling up in the game is like earning a new belt. "Prestige" is the act of starting over, just as in some games (like COD), which is similar to earning the cho dan rank. Now, last night was really more like a tutorial in a game and each student kept track of their own XP. Students seemed to enjoy and were motivated by the idea, even tracking and sharing their XP results at the end of class with fellow students.

Inspiration can come from just about anywhere...even video games. :)

There's more new COLOR in the school! We are pleased to announce the promotion of 20 Tang Soo Do students in Gup Shim Sa #40! This month's test included the graduation of two Team Turtle students who now join the Jr Kicks Tang Soo Do crew, four former Turtles who earned Orange Belt including MVP Stephen P, and two new Green Belts including MVP Andrew P. Congratulations to all! And thanks again to Nan Paturzo for the awesome treats after the belt test. If you were one of the many paparazzi at the test please share your photos with us. Tang Soo!

Please join us in congratulating the following students:

New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. How many times have you made a promise to yourself at New Years only to see that promise broken in a few months, weeks, or dare I even say...

Days.

And your promise quickly becomes a re-solution the following year. But it doesn't have to be this way. Sometimes we bite of more than we can chew. So the trick is to take smaller bites, even if it takes twice as many  bites to finish.

Or even more, a lot more. (You may find that it tastes much better too.)

So how can we put this idea to work for us? Bruce Lee is famous for not just his martial arts but for his take on life too. He noted famously that

There's more new COLOR in the school! We are pleased to announce the promotion of 31 Tang Soo Do students in Gup Shim Sa #36! This month's test included the graduation of 5 Team Turtle students who now join the Jr Kicks Tang Soo Do crew. The students demonstration of improved skills at each level was clearly evident in their performances. We can see the "payoff" for the patience and persistence of their martial arts practice. Congratulations to all! And thanks again to Nan Paturzo and Christina Ramirez for the awesome treats after the belt test. Click here to see more photos from the event. Tang Soo!

Please join us in congratulating the following students:

Team OCKicks, 25 strong, competed Saturday in the 2012 Origins Tang Soo Do Championships sponsored by Disneyland Sports. This year's tournament was well attended with some really good competition and especially challenging in the red and black belt divisions. OCKicks instructors are very proud of the great effort put forth by our students. We were especially proud of everyone's discipline and sportsmanship. Our students represented thier fellow students, their instructors and their school very well. A number of spectators commented on how well our students conducted themselves and for the precision with which they demonstrated their skills. Team OCKicks really stood out and made a strong impression. In all our team brought back 12 gold, 9 silver and 10 bronze medals plus the Men's Black Belt Grand Champion trophy which went to Adam Gilliland. Way to go Adam! All of our competitors should feel a great deal of pride.

For more photos/video from the event please visit our phanfare site at photos.ockicks.com. And if you have hi-res photos or hd video that you can share with us you can upload them as well.

Now for the results: 

Tonight's lesson part 1: Laser-like focus. Forms with emphasis on shi sun and concentration. Find the line and hold on to it. Check the mirror, lock eyes with the instructor or otherwise look off of the line and it's time to get strong (aka pushups). 

Part 2: A minute to win it! A "King of the Hill" sparring game where it doesn't matter if you score the most points but you must score the last point to win and hold the ring. Great strategy exercise for tournament sparring.

Tang Soo!

There is one thing nearly all modern Americans have in common: we sit all the time. Though our great shift towards computer-based work has done great things for productivity, it has, unfortunately, done terrible things for our health. From increased risk of heart disease and obesity in the long term, to sharply hampered cholesterol maintenance in the short term, the negative health effects of sitting are starting to weigh heavily against the benefits.

On the week ending Saturday, May 5th we held our Spring Red Belt Test and Dan Classing. We are extremely proud of the efforts by the candidates who demonstrated the fire of a red belt. Our theme for the test cycle was "Shin Chook", the Korean expression for tension & relaxation. Follow this link to see photos from the event on our phanfare site.

Please join us in congratulating the following students:

There's more new COLOR in the school! We are pleased to announce the promotion of 26 Tang Soo Do students in the month of April who were evaluated as part of Gup Shim Sa #32! You can see more photos of the event here. Congratulations to all!

Keep reading to see a complete list of those promoted this month.

There's more new COLOR in the school! We are pleased to announce the promotion of 31 Tang Soo Do students in Gup Shim Sa #31! We extend special recognition to a few stand-out students. The first is to a pair of sisters that seem to have really dedicated themselves to training in a very short period of time who have been rewarded early with their orange belts. Congratulations Jennifer and Mailyn! The second high five goes to Derrick Burton Jr. who successfully completed his 5th Gup Green Belt test as the sole green belt in the afternoon test. Unable to make the last test with his classmates he showed patience and discipline combined with a lot of improvement to earn his new rank. Way to go Derrick! Thank you to to Nan and Fran Paturzo for the awesome cupcakes to celebrate after the afternoon test. More photos are available on our phanfare site. Check out the video of students board breaking on our youtube channel.

Please join us in congratulating the following students: