Paths of Transformation

We held a belt test this Saturday for our Pyon Moo Do kids program.  Everybody showed outstanding effort and focus.  Great job, kids!

On December 9, we held a belt test for Wee Warriors and on December 10, we held one for Pyon Moo Do Kids.  Both tests went well and all of the students who participated did a fantastic job.  Congratulations everyone!

We held a belt test for our littlest students – our Wee Warriors.  These guys did a great job and were a lot of fun to watch demonstrate their skills!

This Austin American Statesman article saddened me to read, but having spent so much time meeting  kids in area elementary schools, I am not surprised.

Read the original article here.

Many Texas Schoolchildren Fail Fitness Evaluation

More than one in four Texas schoolchildren is overweight or obese, a statistic not likely to surprise many adults. But a 2010 report card on childhood health revealed a stat that startled the experts who recently analyzed the data: More than two in five Texas schoolchildren were deemed unfit. continue reading…

As a martial arts instructor, my students (and their families) give me a lot of reasons to be proud.  This past week, we had yet another example of why the community at TMAA is so wonderful.  On August 31st, there was an early morning fire at an apartment complex just blocks away from our school.  Fifteen families lost their homes and everything in them, including basic necessities such as food and clothing.  Our community rallied to their need, bring in food, clothing, furniture and toys.  We also had donations of  cash and gift cards.  By the time we got to our deadline last Friday, we had an impressive pile of stuff.  Additionally, we were met in the parking lot  by carloads of more donations from families and even their neighbors.  What an awesome Dojang we have!

As a martial arts instructor, I have a unique perspective of my students’ lives. When I meet them, I am offered a snapshot of who they are. I don’t have a sense of what preceded them entering the Dojang, and I don’t know where we will end up. As I get to know students and their families over time, the depth of my knowledge of their pasts, and my understanding of the potential in their futures grows. I always find the unfolding of who my students are to be an interesting process and one that is often filled with surprises. Some surprises are small, some are stunning. I had one of the later while talking to a parent a couple of weeks ago. continue reading…

Here are some pictures that Hansi’s mom took from our weekend in Kerrville. Thanks Suvi for the great pics!

We spent the weekend at Robert and Ridley Ott’s family ranch.  What a great weekend!  I’ll post more soon, but wanted to get this picture up for you all that was sent to me by Sadie and Gabriel’s mom.

Kids Class at Kerrville

I’ve completed some new videos from the 2010 Open House. Enjoy!

Here is the first video from last weekend’s open house demo. It has the Wee Warriors struttin’ their stuff!