I am sorry that I need to cancel classes this evening, but I am going to error on the side of safety. We will be open on Tuesday, January 5th for the 10am class however.
Mr. Meyer
Monday, January 4, 2010
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Thoughts on the past year
NWATKD members experienced many changes this past year. In many places changes cause anxiety because people tend to like things the way they have always been. We thank all of our students for embracing all of the changes, and bringing your excitement, passion, and willingness to sweat to each and every class!
Highlights:
The Demonstration team was one of our main highlights of the year. In their first year of competition, they almost defeated the reigning champs (Fayetteville) who have been performing for 3 years. At Nationals, our team missed a tie for first by 1/2 point on a 6 point scale. We are very proud of the effort of all of our team members!
Tournament performance by our students was spectacular! At every tournament, the Centerton team showed up in force. We were close to the most students from any school at each event, and our students placed in almost every event in which they participated.
Our first 2nd Dan black belts earned their stripes this year. What a huge achievement for Daniel and Quinton!
A new training surface is also high on our list of uprgades to the studio this year. Does anyone remember the puzzle mats? Ok sorry to bring that up ; ) I've visited quite a few schools this year, and think our training surface is at the top of the list.
Highlights:
The Demonstration team was one of our main highlights of the year. In their first year of competition, they almost defeated the reigning champs (Fayetteville) who have been performing for 3 years. At Nationals, our team missed a tie for first by 1/2 point on a 6 point scale. We are very proud of the effort of all of our team members!
Tournament performance by our students was spectacular! At every tournament, the Centerton team showed up in force. We were close to the most students from any school at each event, and our students placed in almost every event in which they participated.
Our first 2nd Dan black belts earned their stripes this year. What a huge achievement for Daniel and Quinton!
A new training surface is also high on our list of uprgades to the studio this year. Does anyone remember the puzzle mats? Ok sorry to bring that up ; ) I've visited quite a few schools this year, and think our training surface is at the top of the list.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Thoughts About This Past Weekend's Blackbelt Camp
This past weekend, Mr. DeSousa and I attended an instructor and black belt camp hosted by the United States Taekwon-Do Association. We were taught by 3 seventh degree Masters in sparring, self defense, pattern techniques, the science of Taekwon-Do, and school management. Just being with this group of black belts was a humbling experience. But they were about the most gifted teachers I've yet met.
The event truly was a camp. We stayed at an almost brand new 1,000+ acre church camp in the forest outside of Little Rock. We did self defense drills, speed excercises, and several basic excerise sessions outside in a pavillion overlooking a lake. The 70 degree weather was almost heavenly!
I love the technical side of Taekwon Do so the first class called "The Science of Striking" was right up my alley. We discussed how energy flows in sparring, self defense, and also in patterns. Newton's third law of motion has more application in our art than you can possibly believe.
The science lessons were put into use when we spent 2 hours practing speed drills, and another 2 hours sparring. Imagine a line of 6th and 7th degree blackbelts, and then all of the lower belts tasked with sparring each of 6th and 7th degrees in order. We started the sparring session about 8pm, and worked hard until 10pm. From there, I went back to the cabin and tried to sleep. Sleep was not possible though. I was enjoying the sore muscles, and recapping each round in my mind. The adrenaline was way too high for my body to rest, and I think Mr. DeSousa had the same experience. We probably slept all of about two hours that night.
The last day, we worked on pattern for hours. I think I put about 4 hours into patterns throughout the day. Watching Taekwon-Do masters who have trained for 30+ years do pattern is simply awesome. Talk about motivating!!
We drove home Saturday night, and didn't stop talking about the weekend for the entire 3 1/2 hours. We have so much to show you all, and are looking forward to passing on what we learned.
We'll see you in class!
The event truly was a camp. We stayed at an almost brand new 1,000+ acre church camp in the forest outside of Little Rock. We did self defense drills, speed excercises, and several basic excerise sessions outside in a pavillion overlooking a lake. The 70 degree weather was almost heavenly!
I love the technical side of Taekwon Do so the first class called "The Science of Striking" was right up my alley. We discussed how energy flows in sparring, self defense, and also in patterns. Newton's third law of motion has more application in our art than you can possibly believe.
The science lessons were put into use when we spent 2 hours practing speed drills, and another 2 hours sparring. Imagine a line of 6th and 7th degree blackbelts, and then all of the lower belts tasked with sparring each of 6th and 7th degrees in order. We started the sparring session about 8pm, and worked hard until 10pm. From there, I went back to the cabin and tried to sleep. Sleep was not possible though. I was enjoying the sore muscles, and recapping each round in my mind. The adrenaline was way too high for my body to rest, and I think Mr. DeSousa had the same experience. We probably slept all of about two hours that night.
The last day, we worked on pattern for hours. I think I put about 4 hours into patterns throughout the day. Watching Taekwon-Do masters who have trained for 30+ years do pattern is simply awesome. Talk about motivating!!
We drove home Saturday night, and didn't stop talking about the weekend for the entire 3 1/2 hours. We have so much to show you all, and are looking forward to passing on what we learned.
We'll see you in class!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Save The Date, Its Rally Time!
Get ready for our 2009 Regional Rally. It is going to be held here in Bentonville! Students from all of the AMA schools are invited to train together on Saturday October 24th. Color belts train from 10am to 12pm. Black belts train 1pm to 3pm.
Visit our web site for a flyer with all of the details. On the home page, go to the left hand column and select "Student Information." From there you will see the file.
Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1602+N.W.+12th+Street++Bentonville,+AR+72712&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.426353,86.220703&ie=UTF8&ll=36.38821,-94.228749&spn=0.00779,0.02105&z=16
Visit our web site for a flyer with all of the details. On the home page, go to the left hand column and select "Student Information." From there you will see the file.
Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1602+N.W.+12th+Street++Bentonville,+AR+72712&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.426353,86.220703&ie=UTF8&ll=36.38821,-94.228749&spn=0.00779,0.02105&z=16
Friday, September 4, 2009
Robbie wins an election!
It brings us great pride to announce that Robbie, a 5th grade high blue belt, not only had the courage to run for student council, but he was elected! Robbie probably has attended more Taekwon-Do classes than any other student this year, and it is a joy to see him so involved at school as well.
Way to go Robbie!
Mr. DeSousa & Mr. Meyer
Way to go Robbie!
Mr. DeSousa & Mr. Meyer
Tournament Results
It is our sincere hope that everyone who participates in a tournament gets much more out of the experience than just a medal. That being said, it nice to be recognized! Please remember that in general, the competitors at tournaments are some of the best students at their schools. This means the competition is tough! Congratulations to the NWATKD crew who brought home some hardware!
Demo Team: 1st!
Daniel Blakeley: 1st in pattern, 2nd in sparring
Robyn Blakeley: 2nd in pattern, 3rd in sparring
Jim Brooks: 2nd in pattern, 1st in sparring
Brandon Burson: 3rd in pattern
Spencer Coburn: 1st in pattern, 1st in sparring
Jenny D'Amico: 2nd in sparring
Sarah D'Amico: 2nd in pattern, 3rd in sparring
Zach Dunn: 3rd in pattern
Trever Hanna: 2nd in pattern
Eric Meyer: 2nd in pattern, 3rd in sparring
Taitum Meyer: 2nd in pattern
Kenny Nguyen: 1st in pattern, 3rd in sparring
Kayla Yoos: 2nd in pattern, 2nd in sparring
Rose Yoos: 3rd in pattern, 2nd in sparring
Demo Team: 1st!
Daniel Blakeley: 1st in pattern, 2nd in sparring
Robyn Blakeley: 2nd in pattern, 3rd in sparring
Jim Brooks: 2nd in pattern, 1st in sparring
Brandon Burson: 3rd in pattern
Spencer Coburn: 1st in pattern, 1st in sparring
Jenny D'Amico: 2nd in sparring
Sarah D'Amico: 2nd in pattern, 3rd in sparring
Zach Dunn: 3rd in pattern
Trever Hanna: 2nd in pattern
Eric Meyer: 2nd in pattern, 3rd in sparring
Taitum Meyer: 2nd in pattern
Kenny Nguyen: 1st in pattern, 3rd in sparring
Kayla Yoos: 2nd in pattern, 2nd in sparring
Rose Yoos: 3rd in pattern, 2nd in sparring
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tournament News
The Centerton crew rocked at the tournament! The demo team set the tone with an outstanding performance. Check out the video on our video page when you get a chance. Mr. DeSousa and I are very proud of each member of the team. They really worked hard preparing for this competition, and the effort showed.
We are also very proud of each student who chose to compete. We know that the first competition each of our students faces is anxiety. It takes a lot of courage to perform patterns and spar in front of an audience. We hope each of our team feels like they learned something and came home a better Taekwon-Do artist because of their effort. The trophies are nice, but the experience is the true reward.
The videos of the event are excellent teaching tools. Mr. DeSousa and I hope that you spend time studying the videos for ways that you can improve your techniques. Please remember that there is always someone out there who will be better than you at something. Strive to be the best that you can be, and don't worry about how you compare to other people.
25 members of NWATKD attended the tournament. I made an effort to get pictures and videos of each member, but that just was not physically possible. Additionally, I am not the best photographer, and about 1 out of every 5 pictures turns out well. I am sorry if I did not get a good picture of you on our site. I invite anyone who has good pictures to email them to me, and I will get them on the site as soon as possible.
Eric Meyer
We are also very proud of each student who chose to compete. We know that the first competition each of our students faces is anxiety. It takes a lot of courage to perform patterns and spar in front of an audience. We hope each of our team feels like they learned something and came home a better Taekwon-Do artist because of their effort. The trophies are nice, but the experience is the true reward.
The videos of the event are excellent teaching tools. Mr. DeSousa and I hope that you spend time studying the videos for ways that you can improve your techniques. Please remember that there is always someone out there who will be better than you at something. Strive to be the best that you can be, and don't worry about how you compare to other people.
25 members of NWATKD attended the tournament. I made an effort to get pictures and videos of each member, but that just was not physically possible. Additionally, I am not the best photographer, and about 1 out of every 5 pictures turns out well. I am sorry if I did not get a good picture of you on our site. I invite anyone who has good pictures to email them to me, and I will get them on the site as soon as possible.
Eric Meyer
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