Categories
Special Events

Women’s Self-Defense Class – Sept 28

Taught by women for women, our September 28th Women’s Self-Defense Class is a great class for women ages 13 & up! Scroll down for time, location, and price. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Books for Bikes charity.

Doris Eastbury, owner & chief instructor of NW School of Martial Arts, will be teaching the class. Doris is a 4th degree black belt with over 25 years of martial arts experience–and has a story or two to tell about why women need self-defense skills!

SBN/Sensei Doris (on the right) with Irna.
Sensei Doris (right) with Irna, a karate mom.

Class content includes:

  • “5 A’s” of self defense;
  • Walking with confidence: posture & body language tips;
  • How to effectively use your voice;
  • Decision-making: thinking through a self defense situation;
  • Simple, effective release & escapes from standing grabs and holds;
  • What to do if you get knocked to the ground;
  • Simple, effective strikes against vital targets.

Protecting yourself shouldn’t be complicated or confusing. We keep the techniques simple, and we break information down into easy-to-remember points (like the 5 A’s and a girl’s best 3 weapons).

Sempai Jasmine as a brown belt.
Jasmine takes down her partner. You go girl!

NWSMA female black belts will be on hand to assist and answer questions. Our goal is to create a safe and fun environment for you to learn self-defense that may someday help you escape from a threatening situation.

  • Date: Saturday, September 28th, 2013 from 12:00-2:00pm
  • Location: Stanwood Masonic Hall (downtown Stanwood)
  • Ladies 13 years & up are welcome. 🙂
  • Price: Back-to-School Special of $47 (normally valued at $97)
  • Bring a friend (or two) and you both will receive a 25% discount, making the price just $35/person!!
  • Participants will receive a safety handout and a self-defense stick keychain.
  • Contact us to reserve your spot. Pay on the day of, cash or check please.

The ladies in our most recent seminar really enjoyed talking and sharing experiences. Self-defense skills are truly priceless. We’d love to help you gain the confidence and knowledge that could protect you and your loved ones.

See you there!

Categories
Instructor Resources Musings

3 Reasons Why Martial Arts Partner Drills Work (and what makes them fail)

Today, we’re going to talk a little bit about martial arts partner drills. I’ll identify the important aspects of movement learned via partner drills. Then I’ll talk a bit about what makes partner drills fail.

Arnis
Arnis partner drills.

Partner drills form the “glue” between static movements and reality. On a continuum, form would be the least realistic. In form, there’s only an imagined opponent.

Partner drills and sparring practice movement against an opponent. They’re pretty realistic. 

Street defense is the most realistic. There are no rules, mats, pads, or equality of size/strength–only survival of the fittest.

(That is not to say that form isn’t important!! Form is the place where you perfect your techniques & movement by maximizing efficiency. Form builds strength, and can be a great HIIT activity in and of itself).

So what *d0* you learn during partner drills?

Categories
General

Back to School Safety Tips from NWSMA

In a couple of weeks, your kids are headed back to school. Back to school safety is probably farthest from their minds.

Even if they're taller than you, it's okay to give safety reminders. :)
Even if they’re taller than you, it’s okay to give safety reminders. 🙂

It’s a busy time, full of shopping, sports practices, and open houses. No matter their ages, it’s also the perfect time to go over safety routines and reminders.

I organized safety into a few basic categories. Then I gave some general advice for talking to your children about back to school safety. Click more to read on!

Categories
Benefits of Martial Arts General Special Events

NWSMA Campers Make Donation

nw school of martial arts
NWSMA campers with their donation at The Caring Place.

NW School of Martial Arts collected school supplies during its annual week-long summer camp. Summer campers walked the items over to The Caring Place in downtown Stanwood to make the donation. Students got a mini tour and talked to volunteers about what The Caring Place does for the local community.

As martial artists, we strive to reach our personal best AND to help others. Donating school supplies to those in need is a great way to make a difference! Thanks, everyone!

Categories
General Media

B-I-N-G-O!!!

BINGO

B-I-N-G-O~!~!~! Summer campers filled in the very first BINGO on the summer activity bingo board. THIS MEANS ICE CREAM!

Ice cream will be served on pizza night, August 30th, at 7pm. But don’t stop having fun! More bingos=more sundae toppings!! Whoo-hoo!

More camp pictures on Facebook.

Categories
Benefits of Martial Arts Musings

Bring Your Best to Get the Most Out of Martial Arts Training

get the most out of martial arts
NWSMA youth class in action!

If you’re wondering how to get the most out of martial arts class, read on.

Have you ever come to class, only to find that you felt weak, tired, unfocused, grumpy, stressed, or just not in the mood?

It happens to us all the time. Whatever went on during the day, the leftover emotions are sometimes still present when we tie our belt and bow in.

How can you do your best when you’re not in the mood for class?

Categories
Media Special Events

NWSMA 2013 Camp Photos

stanwood karate

First camp photo! Look at all these happy campers!

We have a parent who is a professional photographer, and she’s charging a small fee for prints (just to cover material and printing costs). Parents, if you’d like a copy of any of the photos, please see us at the dojo for the order form.

More photos after the jump….

Categories
Special Events

Save the Date: Upcoming Forms Tournament!!

Hello, folks! We’re very excited to announce that we have registration & information for the upcoming forms tournament. (Download information and reg form below in .docx format).

  • Who’s invited? We encourage all NWSMA students to participate~
  • When? Saturday, September 21, 2013.
  • Where? TMA – Overlake in Redmond!
  • White-advanced green belt divisions start at 10 am. (Blue belts in karate are equivalent to green belts in Tae Kwon Do)
  • Blue belts & up start at 11am. (Green belts in karate are equivalent to blue belts in Tae Kwon Do)
  • The last event is group synchronized form for all ages/ranks.
  • How much? Only $15/student!!

To sign up, complete the registration form and turn it in to Sabumnim Doris before the tournament. Come out to support your school and fellow students!

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Categories
Clips Media Musings Scholarly Pursuits

Style Highlight: Pencak Silat

In my last style highlight, I talked a little bit about the “origin” of martial arts. Basically, I said that forms of combat, armed and unarmed, have existed as long as human conflict has existed.

Last time, we looked a bit at Kalaripattayu, an Indian martial art. Pencak silat, or just silat, is considered an umbrella term for Indonesian martial arts. Meaning that there are a lot of styles which fit into silat.

Categories
Instructor Resources

Learning Styles Adults vs Children

learning styles adults vs children
NW School of Martial Arts students doing a group activity.

I believe teaching is a skill. It comes more easily to some than others. But with time and effort, it can be developed just like any other muscle.

In a martial arts school, an instructor may be dealing with both adults and children. Sometimes, like at our school, adults and children are in the same class. This post talks about the differences between adults and children and offers a bit of advice for how to handle that in class.