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2014 Pot Luck & Awards

2014 Students at Pot Luck

Thank you, all of you: moms, dads, grandparents, siblings, friends, teachers, assistants, mentors, students, sons and daughters for your support for NWSMA in the past year. We would not exist without you and all that you do for us and & with us.

All of our students are AWESOME and work really hard all year round–congratulations! The yearly awards acknowledge those students who have shown extra-special growth, admirable maturity & black belt attitude, and (in some cases) overcoming life struggles behind the scenes or outside the dojo.

Here’s to another year of sweat, nuf, struggle, and progress! YOU are worth it! ~Sensei/YDN Caitlin

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Summer Camp 2014 & How Incredible Your Kids Are

NWSMA Summer Camp 2014

Wanna hear about how awesome & inspiring Summer Camp 2014 was? Click that “more” link!!!! 

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Teaching Assistants in Martial Arts Class

Practicing wrist escapes in kids' class.
Practicing wrist escapes in kids’ class.

Have you ever wondered why the assistants are working with your child? Perhaps you notice that they’re leading groups, and the senior instructors are watching.

In today’s post, we’re going share our thoughts on teaching assistants. Who they are, why they’re there, and what they do.

Click “more” to keep reading.

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The Purpose of Training Manuals in Martial Arts

"Foundations" for younger karate students.
“Foundations” for younger karate students.

What is a requirements manual?

Does your school have one?

What is new & improved on NWSMA’s newest manual?

Read on to find out the answers!

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Summer Deals at NWSMA!!! (2014)

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School may end for the summer, but sports don’t have to! Keep your kids active and achieving with NW School of Martial Arts’ summer programs, NOW ENROLLING!

Summer Special for new students! Sign up in June, July, or August 2014 to receive the following deal:

  1. Pay 2 months’ tuition up front ($69/mo x 2 mo = $138)
  2. Get a FREE 3rd month of training ($69 value)
  3. No enrollment fee but a uniform WILL be included in offer ($49 value)
  4. Former students who’ve been inactive for 6 months or more may take advantage of this offer as well. Does not apply to active students.
  5. Offer expires August 31st, 2014.
Stanwood Karate
NWSMA youth class in action!

This is an easy way to try martial arts for a short period of time to see if you or your kids like it! Make a goal together: complete 3 months of training, earn the next belt, and then decide whether or not to stay. They’ll gain self-confidence and self-defense skills, and if they want to keep aiming for black belt after 3 months, awesome!

We have:

-10 spots for 6-12 year olds. We suggest 2-3 days of training per week for beginners. Class times for beginners 6-12 are:

  • 4-5 pm Mon, Wed, Fri
  • 4:30-5:30 pm Thurs
  • 10-11 am Sat

 

-7 spots for 13-18 (& adults!) We suggest 2-3 days of training per week for beginners. Class times available for beginners ages 13 & up are:

  • 5-6 pm Mon, Wed, Fri
  • 6-7 pm Mon, Fri
  • 5:30-7 pm Thurs
  • 7-8 pm Fri* (*special events on 1st & last Fridays of the month)
  • 11 am-12 pm Sat

 

Welcome to NWSMA! We hope to hear from you soon, either by email or phone (360-629-4341).

Want more info? Check out:

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Keeping It Classy: How to Quit Martial Arts (or anything else)

I’d like to share a story today. A while ago, I was hanging out between classes when a parent prompted their student to come talk to me.

“What’s up?” I asked.

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“I’m going to quit Karate,” the student said.

No instructor likes hearing those words.

But, the rest of the conversation proved to me that quitting karate doesn’t have to be awkward, rude, or negative for anyone involved.

At all.

In fact, the rest of this student’s conversation with me went really well.

Click “more” to find out! 

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5 Ways to Make Effort Visible as a Martial Arts Student

Guess what?

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I’m not inside your head.

I know this may come as news to you! 😛 The only way I can get at what you’re thinking is through your actions.

Basically, what you do in class shows me what might be going on inside your head.

So, what does that mean for you, as a martial arts student? Read on to find out! 

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Save the Date: 2014 Summer Camp!

NWSMA 2013 Camp Goofy Online

Please save the dates for 2014 Summer Camp! It will take place July 28-August 1.

We’re still working on planning, but here’s what we do know so far:

  • Students’ friends or NWSMA students who are not currently training are welcome to join us.
  • Cost is $100 for the week or $20/day–paid by July 10. Cost is $125 if paid July 11 & after. Drop-in will be $25/day. Adults will be $10/day, and team leaders can choose between a special t-shirt or $25 off your camp fee.
  • We’ll be collecting school supplies to donate.
  • The overarching theme will be countries! Activities will include coloring flags, sampling foods, and learning a bit about the countries our 3 styles come from. Friday, we’ll play “Country Jeopardy” with the information we learned throughout the week.
  • Water balloon fight, blanket forts, belt tying contest, and more!

Here are a few more photos from last year’s camp:

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Book Recommendation: Survive the Unthinkable Review

Survive the Unthinkable Review

What your instructor's Sunday morning probably looks like... :)
What your instructor’s Sunday morning probably looks like… 🙂

I find myself repeatedly recommending this book to people, so today I’ve tried to gather my thoughts in one place.

I can’t remember what got me to pick up this book (probably Black Belt Magazine). Our local library had a copy, and since then, I’ve purchased several copies as gifts for friends/family.

In Survive the Unthinkable: A Total Guide to Women’s Self-Protection, author Tim Larkin (who has trained SEALs, Army Special Forces, police, celebrities & their bodyguards) speaks directly to normal, everyday women.

Tim Larkin gets it. He gets what women’s concerns are, probably a result of his vast experience studying crime & listening to people’s stories.

Hit that “more” tab!

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2014 Mother’s Day Weekend Women’s Self-Defense

escape

2014 Mother’s Day Weekend Women’s Self-Defense Class

Do you have the knowledge and skills to defend yourself or your loved ones? NWSMA invites YOU to take part in our upcoming Mother’s Day Weekend self-defense seminar. We’ll answer:

  • What are the 5 A’s of self defense?
  • What is a “self-defense mindset?”
  • How can I walk in a way that will help prevent assaults?
  • Does yelling make a difference? How do I use my voice to defend myself?
  • What are my choices in a self-defense situation?
  • How do I get out of a grab or hold?
  • How can I strike effectively, if needed?

Sempai Jasmine as a brown belt.

With a discount for single participants, and special pricing for friends & mother/daughter pairs, this is not an event to miss! Here’s the details:

  • Saturday, May 10 at the Stanwood Masonic Center
  • 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
  • Taught by expert Doris Eastbury, 4th Degree Black Belt
  • $47/single person (a $97 value)
  • Bring a friend & you both pay $35/person
  • Mother/daughter pairs pay $20/person* (*13 years old & up, please)
  • Reserve your spot by contacting us!

Let us give you the confidence & skills you need to successfully defend yourself!

“The self-defense tools I gained from attending a workshop through NWSMA helped me develop the mental and physical ability to protect myself, and look out for others. I learned to increase my awareness of surroundings, roleplay my verbal reaction if a stranger gets too close, and follow up with a physical defense, if it comes to that.” –Jana