Top: Brad (getting ready for one of his signature high kicks at the Union Square demo). Bottom: Longtime training partners John and Michelle post class in Brooklyn.

A decade seems like a long time but just ask Senior Instructor Brad and black belts John and Michelle how quickly it's flown by at the World Martial Arts Center. Brad brought with him a wealth of experience with previous training in Shaolin Kenpo, Tae Kwon Do and Kuk Sool. John and Michelle have also shined in their 10 years here, becoming excellent instructors in the process. We acknowledge this trio for their dedication to WMAC, Sabumnim and to martial arts in general. MUDO!

Jad, at a DoJang cleaning day, 2010.

The devastation in Japan has been truly heartbreaking to witness via the images and videos that have been pouring in. Luckily, our martial arts brother, orange belt Jad, who is living there right now, is safe. We hope all our other WMAC friends and family who are there are just as safe and send our thoughts and prayers to the Japanese people. Here's the link for the Red Cross to donate OR text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help those affected by this disaster.

Shira participating at the February 25th test, WMAC Brooklyn.

For those old enough to remember the 80's, there was a cartoon heroine named She-Ra: Princess of Power. The World Martial Arts Center has its own awesome young lady in the form of Instructor Shira who started out in the children's program, quickly plowed through the adult program and received her black belt in 2001 and her 2nd dan in 2005 before leaving for college at the illustrious Stanford University. One of the kindest and sweetest people I know, she nonetheless is a fearless, fearsome competitor on the mat (just ask any of the big guys who've sparred with her). Working in international relations now, Shira is a prime example of a true black belt; one who excels at all areas in her life. Welcome back to NYC Shira!

(For more pics from the Feb tests, check out the pics on the WMAC Facebook page)

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, WMAC has an amazing deal that will last only till Monday. Priceless, indeed!

The 1967 film The Dirty Dozen may have featured some of the movie's biggest stars like Charles Bronson and Lee Marvin but we had our own version in Chinatown this month with 12 WMAC warriors. Bodan Eda organized the group which included Black Belt Kimberly and bodans Liz, Nicole, PJ, Teresa, Tim; red belts Anthony, Carolyn, Claire, Pete and orange belt Betty. The annual Chinatown health fair is a great way to introduce the community to our super healthy practice. It was a scorching day in a super tight performance area and the 12 performed with much aplomb executing their forms and techniques as if they were in the dojang, even avoiding some strollers during the back rolls. Thank you to the 12 for taking time out of their busy day to help the school out and give back to the community!

In front of his sushi restaurant, Shiki's, on St Mark's and 1st Avenue. Image courtesy of Vinnie A.

Shiki was one of those wonderful WMAC students who made an indelible impression on all who met him. Sadly, he has been battling cancer for the past several years and moved back to Japan in 2009. WMAC student Palmer who is in Japan sends us a very sorrowful message: "This is Palmer I am in Japan now and today I visited Shiki in the hospital with his family. Some people don't know that he is very sick and has left NYC. He has high spirits but doesn't look very good and the doctors give him about one or two weeks to live. It was sad but inspiring to see how positive and strong he was even though he doesn't look good. He asked that I contact everyone that ever knew him and tell them that he loves them. If you or any one at WMAC has a message for Shiki you can all send it to his sister's email, she visits him every day:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ."

We send our love and prayers to a brave and extraordinary man. We love you too Shiki-san!

Last year's Chinatown Health Fair team (missing Susan and Nathan)

Calling all warriors! (That would be everyone who trains at WMAC!) If you are around in 2 weeks on Wednesday August 4th, bodan Eda C is looking for people to help out for the annual Chinatown Health Fair demo. Remember Blue and Red belts, this is an excellent way to get your dojang hours.  White to Green belts who want to participate or help out by handing out flyers, you are also greatly welcomed. As for Black Belts, it's an important way to stay involved. Contact Howard/Janett/Mary at the schools and they will get you Eda's number, call her by July 28th. MUDO!

July and August have always been a time of great opportunity, progress and transformation at the World Martial Arts Center. It is a time when, regardless of your outer rank, you will have the opportunity to progress very quickly and learn skills that may have otherwise taken years to acquire. In these two months you can make quantum leaps in both your skill level and understanding.
-Sabumnim-

Some of you may be old enough to remember that 80's/90's show Quantum Leap but when Sabumnim uses that term, he is referring to one thing only; your Martial Arts training. As promised, the July/August seminars are here and they are pretty amazing in their breadth and their depth. There's not only curriculum work but seminars on meditation, food, meridian stimulation and more.

These seminars are for you if you..

1- Missed the Warrior Weekend event. 

2- Need to brush up on your basics and/or get ready for your next test. 

3- Want to take that Quantum Leap in your training.

4- Want to have it directly from the source himself (Sabumnim).

What do I recommend? Since a single seminar (here and at other schools) can cost between $50-$75 and up, the whole day price is unbeatable at $95. I can watch Sabumnim teach white belt techniques or forms like Tiger 1-2 and walk away with something fresh and exciting. Whether you only take one seminar or a full day's worth, you are guaranteed to walk out that much further along on your martial arts path.

There are 177 days left to 2010. Choose to make 4 of those days life-changing.

(For the 4 days, the Sunday noon Black Belt class is cancelled in Manhattan so black belts can attend the seminars, the regular Sunday Hapkido classes at noon and 1pm are still on for Manhattan)