Morning meditation with Sabumnim. Image from last Warrior Weekend (2010).

60 adventurous souls are headed out of the urban jungle and up to an exciting getaway this weekend in the mountains. It promises to be as usual, an extraordinary mind and body experience for the WMAC warriors. For those of you lucky enough to go, take lots of pictures!

Top pic: Grandmaster Choi, Sabumnim and Soke Lil John Davis. Bottom pic: Grandmaster Choi's health seminar.

Last weekend the WMAC was honored not by 1 but by 2 Grandmasters. A select group of 10 students, there for a rare seminar by Grandmaster Choi received a surprise visitor in the form of Soke Lil John Davis. The students and Soke listened as GM Choi shared his wisdom of 60 plus years in the martial arts and his observations as an acupuncturist/healer. The students learned breathing techniques and invaluable insights on the workings of the body.

Mazz Swift and Roderick, also known as Hotta Flames

One of the best things about WMAC, besides the awesome training is our fascinating community filled with incredibly diverse and talented people. At our recent Spring Fundraiser, Black Belt Mazz Swift and red belt Roderick "Hotta Flames" Hurley got together for the 1st time to perform for the enthusiastic crowd. Mazz, a violin virtuoso who's performed with many of music's biggest names, has her website here with her upcoming performances...... Hotta Flames who calls himself half man, half music is one of Barbados' biggest exports and has his Hotta Flames website here. For more pics from the party, sign into Facebook to see the rest of the pics.

Come one, come all. All the students and family and friends of the students are invited to our spring party taking place at the Manhattan DoJang, Saturday March 26th. For those of you testing on Friday 25th, it will be a great way to unwind... A portion of the proceeds will go towards WMAC scholarships for underprivileged children and another portion towards the disaster in Japan.

Top row: George; our intrepid cleaning day leader Jonathan; Thomas and his new sparring gloves. Bottom row: Christy; Doctors Eda and Allen perform emergency surgery on the mat, with their helper Liliana; Jason with his new weapon, I mean, vacuum.

Thank you to all the students who turned out for Manhattan's cleaning day on Jan 9th. Senior Instructor Jonathan organized and we all came; everyone from instructors Brad, Betty, Christy, Holly, Jean Francois, Kelly to red belts Allen, Chris M, Eda, George, Gwen and Nell. Colored belts Ameer, Jason S, Millard and white belts Nancy, Zuzanna all pitched in to lend much needed hands. Honorary mention goes to bodan Thomas L who took on both Manhattan restrooms to make them sparkle. If you didn't get a chance to help out, come this Saturday, January 29th at 3pm to help give the Brooklyn location a good winter sprucing.

From the WMAC Newsletter, December 2010, a message from Sabumnim.

Grand Master Billy Davis has been fighting a very courageous and strong battle with diabetes over the last few years. Recently, diabetes has been winning. First he lost his toe, then he lost his leg. The martial arts community is coming together on December 12th from 12:00 pm to 4:00pm at the WMAC Brooklyn location with a benefit seminar to raise money for this truly special Grand Master who dedicated his life to helping children and teaching martial arts. A minimum $20 donation will be accepted (cash only). I hope that many of our students will be able to attend this important event and support Grand Master Billy Davis, one of the great roots of our martial arts family tree.