Blog – Page 9 – JKA of Northern California

Ozawa Cup 2010

We’re back from Vegas after a very successful tournament for JKA AF/NorCal at this year’s 2010 Ozawa Cup (April 1-4). It is an International Karate Tournament to honor Shihan Osamu Ozawa – a popular open tournament promoting Peace, Unity and Harmony amongst karatekas training in any style of traditional karate (a core value which our dojo embraces). Additionally, we represented JKA AF team in support of our JKA AF Chief Instructor Takayuki Mikami who is officiating at this event as Advisor & Chief Referee. For more details, check out www.ozawacup.com

Our training plan these past few months have paid off – our dojo brought in 12 medals totaling JKA AF’s 16 medals at this tournament. A commendable performance for a team of 10 competitors. Many thanks to Sensei Mikami who treated us to dinner after a successful “finals” on Sunday.

An an added treat for this experience is getting to know and train with our new team mates in JKA AF from Miami and New Orleans (Andres, Ray & Holly). Good training, good cheer, good camaraderie and celebration. Looking forward to reconvene in June at 2010 JKA AF National Camp in New Orleans …

Ozawa Cup Ng family — JKA NorCal's Brian Ng & family

And many thanks to JKA NorCal’s Brian Ng & family (Kenneth, May, Yvonne and Melinda) who were so supportive driving in from Bay Area to share in Brian’s new experience competing at an international tournament and cheering on the JKA NorCal team at the venue. We had great fun at CircusCircus to celebrate with the kids – thanks for taking us there. We wish them more fun days during their Spring Break visiting the Grand Canyon!

TOURNAMENT RESULTS:

JKA AF/NorCal Men’s Team Kata (Gold) – Khim Torres, John Sam & Shin Ikuno
JKA AF Women’s Team Kumite (Bronze) – Christina Foo, Raymunda Semana & Holly Damico

Khim Torres – Individual Men’s Kumite (Gold) 18-34yrs
Christina Foo – Senior 1 Women’s Kumite (Gold) 35-45 yrs; Senior 1 Women’s Kata (Silver)
Raymunda Semana – Individual Women’s Kata (Silver) 18-34yrs; Individual Women’s Kumite (Bronze)
John Sam – WKF Men’s Kumite (Bronze) 18-34yrs
Shin Ikuno – Youth Male Kumite (Silver) 15-17yrs; Youth Male Kata (Bronze)
Kym Yoroshiku Torres – Junior Male Kumite (Bronze) 10-12yrs; Junior Male Kata (Bronze)

Brian Ng – Junior Male Kata & Kumite (brown belt participation) 10-12yrs
Kim Masayuki Torres – Junior Male Kata & Kumite (brown belt participation) 8-9yrs

Congratulations to all the hard work and training JKA NorCal team!
Thank you Sensei Mikami for the celebratory dinner at Flamingo’s Paradise Buffet …
Thanks to folks from Doctor Hoy’s – love that healing potion on our aches & bruises …
And Debbie Eidelman, thank you for the nice excursion to Las Vegas Chinatown. We had a nice departing meal at Sam’s BBQ …

Self Defense Class Photos (3/30/10)

Self Defense: Prepare yourself for a “fighting chance” …

We devote ourselves and our family to wellness and well-being – eating healthy foods, exercising regularly and surrounding ourselves with good friends and family. A discipline in itself to best prepare you to “seize the day”, “take on life’s challenges” and “be the best you can be” everyday – at work, at school, among friends and family. Then there’s that harsh reality of “the chance” you may find yourself “in a sticky situation” – how prepared are you?

How prepared are you to be more aware of your surroundings?
How prepared are you to continue to breathe while you are gripped with fear?
How prepared are you to react, create an opening for an escape?
How prepared are you to control yourself? control the situation?

Prime Time’s Karate Instructor Khim Torres and Japan Karate Association (JKA) Northern California students will be hosting a Self Defense class on Thursday March 30th from 7:30pm – 8:30pm in Studio 2. A free seminar open to any Prime Time member (men and women).

The class will introduce you to some basic techniques – “how to” get out of an unwarranted embrace; “how to” breath calmly so as not to panic and pass out; where to hit to be most effective; “how to” use your hands, your elbows, you knees when you have no weapons as defense and much, much more.

They will also share with you their passion for martial arts and how the training and discipline prepares them for self-defense – the muscle memory, the controlled breathing, the body conditioning, the alertness and reaction; and all around wellness – good posture, better balance, limberness and self-control.

Come join in and take advantage of the different programs offered to you here at Prime Time Athletic Club – learn how to better prepare yourself to take on the day!

Some highlights from the Self Defense Class.

Album name: Self Defense Class

To receive a copy of any image, please email Kore Chan at jkanorcalphotography@gmail.com with the album name and photo number of each desired photo. (Photo numbers can be found in the captions of each image)

Some video clips of the demo:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BvRYnaCsSM]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhTKC34eYM0]

…and some pictures:

Happy Easter everyone – Spring is in the Air as we move into a new season of karate this quarter

We’ve had an exciting first 3 months of 2010 with much of our hard work in training and conditioning rewarded by a successful event at Ozawa Cup in Vegas this past weekend (April 1-4). This is a testimony to our discipline of good instruction, commitment and planning our curriculum for the year. Not only was it a good benchmark for our development and goals, it gave us a good perspective and appreciation for other styles, kobudo (weapons) and non-traditional martial arts. Additionally, it is at these events that afford us the opportunity to bond with our JKA AF team mates (namely Raymunda Semana, Holly Damico and Andres Fiallos) whom we typically compete with at a national level. This venue gave us a chance to get to know each other, have good laughs, share best practices and take ownership in helping Sensei Mikami build up JKA AF as one community!

JKA AF Team @ Ozawa Cup with Sensei Mikami

Sensei Koyama once gave a lecture on the “Seasons of Karate” that struck a chord for me and inspired us to be mindful on the balance of our training. It is not healthy nor sustaining to be only training for competition all year round.

This quarter, we move from competition to a “Learning & Training” mode – in the dojo, across the country, overseas – attending camps and seminars to hone our karate skill and broaden our experience. And bring it back to share our learnings with our students and members.

Upcoming at the end of April in Guilford, UK there is a Spring Camp hosted by JKA-England featuring world class JKA instructors Sensei Ohta (6th Dan), Sensei Naka (6th Dan), Sensei Osaka (8th Dan) and Sensei Mori (8th Dan). Anyone interested in joining us, please reach out to Christina for more details. See Christina’s blog on the event (for more pics and details).

Photos on Karate Promotion and Joint Training (2/6/10)

It’s been a year .. JKA NorCal passed our first year anniversary 2/1/10. What better way to celebrate this milestone than to stand up and train! And train jointly with our Prime Time karate kids – to get to know them better, role model and demonstrate good techniques and training discipline they can aspire for. It was also a great opportunity for their family to meet & greet the rest of JKA NorCal members.

Many thanks to Prime Time for the pizza & cake for this celebration. And congratulations to all who received their new promotion ranks and acknowledgement for good training!

Photos are up from the promotion and joint training!!!

Album Name: Karate Promotion and Joint Training

Samples displayed below:

Karate League Photos (1/23/10)

The photos from the karate league are up!!!

Album name:

League_Beginning Kata

League_Advanced Kata

League_Kumite

To receive a copy of any photo, please email Kore Chan at jkanorcalphotography@gmail.com with the album name and picture number of each desired photo. (Photo numbers can be found in the photo captions)

Samples displayed below:

Photos on Belt Promotion (1/23/10)

The pictures from the exam are finally up!!!

To receive a copy of any picture, please email Kore Chan at jkanorcalphotography@gmail.com with the album title and picture number of each desired photo. (Photo numbers can be found in the photo captions)

Album Title (Pre-exam ranks):

Before Examination (Click to view)

Sample of images below:

All South Karate Championship

The Louisiana Karate Association hosted their “All South Karate Championship” last weekend and featured Sensei Khim and Sensei Christina on the flyer! See the link below to check out the great action shots:

Here are the photos:

SenseiChristina-allsouth — Sensei Christina is happy to demonstrate this punch to anyone sparring with her.

SenseiKhim-allsouth — Standing around on one leg? Sensei Khim is going to sweep you!

Happy New Year 2010 students, parents, members and fellow karate-kas!

Hope you are all well rested and from the holidays and ready for an exciting year ahead. We are back in full schedule of training at our dojo in Prime Time Athletic Club. Please do stop by and join us.

Patrick, John, Sensei Khim, Christina, Shin, Kore

We started the year with 1st training of 2010 on 1/4/10 – an invigorating class and kicked off the 1st series of 12-week Conditioning Program (adaptation of PX90). John Sam’s leading us in conditioning to keep us in shape through March and right in time for next tournament in Las Vegas for the Ozawa Cup (4/3). Join us for last half an hour after MWF classes 8:15-8:45pm.

So many programs are planned for this year. Check out our new JKA NorCal 2010 Calendar, click on Blog link to print the pdf copy for yourself to keep up to date on the events for the year and enjoy the photos from last year.

Click on link on BLOG to print out calendar

Our forthcoming Belt Promotion is on Saturday Jan 23rd (1pm) which is followed by our Little League (3:30pm). So exciting to see everyone progressing nicely and honing their skills! Also a bit of fun enjoying healthy competition during our Little League that introduces tournament to our kids twice a year (January and September) following our Kyu Tests.

We approach our JKA NorCal 1st Year Anniversary on Feb 1st, 2010. A productive and foundational year for our dojo – we will celebrate with Prime Time Karate Program students on Saturday Feb 6th (Noon) at our Joint Advanced Training followed by the presentation of new belts and party at the Cafe after class.

For the month of February, we are having Joint Advanced Training every Saturday at our 10-11:30am class to introduce our new higher belt students from Prime Time to advanced kata & kumite training with JKA NorCal Advanced belt students. Inspiring more mentoring, teaching and learning …

We will also be hosting a Self-Defense Class at the end of March (Tuesday 7:30-8:30pm) for all members in Prime Time to learn more about self-defense, martial arts and discipline of training.

Osaka_Taniyama — Sensei(s) Taniyama, Osaka, Torres at 2009 JKA AF National Camp

Kyu Testing Results (1/23/10)

Conratulations to JKA NorCal’s students on their new belt promotion:

(1 ) – RON DRABKIN
(1 ) – BRIAN NG
(2) – JOHN-BAPTIST ANDRE
(2B) – JOEY MAYEN
(4 ) – JUSTIN HUWE
(4B) – AUDREY DURAZZO
(5 ) – BRIAN LEE
(5 ) – PATRICK LEE
(5 ) – BIANCA YEPEZ
(5 ) – CHRISTIAN YEUNG
(5 ) – GARREN LUM
(5 ) – CAMRI STUHLER
(5 ) – CIARA STUHLER
(5B) – ISABELLA EVANS
(5B) – MATHEW ENG
(5B) – RILEY HUGHES
(5B) – JOHNNY SUSOFF
(6 ) – DEVON RAMOS
(6 ) – IRMA SCHLEUSZ
(6 ) – JOSHUA ALDANA
(6 ) – ZURI YUP
(6 ) – JEFFREY WITZ
(6 ) – BRENDAN BROWN
(6 ) – GABRIELLA SCHLEUSZ
(6 ) – JACK HICKEY
(6 ) – WILLIAM URRUTIA
(6B) – SOPHIA ALARAJ
(6B) – AIDEN DENTON
(6B) – NICHOLAS BALCH
(6B) – IVAN ALVARO
(6B) – MELINA SHAPIRO
(7 ) – DANTE DAMONTO
(7 ) – BETHANY LUTZ
(7 ) – PATRICK HOSKINS
(7 ) – JOSEPH LEE
(7 ) – CYLIE STUHLER
(7 ) – ASHER WHITTEN
(7 ) – CHRISTOPHER YU
(7B) – BRETT KUWAHARA
(7B) – ALI ALAOUI
(7B) – JUNJUN CHAN
(7B) – ASHLEY GONG
(7B) – HANNAH GONG
(7B) – MIA GREEN
(7B) – GABRIEL SHERR
(7B) – CHERILYN YU
(8 ) – CAMERON COWAN
(8 ) – LIAM MCGRATH
(8 ) – SONNY BATASIN
(8 ) – DOREEN BAIRES
(8 ) – CARRIE LEI
(8B) – ADEL GHEZARAT
(8B) – LILI GHEZARAT
(8B) – LAINE SCHLEZINGER
(8B) – KYRA SCHLEZINGER

***************************************************************************************************************

The belt promotion is at 1pm on January 23rd at Primetime in Burlingame.

After the promotion is the Little League shotokan karate tournament, at 3:30pm.

Talk to Sensei Khim for details about these events. Please be early for both events to allow time for warm up!

Osu!

JKA NorCal 2010 Calendar

JKA NorCal 2010 Calendar
Sensei Christina has put together a 2010 calendar for our students and members with some great photos from last year. There are photographs from our grand opening demonstrations, Kata performances, Sensei Takayuki Mikami’s visit and belt testing, the Prime Time karate league, JKA NorCal team at Nationals… On the calendar, Sensei has added many of the coming year’s events including dates of this year’s belt promotions. You can download and print it from the link below:

JKANorCal_2010_Calendar.pdf (5.5MB download)

(You’ll need Adobe Reader to open or print the file.)

Printing instructions:
To make a wall calendar with a printer that prints on two sides, set it to print flip on long side. Add spiral binding along the top long side and it can flip up and hang on the wall with the photos above the calendar.

Have a great year training and Happy New Year!