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SMA NewsletterJuly 2014

Holiday Closures • Belt Testing Continues • Make Up Tests

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M T W Th F Sat

31 1 2 3 4 5

7 8 9 10 12

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21 22 23 24 25 26

28 29 30 31 1 2

July 2

01

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belt test sparring weekguest night

free guest night

*Some Classes Cancelled

board breaking & belt ceremonies

studio closedhappy 4th!

Last Month’s Events 3 & 4

Guest Night 3

Studio News 5

Belt Testing Continues 6

Make Up Testing 6

Puzzles & Activities 7, 8

TKD Tips 7

Student of the Month:

Aaron Bean 8

Contact Us 8

Contents

This

Mon

th

bay area open

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Belt Testing

Why I Love Belt Testing

You may not realize this, but from the first day you

step onto the mats, your instructors imagine the

Black Belt You; stepping onto those same mats in

5-10 years. Every time I watch a student’s first

class, I like to imagine...What kind of Black Belt will

they make? How much power will they find within

themselves? What kind of leading roles will they

play for their peers? Will they be a competition

sparrer? An instructor?

Unfortunately most martial artists never make it to

Black Belt. The journey can be scary, time

consuming, challenging, and even frustrating. I

know the reasons all too well myself! In my senior

year of high school (when I tested for Black Belt) I

was very busy. I had to balance my AP classes, after

school programs, a part time job, TKD, and my

family and friends.

Thankfully some of you will make it to Black Belt,

despite the challenges, and we will all get to see

what kind of impact you make at the studio and in

your community. And this is what I love about belt

testing. I get to see so many of you demonstrate

your hard work, and inch your way closer to the

ultimate goal. Black Belt.

Photos • Events • News

Facebook.com/TeamSMA

Guest Night

1st Friday each month!

Share TKD with your friends, family, and co workers. Invite them to jump on the mats with us and have some fun!

Kids 5 - 6Adults 6 - 7:30 S

ELF

DEFENSEFREE

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Belt Testing

Tiny Tigers Testing

We always enjoy testing the Tiny Tigers, because

they make us smile. Teaching this class is always a

blast, because of the energy and great attitude the

young students bring to the mats. And despite their

age, they don serious

faces during testing, and

show us what they are

really made of!

Rate us on Yelp!

It can be difficult to find the right studio to join, and not everyone has a friend who can help them decide which studio is best for their needs.

Rate us on Yelp and tell everyone what you think about SMA! You might just help someone find their new passion.

Kids Testing

I know I speak for all of our instructors

when I say that the kids impress us every

testing. Each one of them brings their A-

game, and really shows us how hard they

have been working!

To the kids, I don’t think you realize how

awesome you guys are! You kick harder

than some adults I know, and you set the

bar for kids I meet outside the studio —

both in coordination, and in attitude.

Great job at testing, and keep it up!

Adults Testing

Most of our instructors started in the

teens & adults class, including myself. We

understand what it’s like to balance your

busy lives with TKD. The power, maturity,

and teamwork you show in every class

makes this class a pleasure to teach. I

can teach exercises techniques with you

that I normally save for Black Belts!

I know it might not seem this way, but the

instructors learn from you too (in different

ways). In fact, I’d say that we learn from

you just as much as you learn from us!

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Yuk JangTAE GEUK 6 —KAM/Water

Water, which quietly carves out canyons and mountains, reflects the concept of a flexible mind and a flexible body. Like anything in nature, we must remain flexible if we are to survive. Water teaches us that explosive force and power is not the only way, and by now you should understand the importance of seeking the path of least resistance. The power of water mirrors one of Taekwondo's core values: indomitable spirit.Water can be still, clear, calm and reflective, and as we train we seek these characteristics for our minds. Yet water also retains ultimate flexibility and flowing power, and these are characteristics we seek for our bodies.

Meet Your Instructors

Mr. Andrew — certified 1st Dan Black Belt.

Mr. Andrew practiced TKD as a child, but had to stop before reaching Black Belt. Not one to leave things unfinished, he started training again in 2011 while a student at Santa Clara University. Because of his previous experience and his hard work in class, he quickly climbed the belt ranks at SMA.

His childhood goal was finally realized in September 2013, when he was awarded an official, world certified Black Belt by Master Silva.

In addition to his previous accomplishments, Mr. Silva, Mr. Torres, and Mr. Hurst had noticed Andrew’s potential as a great instructor and decided to invite him to join our staff. Over time, Mr. Andrew’s skills continue to grow — both in Tae Kwon Do, and in teaching. He is a very important part of the SMA team, and we are lucky he decided to finish his martial arts training with us!

Teaching ScheduleM T W Th F Sat

TorresEscaladaAgcaoili

SilvaEscaladaAgcaoili

HurstEscaladaAgcaoili

HurstEscalada

TorresAgcaoili

Torres/HurstEscaladaAgcaoili

*subject to change

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This Month

Sparring/Boards/Belts July 1-10

Continue to attend your regularly scheduled classes, and be prepared for:

1st Week of July:

Sparring all week *No classes July 4th/5th

2nd Week of July:

Boards and Belt Ceremony *Every day!

Make Up Testing Individually Scheduled

Did you miss testing because of vacation, or

because you were still

working on a few

techniques? Don’t

worry, we’ve got you

covered! Schedule a

make up test with one of our senior instructors: Mr.

Silva, Mr. Torres, Mr. Hurst. Remember that for a

make up test you will still need your three tape

stripes (top left).

Tournament Schedule

Bay Area Open 8/02

Silicon Valley 10/18

Coaches are required at tournaments! Contact us before and after signing up:torres@silvamartialarts.com

Stripe tests

Did you know? Each month

we focus on a new stripe, and during the last week of

each month we hold stripe testing!

July - Kicks

August - Forms

Sept - One Steps/Blocks

If you miss a stripe test, see

an instructor for a make up.

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bardos! ! _ _ _ _ _ _ cmopeet! ! _ _ _ _ _ _ _jtsu kkic! ! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _glod mdael! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _lngo satcne! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

ANSWER: _ _ _ _ _ _(Use the letters in the red circles!)

How do you say “studio” in Korean?

Earning vs. AskingYou’ve heard the instructors say before “don’t ask for your stripes, ask to test for them.” What does that mean?

Asking, “Can I have my yellow stripe” doesn’t show that you understand how to earn it. Your stripes represent hard work, and mastery of your kicks, one steps, and forms. That means practice, practice, practice.

When you think you are ready for your stripes, you need to test for them. Often, you’ll need to work on a couple of things. After you think you’ve improved, you can ask to test again!

-Mr. Hurst

Belt Stripes

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For content submission, advertising, questions & comments,Please contact us:

silva@silvamartialarts.com • torres@silvamartialarts.com • hurst@silvamartialarts.com

Newsletter written monthly by: Brian Hurst

Aaron BeanAaron just tested for his yellow belt, and really impressed us with his focus and hard work leading up to testing.

Aaron, your hard work paid off! You did a great job, and we look forward to your future belt tests.

Student of the Month