Tien Lung Christmas Party

Only one week left to get your tickets! Don't miss out!

This year the Christmas Party will take place at the Millwoods Rec Center! The party will run from 4:15 - 6:15 p.m., Sunday, December 14th!
The cost for tickets is:
$10.00 ($8.00 BBC & $7.00 MC)

Your ticket includes:
- Your admission to the pool
- A visit from Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus (Children under the age of 12 will receive a gift from Santa Claus)
- Black Belt Recognition!
- The Tenet & Most Improved Student Awards!
- A great time socializing with your fellow classmates and Instructors from both the North and South side schools!

Friends & family are welcome to come too! Bring a friend and fulfill your Qualification Requirement. Your tickets MUST be purchased by Friday, December 5th at the Front Desk.

December 2008 Black Belt Exam

Another Black Belt exam is coming up quickly on December 12 & 13!

Anyone who is examining is required to attend the final qualification code meeting with Sabumnym Wisniewski on Friday December 5th, 2008. You must have all your examination requirements completed. Be prepared to show all your required certificates and hand in your essay (if applicable).

All students examining for their Black Belt also need to sign up and pay for the fitness part of the exam at the Front Desk, the cost is $15.00.

Please note: Red Belts also need to register for and complete their practice fitness exam this weekend as part of their qualification code requirement.

Schedule of Events:
** Please note that this schedule is tentative and is subject to change** Please watch for any variations closer to exam date

Saturday, December 6, 2008
10:00 am-12:00 pm: Written Exam

Friday, December 12, 2008
6:00-8:00 pm: Fitness Exam
Edmonton Garrison Fitness Center Building
Military Fitness Building, Edmonton Garrison
(Look for the Tien Lung Van!)
All aspects of fitness exam will be done at the Garrison. [Note: Please meet the Instructors in front of the facility at 5:30 pm]
8:30-9:45 pm: Self Defense - At the North Dojang
9:45-10:45 pm: Step Sparring

Saturday, December 13, 2008
(All at the North Dojang)
9:30-11:am: Patterns
11:00-12:30 pm: Lunch
12:30-1:00 pm: Sparring
1:00-2:00 pm: Breaking

Sunday, December 14, 2008
(At Northlands Agricom)
10:30 am-12:00 pm: Students Check In
12:00-2:00 pm.: Graduation Ceremony

Do you know anyone who has their child attending daycare or are looking for an after school care alternative?

Want to earn some money through our membership VIP program? Even if you do not need our after school program for your child, perhaps you know someone who might be able to benefit from the Martial Arts and have their after school care needs met at the same time! We'll pay you a $20 per month referral for anyone who signs up listing you as the one who referred them on their form.

Have them speak to one of our staff members about enrolling their child in Daily Dragons NOW! All of our routes are filling up fast, so encourage them to sign up now before it is too late!

They would receive five days a week of Taekwon-Do classes + PD Days + Camps (all year round)! The Competitive and Leadership programs are also included in the cost of Daily Dragons. Their child will earn their black belt after school, Tien Lung's Daily Dragon Program is the right place!

We are currently picking up from:

St. Brendan
St. Teresa
St. Elizabeth
John Paul I
Greenview
Millwoods Christian
Meyokumin
Pollard Meadows
TD Baker
Our Lady Mt. Carmel
Argyll Center at Terrace Heights
Academy at King Edward
Rutherford
Malmo
Richard Secord
Keehewin
Duggan
Westbrook
Rideau Park
Millcreek

Take advantage of our VIP referral program and refer someone today!

Demo Team Candidate Class

Are you a green stripe? Ever wanted to be on the Demo Team? Now is the time to come to Demo Team Candidate Class! There are still spots left, see Mr. Gaudet for details!

T.L.P. Meeting

The next T.L.P. meeting will be held on Monday, December 1st at 5:50pm - 7:00pm. Please plan to attend if you are currently in or want to join the T.L.P.

The T.L.P. program is for students who want learn to become leaders both inside and outside of Tien Lung Taekwon-Do. This program also trains you to become one of our Tien Lung Instructors and is open to any students who are Blue Belt and above and at least 10 years of age.

Master's Club Private Lessons

Those of you who have decided in the Master's Club program have 48 private lessons that come along with that membership for you to use. They are based on one per month over 4 years but can be used more often or less than that as needed by you.

To use these private lessons, you simply book a lesson at the front desk, however, we require 48 hours notice to cancel otherwise your lesson is forfeit and considered used. Anyone can book a private lesson which is $25 for a 20 minute private lesson, but Master's Club members get these for FREE. To upgrade your membership to the Master's Club please speak to the front desk to arrange a meeting.

Scanning ID Cards

Everyone should have received their new ID card by now. The scanner has been moved and is now located under the monitor on the wall across from the kids play area. You must scan your card within 10 minutes of the start of your class. Starting in December you or your child will have three warnings for failure to scan the ID card. After three warnings they may be sent home.

December Pro-Shop Sale

This month the Tien Lung gym bags are on sale! These are a great way to get all of your gear to and from class in style! Pick one up for yourself or even as a gift today!

Tien Lung Weekend Seminar 2

Come and learn directly from Sabumnyms Wisniewski on February 21, 22 & 23, 2009!

This course is open to all students of all levels and this particular weekend will cover a range of topics from sparring concepts and drills, black belt sparring techniques to pressure points and learn how to judge and referee!

Mark your calendar, as this seminar is MANDATORY in order to examine for your BLACK BELT. So be sure to plan in advance if you will be examining for your Black Belt in April, August or December of 2009, you will need to take this course if you haven't already done so. The more seminars you go to the better off you will be!

This is a great opportunity to review your basics, even for Black Belts. Besides, what a great way to spend the weekend, surrounded by other martial art enthusiasts having a blast all weekend long!

The seminar fee is $150.00, BBC $120.00 MC $105.00. Please see the Front Desk to register.

Canadian National Championships

Thank you so much to all our fantastic volunteers, instructors and staff! Your commitment to the school and your children is what makes Tien Lung events the best events in Canada. And thank you to all of you who have mentioned that you are gong to help at the next tournament. A little extra help will make things run even smoother. Again, the added bonus to those of you who volunteered is that you got to be right on the floor with your child(ren).

Congratulations to all the competitors who won medals at the Canadian National Championships! The South side won 163 medals in total - 45 Gold, 33 Silver, and 85 Bronze! SOUTH SIDE!!

Tien Lung has 20 spots out of 26 for the Canadian team with athletes going to the World Championships in Russia 2009! Tien Lung also has the entire Men's and Women's team as well as the Men's and Women's Self Defense Teams! That's 77% of the Canadian team from Tien Lung!!!
Outstanding efforts by the Tien Lung Black Belts!!!

Congratulations to our Canadian Team members!

Visit the website at www.tienlung.com for all the results.

We are in the process of scheduling another Tien Lung Invitationals in April of 2009. The exact date will be announced once it is confirmed, so start planning ahead.

Classes Canceled this Month
Mark Your Calendar

• December 12 & 13 - Black Belt Testing
• December 19 - January 4th - All evening classes cancelled (Christmas & New years)
• January 5 - Evening classes resume

Daily Dragons

Daily Dragons will be closed from December 22nd to 26th, and also Thursday, January 1st for New Years Day. Remember, you will need to notify the Front Desk to confirm your attendance at the Daily Dragons Christmas Camp.

Competitive Class

The last Competitive Class before the holidays will be December 12. All competitive classes will resume on January 9th.

Attention Parents – Re: Parking

It has been brought to our attention that there have been some issues regarding parking and drop offs. We are now asking Parents and some Instructors to help us police our parking lot between classes. We are also installing surveillance cameras for your safety.

Where can you park?
1) In any stalls in the front of the building except the 4 that are directly across from our entrance (these are for our Daily Dragon vehicles),
2) Along the North side of the building,
3) Along 33rd Avenue,
4) Behind the building has lots of extra spaces.

Where can you NOT park (or stop)?
1) DO NOT stop in front of our entrance. Find a stall, park and walk.
2) DO NOT patrol our lot slowly waiting for your children to exit. This causes excess unnecessary traffic.
3) DO NOT double park or block someone in even if you think it will only be for a minute for your child.

If you feel you need to speak to someone directly about their parking/driving please do so respectfully and courteously. If you are spoken to in this way and asked to move your vehicle please do so courteously. If a situation arises that we deem is unacceptable your child may be suspended from class. If we all work together, these issues will not happen.

You are EXACTLY where you should be!

Far too often we hear from parents and students that they or their child is falling behind their classmates or that they are not the proper belt level. They find it difficult to motivate to come to class at times when they seem to be struggling and often times it is easier to just chose not to go for it involves less work.

Parents & Students - here are some words of wisdom: Right now - this day, this hour, this minute - you are EXACTLY the belt level that you should be! This may not seem to make sense when you see in your Student Manual that you should have examined several months ago for your next belt level. However, the dates and time frames that we use to determine how soon people should progress are only a rough guide and based on the averages.

Have you considered the following below, all of which have a significant impact and combine together to determine how quickly (or slowly) students progress through the belt levels (this is not a complete list). Are you doing everything in your power to help ensure that you and your loved ones (or both of you) succeed? Are you setting yourself up for failure? Here are some suggestions from over 30 years of Martial Arts experience the Tien Lung professionals have:

1. Attendance. Regular attendance 2 days per week is required to progress (some may require more than this)
2. Medical issues: Blindness, hearing loss, missing limbs or digits, fused joints, joint problems, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, gum disease (floss!), etc.
3. Practice. 15 minutes is not a large time commitment and goes a long way to help your body & muscles learn the physical techniques - your body learns slower than your mind does usually. (Watch favourite TV shows - practice during the commercials)
4. Learning disabilities. ADD, ADHD, FAS, Dyslexia, Autism, slow learners, bipolar, depression, and other cognitive issues (and the severity: mild, moderate, severe) will impact your ability and timeframe to focus, comprehend and absorb the material.
5. Illness, Injuries and absences. Vacations and time away from class whether intentional or not will affect your ability to progress. Make up missed lessons (whatever the reason).
6. Your physical condition. Being "over fat" not "over weight" (having too much fat is unhealthy weight) causes many health related problems: stamina, not being able to keep up with the class pace, out of breath climbing a flight of stairs, excessive wear on the joints, tendons and muscles, susceptibility to develop health problems. Any exercise at least 30 minutes everyday is beneficial for many reasons.
7. Healthy Diet (high carbohydrate, fatty diets with lots of refined sugar affect digestion, energy levels, weight, etc.)
8. Stretch. Increases flexibility (& speed), reduces chances for injury, eases performance, Good for overall health.
9. Unrealistic goals. Trying to keep up with "Mr. and Mrs. Jones and their kids" in class is not healthy - undue stress.
10. Asking instructors questions to help you solve problems when they arise instead of letting frustration build.
11. Other activities. How many other activities do you do? Are you trying to do too much? Develop skill & confidence by focusing on one main activity that provides you the most benefits. Then compliment it (if you feel you must) with 1 or 2 other hobby type activities that do not have as many benefits.
12. Sleep. 8 hours per day - aids in recovery of developing muscles, reduce fatigue and cortisol levels.
13. Instructor's knowledge of the above or lack thereof (if you chose it is not important to inform us), affects our ability to provide instruction that may help you learn the material better and help reduce student frustration.
14. Attending extra classes (breaking, sparring, demo team).
15. Attending extra curricular club activities - developing friendships helps makes classes more enjoyable.
16. Private lessons help when having difficulties - Masters Club members receive a free private lesson every month.
17. Attending extra programs (competitive, leadership, staff, school apprenticeship)

When you first signed up with Tien Lung we promised to provide you the very best in Taekwon-Do instruction that is currently available. At that time you had the desire to get in better fitness & health, to learn valuable life skills on how to protect yourself, as well as to increase your self confidence, focus & discipline, more energy, develop an attitude for success and have fun learning cool things! These are outcomes - black belt is a goal. You can receive most of (if not all of) these outcomes by reaching your goal. Losing weight is a goal - the outcomes may be more energy, easier to perform activities, joint relief, etc.

So the next time you feel you are falling behind in Taekwon-Do (or life) and getting down on yourself remember this: "You are exactly where you should be." With anything you wish to succeed in (school, business, family, etc.), the amount of work and effort you put in, combined with other life factors, will determine what rewards you receive (higher grades, or willing to do everything you possibly can, it is unrealistic to expect all of the rewards you want. One last important thing - do not begrudge those who do have the rewards you want. You have no idea what they or their family had to go through to get there. When the "it must be nice" phrase comes to your lips, know this - It is! And you can have it too if you continue to work towards it!

Here's to a Happy Holiday Season for you and your loved ones from your Tien Lung family and staff!

Mr. Marc Gaudet, B.Sc., Vth Degree Black belt
Technical Director, Tien Lung Edmonton South