August 2008 Black Belt Exam

Another Black Belt exam is coming up quickly on August 22 and 23!

For those scheduled to test for their Black Belt in August 2008, the Qualification code meeting was on May 30th, if you missed this meeting or have any further questions, please see Mr. Compo.

Also, anyone examining will need to sign up and pay for the fitness part of the exam at the Front Desk, cost is $15.00.

Etiquette Supper

When: Saturday August 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Cosmos Greek Taverna
Who: All members are invited, only 200 spots available
Cost: $36 for Adults, $18.00 for 10 and under

Instructor's Seminar

Conducted by Mr. & Mrs. Wisniewski at the North Dojang (10744-124 Street) on August 8, 9 & 10, 2008. This is open to Tien Lung's Leadership (TLP) members and for all current Instructors. The costs are:
$175.00

Price includes the Whitemud Amusement park fee.

Be ready to LEARN and we'll take a little break with a fun outing to the Whitemud Amusement Park! The seminar will start at 6:00 pm on Friday, and will go right through until 4:00 pm Sunday. If you are planning on attending, please see the Mr. & Mrs. Compo

In addition to all the usual fantastic training, attendees will also receive copies and training in the new Little Dragon Instructors Manual and Technical Manual Level 2 (Red Belt to 1st Dan). Do NOT miss out!

International Cup in Ottawa

Congrats to all the competitors that attended and represented Tien Lung. A job well done!! Now it is time for all black belts to get hard at work for the Canadian Team selection at Nationals in Edmonton in November!!

Happy Birthday!

Next T.L.P. Meeting

All Blue Belts and up, if you want to take part in the Leadership Program join the T.L.P.! Have fun and develop new skills while hanging out with the Instructors. The next meeting will be on Friday, July 11th at 5:30pm. Join our amazing instructors, and learn from Mr. & Mrs. Compo. This meeting is also mandatory for all current students in this program.

Black Belt Classes

Black Belt Classes will be cancelled throughout the summer months due to the lack of attendance.

Six Acts of Courage

It is said that courage is the ability to resist and defeat feeling of fear. The most courageous acts of respected Martial Artists often have little to do with their ability to dominate others with their physical prowess, but more with their inner strength.

Courageous people are grown, not born, but the seeds of courage are inside us all. Here are six ways that Martial Artists can develop their own courageous spirits:

TAKE RISKS. Trying to avoid the unknown, avoid failure, or avoid the truest self can drive to keep things exactly as they are. The fear of risk is a powerful one, but facing it can mean tremendous positive change in your life, The trick is to commit yourself to the risk – prepare as well as you can – then take the plunge!

STAY OPEN TO LEARNING. What happens, for example, when a risk doesn’t seem to pay off? Let’s say you don’t make the team – now what? Before you decide that the risk- taking is a mistake, think about what you can learn from your situation. Do you need to change your approach to training for Taekwon Do? Did you really understand what the Instructors expect from you? Every experience you have in life makes you savvy and better prepared for future challenges and opportunities.

CARE ABOUT OTHERS. As simple as it sounds, letting others know that you care is becoming increasingly difficult to do. In a cynical society it’s easy to be defensive of your emotions attachments have the potential to hurt. Take the time to get to know the people in your life, and take a chance on caring. The rewards of participating in a mutually supportive relationship will be well worth it.

LET OTHERS CARE FOR YOU. On the other hand, letting yourself seem vulnerable enough to need others can be more difficult! Human beings are naturally interdependent. We need physical contact, social interaction, and love to be our best. Make sure you have someone in your life you trust enough to ask for help, and when someone offers assistance, try saying, “yes” once in a while.

ADMIT YOUR MISTAKES. When something goes wrong, take a good look at everything that might have contributed to the issue. Ask yourself: What role did I play, directly or indirectly, in creating this problem? Most importantly, what can I do to find a solution?

STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN.

It’s not easy to believe that the sky is blue when everyone around you is insisting that it’s green. Consider the arguments of others – they may have something to teach you- but ultimately stand firmly by your beliefs- belief in your principles and belief in yourself.

Your quest for Black Belt excellence embodies each of these acts of courage. Each time you go to class, you are taking a bold step forward in your growth. Recognize your strength, and make these acts, and others, a conscious part of your everyday life. The writer Guillaume Appolinaire created this image of courage:

“Come to the edge,” he said.
They said, “We are afraid.”
“Come to the edge,” he said.
They came. He pushed them…And they flew.