On July 15-18, eight
DCSDKA women traveled to Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania to attend
"Special Training," the annual martial arts training camp hosted by the
National Women's Martial Arts Federation (NWMAF). Each learned a lot. They
tried out some amazing martial arts, broadened their training with new
skills and katas (forms), and made new friends. They lived, ate and
breathed martial arts for four days.
JW Classics Tournament
On Saturday, May 1, approximately 16 DCSDKA students went and competed at the JW Classics in Oxen Hill, MD. Students competed in both forms and sparring testing both their mental focus and physical skills. Everyone handled the pressure very well and put in an excellent effort. Congrats to all.
Easter Egg Hunt
On Saturday, April 3, DCSDKA and
neighborhood kids participated in our Easter Egg Hunt at Bancroft. Kids from
ages 4-12 (and their parents) searched for eggs, played games, drew Easter
bunnies, earned prizes and posed for many charming photos!
Many thanks to Jessica Neagle, Deborah McKinney and Chris James for their assistance!
February 2010 Exams and Promotions
Holiday Party 2009
On Thursday December 17, Students, friends and family members came together for our annual holiday and awards night. We enjoyed a night of good food, conversation and acknowledgement of contributions. Sensei surprised students with gifts for all.
Halloween Party 2009
Kick-a-Thon
2009
Students,
family and friends came together on Friday, September 25 and raised over $4000
for the Children’s Scholarship Fund. We
had a fun evening of karate and performances by students along with exciting
board breaks!
Many
thanks to the following whose hard work and donations allowed for this event to
be a such a success:
Teresa
Alogoso, Vibha Bhatia, Mary Ross, Gary Cooper, Ed Cooke, Jason and Charlotte
Owen, Clark Forcey, Todd and Daaiyah Threats, Laughing Man’s Tavern, Breadsoda
Bar/Restaurant, Artfully Chocolate, Susan Crane, Swann House Bed and Breakfast,
Washington Wizards, Studio Theatre, Synetic Theatre, Folger’s Theatre, Sportsman’s
Wine and Liquor, and Blair Mansion House.
Black Belt
Exam
On Saturday, August 8 Gary
Cooper, Veni Duran-Gamero, and Astrid Reyes passed their Exam for Probationary
Black Belt. All three candidates demonstrated the true martial arts
values of discipline, respect, courtesy, positive expectancy and
indomitable spirit. At the exam we were blessed to have many family,
friends, and fellow classmates there to give their support and encouragement.
Congratulations!
Knife Defense Seminar
4th of July Picnic and Workout
On Saturday, July 4th, approximately 30 students participated in a morning workout in Malcolm X Park. Students had a fun time learning self-defense releases and fighting on the ground. Afterwards students and their family enjoyed a picnic followed by games with prizes.
Aikido Workshop
On Saturday, May 9th,
DCSDKA students were treated to a special class on Aikido led by Jim
Sorrentino, a fifth degree Black Belt in Aikido and Chief Instructor at the
Aikido School of Northern Virginia. Mr. Sorrentino and seven (!) of his instructors and students introduced
a few of the basic concepts of Aikido. We
practiced how to redirect an attacker's
energy and use it against him, how to avoid chokes and grabs, and how to fall safely backwards when you are
playing the attacker.
Jim and his team made it all look so easy and so powerful and yet
graceful. And then we tried it--let's see, which hand did he use and which way
was he going?? And talk about clunky. Now we see why folks study it for years
and years. It is complex and beautiful and takes a while to acquire! But we had
lots of fun, and it was awesome to watch the seasoned and expert Aikidoists.
Hope we do this again next year!
Arlene Limas’s Tournament
On
March 21, DCSDKA students went and participated in an in-house tournament at
Arlene Limas’s school, Power Kix in Stafford, VA. Ms. Limas, Olympic
Gold Medalist offers excellent teaching in competing in both forms, weapons and
sparring. Christine Keck, Black Belt, said about the tournament, “This is a
great tournament. The level of skill is high – it makes you compete at the top
of your game, too, if you want to do well. And while there is a challenge in
the ring, the camaraderie is also strong. It is a great dojo, great people, and
a great experience all around.
Self Defense Instruction in Kenya
In February,
Sensei led a training program in Nairobi, Kenya through a program called I’m
Worth Defending. Along with Julie Curtis, IMPACT instructor, they prepared
12 dedicated people with tools to teach others how to defend themselves from
different kinds of violence including from weapons and multiple attackers and
how to train other
instructors. The tremendously committed instructors that
Sensei trained will be leading workshops throughout Kenya and training a new
team of instructors in Uganda. I'm Worth
Defending is the brainchild of Lee Sinclair and is dedicated to reducing
the terrible level of violence against innocent people in Kenya living in
impoverished conditions through sponsoring free self-defense classes, baby care
clinics so children are supervised while their parents work, and sex education
classes.
