Stephen Thompson’s August 2011 NEWSLETTER

Hope you are all have a GREAT SUMMER! Quote....

“There is no mystery about my style. My movements are simple, direct and non-classical. The extraordinary part

of it lies in its simplicity”. BRUCE LEE

Bruce Lee, wow. One of my heroes growing up and the original reason why I started Karate all those years ago.

Looking back at the movies now, maybe the acting is a little bit off, but you will never find better fight scenes in a

martial arts film. Enter the Dragon is by far the most widely known but my favourite is Fist of Fury. WOW!

I am often asked about what style we teach in Karate World, and my answer is always the same, what style do you

want it to be. Sometimes people get hung up over styles. Maybe a person has seen some martial arts in a movie

which is all about Kung Fu. So they call up a Kung Fu school in there area looking to join, and when they show

up, they are disappointed because, “this is not like the moves I seen in the film”. Of course it never will be, the

scenes in the movies are choreographed to the last detail. So what is our style? I love the quote above from Bruce

Lee, movements are simple, direct and non classical. Maarlisk is a combination of what myself and Master

Smith have trained in for many years, and still training in today. We are always going to be students first, teachers

second. If thinking you are learning karate in our school makes you train better, than so be it. If thinking it is

Taekwondo based makes you hit the pad with extra power, do it! What really makes any style great is two things,

the instructor and you the student. If in class you are always working Kaizen (constant and

never ending improvement) you will be outstanding. Maarlisk is very dynamic, evolving with

what myself and Master Smith learn. So next time someone asks you “what style do you do,

reply “what style do you want it to be”

Nunchaku Seminar FOR YOU Learn how to use nunchaku’s in our seminar. You will be taught how to use them, how to

strike targets and the moves that Bruce did in Enter the Dragon! Course is open for Adults

and Children. See the back page for details

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Setting targets is so important in life. Imagine try-

ing to drive your car using a rear view mirror,

could cause a few problems right. Or how about

this, you may have all the tools, just like the man in

the image, you may even be the best archer is the

world. What would happen though, if you were

asked to hit the target, shown the target, then blind

folded, spun around then told to shoot. One thing,

if you are the person telling him to shoot you better

watch out because there is a chance you will get

hit. In actual fact the archer has as much chance

trying to hit the target, as hitting you. Well this is

the same in life, if you do not have targets to hit,

how can you hit them? If you are sparring and you

want to win, you have to hit a scoring area, a target.

You can see it, and you go for it. Another word for

target is goals, set you goals, and go for it! Things

may get in the way, sorry change that, this will de-

fiantly get in the way. It is your job to keep going,

sometimes you may have to change your approach,

but the target is still there. You see people do not

always hit there goals, they give up on them!

Maybe becoming the best martial artist you can be-

come is one of your goals, if it was then do not let

anything stand in your way. The target has been

set, you have the target in sight, now go get it.

Habit 3

TARGETS

Over the next few months we have the instructor course

going on in our Karate World Schools. The first one is

being held at Karate World Cheltenham on Saturday

6th August. You may have no desire to become an in-

structor, but the wealth of knowledge you are going to

get on the course will be incredible. One of the number

one fears in people is public speaking. You will learn

tools to get over that on this day. How to teach a class,

the instructors creed, why every class is so important,

how to teach and motivate children and much much

more. I remember Mr Rudman, who is the chief in-

structor at Cheltenham, attend my very first instructors

course. If you ask him did he attend because he wanted

to become an instructor, he will tell you, NO. He had

no intention of becoming an instructor just to further

develop his martial arts training. So if you are inter-

ested in furthering your martial arts, get more details

from the team.

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We have introduced the student creed to the children over the past couple of months and the children are pick-

ing it up very fast so well done. If you have not heard it, here it is.

Student Creed

I Intend, to develop myself, in a positive manner and avoid,

anything that could reduce my mental growth or physical health

I Intend, to develop Self Discipline to bring out the best in myself, and others

I Intend, to use common sense, before self defence and never, be abusive or offensive

This is a Black Belt School, We are Motivated, We are Dedicated, We are on a Quest to be our Best

Ladies Fitness Seminar We have been asked many times to do a ladies only fitness/Self De-

fence seminar so at long last we are putting one on. It will be VERY

VERY EASY, and VERY VERY HARD. Let me explain, it is for all

different fitness levels, and we will get the most out of you. So if you

would like to had a challenge, come along. See back page for dates.

We are bringing in “grading qualification” for all students. Our school is a Per-

sonal Development Centre first and a Martial Arts school second. This is be-

cause I believe it is Personal Development that allowed me to become a world

champion for a decade. At the time, I did not label it that, but I set myself tar-

gets, I was very proactive, I knew the reasons why I wanted it, and no matter

what, I tried my best. All things that we teach in our school. I want to take

maarlisk to a whole new level, not just physical martial arts, but personal development also. Starting in the

new grading cycle, (September) we will be introducing a stripe system on belts. When you have enough

stripes, you will be eligible to grade. The belt has two ends, equal in length. One side is the physical martial

arts, the other is Leaders Have Habits.

So when a student knows the Habit of the cycle, and can explain it to the instructor, they get there tag. For

children, things are a little tougher. Children also have to get tags for good behaviour at home and at school.

They get these when mum or dad tell us about it in class. Another for children is your teacher agreeing that

your attitude in school is great. If they feel you are not trying your

hardest, you may be held back. On the physical side, once a student

knows the three moves of that cycle they will get one tag for each

move. Only students with tags on both sides will be eligible to gradu-

ate. Tag testing will be done in the normal class, after week number 4

in the grading cycle. First 4 weeks is learning the combo, next 4 is

perfecting. Remember, it is not important to remember the whole

combo, what is important is to learn individual moves of the combo for

that cycle. Practice at home is so key to becoming a great martial artist.

The reason for this big change is to give better service to our students.

The new card system is now fully in place and with this new

“measurable” system before grading day, I know we will be raising the

standard in the school. Everyone wins!

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Timetable

Saturday 6th Aug Instructors Boot Camp Cheltenham Location 12 to 6pm £200

A course all about the benefits of become an instructor. You will be taught how to teach a

class and how to assist. Grade is not important as you will be learning “teaching skills”

which can help everyone, All successful applicants will receive the STORM badge

Saturday 13th Aug Extreme Fitness Seminar Hempsted Location 12 to 2pm £20

Would you like a challenge? Everyone goes at there own pace, but the class will be tough.

If you would like to push yourself to the next level, step up to this. Over 14 year olds

only, and make sure to bring a towel.

Saturday 20th Aug Nunchaku Seminar Hempsted Location 12 to 2pm £30

This course includes a pair of nunchakus. If you would like to learn how to use these

corded training tools, just like the late great Bruce Lee, get your name down for this. All

ages are welcome and the course includes a pair of nunchaku’s that you can keep and a

certificate at the end.

Saturday 27th Aug Ladies Fitness Seminar Hempsted Location 12 to 2pm £20

For all students above the age of thirteen. This will be a challenge that you will want to

bring your friends along to. All fitness levels are welcome, so if you have any friends that

would like the “test” bring them down.

Saturday 27th Aug ALL GRADING APPLICATIONS MUST BE IN BY THIS DATE

Monday 29th Aug Bank Holiday - Closed

Tuesday 30th Aug to Saturday 3rd September Hempsted location school closed.

Saturday 10th Sept Grading Day Hempsted Location 9am to 4pm £20/£30

Normal classes cancelled on this date 9:30 to 10am Little Panda Cubs £20.00

10am to 12am White to Green/White Belts £30.00

12 to 2pm Blue to Brown/Black Belts £30.00

2pm to 4pm Black/Red £30.00

2pm to 4pm Black Belts £20.00

Saturday 17th Sept Award Pizza Party Hempsted Location 12 to 1pm £FREE

On the grading day a selection will be made of the OUTSTANDING ATTITUDE

students of the day (children) If a child is selected then they will have the opportunity to

come along to the Award Party with friends

Saturday 24th Sept Padwork Seminar Hempsted Location 12 to 2pm £30

Boxing and kickboxing drills on pads. You will receive a single focus pad which you can

keep. Attend this seminar if you would like to learn the 10 move padwork flow drill and

much more. Ideal also for parents that want to help there child at home.

Saturday 1st Oct Instructors Boot Camp Hempsted Location 12 to 6pm £200

A course all about the benefits of become an instructor. You will be taught how to teach a

class and how to assist. Grade is not important as you will be learning “teaching skills”

which can help everyone, All successful applicants will receive the STORM badge

GOLD CARD

Purchase a GOLD CARD at £99 this means you can attend as many seminars as you wish in a 6 month period,

any academy. (The nunchaku and pad work seminar you would have to purchase the items separately, £10 each)

The instructors course is also separate, purchase instructors course and GOLD card for £250)

This works out such a great deal for the student. If you attend two seminars a month, over 6 months that is 12

seminars. If you were paying individual that amounts to £240.00. This means you make a saving of £140.00.

Do the instructor course as well and save £190

If you pay by DD

you will receive a

£10 discount on

each grade