Mountain Academy Martial Arts

AFS Update

// March 3rd, 2011 // No Comments » // General Info

We have been forced to make some alterations to the AFS program. We no longer have access to the floor mats due to the kids wrestling class being placed on the same night and time. No problem. This is a class all about adaption, so we will adapt.

A person can adapt his fighting style to suit a particular situation by drawing from other styles. It is also true that a teacher can adapt his instruction by drawing from other instructing methods. Since it is impractical and indeed unsafe to practice throws, falls and ground work without a floor mat, we will be working primarily on stand-up techniques by utilizing self defense and step sparing methods. I will also spend more time working on the more advanced TKD kicks. The sword will continue to be part of the class.

If you have any questions, please post them. The class is still on Monday nights from 6:30 to 7:30 and is open to all students 16 years and up.

Class Cancellations

// December 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // General Info

Please be aware the Link will be closed for maintenance the week of December 13.  That means we will have several class cancellations for this month (December 14, 16, 18, 25 and January 1) so be sure to come to a different class during the week if possible and definitely PRACTICE at home! The Link being closed is not an excuse for you to not work on your tae kwon do.  The calendar is usually kept updated regarding class cancellations, so be sure to keep an eye on it.

New “Adaptive Fighting” Style Class

// November 21st, 2010 // 4 Comments » // General Info

We are pleased to announce that starting in January, Master Bishop will be teaching a new class on Mondays.  This class is separate from the Tae Kwon Do classes and  is open to students regardless of rank, however, there will be a minimum age requirement of 16 and the ability to handle another person’s weight.  If interested, class registration is still at the Link front desk.

Adaptive Fighting Style (AFS) is an exciting new concept in martial arts.

The purpose of AFS is to continually modify and adapt the style as time goes by to keep it from becoming overspecialized and predictable.

Within the AFS, students progress through three stages.

• First, students learn basic skills and principals from their sensei or instructor.
• Second, students become student instructors or senpai and in turn teach the basics to newer students.
• Finally, students leave the school and study at other schools.

After completing these three levels, students will return to the school to adapt what they have learned to their basic skills.

As students in turn open their own schools, a variety of independent styles and concepts will be created. This avoids becoming restricted by rigid century old principals and concepts that can quite often lose their effectiveness over time.

The primary ideology behind AFS is that the most important part of any martial art is the martial artist. Styles and concepts should adapt to the person, not the other way around. In this way, each person will create their own personal style. They will teach that style to students that will, upon completing the three levels in that style, will go on to create their own style.

AFS should not be confused with MMA (mixed martial arts). AFS is not sport oriented but rather a means of self-defense.

6 Signs of Respect

// November 10th, 2010 // No Comments » // General Info

Don’t forget while you are in the Dojang you are subject to centuries of tradition and ceremony.

1. When you enter the Dojang, bow. When you leave the Dojang, turn facing in and bow.
2. When you are given instruction by anyone of a higher rank, bow and say “Yes Sir” or “Yes, Ma’am”.
3. Listen when the instructor is speaking, this is not the time to chat.
4. When you approach an instructor for any reason, be it question or request, patiently wait until the instructor acknowledges you.  DO NOT interrupt.
5. If you enter the Dojang after class has started, wait in the back of the room until you are acknowledged. Then take a place in the back of the class until class is reformed, only then can you get into the proper rank position.
6. If you need to retie or adjust your belt, turn and face a wall or away from the instructor. Historically if you took off your belt while facing an upper rank, this was considered a challenge and the upper rank may still take it as such.

Dan Barrow

You Can Practice Anywhere

// October 22nd, 2010 // No Comments » // General Info

I was told to practice at home when I was a colored belt. Now as a black belt I ask students to practice a form or stretch at home.

But what does that mean and what are the guidelines to practicing at home?

Practicing at home means that you practice what you know you need to work on.  It also means practicing what you should do every day like forms and stretches.

The guideline to practicing at home is focusing on non-partner activities or practicing step-sparring with an imaginary opponent. Things like sparring, wrist technicals, breaking and self-defense are best left to class. This is because someone could get seriously injured and have to go to the hospital.  That will leave you in big trouble!

Some of the things you can and should practice every day are forms, self-control, counting to ten in Korean, step-sparring with an imaginary opponent and stretching.

It may not seem like much, but practicing every day will have a huge impact on your martial arts technique, but you must keep one very important thing in mind when practicing – You are what you practice.  How you practice it is how you will do it so don’t think that because you’re just practicing, it’s ok to have sloppy technique!

Jody Nelson

Weapon Requirements

// October 17th, 2010 // No Comments » // General Info, Weapons Forms

Getting your green belt is an exciting time in your martial arts career as this is the point where you are first able to start learning a weapon form.  Learning a weapon is a major responsibility.  Not only is it difficult, but there is a much higher risk of injury to yourself, but you also risk injury to others.  For this reason we will be putting in place new restrictions on weapon choice.  As always, the following restrictions are subject to instructor discretion, so before selecting a weapon to learn, talk to your instructors!

1st Weapon

Kama 1

Tonfa 1

Sai 1

Bo 1

Escrima 1

2nd Weapon

Bo 2 – (Bo 1 must be learned before we will teach Bo 2)

Fan 1 or Fan 2

Escrima 2

Sai 2

Cane 1 or Cane 2

Additional Weapons

The Sword form or other bladed weapons will be taught only per instructor approval

Uniform Requirements

// October 17th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // General Info

Class

White belt – White uniform

Yellow belt – White uniform

Yellow stripe – White uniform

Green belt – Choice of solid white uniform or white top and black pants

Blue belt – Choice of solid white uniform or white top and black pants

Blue stripe – Choice of solid white uniform or white top and black pants

Red belt – Choice of solid white or black uniform, or white top and black pants

Red stripe – Choice of solid white or black uniform, or white top and black pants

Red 2 stripes – Choice of solid white or black uniform, or white top and black pants

Black belt – Any combination

Testing

All ranks – White uniform

Tournaments

Your choice, but same rank limitations as for class