| Dear members,
We are happy to welcome the following successful candidates after last years Black Belt Grading. The 1st degree candidates were well prepared and performed with great courage and disctinction. Those promoted were:
It has been a very difficult year for many Christchurch centres, having to scramble for training venues and even training outdoors for extended periods. However, we are very pleased to announce that all our Christchurch centres have found stable training locations and we are moving into a new HQ on the 13th of March. It is a lot smaller than our old HQ but it is a sound building which will be quite adequate for most of our needs. It is located at 340A Wilsons Road North, Waltham, which is only a kilometre away from the old HQ at 15 Lawson Street, Sydenham. We will retain the same phone number and renovations will be undertaken to make it more suitable for our needs over the coming weeks. We had the usual start to the year with good gradings and seminars at our various centres. At the end of the month we will host the Annual SOTC student camp at the Sudima Hotel at the Christchurch Airport. Besides the scheduled kung fu gradings and seminars there will be a SOTC grading and seminar in Auckland in May. Next, we will have our Annual Seminars and Tournament. After which a large contingent will be travelling to the USA for Prof. Wally Jay's 95th Birthday Commemoration Convention. It should be a great trip and invaluable martial arts experience for those attending. It is usually a gathering of very skilled, talented and diverse martial artists demonstrating and sharing their knowledge. Inspite of our difficult period last year we have made good progress technically. It can be seen in the performance of the students at gradings various locations. The lessons on the fundamentals taught at last years camp seemed to be well learnt by the instructors and many students. Good control of balance and a feel for natural movement is the way to more efficient techniques. The refinement of these aspects are infinite and so is the scope for improvement. The derivation of internal strength and sensitivity can only come with this. If we can keep working this way we should produce even better results in the near future. For those who only work on physical strength, speed and external tecniques, they will soon be frustrated with stagnation or injury. We also need to work on discipline, mental strength to stay positive and focused on our goals. We must also train to stay calm and unruffled under stress and not to harbour any frustration, anger or negativity. Like Prof. Yek said, we can 'rewrite the story' in our mind when we face anything unpleasant. May Chi be with you. | Coming Events
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||