Newsletter – May 2013

Chinese Martial Arts Academy

Dear Students and Friends,

School Closings
Please note we will be closed this month, May, Saturday the 18th through Weds the 22nd.

Chinese Cultural Gala Day
1-3:30pm Sunday, June 30th
Clifton Common – Community Center, Clifton Park NY 12065 (518)383-3143

Come join the Chinese Martial Arts Academy for a day of fun with Chinese culture at the Chinese Cultural Gala Day! The Town of Clifton Park will host the Chinese Cultural Gala Day on Sunday, June 30, 2013. The FREE event is sponsored by the town’s Community Arts and Culture Commission in partnership with Clifton Park resident Xinhua Lee and Asian Culture Inc.

Please feel free to show your CMAA pride and wear your school shirt to the event. I look forward to seeing you there:)

Residents of all ages will be able to enjoy Chinese ribbon and fan dances, our martial arts demonstrations, Chinese musical, dance performances and ethnic food (available for purchase.)

The Chinese Cultural Gala Day strives to bring Clifton Park residents together to enhance the understanding and appreciation of Chinese music, dance and culture.

Chinese Community Center Kungfu Party
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??????????3A Johnson Rd, Latham NY 12110?

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????: Please RSVP by 5/6 in person, or by email/phone

AlbanyCMAA@gmail.com (518) 755-7512

Monthly Challenge May
Share your knowledge!

Do you ever reflect on your training and think about what you’ve found to be most helpful, interesting or encouraging? Do you have particular interest or knowledge of a certain area of martial arts practice?

I’d like to challenge you this month to sit down and write about it!

Write about anything in the martial arts (Tai Chi, Kungfu or health and wellness) and share it with us. It might be a list of talking points shared in class, a report on something you’ve recently read, or simply an account of your progress. It can be as long or as short as you’d like.

Please email at AlbanyCMAA@gmail.com and at the end of the month I would like to select an article or two to share with our CMAA members.

Sash Test
As a reminder, we will be holding our next quarterly Sash Test on Sunday June 2nd. More information coming soon!

CMAA Apparel
New “soft” style jackets with full zippers in all kids and adult sizes are now in and they look great! They are available for just $60 ($15 less than our other style!). Please note the original half zip warm up style jackets are still available as well.

Summary
As usual stay tuned for more exciting news and information about upcoming events! More info coming soon about another Tai Chi documentary (on Chen style Tai Chi), Kids Kungfu Movie (Disney’s Mulan) our Sash Test, and a CMAA martial arts performance June 30th!

Best-

Shifu

Chinese Martial Arts Academy
Newsletter – April 2013

Dear Students and Friends,

Sash Test- Congratulations!

Congratulations to those who tested! You have all made such great progress. I was hugely impressed with your performances. Not everyone passed on the first try, though everyone has since passed in their re-tests. Although that was disappointing, I knew you had what it takes and I WILL always hold you to those expectations! Keep up the hard work – our hard work will make you and CMAA GREAT!

Next sash test will be in the first two weeks of June.

School Closings:
Please note we will be close next month, May, Saturday the 18th through Weds the 22nd.

Monthly Challenge:
Think about what is that inspires you and share it! Whether it’s physical, mental or spiritual – what things do you look to for inspiration? Do you look to the vibrant, bright eyed old masters, or the incredible athletic prowess and artistic display of power of the young kungfu master? Whatever it is that has inspired you, a book, film (documentary or fiction), individual or experience, let me know so I can share it with the others at CMAA! Feel free to tell me more in class or send me an email.

In the last few months these are a few short but really awesome videos I’ve seen on youtube. None are about Tai Chi or Kungfu, but they’re still so awesome to watch. If you’ve ever said or heard, “I’m too old”, “I’m too overweight”, “I’ve got bad knees”, or “I’ve got a bad back” as an excuse to not get more exercise and healthier then I dare you to watch these videos and say it again!

Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oaH1jaNHNE
Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448
Video3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nXkyeQ91f8

How to Master Anything, at Any Age:

Whether your goal is to sustain employment or enrich your life, continued learning is paramount to growth. Learn new skills, overcome challenges and find fresh meaning in 9 steps:

http://www.nextavenue.org/blog/how-master-anything-any-age

Summary
As usual stay tuned for more exciting news and information about upcoming events! More info coming soon about another Tai Chi documentary (on Chen style Tai Chi), another Kids Kungfu Night, and a CMAA martial arts performance June 30th!

Best-

Shifu

Dear Friends,

Welcome to another monthly newsletter full of important information and exciting news!

Chinese New Year Performances:
WOW! CMAA worked hard to prepare for several exciting demonstrations (demo’s) and boy did we put on a show! Please see the attached photos from our performances at the Clifton Park Half Moon Library and the Egg! I may be biased, but I’m sure we were the most exciting performances at these eventsJ CMAA has been asked to do more already including an upcoming cultural Gala in June. Great job guys! If you were not involved with the demo this time, it is possible to be included in future performances. We are working hard on developing a strong martial arts demo team and will continue to evaluate students in class performance for qualification.

School Closings:
Monday the 11th, Tuesday the 12th and Wednesday the 13th: All classes are canceled! (Kungfu, Tai Chi and CrossFit)
Shifu will be taking a much needed vacation to visit his grandparents. Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with Grandpa Geller at age 92 on the secrets of longevity!

Kungfu Sash Test:
Please note that we will be holding our quarterly Sash Test on Sunday, March 3rd at 11am.

You know exactly what we will be testing but if you have any questions, check the Sash Requirements page on the website and feel free to clarify things with me during class. http://www.martialartsalbany.com/kungfu-sash-requirements/

If you are unsure whether or not you (or your child) are ready to test, please speak with me before or during class, via email at AlbanyCMAA@gmail.com or by phone (518) 755-7512.
Remember, you will not “get” your sash at CMAA – you will EARN it! There is a big difference. It’s important you (your child) learns the value of their sash- the value of hard work! Let’s stay focused and step up our training so we’re fully prepared for the test!
White/Yellow/Green/Blue: $25

Is your child a future Olympian?
Wushu has been bidding for a spot in the Olympics since 2008. It’s been on the short list of 7 sports to potentially be included since then. Now that wrestling has been cut, Wushu has again risen to the top of a short list of sports to be potentially included in the 2020 Olympics!

Will Wushu Replace Wrestling in 2020 Olympic Games? http://www.isportstimes.com/articles/5816/20130212/wrestling-cut-2020-olympic-games-wushu-replace.htm

See an exciting display of wushu in the original IOC Wushu Promotional video from 2008 (event demonstrations beginning at 2:50!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsgQ6YuVYUY

As a former member of the USA National Wushu Kungfu Team, CMAA can help your child reach the elite levels required for competition. Shifu Geller has been invited to judge at the 2013 USA Team Trials (the national team’s qualifying event). From a technical perspective to all the unwritten rules and politics – Shifu Geller knows exactly what it takes to qualify.
March Challenge:

Study the greats! Whether you practice Kungfu or Tai Chi, you should study the greats. Know who the “all time” best were. Not “Jackie Chan”, or “Zhang San Feng”, but the “Prince of Wushu” Yuan Wen Qing and the lineage hold of Chen style Tai Chi- Chen Xiao Wang. Watch their movements, see why they are legends, and LEARN from them! Want more? Ask Shifu who to watch. Eagle? Xu Xiangdong. Praying Mantis? Yu Hai. Bagua? Liu Hai Bo. Tiger? Yang Shiwen. There is a master of every style and each master is someone we can learn from!

Summary

As always, lots of exciting things are happening right now. Stay tuned for more great updates!

Best-

Shifu

Newsletter Feb 2013

Dear Friends -

It’s that time again. Welcome to another monthly newsletter full of important information and exciting news!  I got to say it last month but now I get to say it again: Happy (Chinese) New Year!  2013 is the year of the snake!

Chinese New Year Demonstrations

The word is out- CMAA is THE school associated with authentic Chinese Martial Arts.  Not only do we have the most qualified instructors (if I don’t say so myself;), we have an impressive young performance group!  Based on our previous performances at the Egg in 2012, SUNY Albany, RPI, Clifton Park Community Center, Schenectady Gazette Parade and more we are now inundated with requests by many local organizations and groups to showcase our rising talents!

In fact, I have had to turn down most of the requests to due time and scheduling constraints.  However, we will officially be organizing two demonstrations for the Chinese New Year!

Saturday, February 2^nd Clifton Park Half Moon Library Chinese New Year Demo on February 2^nd at 2:00pm.  Performers, please note that we will be meeting at the Library at 1:30pm!  We will leave from CMAA at 1:00 pm.  You are welcome to follow and drive over together or meet there separately.  Please double check and make sure you have your shirt, pants, shoes and staff/sword!  You are not expected to wear your sash during the demo.

Saturday February 9^th The Chinese Community Center Chinese New Year Celebration at the Egg at 2:30pm.

Please enjoy a video of Dean and Shifu at last year’s demo at SUNY Albany.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-gFzyI7ibA

Class Cancelations:

Due to the times of the Chinese New Year demo’s mentioned above we will be canceling the following classes:

Sat, February 2^nd: 1:00pm 13+ Kungfu, 2:00pm CrossFit.

Saturday February 9^th: 12:00pm 8-12 Kungfu, 1:00pm 13+ Kungfu, and 2:00pm CrossFit.

Make up training times: For those interested in additional training, there will be an open/demo practice held at 4:15pm on Sunday Feb 3^rd and Feb 10th!  If you’re Kungu Class was canceled that Saturday then you are welcome to join us that following Sunday!

School closing: March 11^th, 12^th and 13^th.  Shifu will be taking a much needed vacation to visit his grandparents.  Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with Grandpa Geller at age 92 on the secrets of longevity! J

Kungfu

Kungfu basics and forms training make up a majority of our training. The warm up, flexibility training, basics practice, forms training and conditioning helps to develop all of the most important attributes of the martial artists which include power (strength, speed), flexibility, balance, coordination, and mental fortitude.

However, there is still much more to learn.  For students 13+ years old, or ranked green sash or higher we will be introducing a new element into our practice.

8pm Tues/Thurs evening classes will now include an additional 30 minutes (from 8-8:30pm) for qualified students to begin learning the most applicable techniques.  We will work a variety of kicking/punch drills on various types of padded equipment so that our students are better able to identify correct technique, accuracy, timing and application of power.  From self-defense, to self-confidence this new emphasis is sure to be an exciting and fun new element to our already awesome program!

Tai Chi:

By request, we will be addressing the Wednesday evening and Saturday morning schedule to include time for the practice of Yang Style Tai Chi basics, Yang 24, 32 Sword and the Shaolin Qi Gong form Yi Jin Jing!  For newer students to build a foundation, and for senior students to revisit the basics, our emphasis on some of the forms many of us started with will be a refreshing addition to our current course curriculum. More news to come!

February Challenge:

Virtuosity: performing the common uncommonly well.  Focus on this during your regular practice and you will learn the true meaning of Gongfu (Kungfu – Great skill acquired through hard work).  It doesn’t matter if you practice Kungfu, Tai Chi or CrossFit- focus on the basics!  The foundation isn’t just the basis for your future development, it defines your practice.  Read more here!

http://www.martialartsalbany.com/monthly-challenge-february/

Summary

As always, lots of exciting things are happening right now.  Stay tuned for more great updates on what’s happening at CMAA in the year of the snake!

Best-

Shifu

February Challenge:

I’ve been talking about it for months now.  You may have heard my pizza analogy during class.  I’ve been really impressed with the kids ability to understand the fine points of the concept.  However, it’s not just a lesson for kids or for new practitioners.  It’s an ideal that anyone looking for mastery of anything needs to understand!

Virtuosity: performing the common uncommonly well.  Focus on this during your regular practice and you will learn the true meaning of Gongfu (Kungfu – Great skill acquired through hard work).  It doesn’t matter if you practice Kungfu, Tai Chi or CrossFit- focus on the basics!  The foundation isn’t just the basis for your future development, it defines your practice.

All too often Kungfu practitioners focus on the high flying jumps, Tai Ji students focus on developing powerful internal energy and CrossFit athletes look for rip hundreds of pounds of steel without properly developing the most basic techniques.  The front stretch kick and the horse stance for Kungfu students, Tai Ji walking basics and CrossFitter’s squat and deadlift form are what we learn on the first day of practice.  We are engrained with a linear learning pattern that allows us to believe that once we learn something we can progress to something more advanced.  This might take the form of a no handed cartwheel, a traditional long routine, or more complicated lift like the snatch or clean and jerk.  We forget that becoming great doesn’t mean doing more, it means doing things better – perfecting our skill.

I don’t just look at tornado kicks and shaolin monks meditating for inspiration. I see mastery in the head to toe front stretch kick, in a powerful golden rooster taiji posture and repping out air squats with perfect posture.

Remember, practice does not make perfect.  Perfect practice makes perfect.  Focus on the technical execution of “basic” skills and learn the true meaning of virtuosity.

The challenge for February is to identify the fundamental practices of your chosen discipline and concentrate on developing those key skills.  List the techniques and concentrate on bringing the ideal practice to the forefront of your consciousnesses during your training this month.  Focus on virtuosity and journey down your path towards towards mastery!

Dear Friends -

Happy New Year!  Wow, I can’t believe 2012 has come and gone.  CMAA has done so much this past year.  We’ve gone from 9 hours of class per week to over 30 hours of class per week in our wonderful new home!  We’ve done movie nights, pizza nights, demonstrations, parades, cultural galas, and sash tests.  With our Tai Chi group we’ve had a potluck, documentary showing, seminars with Master Sugiyama and more.

I am so proud of all our accomplishments this past year and I am excited to be working on many new and exciting initiatives for CMAA this coming year- 2013!

Mission Statement

Did you know that CMAA has a mission statement?  Well, we do!

- To provide the finest quality instruction in Chinese Wushu (Martial Arts), while adhering to the traditions, methods and integrity of its practice.

- To develop students to their maximum potential in body, mind and spirit- emphasizing both physical and mental conditioning; encouraging personal growth and development for each individual student.

- To inspire all students to learn and practice self-discipline in everything they do and achieve excellence through persistence.

Chinese New Year Demonstrations

CMAA will be organizing two demonstrations for the Chinese New Year!  By special request, we will be showcasing our rising talents at the Clifton Park Half Moon Library Chinese New Year Demo on February 2^nd and The Chinese Community Center Chinese New Year Celebration at the Egg on February 9^th!  More info to come!

CrossFit

New CrossFit classes!

CrossFit Essentials: Mon/Weds/Fri (9am-10am)

CrossFit : Tues/Thurs (6pm-7pm)

CrossFit: Mon (7pm-8pm), Weds (8pm-9pm), Fri (7pm-8pm) and Sat (2pm-3pm).

Latham CrossFit Website!

CrossFit is for anyone, regardless of their age or fitness level. Members range from professional athletes and members of the FBI SWAT Team, to grandfathers in their mid-seventies and desk jockeys with barely enough hand-eye coordination to use a mouse.

In short, if you care about health, real-world performance, or just want to look better, CrossFit is for you.

Learn more here: www.LathamCrossFit.com

Tai Chi

Due to low enrollment, we will temporarily suspend the Tues/Thurs evening, 6pm, and Sat morning, 8am, Tai Chi classes.

Sanshou – Kungfu Kickboxing

We have a new Sanshou special!  Training on Tues/Thurs evening 8-9pm for just $65 a month!

January Challenge

Typically, with the New Year comes a New Year’s Resolution.  What’s yours?  Remember, “The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching our goals.  The tragedy of life is not having goals to reach for”.  In the spirit of self-improvement and goal setting, let’s revisit the September monthly challenge, identify our goals, and start making a plan for 2013! Read more here:

http://www.martialartsalbany.com/cmaa-monthly-challenge-september-goal-setting/

School Closings:

Please note we are closed today January 1^st Tuesday) for New Year’s Day!

Summary

As always, lots of exciting things are happening right now.  2012 was incredible and I know 2013 will bring many more wonderful things to CMAA!

Happy New Year!

Best-

Shifu

December Newsletter

Dear Students and Friends,

It’s December already!? I can’t believe it. With so many exciting things going on at the school time really seems to fly.

Dec. 1 – Kids Kungfu Movie and Pizza Night!

We had a great time at the Kids Kungfu Movie and Pizza Night! We started with a Kungfu class, and then moved on to games, pizza and a movie (Kids from Shaolin!). Whether you were able to join us this time or not we all hope you can make it next time! J

Dec. 2 – Sash Test

I am so proud of your progress!

The way you trained, organized yourselves, and performed on Sunday was VERY IMPRESSIVE.

Keep up the hard work! Congrats on your sash advancements!

Just one year ago we didn’t have anyone sash test. We have moved to our own, new home just 3 months ago. This speaks to the infancy of our program. This is just the beginning.

You should be hugely proud of our progress as a school, and equally proud of your progress as martial artists! Congratulations!

Dec. 9th Kungfu Tai Chi Seminars – with visiting master Brandon Sugiyama!

It’s not too late to sign up!

Please sign up at the school or via email at AlbanyCMAA@gmail.com

Please note only 11:15-12pm Kungfu, and 2-3pm CrossFit classes will be held as regularly scheduled!

More information about the seminars here!

http://www.martialartsalbany.com/brandon-sugiyama-seminar/

Kungfu Kickboxing (Sanshou)

For individuals who are interested in doing Kungfu Kickboxing only! The class schedule will be revised along with prices! Kungfu Kickboxing is now only Tuesday and Thursday evenings 8-9pm. However, the monthly tuition fee is now only $60 a month (with annual agreement) and $90 monthly – no long term commitment!

CrossFit

CrossFit is officially being held Monday (7-8pm), Wednesdays (8-9pm), Friday (7-8pm) and now Saturdays (2-3pm)! Feel free to come watch a class and see what it’s all about!

Performances and Demo’s!

After an exciting and successful performance several months ago for the Chinese Cultural Gala CMAA has been invited to several other venues to showcase our rising talents!

Last month Price Chopper sponsored CMAA to participate in the 2012 Gazette Holiday Parade in Schenectady.

We have now been invited to perform at the Chinese School Performance, Clifton Park Halfmoon Library Chinese New Year Celebration and Chinese Community Center Chinese New Year Celebration! I am sure over the course of the next several months even more invitations will roll in (as they did last year from SUNY Albany and RPI!).

You should honored to be part of such a highly esteemed group. However, now is not the time for complacency. Now is time for preparation. Let’s get ready to show them just how hard we’ve been working. Let show them how good we are getting!

Monthly Challenge – December

Stay warm and stretch! When I first began training, I realized in the very first winter that I was always “tighter” and less flexible as the weather got colder. I began and finished my days with vigorous stretching routines, but I always felt like I couldn’t get loose. Shimu (teacher wife), Lu Yuzhi, told me to dress more warmly, and specifically, to start wearing long johns! In addition, when I injured my leg training in China my Chinese doctor in Beijing told me to keep my feet warm. For example, he told me no more going barefoot to the bathroom at night and to soak my feet in hot water every morning. For 15 years now, I’ve made morning/evening stretching and long johns/warm slippers during the winter part of my routine.

So, as the title suggests this challenge is two part. Take more time to stretch and keep warm! Personally, I dress warm at home (to the point of sweating during stretching even!) and take 5 – 20 minutes in morning with a cup of coffee, and 5 – 20 minutes at night after a warm shower to stretch everything back out! Keep it up throughout the winter and by the time the weather starts to warm up there’s a good chance your flexibility will increase dramatically!

CMAA Holiday Schedule!

Please note the following holiday class cancellations:

Monday, 25th – All classes canceled.

Tuesday, 26th- All classes canceled.

Monday, 31st – All classes canceled.

Tuesday, 1st – All classes canceled.

CMAA Holiday Gift Ideas!

Spread the cheer and share CMAA with those you care about. Give them the give of health and happiness! Between our Tai Chi, Kungfu, Kickboxing, and CrossFit exercise program CMAA offers a wide variety of healthy activities to try out!

Not only are all our programs fitness oriented, but they are much more than that. As you know, we are more than just a gym. We offer you a warm, clean environment to find your passion and pursue your art. Not only do we offer the highest quality instruction, we also provide our students with a wonderful group of supportive friends (you and your classmatesJ). With events like our Potlucks, seminars and Pizza and Movie Nights- were are a very special place that you can share with your friends and family!

Month long gift certificates are available for any and all of our programs! Please speak with me for details!

** In addition, training several times a week, a new uniform might be a great gift for any student at CMAA! The new jackets look great and make for great gifts as well. And for those who will be starting staff, and broad sword – the holidays are a good opportunity to get them something they will be need to start an exciting new phase of their kungfu!

CMAA

In summary- as always there are lots of exciting things happening at CMAA! Please stay tuned, stay warm and have a happy holiday season!

Best-

Shifu

Dear Students,

Kungfu and Tai Chi Seminars

CMAA will be hosting Tai Chi and Kungfu seminars with USA Wushu-Kungfu Team member and national/international Tai Chi champion Brandon Sugiyama. Master Sugiyama is a Longfist and Spear specialist in Kungfu, and Yang style Taiji and Bagua specialist in internal styles.

Date: Saturday, December 8th
Time: Tai Chi 9:15-11:15am
Kungfu 12pm-2pm
Cost: Tai Chi $40 (limited to the first 25 people)
Kungfu $25 (limited to the first 25 people)
(Tai Chi + Kungfu = $55)

Please register ASAP as space is limited!

Brandon Sugiyama is a former member of the US Wushu Team and a decorated competitor in both internal and external styles. He was introduced to martial arts at the University of Oregon Wushu Club as a freshman in college and went on to become coach his senior year. After graduation, Brandon moved to San Francisco to continue his training at Pacific Wushu Academy focussing on taijiquan and baguazhang with Zhang Hong Mei of the Beijing Wushu Team.

His competition record includes multiple All Around and Internal Grand Champion titles at tournaments across the country and he has represented the United States in competition at the World Wushu Games in Hong Kong, the 1st World Traditional Wushu Festival in China and the Pan-American Wushu Championships.

Brandon currently resides in Brooklyn and continues his training with Sifu Chen Ying.
–
Don’t miss this rare opportunity where Brandon will share his insight and philosophy developed over nearly two decades of training and competition experience. These seminars will focus on taiji and wushu basics and forms correction, as well as tips and tricks for mastering the progression from a beginner to an advanced martial artist.
–
Competition Highlights:
US Wushu Team, 1999, Hong Kong
Internal Grand Champion, Wah Lum Kung Fu’s Tournament 2000, Orlando, Florida,
Internal Grand Champion, 2000 World Martial Arts Championship, Phoenix, AZ,
Internal All Around Champion, 2001 USAWKF Nationals, San Diego, CA
First Place, Tongji Bisai, 2003, Beijing Sports University
Two time Gold Medalist, 2004, Pan American Wushu Championship
Two time Gold Medalist, 2004 First World Traditional Wushu Festival,
Zhengzhou, China

Please note: Only the 11:15am-12pm, 5-7yrs old Kids Kungfu Class and 2pm – 3pm Sanshou will be held as regularly scheduled. ALL other individuals are encouraged to attend this rare opportunity to train with a visiting master – Brandon Sugiyama!

Parents- All students ranked White Sash and above are encouraged to attend the Kungfu seminar from 12-2pm. It’s a great chance to train with one of the most well-known and well respected martial arts competitor and judge in America! It’s sometimes hard to understand why this is important in the early stages of your child’s training, but having a USA team member for an instructor (ShifuJ), USA Team Coach Mario Martinez visit a few months ago, and now to have USA team member Brandon Sugiyama visit- CMAA is getting on the national kungfu scene radar very early. It’s a very important time for our young students to be exposed to elite national level martial arts and their critical eye. Having the highest quality instruction is one of the things that make CMAA so different than all the other schools locally- Please take advantage of these opportunities!

Best-

Shifu

With so many hings going on please review the original November Newsletter here:

http://www.martialartsalbany.com/monthly-newsletter-november/

In addition, I did want to follow up with some additional information about a few events:

TaiChi Potluck and Film:

Looking forward to tomorrow evening (5:30-8:30 ~)!  See you thereJ

Kungfu Sash Test:

Please note that we will be doing our quarterly Sash Test on Sunday, Dec. 2^nd at 11am.

You know exactly what we will be testing but if you have any questions, check the Sash Requirements page on the website and feel free to clarify things with me during class. http://www.martialartsalbany.com/kungfu-sash-requirements/

If you are unsure whether or not your (or your child) is ready to test, please speak with me before or during class, via email atAlbanyCMAA@gmail.com or by phone (518) 755-712.

Please register and pay your testing dues by Friday, Nov. 30^th (dues are listed in the Kungfu Sash requirements information page posted above).

KUNGFU Movie and Pizza Night! 

Join CMAA for an evening of kungfu, games, food and entertainment.  So far we’ve got Shaolin Temple (the original, Jet Li’s very first movie), and Wushu (by Jackie Chan) as possibilities.

Date: Saturday, December 1st

Time: 5:30pm -8:30pm.

Parents are welcome to drop your children off for the evening and enjoy a relaxing night out!

The cost is $25 per child under 13 years old, $10 for individuals 14 years old and over.

Please register by Friday, Nov. 30^th.  However, the earlier your register the better as space will be limited!

Kungfu and TaiChi Seminars

We are working on bringing former USA Wushu-Kungfu Team member and national/international Tai Chi champion Brandon Sugiyama to CMAA in December on Saturday the 8th.  Master Sugiyama is a Longfist and Spear specialist in Kungfu, and Yang style Taiji and Bagua specialist in internal styles.  More news to follow!  Please enjoy a short demonstration of his during the Masters Demo at the largest Wushu tournament of the east coast this year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAQh9NDk8bw

More details to follow!

Google Review

I need your help!  Please let others know about your great experiences at CMAA.  We are now on Google Maps, and your review can really help us.  https://plus.google.com/114214925743395737365/about?gl=us&hl=en

Latham CrossFit

We will be launching Latham CrossFit this coming week! (11/12/12)

Our new CrossFit classes will be held Mon 7-8pm, Weds 8-9, and Fridays 7-8pm.  Classes are typically less than an hour long.  They include a warm-up, techniques training (proper form), the WOD (Workout of the Day), and additional technique training/conditioning.

Our goal is elite fitness no matter what your experience level.  We can scale the workouts for any fitness level!

For non-CMAA students the cost is $75 per month (no contracts!).

For CMAA students the cost is only $65 per month!  Family discounts apply (child in kungfu, parent eligible for 10% discount in CrossFit.  Space is limited and class sizes will be kept small to ensure the quality of the program.  Please speak with me if you are interested in learning more.  As we expand the program more class times will be added (including morning, noon, and evening sessions).  Please stay tuned for details if you are interested in getting in the best shape of your life!

More information about Latham CrossFit here: http://www.martialartsalbany.com/latham-crossfit/

Birthday Parties!

Imagine your child’s next birthday party right here at the CMAA.  Your party can be customized in any number of ways.  We will work with you to make this a fun, safe and memorable event.

A basic party will include:

• A Kung Fu class (even friends who know nothing about martial arts will have fun!).
• Venue for food, birthday cake and refreshments.
• Activities and games.
• Great Music.

When: Available on Saturday nights or Sundays from 11-1.

Cost:  $200 (does not include cake)

How many: Up to 20 guests!

Wrap Up

There are so many great things going on at The Chinese Martial Arts Academy right now.  I appreciate your patience as we continue to develop our programs to bring you the highest quality instruction in TaiChi, Kungfu and Fitness. It is a very exciting time and I hope you are proud to be part of such a wonderful group of people (I know I am)!

Best-

Lucas

Monthly Newsletter – November, 2012

Dear Students,

Welcome to another exciting installment of CMAA’s monthly newsletter!  Lots going on, so please keep reading.

Kungfu Open House 10/28

WOW- What a success!  It was great getting so many of our students and their friends and family out to celebrate.   With lion dancing, kungfu demo’s, food, fun and a raffle it was definitely a good time. If you have any pics please send a copy to me at AlbanyCMAA@gmail.com. Check out a few that we’ve got here on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.378151915596500.91170.129157007162660&type=1&l=5c488efdaa

Raffle Ticket Winners – Please come see me to claim your prize!

657285 – T-Shirt

657293 – Jacket

657276 – Private Lesson

Tai Chi Potluck and Movie

We will be holding a Potluck and Movie night for our Tai Chi Students Nov. 10th at 5:30pm.  We will be showing a Tai Chi documentary called “Masters of Heaven and Earth”.  Check out the trailer here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwNXaQwjEr4

Please RSVP vai email or by signing the signup sheet on the desk at school!

Holiday Dragon Parade Schenectady !
Chinese Martial Arts Academy Albany and Asian Culture Inc. / Chinese Dance Troupe 

Saturday 11/17/2012, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

The Chinese Martial Arts Academy will be organizing a Dragon Dance and Martial Arts demonstration for this event.  Please stay tuned for details.

Location: Schenectady Broadway, Schenectady Community College Campus Starts

Sponsored by the Price Chopper Center Schenectady

(Free Open to Public)

Thanksgiving Schedule

We will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend from November 22^th- Nov24^th

Enjoy your long weekend, and safe travels!   CMAA wishes you a happy holidayJ  If you want to feel better about ENJOYING your thanksgiving meal- join us for an open CrossFit workout 8pm on Wednesday night! (details to follow!)

KUNGFU Movie and Pizza Night! 

Date: Saturday, December 1^st

Time: 5:30pm -8:30pm.

Join CMAA for an evening of kungfu, games, food and entertainment.  So far we’ve got Shaolin Temple (the original, Jet Li’s very first movie), and Wushu (by Jackie Chan) as possibilities.

The cost is $25 per child under 13 years old, $10 for individuals 14 years old and over.

Parents are welcome to drop your children off for the evening and enjoy a relaxing night out!

Seminar (?)

We are working on bringing former USA Wushu-Kungfu Team member and national/international Tai Chi champion Brandon Sugiyama  to CMAA in December on Saturday the  8^th.  Master Sugiyama is a Longfist and Spear specialist in Kungfu, and Yang style Taiji and Bagua specialist in internal styles.  More news to follow!  Please enjoy a short demonstration of his during the Masters Demo at the largest Wushu tournament of the east coast this year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAQh9NDk8bw

CrossFit

It’s officially OFFICIAL- CMAA is now the home of Latham CrossFit!  If you’re not sure what CrossFit is (really? Still!?) read more here:http://www.martialartsalbany.com/latham-crossfit/

We will be updating the schedule to include new CrossFit training times.  Please note that NO other Tai Chi or Kungfu classes will be canceled or otherwise affected.

Follow Latham CrossFit on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CrossFitLatham

Monthly Challenge November

Learn how to squat, deadlift and overhead press correctly.

These three movements are largely ignored in the gym, even though they are the most important and functional movements that we encounter on a daily basis.  Misinformed personal trainers and the general public steer everyone away from learning how to do these movements correctly in the gym, without realizing that we do these exact same movements in real life all the time.  Every time you pick up a bag of groceries, put a heavy box on a shelf in the garage, or sit down to use the toilet- you do these movements!  Learn these movements and improve your ability to function correctly and safely- CrossFit can help (see above).

Best-

Shifu