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New Aikido Class
Duncan’s Martial Arts Academy is proud to announce that beginning in May 2007 that Sensei Oliver Johnson will be teaching Aikido classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30pm - 6:30pm, and 6:45pm - 7:45pm. We welcome this new addition to our program.
Sensei Johnson has been teaching for over twenty years in the Syracuse Community and has done numerous programs with the Syracuse City School District on violence prevention. Sensei Johnson is not only an outstanding Martial Artists but an educator as well with the Syracuse City School District. Duncan’s Martial Arts Academy is committed in providing quality programs for all our students and family members.
Donzella Seminar in Lowell, MA
Guro Dan Donzella conducted an escrima seminar in Lowell Mass in March at Dragon Phoenix Martial Arts. Master Jesse Dwire hosted the seminar and Sigung Rudy Duncan attended. Guro Donzella reviewed basic foot movements and strikes along with parries and counter-stikes.
The seminar was well attended and we would like to thank Master Dwire and Guro Donzella for an excellent seminar.
"In search of our fathers"
by SiGung Rudy Duncan
I have spent most of my life studying the Martial Arts to improve myself and to become a good instructor to pass the art on to my students. I have had the opportunity to have studied with some very gifted, talented and knowledgeable Martial Artists over the course of time. This has allowed me to develop my martial arts skills as well as my knowledge and appreciation of the history of the art which I study and teach. Over the past year their have been numerous martial artists who have died who have had a major impact on the art and lives of others. As many of these individuals pass, a lot of the martial arts pass with them. We are fortunate to have learned from them and many of us are continuing to pass on what we have learned to others.
I am reminded at this time when I was a young boy and someone ask me who my hero was or who I wanted to me like. I thought very carefully and answered I want to be like my father. It is not unusual for a young boy to imagine growing up like his father. The values and lessons which I learned as a boy with my father I carry today. Not only in my life as a father, husband and son but also in my martial arts training. I have had the opportunity to travel around the country and meet many martial artists over the years. What is amazing is how many of them are in search of someone to lead them, to take them to the next step, or to put them and their dojo on the map. Perhaps the answer is inside them as opposed to someone else. Knowledge is gained through experience and life and can’t be given to you by someone, but only experienced by yourself. I have come to recognize that my students have given me the most important gift of all and that is their love of the art and the years of dedication and practice at my dojo. I have watched young boys turn into young men, and young girls into young women, who in turn will become fathers and mothers and pass their art to their children.
Women's Kickboxing Class
Duncan’s Martial Arts Academy would like to say thank you to all the wonderful women who attended the kickboxing classes. We had a lot of fun and hope to do another session coming up in the future. We really want to thank those parents who attended who have kids in our program. We hope that your fitness has improved and we are sure you will be eager to sign up for the next session. Any of the people who attended are welcome to check out our adult karate classes.
These classes are designed to work your total body, increase your muscle tone, cardio, and coordination. We promise to make you sweat, breathe hard, and experience some fatigue along with some laughter and fun with others.
Instructor Profile
This is a short profile on Raymond Skip Yackel who has been training with SiGung Rudy Duncan for over 15 years. "Skip" as we call him is a financial broker, insurance rep, father, husband and martial artists. He has successfully been able to balance all the things in his life and continue his training. Skip has also come back from heart surgery in the past and has not skipped a beat in leading by example. He is a hard working martial artists but more important a friend and someone who demonstrates what hard work and dedication can do for you.
Instructor Training
SiGung Duncan and Sensei Swan are currently providing Instructor Training classes at their respective locations. These classes are specifically designed to help our upcoming assistant instructors and current instructors become more effective teachers. This program has been in place for some time but typically on a more ad hoc basis. Now SiGung Duncan and Sensei Swan are offering specific days for instructors to come in and take advantage of their knowledge on how to teach classes more effectively, meet specific student needs while guiding them through their training, creating fun and energetic classes, and more.
Sensei Swan is offering these classes at his dojo in Buffalo on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. Please see SiGung Duncan for his schedule.
New World Martial Arts Seminar
In March, SiGung Duncan was invited to teach at the New World Martial Arts seminar hosted by Shihan Mike Bissonette in Cornwall, Ontario. SiGung Duncan taught three seminars with help from Sensei Ed Peck. SiGung Duncan taught two weapon clinics and Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu fighting techniques. Nick Reyes ,Peter O’Brien, and Sensei Jay Coates also attended the seminar from Duncan’s Martial Arts Academy. There were martial artists from the United States and throughout Canada in attendance. At least eight different Master Instructors representing various styles taught seminar all day. The students had a full day of exciting martial arts to perform and everyone had a great time.
We would like to personally thank Shihan Mike Bissonette and his organization for a fun filled day.
New Black Belt Instructors
In December of 2006, a Black Belt promotion exam was held in Syracuse New York. Students from Duncan’s Martial Arts Academy, Dragon-Phoenix Martial Arts, Swan's Martial Arts, and Syracuse Academy of Self Defense attended. We would like to recognize all those students who successfully completed their testing in front of the Testing Board. Our new Black Belt Instrutors at DMAA are Sensei Jay Coates, Sensei Monty Flynn, and Sensei John Kasarda. Senseis who went for advanced ranks were Sensei Adam Sheldon 4th dan, Raymond Yackel 3rd dan, Bruno Daniele 2nd dan, and Gretchen Rauch 2nd dan. Thanks to all the hard working efforts of all these students and their recent accomplishment.
Testing for Students
DMAA will hold testing for kids beginners and advanced on April 19th, 2007 from 4:30pm until 6:00pm. At this time the belt ceremony and certificates will be given out. Parents please come about 10 minutes before the end of the test. Parents can take pictures during the presentation of belts and diplomas. Testing for students depends upon their ability to perform the given techniques which have been taught, and are not based upon time factors. Each student is evaluated by SiGung Duncan to determine if they are ready. This method tends to ensure that students will be successful when they test for their rank.