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May 2011 Newsletter VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Editor ... … · Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts...

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May 2011 Newsletter Instructor: Mike Cardenas Editor: Travis Pond VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Honor* Courage* Commitment* Strength* Discipline www.veamartialarts.com Manteca, CA Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts Academy Newsletter. This newsletter and future newsletters contain articles about our organization, its students, and past and future events. Ku’I Lima Workout – VEA Martial Arts Academy-By Jonathan Largent In 2011, our focus with the Ku’i Lima Workouts is to bring the Workouts to you, the members of Kilohana. We are distributing the Workouts across several different locations in order to minimize the amount of travel required for each school and to maximize your exposure to the vast wealth of knowledge that our Kilohana instructors have. Photo: Kilohana Instructors & VEA Students On January 9, 2011 the VEA Martial Arts Academy’s Sensei Larry Acaya and Guro Michael Cardenas graciously hosted the first Ku’i Lima Workout of 2011 in Manteca, California. The VEA Martial Arts Academy became a Kilohana affiliated school in late 2010. Sensei Larry Acaya instructs the Kenpo Karate program and and Guro Michael Cardenas instructs the Decuerdas Eskrima program. The list of instructors at the Workout included Grandmaster Arthur Gonzalez, Professor James Muro, Master Daniel Siazon, Master Jorge Magana, Professor Russ Coehlo, Associate Professor (A.P.) Atsushi Ikemoto, A.P. Hans Ingebretsen, and A.P. Jack Carter and Guro Michael Cardenas. For two exhilarating hours, the instructors took turns presenting a multitude of techniques and their unique perspectives. Photo: Sensei Atsushi Ikemoto Instructing I always find the Kilohana Ku’i Lima workouts an interesting time as the instructors often build on what the previous instructor shows, leading to an inquisitive journey and exploration of the arts. Thank you to all of the instructors and students who showed up to make this a memorable event and a special thank you to VEA Martial Arts and Sensei Larry Acaya and Guro Michael Cardenas for your generosity and warmth in opening your school to the Kilohana family. New Academy Logo! -By Guro Mike Cardenas The new logo shown here celebrates the collaborative effort of VEA owner Amy Acaya, Kenpo Instructor Sensei Larry Acaya and Eskrima Instructor Mike Cardenas. This is the logo that will represent our Martial Arts Academy in our community and in other collaborative events including memberships to other organizations such as the Kilohana Martial Arts Association. The logo was created with the assistance of Sifu Jim Mirador a VEA Martial Arts Academy Adjunct Instructor. New web domain! www.veamartialarts.com
Transcript
Page 1: May 2011 Newsletter VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Editor ... … · Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts Academy Newsletter. This newsletter and future newsletters contain articles about our

May 2011 NewsletterInstructor: Mike CardenasEditor: Travis Pond

VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMYHonor* Courage* Commitment* Strength* Discipline

www.veamartialarts.com Manteca, CA

Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts Academy Newsletter. This newsletter and future newsletters contain articles about our organization, its students, and past and future events.

Ku’I Lima Workout – VEA Martial Arts Academy-By Jonathan Largent

In 2011, our focus with the Ku’i Lima Workouts is to bring the Workouts to you, the members of Kilohana. We are distributing the Workouts across several different locations in order to minimize the amount of travel required for each school and to maximize your exposure to the vast wealth of knowledge that our Kilohana instructors have.

Photo: Kilohana Instructors & VEA Students

On January 9, 2011 the VEA Martial Arts Academy’s Sensei Larry Acaya and Guro Michael Cardenas graciously hosted the first Ku’i Lima Workout of 2011 in Manteca, California. The VEA Martial Arts Academy became a Kilohana affiliated school in late 2010. Sensei Larry Acaya instructs the Kenpo Karate program and and Guro Michael Cardenas instructs the Decuerdas Eskrima program. The list of instructors at the Workout included Grandmaster Arthur Gonzalez, Professor James Muro, Master Daniel Siazon, Master Jorge Magana, Professor Russ Coehlo, Associate Professor (A.P.) Atsushi Ikemoto, A.P. Hans Ingebretsen, and A.P. Jack Carter and Guro Michael Cardenas. For two exhilarating hours, the instructors took turns presenting a multitude of techniques and their unique perspectives.

Photo: Sensei Atsushi Ikemoto Instructing

I always find the Kilohana Ku’i Lima workouts an interesting time as the instructors often build on what the previous instructor shows, leading to an inquisitive journey and exploration of the arts. Thank you to all of the instructors and students who showed up to make this a memorable event and a special thank you to VEA Martial Arts and Sensei Larry Acaya and Guro Michael Cardenas for your generosity and warmth in opening your school to the Kilohana family.

New Academy Logo!-By Guro Mike Cardenas

The new logo shown here celebrates the collaborative effort of VEA owner Amy Acaya, Kenpo Instructor Sensei Larry Acaya and Eskrima Instructor Mike Cardenas. This is the logo that will represent our Martial Arts Academy in our community and in other collaborative events including memberships to other organizations such as the Kilohana Martial Arts Association. The logo was created with the assistance of Sifu Jim Mirador a VEA Martial Arts Academy Adjunct Instructor.

New web domain! www.veamartialarts.com

Page 2: May 2011 Newsletter VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Editor ... … · Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts Academy Newsletter. This newsletter and future newsletters contain articles about our

May 2011 NewsletterInstructor: Mike CardenasEditor: Travis Pond

VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMYHonor* Courage* Commitment* Strength* Discipline

www.veamartialarts.com Manteca, CA

Legacy SeminarBy Guro Mike Cardenas

On April 9th the United States Filipino Martial Arts Federation hosted a two day collaborative event in Stockton Ca. Travis Pond and I joined GM Art Gonzales,

Photo: GM Gonzalez demonstrating on Master Instructor Jorge Magana.

Guro Justin Hensley, Master Instructors Daniel Siazon and Jorge Magana at the event and assisted in instruction. Video fotage of what GM Gonzalez taught can be found at myfma.net. Sixteen noted Instructors attended the event.

It is events such as these the help foster a community atmosphere and make us all better martial artist through the sharing of ideas and or concepts.

DeCuerdas BBQ

On May 7th 2011, the DeCuerdas crew had its first student appreciation BBQ event. Thanks to all of you who made it out to the event and for the gift I received, getting a gift for my wife was also a nice touch. I plan to have additional BBQ’s in the future and celebrate or organizations success with all of you. Additionally, don’t be surprised if you are dining next to an instructor and or Master in another system; occasionally I will

invite other instructors to attend our event and enjoy in the revelry.

Photo: Rick Sadorra and Family enjoying some grub.

Photo: Guro Mike showing off his gift from students.

Page 3: May 2011 Newsletter VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Editor ... … · Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts Academy Newsletter. This newsletter and future newsletters contain articles about our

May 2011 NewsletterInstructor: Mike CardenasEditor: Travis Pond

VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMYHonor* Courage* Commitment* Strength* Discipline

www.veamartialarts.com Manteca, CA

Student HighlightMr. Juan Andrade

My interest in karate started when I was in Mexico at the age of 10. One of the main reasons was because my parents wanted me to learn discipline and because they wanted me to know how to defend myself, especially in a city of trouble. My cousin was a black belt and he introduced me to my

former sensei Mr. Juan Carlos.

He and his brother owned the so-called “Casa Del Guerrero”, which was the place where I started training. Thanks to my ability to learn quickly, I moved from white belt to advanced yellow belt in a short amount of time. My sensei thought it was a good idea if I would attend the national championships in Michoacan, Mexico, 1999. I remember that on that day before the competition I had nothing to eat. I was starving but I was able to perform and fight against my rivals.

I won the national championship, receiving two first places and taking home a medal and two trophies. From there, I started participating in other competitions not only in the local area, but also around Mexico City. I won several times and this at the age between ten and twelve. The accomplishments that I obtained took me only about two years. After that, I stopped participating in martial arts but I was still involved in other sports such as soccer and swimming.

I consider myself an excellent athlete if I put my mind into it. I moved to Stockton, California about four years ago and thanks to the Puente Project at San Joaquin Delta College, I met Guro Mike Cardenas who was an Engineering mentor at the time. I have since begun training under Guro Mike Cardenas and I appreciate the value of conceptual instruction that the Decuerdas

System employs. Additionally I feel honored in knowing that Guro Mike views me as a great student and motivator, and if he ever has to miss a class I get to run the warrior-fitness workout.

Maestro Ron Saturno visitBy Guro Mike Cardenas

A couple of months ago we had the pleasure of having Maestro Ron Saturno come by as a guest instructor, I had asked Master Ron if he could come out and give us a history lesson on his martial arts journey and his training under the late Angel Cabales.

He accepted the request and spent the day with us telling stories of the old days and also offering guidance on the avoidance of a confrontation. While this first visit was more of a history lesson and educational lecture his next planned visit will focus on Fundamental Serrada principles.

As, always please show the utmost respect for all of our visitors who enter the VEA Martial Arts Academy. Master Ron is a no nonsense kind of guy who speaks his mind and has a “tell it like it is” attitude, this is what I love about him and find it a special treat to hear him speak.

Page 4: May 2011 Newsletter VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Editor ... … · Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts Academy Newsletter. This newsletter and future newsletters contain articles about our

May 2011 NewsletterInstructor: Mike CardenasEditor: Travis Pond

VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMYHonor* Courage* Commitment* Strength* Discipline

www.veamartialarts.com Manteca, CA

What are DeCuerdas-Diestro Concepts? (Re-print) By GM Arthur Gonzalez

DeCuerdas-Diestro is an Advanced Fighting Concept and methodology of combative training. The DeCuerdas-Diestro Concept is a unique, ever-evolving method of self-defense and hand-to-hand combat founded by GM Arthur

Gonzalez. It emphasizes maximum threat neutralization in a real life, practical context. DeCuerdas-Diestro Concepts were specifically designed for everyone - from beginners to the most advanced martial artists. Everyone can benefit from these modern training methods and no-nonsense principles. The DeCuerdas-Diestro Concepts reality training gives you the correct mental toughness that can be applicable to a sport or combative situation. All movements focus on maximum efficiency in realistic conditions. It generally assumes that an attacker will give no quarter and is armed. Therefore, responses are typically intended for use in potentially life threatening situations. A DeCuerdas-Diestro practitioner will make use of devastating attacks to vulnerable areas with bare-knuckle strikes, head butts, elbows, and other body parts. Using any method to defend against a brutal attack is strongly emphasized. DeCuerdas-Diestro Concepts emphasizes simplicity, practicality, and efficiency of movement. It teaches individuals how to overcome fight paralysis and trains the body to take the proper course of action. This totally changes a person's mindset and readjusts it for reality based survival. DeCuerdas-Diestro Concepts teaches that the closer you get to the reality of self-defense the more you can own it. And when you own and know what that reality is, you can use it to your advantage. If you don't accept reality, things will naturally work against you.

DeCuerdas-Diestro Concepts empowers individuals to take responsibility for their own well-being. It teaches individuals how to turn the tables on an aggressor and how to make the attacker become the victim. Be the aggressor, advance immediately, strike first and continuously move while simultaneously attacking and defending from possible threats. Surprise an attacker by putting the pressure on them and move the situation into a devastating close-quarters range. Continue moving forward at every opportunity and staying with the opponent. If you are unable to strike and disable your opponent, make contact with some part of their body (arms, legs or torso) and stick to it with constant forward pressure until the delivery mechanism is neutralized.

DeCuerdas-Diestro Concepts training is often quite different from other martial arts training. It stresses fighting under worst-case conditions or from disadvantaged positions. For example, we often train in scenarios with faster or stronger opponents, against several opponents, while protecting someone else, when injured, and even when blind-folded or in low lighting conditions. DeCuerdas-Diestro Concepts emphasizes quick learning and the continuous motion, with the number one goal of combative effectiveness and survival.

DeCuerdas-Diestro Concepts' training emphasizes that there are no rules in a fight and that the best defense is an attack. Training is an intense mixture of aerobic and anaerobic conditioning, relying heavily on the use of free-flowing partner drills, heavy bag work, pads and hardwood training dummies. A variety of tools and methods are used in order to experience both offensive delivery and defense of strikes at full force. This is important because it allows the student to practice the technique at full strength. Students will also wear head guards, mouth pieces, and groin protectors during practice so that a realistic level of violence may be experienced without serious injury. Most importantly,

Page 5: May 2011 Newsletter VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Editor ... … · Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts Academy Newsletter. This newsletter and future newsletters contain articles about our

May 2011 NewsletterInstructor: Mike CardenasEditor: Travis Pond

VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMYHonor* Courage* Commitment* Strength* Discipline

www.veamartialarts.com Manteca, CA

we emphasize full-contact sparring with headgear intended to familiarize the student with the stresses of a violent situation.

Why Do We Train Like This?a student’s perspective -by Travis Pond

I looked up to see if everyone was struggling as much as I was. Judging by the furrowed brows, clenched teeth, and dripping sweat that seemed to accompany everyone, they were feeling the pain, too. I felt a little better about myself. I glanced over at Guro Mike and could see the resolve on his face as he tried not to show his own pain. His form was nearly perfect though, while the rest of us writhed, wiggled, and moaned like we had all been tazed by some massive invisible tazer. “Three inches off the mat”. He did a better job than the rest of us. Jerk. I guess that’s to be expected of him if he is to lead by example.

On our backs now, it’s the pain’s turn to shift from our aching shoulders to our abs. Now everyone can easily see the tortured looks on each others face as we come to a half sit up position with our legs off the ground. We begin slapping the mat on either side of our waists as we rotate our torsos from left to right just to add a little more spice to the burning already present. “Easy day today,” Guro Mike says in a calm, purposely nonchalant tone. “The only easy day was yesterday,” I mutter back between grunts and gasps. My response is much more strained.

I look across the group at Raymundo and see him holding up his quivering legs with his hands as I’m about to do. “I could go all day,” he stammers as he temporarily collapses, his face grimacing. Without missing a beat, Juan, the man I affectionally call “Juanita”, replies quietly, “Yeah, but I AM going all day.” Chuckles emanate from the rest of the students. The torture only lasts for thirty minutes, but it feels like hours. At the end of the workout, we all get up realizing

that we’ve all chosen the pain of discipline over the pain of regret and 100% is what we’ve just given because of that choice.

With the suffering over, it’s time for the reward; an hour’s worth of priceless DeCuerdas training, a treat for our efforts. The ten minute break between our workout and our training session affords us an opportunity for playful banter and a bit of horseplay as we don our gi tops and belts prior to re-focusing on our training. We make our way across to the other side of the mat and kneel in front of Guro Mike who always seems to get ready before the rest of us. It must be a Guro thing, like a Jedi or something. We bow our heads to internalize our energy as he reads our Creed; our mantra.

The training begins and it’s intense. USA racks, bag drills, stick, knife, and empty hand training sap a little more energy from us, requiring more discipline to replace it. Why do we train like this, to be stronger and faster than our enemies? Of course. That’s not the only reason, though. Guro Mike says Martial Arts isn’t just about kicking and punching, and I agree. For me, it’s about the camaraderie, the esprit de corps, and the fraternity that our group generates from the moment we shake each others hand at the beginning of class to the moment we bow out at the end of class.

I enjoy our training not just because our art is like home to me, but because of the individuals I share that home with. I enjoy the handshakes and the smart-ass remarks just as much as the training (well, almost as much). I look forward to seeing my VEA Martial Arts Academy brethren walk through the dojo door and I look forward to training a little less when they don’t show up. So, I thank each and every one of you for making my training about more than just kicking and punching.

Semper Fidelis, VEA family.

Page 6: May 2011 Newsletter VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Editor ... … · Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts Academy Newsletter. This newsletter and future newsletters contain articles about our

May 2011 NewsletterInstructor: Mike CardenasEditor: Travis Pond

VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMYHonor* Courage* Commitment* Strength* Discipline

www.veamartialarts.com Manteca, CA

Winning at Kata is Winning at Life By Professor James Muro

Originally published in the Kilohana Chronicles, Volume 1 Issue 1, 2000.

Time and time again, I look around the dojo and watch students going about practicing kata, and I start to shake my head in frustration. Most students seem to think or feel that kata is just a way to warm up, some kind of brief work-out, an exercise, and that is all. Then, there are a few who practice hard at it. They wish to compete at the tournament level. They will eventually come up to me and ask, "What does it take to win at kata?"

The first thing I say is, "One must practice kata for one's self. You are not practicing for your Sensei or for society, but for yourself... self improvement and self awareness." After confusing them with this statement, I go on with what I feel are important factors at winning tournaments, and that tournaments are just a game of psychological acknowledgments.

First of all, you can't even begin to think of winning if you aren't doing the physical, or mechanical part of your form correctly. KNOW YOUR FORM!

You must understand each movement, maintain proper tempo, and execute each technique correctly. Practice before your group is called. This will help your mental preparation, and can help to get rid of the butterflies. You'll usually be facing 3-5 judges who will determine the outcome. In some tournaments, there may be only a few black belts present, and while these individuals may or may not be the most competent, they arc still judges, and should be respected.

Subconsciously, you are being judged the moment your name is called. Answer sharply when you are called, and in a loud, clear voice. Make the judges aware of your presence. You must remember that they are human,

and can be distracted by other activities. Step smartly to the line and announce YOURSELF, WHO YOU REP-RESENT, and the NAME OF YOUR FORM clearly. You need to kind of jar them out of their relaxed state, get them excited, and sitting on the edge of their seats. A passive appearance will hurt your kata. Because you are in a fight, even if with imaginary opponents, you must perform as if you are fighting for your life. Eye contact is vital look directly at your foe. The judges must feel that you are "living" your kata. Do not rush the form, but go fast or slow when it is proper. When you are finished, remain standing until dismissed.

If you have been judged by officials of another discipline (style) who didn't understand some of the movements in your form, they will have judged you by your attitude, spirit (Kiai), and technique of your form. When performing kata, you need to teach or condition yourself to feel that this particular kata "belongs to me and no one else can do it like me." We are each indi-viduals, so the perceptions and interpretations of kata should deviate somewhat.

The student comes to me after having gone through all of these steps and says, "Something is still missing. What am I leaving out?" I try to make them understand that a thorough understanding of a kata is more than just being familiar with the pattern and performing the movements in sequence. Kata is a way of self expression. As in other forms of "art", it is an outward attempt to express the inner feelings and emotions within each of us. It's what makes the difference between a good story teller, and somebody just reading aloud. The good story is told with emotion and feeling, and the other is generic. Kata is the same, only you are trying to take control of these emotions and applying them to your focus throughout the kata. This is the part that is missing. If you can attain this, you should come out a winner, for you have reached a goal. If you can control your emotions in a kata, then you can control your emotions outside of Karate (If you show your

Page 7: May 2011 Newsletter VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Editor ... … · Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts Academy Newsletter. This newsletter and future newsletters contain articles about our

May 2011 NewsletterInstructor: Mike CardenasEditor: Travis Pond

VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMYHonor* Courage* Commitment* Strength* Discipline

www.veamartialarts.com Manteca, CA

temper, don't show your weapon, and if you show your weapon, don't show your temper). So you see, kata teaches fighting skills and living skills at the same time.

THE GOAL OF KATAThe goal of kata is the overcoming of the self. In kata, there are only imagined opponents, and thus the performer is playing against the self in search of perfection. If, after many years of hard work, the performer finds that he or she is able to perform the kata without thinking about it at all, a goal has been reached, and the kata performs itself without any interference from the performer's self. Bodily control is achieved without feeling or thought. This must immediately affect the performer's control of any situation, pertaining to Martial Arts or otherwise. Going through the motions of kata is like the wave of the ocean. When executed, the display will be one of gracefulness and of harmony. Sufficient effort must be put forth to obtain perfection. Forceful energy must be abundant and formidable at any given time. Strength must flow unimpeded and directly. Thus by performing kata, you preserve the knowledge, technique, and precise moment at which to apply it.

All of the katas we do are based on techniques derived from Professor Chow-Hoon. While developing these kata, or forms, I want to emphasize certain aspects of what I have learned that I felt important.

MOVEMENTAdvancing, retreating, and lateral movement are your first line of defense - to create distance between the oncoming blow and yourself.

BALANCEMaking precise movement at an accelerated pace, and being able to maintain proper balance is essential in order to set yourself for either an offensive or defensive action.

SPEEDTo be able to deliver multiple blows to a specific target or targets to enrich and enhance your power.

STRENGTH & STAMINABy practicing these data vigorously, you will be able to increase the overall strength of your body, increase your lung volume capacity, and thereby improve your general health.

CONDITIONINGMind and body together. Subconsciously, involuntary execution of the technique will incorporate itself into the kata. This is your final goal: the kata will perform itself without feeling or thought.

UNDERSTANDING THE KATAKatas are an attempt to preserve in their purest forms, the knowledge of techniques. One man acts as the performer; he is called "Tori". The other has the techniques applied to him; he is called "Uke". Uke gives Tori the perfect opportunity to apply the techniques. Tori's application, therefore, must be absolutely accurate in regards to timing, form and complete control of his partner. They work together in harmony, striving between them to give a perfect demonstration of movements done under the most favorable circumstances. Thus, by this ritual performance, they preserve the knowledge of the purest form, the proper techniques, and the precise moment at which to apply it. When performing kata, there is only one goal to achieve. It must look real and possible, especially in jujitsu. An important part of performing which can never be over-stressed is the Kiai. The Kiai is an important, dynamic part of the Kata in which you wish to show intensity. The goal is to flow through the kata from beginning to end with poise and control over the self.

Page 8: May 2011 Newsletter VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Editor ... … · Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts Academy Newsletter. This newsletter and future newsletters contain articles about our

May 2011 NewsletterInstructor: Mike CardenasEditor: Travis Pond

VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMYHonor* Courage* Commitment* Strength* Discipline

www.veamartialarts.com Manteca, CA

Earning your Kenpo Chevron! By Guro Mike Cardenas

In recognition of our collaborative and cross training effort at the VEA Academy, Sensei Larry and I have developed a Kenpo Cross training program of study for the DeCuerdas Eskrima Students. The intent of this program is to allow students to study in core curriculum in the Kosho Ryu Kenpo Program and have the ability to test before Sensei Larry and earn the Kenpo Chevron patch shown above. The earned patch would be worn on your left shoulder of your gi. Earning the patch will not be an easy task for the student would have to learn a total of 40 techniques and would have to be able to perform those techniques upon demand. For those of you who plan to make this journey, please be sure to take good notes whenever I have Sensei Larry teach a class!

Sensei Larry’s Kenpo Kids Learn Eskrima! – Guro Mike

As you probably already figured out by now, a common mantra at the VEA Martial Arts Academy pertains to cross training and collaboration. With this being said, Eskrima fundamentals are being taught to Sensei Larry’s Kids program by Guro Mike Cardenas or Junior Instructor Travis Pond. His student’s uniforms will have a small Eskrima patch on the shoulder of their Gi’s celebrating this relationship. Noted to the right is what has been developed for his class.

White

• 12-strikes

• 12-strike Kata

• Quadrant Overview

• #1 Strike and Block Exercise

Yellow

• 4-corner drill

• Knife positions (Heaven & Earth)

• Figure-8 (knife and stick drill)

Orange

• Bo Staff (5-strikes)

• Knife flow drill Entry#1 (hook)

• Serrada- inside and outside drill

Purple

• Bo Staff (5-strikes) flow drill.

• Knife flow drill#2 (block& Roll)

• Double Stick-Sinawalli drill (#1, #11, # 2)

Blue

• Bo Staff (5-strikes) flow drill.

• Knife flow drill#3 (LH block)

Green

• Double Stick-Sinawalli drill alternating

• BO Staff overhead strike-counter and take down.

Brown

• 4-corner drill (entry#1 stick grappling), (entry #2 take down)

• Knife flow drill# (LH block-under over)

Black

-To be determined-

Page 9: May 2011 Newsletter VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Editor ... … · Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts Academy Newsletter. This newsletter and future newsletters contain articles about our

May 2011 NewsletterInstructor: Mike CardenasEditor: Travis Pond

VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMYHonor* Courage* Commitment* Strength* Discipline

www.veamartialarts.com Manteca, CA

Junior Instructor -Travis Pond

By Guro Mike Cardenas

Our school and our Eskrima program have come a very long way in a short amount of time, our advertisement is minimal yet we continue

to grow and develop collaborative relationships with other instructors and schools. With this being said, there is a need for me to designate a Junior Instructor of the DeCuerdas Program here at the VEA Academy.

Travis Pond is the most logical choice since he has trained with me for some time before I ever had the thought of opening a school and he has been working in the background with me to help develop programs and structure for our organization, such as the development of the Crickets Program, the DSDO creed to the actual encouragement for me to start teaching publicly. This title comes with the responsibility of opening class when I am not available and insuring that everyone continues to progress in their training regardless of my absence.

I will work with Travis outside of normal class hours to insure he remains abreast of curriculum I will need disseminated to the rest of the class. Please join me in welcoming Travis to this new leadership position and opportunity.

The Joy of TeachingBy Guro Mike Cardenas

As my DeCuerdas students shuffled through the door of the gymnasium in which we train, I was greeted with several handshakes and a fist bump. There was light chatter amongst the arriving students as we all got ready to start off the class with our warrior fitness

cardio program and then transition into our Eskrima training.

What started off as some light training and teaching for a select few out of the driveway of my home has now grown into more than a dozen committed practitioners who have come to appreciate the art that I love to teach and practice daily. We were extremely fortunate to have been given an opportunity to train at a larger place by a friend of mine and martial arts Colleague Sensei Larry Acaya and his daughter Amy.

While I have developed a curriculum, with the input of my Grand Master, that emphasizes fundamental concepts of our system, I will often simply teach reactionary drills and flow drills or whatever else happens to cross my mind the day or hour prior to the start of class. I have been told by many of my students that it is the non traditional method and practicality of instruction that excites them about the classes.

While I will always consider myself a student, teaching others has added another dimension to my practice and progression of the art. I look forward to each class and seeing my students’ progress as they slowly begin to move and react instinctively to the attacks of their partner. Receiving thanks from my adult students and from the parents of my younger students pushes me to improve my methods of instruction to promote mental learning and physical application of what I teach.

We have become a very close nit group who train hard and consistently bring the best out of each other. It has been well over a decade now, that I first held my first rattan stick and was introduced to the FMA’s, a martial art that I didn’t even know existed. I never imagined that I would one day be teaching others in the practicality and beauty of this highly effective system.

Having a school is hard work but it doesn’t really feel like it when I am having so much fun with it. While I recognize that it is a huge responsibility to have people trust in my instruction and leadership, I remain

Page 10: May 2011 Newsletter VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Editor ... … · Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts Academy Newsletter. This newsletter and future newsletters contain articles about our

May 2011 NewsletterInstructor: Mike CardenasEditor: Travis Pond

VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMYHonor* Courage* Commitment* Strength* Discipline

www.veamartialarts.com Manteca, CA

optimistic that I can draw upon ideas from sites like myfma.net and other friends/colleagues if I need assistance or to simply bounce ideas off of .

My goal this year is to bring in instructors of other systems to collaborate and expose my students to the variety of traditional and FMA systems out there; I will continue to do my part to pay homage to our founders and to insure that I and my students promote the FMA’s to the best of our ability.

Guro Justin Hensley

From time to time we get a special treat in the form of a visit from a peer or former classmate of mine, such as Guro Justin Hensley. As I’ve mentioned before, each and every one of us will come into our own “styles” of DeCuerdas; our own interpretations if you will. Each individual’s style will focus on their strengths. I believe Guro Justin’s strength happens to be stick fighting and grappling due to his extensive study in fencing. Those students who get the opportunity to work out with him quickly see that he is a true architect with the stick as he employs his unique Decuerdas style in the execution of his movements. When Guro Justin graces us with his presence, all my students are to treat him with respect as an instructor of the Decuerdas system.

To Short for BasketballInstructor spotlight by Travis Pond

Truth be told, Sensei Larry Acaya s probably too short for basketball. He's probably also too small for football, or so he thought as a young filipino boy looking for something to occupy his time. Instead of

sports, he discovered Kajukembo and fell in love with martial arts from that point forward. After a "22 year break", Sensei Larry returned to Martial Arts when he began practicing at a local Kempo dojo. Earning his black belt was almost as rewarding to him as the opportunity to not only teach young kids, but to also exert a positive influence on them. One of Sensei Larry's favorite aspects of martial arts is that it is a very effective mechanism to teach and develop people. He truly enjoys teaching, and it shows in his students when they execute perfect movements within their forms. Sensei Larry may seem like a overly polite and passive guy, but don't let that fool you; he's tough. He's a very demanding instructor who gives 110% and expects nothing less form his students. "If you're not going to give 110%, then why are you here?"

Sensei Larry's emphasis on quality is balanced with his devotion to good ethics and leadership. He not only takes time to teach form, but also the ethical application of that form. Aside from teaching, Sensei Larry also enjoys the camaraderie that martial arts offers. "You meet nothing but good people in Martial Arts, and I like being around good people." says the Sensei. Sensei Larry may be small in stature, but his heart is enormous and that much is evident within five minutes of meeting him. He has been an integral part of the VEA martial Arts Academy and his kindness and selflessness have helped us find a home and build a community.

Window we eat?

Page 11: May 2011 Newsletter VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY Editor ... … · Welcome to the VEA Martial Arts Academy Newsletter. This newsletter and future newsletters contain articles about our

May 2011 NewsletterInstructor: Mike CardenasEditor: Travis Pond

VEA MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMYHonor* Courage* Commitment* Strength* Discipline

www.veamartialarts.com Manteca, CA

Upcoming Events!Kilohana Message ExchangeJune 18, 2011, Saturday 10-3pmLodi Healing ArtsSchedule:Instructor #1: Professor Rowdy Hall - 10am to 11am Instructor #1: Dr. Charles Goodman - 11am to Noon Lunch - Noon to 1pm Massage Exchange - 1pm to 3pm

Camp KilohanaWeekend training eventJune 24-26 2011Details coming soon

VEA Hosting Martial Arts Cultural ExchangeFMA SummitJuly 23rd 2011, Saturday 8:30am-4:30pm Presenters:GM Art Gonzalez DeCuerdas Diestro Fighting Sys-temsGM Ver Villasin of Balintawak EskrimaGM Darren Tibon of Angel’s DisciplesMaestro Dexter Labanog of BahalaNa Multi StyleMaster Ron Saturno of Serrada EskrimaGuro Dane Abrigana of Villabrille KaliGuro Mateo Masellones of Kombatan


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