About the Author: Ryan Wheaton has been teaching American Kenpo since 1991 and is the chief instructor at Arrowhead Martial Arts Studio in Salt Lake City, Utah.
He is an internationally certified 6th degree black belt and personal student of 10th degree black belt Paul Mills.
Ryan authored a free guide for adults on How to Choose the Right Martial Arts School, produces a monthly newsletter, and also offers a free martial arts trial program for one week.
In addition, he sits on the Board of Directors for the American Kenpo Karate International (AKKI) and is also a regular seminar presenter at AKKI National & International events.
Finally… the holidays are over! For all you hardcores that have been counting the days this is not news to you, but just in case, class starts tonight again at 7:30pm. So, dust off your gi’s and get ready to move tonight. We’ll be breaking in the New Years right!
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AMAS Students,
If it’s been longer than a year since you paid your American Kenpo Karate International association dues I am going to be collecting them this month (January).
This way I can get the majority of them turned into Mrs. Mills as opposed to trying to keep track of who needs to renew each month. As I’ve said before, I want to focus on teaching and making our classes better, instead of eating up so much time with this kind of stuff.
The renewal fee is $25 and you can just include that in this months tuition. Thanks and please let me know if you have any questions.
Every year during the holidays, I take time to reflect back on all we have accomplished and all the things left to accomplish. It’s been a fantastic year and definitely one that I am very proud of.
We’ve come along way after six years and have experienced many great things. Each year gets better and better and I’m fortunate to have such a great group of people at my studio - instructors and students alike.
We also have new people coming after the first of the year for the trial program and will have some new people transferring in from other AKKI studios. We will welcome these new friends as we say goodbye to others.
The atmosphere at the studio isn’t like what I’ve experienced anywhere else. It’s one of humility, focus, and respect while at the same time fun, entertaining and inspiring. I treasure each class we have together and always look forward to the next. I know that won’t change in the coming year.
2008 is going to be another hallmark year with so many students close to black belt. These students are working hard to become the best they can be and to get ready to go in front of Mr. Mills and the board of examiners in Las Vegas. I know they will represent the studio well and look forward to awarding them their much deserved rank.
I also have so many ideas to teach that we weren’t able to get to in 2007. We’ll be making the time in 2008 and working on some very unique reflexive response training, street freestyle, ground, and mass attack situations and more that will definitely get your attention. Not to mention what’s in store for the website this year.
Be sure to be there on January 8th to start the year out right. With so much in store, I’d hate to have you miss any of it.
In fact, I can’t wait to get back into class, share these new ideas, and push things further in 2008!
Happy holidays and we’ll see you in class after the New Year!
It’s pounding snow up here by the mountains and studio so for the first time EVER, I’m canceling class. I’ve had over a dozen people call, text, and email to tell me they can’t make due to the weather so class is canceled tonight. I barely made it home myself to get ready for class. Watching the news, they’re saying it’s not going to get any better so we’ll have to pack it in until the New Year.
What’s weird is there was thunder and lightning and I actually saw one car had slid and actually ran itself up some telephone wires coming out of the ground and almost flipped. It’s not pretty out there!
Sorry everyone!
We will be closed December 24th through January 7th. Classes will resume on Tuesday January 8, 2008 at the usual time.
I’m going to be spending most of my holiday break in Montana with my wife’s family.
So what are your plans over the holidays? Simply click on the “comments” link below and let me know!
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December 18th, UPDATE: Share you ideas on how to improve the newsletter. Simply click on the “comments” link below and let me know what you think!
Just a note that we will be closed on Thanksgiving but will be here on Tuesday. Let me know if you have any questions.
We had a surprise test on Tuesday and I would like to congratulate all those who were promoted. Following is a list of those who tested:
Blue belt
Orange
Yellow
Congratulations everyone!
Please join me in congratulating Bill Thomsen on his promotion to Blue belt! After class on Tuesday, Mr. George Thomsen (his brother) and I promoted him in a private ceremony. It was well deserved!
AMAS Students,
As a reminder, we will not be having class on Tuesday July 25th due to the State Holiday. See you on Thursday at the usual time!
Ryan Wheaton
AMAS Chief Instructor
