Hapkido

Just last year, 2005, my family and I started going to classes at Northern Martial Arts in Charlevoix. Since we've started my three children and I have been attending on a regular bases. James, Lizzy, and Tina go two to three times a week and I like to go all four days of the week that the school is open. James and Tina have reached 5th Gup rank which is blue belt two red stripes. Lizzy and I are more into it and have been attending more. Lizzy has reached 3rd Gup rank which is red beld with two brown stripes, and I have 2nd Gup or Brow belt with one black stripe. We plan on making the next tournament in Fenton next weekend. We haven't been to one yet. They'll have sparring, form, and board breaking.

James, Lizzy, and Tina are doing great in the HapKiDo class. James is growing a lot this year and he seems to be struggling with controlling it. He has improved greatly the last two months and shows a good understanding of the basic throws. Last night we worked on tai otoshi(body drop throw). Tried to get him to do osoto gari(major hip throw) but since he's shorter than me he has trouble loading me up on his hip to do the throw properly. But he tries and he is doing very well. Lizzy loves the spotlight and so loves the attention she can get. If she can stay focus on things she does great in class. She hasn't had any problem with staying focus latey and has been going to class with me for most of the time. She just made her test to go to 3rd Gup. James and Tina are 5th gup. James likes going to class and does well but I think he's still a little weary about the throws and when we have sparring night on wednesday night he would rather stay home with Mom. Which is OK. Tina is doing a lot better and even is staying quiet in class and listening to the instructor. I wish I could go back in time and start HapKiDo when I was Tina's age. Think I'd be black belt by now.

If you ask me what my goal in this is. My goal is not to just have a family of black belts, but to have a family that will be involved in something together . Not to brag about how we can beat up on people but knowing that if something happens and someone tries to hurt my children they are at least prepared to fight back and win. I realize that the statitics are not real good for an entire family to stay in something for a long time, but my hopes are in it. My dreams and hopes in a martial art family.

HapKiDo

The other day something hit me durring practice. I was remembering the time I was doing Aikido and when we did the wrist throws we would actualy jump over the others arms. My wrist being sore, I wasn't quit getting the air row thing when recieving the all directional throw. Mr. Bruce said just jump in front of the person. After that I was doing a lot better. My wrist hasn't been hurting and I'm getting better on the air rows. I'm still working on the air rolls.