We are ready for 2012!

2011 was a year of new beginnings and changes for martialgym:

• The MartialGym program started to include martial arts for teens and adults at Nikkei. I used to teach martial arts outdoors through rain, snow or shine for a very long time and to have an official indoor location is a nice experience. Furthermore, with new participants differing in size, height, ability, age and background, it enriches the interactive experiences. With crash mats, we can now practice take downs and throws without worrying about injuries.
• Being spontaneous and adaptive are my strengths as well as weakness. With this weekly blog, it forces me to better organize my thoughts as well as to improve on my ability to explain ideas and concepts.
• Alberta started their first martialgym program offering. I heard that a second club in Alberta may be offering martialgym in 2012.
• Martialgym was at the “Kids Power Conference” (an event sponsored by Strathcona and Learning Disabilities Association Vancouver) with over 60 kids. They discovered new uses of their bodies in practical and yet non-violent ways. Most important of all, they listened with full attention had fun during the learning process.
• Hosted the first ever “Back to Basics” team competition with both martialgym gymnasts and Special Olympic athletes. Erika Stirton was our honorable guest instructor. We were inspired and had a blast as well!

Goals for 2012:

Aiming for yearly improvements is a constant. Following are some of the milestones I am working towards:

• Martialgym for the ages of 55+ – program will aim at functional diversity. Participants will not only get stronger through the physical exercises but they will actually learn how to use their bodies effectively in a ‘self-protection’ context. Games, music and apparatus will be used to make classes fun and engaging. Current plan is to offer the program at the Edmonds Community Centre starting Spring.
• “Back to Basics” – the gymnastics performance event will be adjudicated and we will extend the invite to Alberta. There will be a martial arts for kids workshop on the same day. Official invite and registration details to follow.
• In our year end show (June), I want to have a performance that includes the gymnastics program as well as the martial arts program, our youngest to the oldest athletes, to perform as individuals as well as a group. The depth and range is who we are and I hope to be able to share it through this coming year end finale.
• Host a coaching seminar for martialgym and create online resources to help support developments outside Vancouver.
• Create a LHBF short form that trains on the key concepts. It is very important to me that the participants understand the full range and possibilities of LHBF and not just the hard and fast stuff.
• Create a performance group is tough, especially when we train only once a week. This is the first time that we set our eyes on creating a group that can do cool tricks and work and play as one. The only way to make this goal is to have everyone dream the same dream and work towards the same dream – gymnasts, parents and coach! Lets do it!

Exercise:

• Write down what you have accomplished in martialgym in 2011 (or what you enjoyed most during classes).
• Set some personal measurable goals for 2012. As an example, aiming to be awesome is just an opinion and is not measurable. Being able to do 3 sets X 3 minute rounds of something (e.g skipping) is measurable and is something that you can chart over the course of the year to see your progress.