July 2008 Newsletter

- Student of the Month - Testing - Recommended Books - Video Technique - Announcements - Dietary Supplement -

Student of the Month

- Sam Decavalcante -

Sam Decavalcante

Give us some personal information on your career path, personal goals, and family.

Well my career goals are currently in the air; literally I ripped my career path into tiny pieces and threw them up in the air, now I am simply waiting for them to settle and see what comes out of it. I graduated from the School of Visual Arts in NYC with an illustration degree, needless to say it is tough to find a job. I do some freelance work wherever I can, but its hard to get constant work. Recently I took the Art Content Praxis Exam in the hopes of becoming a high school art teacher. So keep your fingers crossed for me, I need all the help I can get. I have a 2 year old son, Tristan, and I love being a father. Being a single parent was not my ideal situation, but life throws people curveballs, the only thing one can do is adjust, adapt and over come. I have wonderful parents and one older sister that I love even though she used to bully me around when we were younger. My niece is about four months younger than my son, so they are growing up together which is pretty cool seeing them run around. It's all about them now.
What inspired you to start training martial arts?

I was always fascinated with martial arts. When I was real young I ran to the TV to watch The Master Ninja, and I loved Ninja/Karate movies. Then my dad signed me up when I was about 8 and I went to karate class for about 2 years. When I was about 18 I watched a bunch of Jeff Speakman movies, after that I searched for a Kenpo Karate School. I finally found one in Freehold and joined up, and studied there for about 2 years. Then I transferred colleges and move to NYC, when I finished my 10 year 4 school college campaign, I settled back home and joined PAMA.
How did you hear about PAMA?

I don't really know. I wanted to start training again and I just checked out some places.
What did you think after your initial class? What do you think today?

After my first class, JKD, I was impressed, I loved the fact that there was no traditional uniform or belts and that class was more boxing oriented with the focus mitts and combos, instead of the punches and kicks in a mirror, fixed number of classes to attend, the katas etc. Today, I am still amazed and love the fact that there are different styles to be learned at the same school. I just wish I started training here earlier, or when I was younger and my body's recovery time was faster.
What is your favorite art and why?

JKD because to me it just feels alive, like it is constantly moving and evolving. It cuts out fixed positions and wasted movement. It reminds me of Kenpo Karate. In Kenpo there were blocks to checks to counters, which is kind of like the trapping of JKD.
What do you think is the greatest lesson that martial arts has taught you thus far?

I don't think that I can pinpoint any one lesson that martial arts has taught me. It has made me a more patient person, it strengthened my self-control, it heightened my self-awareness and it has helped me to enjoy life by participating in something I have a passion for. Martial Arts is a living, breathing entity that impacts a person's life.
Any additional comments?

I would just like to thank Sifu, Mary Jo Colli, Mike Wolhfert, Mike Lee and all the other assistant class instructors for doing one hell of a job.

Testing

- Jun Fan 4 and 8 Month Tests -

(left) Ray Alcantara and Peter von Kaenel, (right) Tony Arias

This past month, both Ray Alcantara and Peter von Kaenel passed their 4 Month Jun Fan test. Also, Tony Arias passed his 8 Month test and now joins intermediate class. Congratulations guys!

- Kids Testing: 9-13 Year Old Black Sash Test -

(left) Aubrey receives her blash sash, (right) Aubrey demonstrates excellent form

We would like to congratulate Aubrey Mulford for passing her Black Sash test. Aubrey passed this rigorous test with flying colors. Her hard work and dedication to her training has paid off. Aubrey is the first female student in PAMA's history to receive this honor. Way to go Aubrey!

- Kids Testing: 9-13 Year Old -

(l-r) Srishti Roy, Tandia McLaren, Nikita Volodin,
Col McLaren, Rosalind Stengle

This month was a busy month for kids tests. Srishti Roy, Tandia McLaren, and Col McLaren all passed their first test in the Kids 9-13 Program, earning their Gold Sashes. Also passing were Nikita Volodin and Rosalind Stengle who earned their Orange Sashes (awarded to graduates of the 6-8 Kids Program who have previously tested).

Sifu Recommends a Book

- Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives -

Way of the Peaceful Warrior:
A Book That Changes Lives

Synopsis from book's website:

This NEW edition of one of the most beloved spiritual sagas of our time contains hundreds of revisions by the author. It also includes a new Afterword that tells the story behind the book-how it was born, "died," then rose from its ashes to become a word-of-mouth bestseller that continues to inspire millions of men and women of all ages in 22 languages worldwide.

Blending fact and fiction, the story relates an odyssey into realms of light and shadow, romance, and mystery. Guided by an eccentric old warrior named Socrates, drawn to an elusive young woman called Joy, Dan moves toward a final confrontation that will deliver or destroy him.

This classic tale, told with heart and humor, speaks to the peaceful warrior in each of us, moving readers to laughter and tears -- even to moments of illumination -- as they rediscover life's larger meaning and purpose. Join Dan on the peaceful warrior's path. Find out why this book has changed lives.

Video Technique

- Learn a Technique from Sifu Rick -

Sifu crashes in on a jab and executes a quarter beset.

Video 1: regular speed - slow motion

Sifu demonstrates a beset to the outside of the body after entering in on the jab.

Video 2: regular speed - slow motion

Announcements

Don't forget, with the arrival of summer comes the PAMA Photo Content. Keep those pictures coming in!!! See last month's newsletter for details.
PAMA will hosting Ajarn Chai Sirisute on September 13 & 14. Come and experience a martial arts legend!!!

Dietary Supplement

- P₅P by Pure Encapsulations -

P₅P by Pure Encapsulations

*Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (P5P) is the active metabolite of pyridoxine and is the predominant form of plasma B6. P5P is required for proper absorption of B12 and magnesium, and for the production of gastric HCl. It is an important coenzyme in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and the elongation of essential fatty acids. It is required for the production of antibodies and red blood cells. P5P facilitates the release of glycogen (used in energy production) from the liver and muscles. In addition, P5P helps maintain the balance of sodium and potassium, which regulates body fluids and promotes the healthy functioning of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems.

Excerpt taken from Pure Encapsulations.

Credits:
Video/Pictures: Mary Jo Colli, Kurt Komoda, Mike Lee
Stories: Mary Jo Colli, Mike Lee