- Student of the Month - Events - Testing - Recommended Book - Video Technique - Announcements - Dietary Supplement -
Student of the Month
- Hannah Everist -
Hannah Everist
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Tell us a little about your life outside of PAMA.
Outside of PAMA, I am a student entering my final year of high school at Lawrence High. I'm a member of my school's division of National Honor Society, a participating member of its Latin Club, and the editor of its creative art and literature magazine and club. I've been playing guitar for almost 11 years. I work a part-time job as a waitress at Candela's II Pizzeria and Restaurant. On my free time, I enjoying being with my close friends and my family.
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You followed in your father's footsteps to become a member of the Academy. What made you decide to join?
I decided to join PAMA as a result of its renewing effect on my father. He is a police officer and has to deal with much stress and anxiety in his life. However, after a night of training at PAMA, he would come home feeling relaxed, relieved, and revived. I was only 13 when he first began to urge me to join. For this reason, both he and I recognized my need to learn how to control and allieviate my own stress and emotions.
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Has being martial artists together changed the way that you two relate?
Since I started training, both my father and I have become more understanding and compassionate towards each other because we find similiarities between us. We have realized that we react synonymously to stressful situations, express our anger and saddness similarly, and are able to be relaxed by the same kinds of stimuli. Because we now acknowledge things like these, we are able to work out conflicts and disagreements more easily.
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How long ago did you first begin training at PAMA? Are their any differences in your training intention and purpose from then until now?
I began training at PAMA about three and a half years ago. Those three and a half years ago, I lacked direction and seriousness with my training. The decision to join PAMA was halfly my father's. When I began, I viewed martial arts as little more than exercise and an outlet for my misplaced and contained stress. From then until now, my presence at PAMA has shifted from being my father's decision to being my own. Although four and a half years is a relatively short amount of time, it has seen and brought about many changes in my life, my viewpoints and myself as a person. PAMA and the martial arts have become a means of discipline. The most significant purpose of my training now is to learn to discipline my mind and my body. Through discipline, one can achieve many things that seem impossible or out of reach.
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What do you enjoy most about your training? What inspires you?
I enjoy the discoveries my training brings me. With everything new I learn in the martial arts, I seem to discover something new about myself, others, or the world around me. The mental exercise that comes simultaneously with the physical exercise excites, challenges, and interests me. My biggest inspiration is the potential for transforming possibility to reality. I realize that if I am focused and determined enough, anything is possible. That notion, in and of itself, inspires me.
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What do you appreciate most about PAMA?
I appreciate the determination of PAMA's instructors and mentors above all else. They make an unwaivering effort to bring out the best in their students. "I wouldn't push you if I didn't care about you," Mary Jo likes to say. Each instructor believes in the potential and capabilities of each student. For this reason, they never give up on a single person. They challenge each individual. Respect and consideration like that is rare in modern society.
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Beyond the physical, in what ways has your Martial Arts training changed you?
Throughout the course of my training at PAMA, I have gained recognition of and respect for human potential. It is easy to be lazy. It is easy to give up on things and on yourself. It is difficult to believe in greatness because on the journey to greatness is the possibility of failure. I have always feared failure. It is easy to believe that one is incapable of doing something because it eliminates all possiblity of failure. However, Martial Arts have brought me to the recognition that one automatically fails if one never tries. Martial Arts have made me realize and appreciate the potential for greatness within myself and have taught me not to fear that greatness, but to embrace it.
Events
- New Children's Feature Launched! -
Check out the long awaited Children's page for information about our highly acclaimed Children's program!
- 18th Pacific Northwest Muay Thai Camp 2008 -
by Poney Boy MillerThis year marks the 18th anniversary of the Pacific Northwest Muay Thai Camp. Those 18 years are within the 40 that Ajarn Chai has tirelessly promoted the art of Muay Thai in the United States and around the world, at the same time building a legacy of simply one, if not the best, Muay Thai trainers in the world.
Muay Thai is so prevalent in today's martial arts community that it's hard to imagine that there was a time when Muay Thai was considered by many as a crude art. Guro Dan Inosanto tells the story of numerous martial arts practitioners in the 70's and 80's when Muay Thai was in its infancy, stating "Muay Thai is no good, they kick legs." We now have the luxury to smile and perhaps laugh at this statement and also learn from these practitioners' mistakes in that the leg kick is one of the most devastating techniques in the Muay Thai arsenal.
Since 1968, Ajarn Chai has taught Muay Thai to anyone who is willing to learn and put themselves through the grueling training regiment required to become a real Muay Thai fighter. Forty years is a long time to teach anything, much less Muay Thai. Throughout the years, Ajarn Chai has taught tens of thousands of students and fighters.
In attendance at the Muay Thai Camp were a few of Ajarn Chai's most senior instructors including Guro Dan Inosanto, Khuen Khru Greg Nelson, and Khuen Khru Brian Doubler just to name a few. The camp this year was separated into two groups, fighter and non-fighter. The non-fighter group is self explanatory; the fighter group simply means your morning run is longer (about three miles in the Oregon hills), workouts are harder and more technical, and you eat last after you get extra attention by doing 75 body builders at 8:30 pm and three-to-one plumb exercises. For those who have never had the experience of three-to-one plumb, you're lucky; the person in the middle stays in for 5 to 10 minutes while a new opponent attacks you every 30 seconds, throwing knees and trying to off-balance you for a throw.
(left) Ajarn Chai explains the rules of the camp and tells new comers what to expect.
(right) PAMA's own Mike Lee, Mike Wolhfert, and Poney Boy Miller with Kheun Khru Greg Nelson
The camp workouts were set up like the previous year's with five stations; station one - heavy bag, two - shadow boxing, three - pad and footwork, four - sparring-timing and five - plumb/clinch. Each station had its own instructor giving you instructions and technique to practice. These instructors were very helpful in giving their one-on-one instruction and answering questions. During some afternoons, we had an unexpected break in the form of Guro Leonard Trigg teaching the sweet science of boxing.
It's important to mention that Guro Leonard Trigg is not only an Olympic boxing trainer, but also ranked at four different Kali-Eskrima organizations in the world. Guro Trigg emphasized boxing counters and how to fight an unorthodox (left handed) fighter.
Each day at camp was for the most part a routine with early morning runs starting at 6:30 am and the day ending at around 8:30 pm after body builders. The days were long and hard, but at the same time exciting because as a group, we were learning from the master himself, Ajarn Chai. In attendance were Ajarn Chai's students from the US and from around the world like Australia, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Canada.
I feel very privileged and honored to have been invited to attend Ajarn Chai's Muay Thai Camp in Oregon the last two years. I am very thankful for all the instructors at camp and for their generosity. Above all, I am thankful for PAMA, Sifu Rick Tucci and all the instructors and students I have worked with in the past and continue to work with in the present. Thank you for introducing me to the art of Muay Thai and for giving me an opportunity to train with one of the greatest Muay Thai teachers in the world, Ajarn Chai.
Testing
- Kids Testing: 8-12 Year Old Test -
Vivian Bell
- Jun Fan 4 and 8 Month Tests -
Kobie Johnson
Sifu Recommends a Book
- Beyond Fear: A Toltec Guide to Freedom and Joy - The Teachings of Don Miguel Ruiz -
Beyond Fear: A Toltec
Guide to Freedom and Joy
by Don Miquel Ruiz
In Teotihuacan, the ancient Toltec ruin outside Mexico City, nagual Miguel Angel Ruiz leads an extraordinary tour of the mysterious ancient pyramids, a journey geared not just for learning, but also for spiritual transformation. Ruiz, a medical doctor and surgeon, is a direct descendant of the Toltec tradition who received spiritual training to become a nagual ("Master of Intent") from his mother's family. His wisdom comes from a vision of the spiritual center in Teotihuacan where ancient masters discovered a process for ridding themselves of fear. In this book, as on his tours, he shares this extraordinary body of mystic knowledge. Beyond Fear shows how ancient Toltec practice can be applied in today's world, enabling the practitioner to become freed from fear, spiritually and emotionally transformed.
Video Technique
- Learn a Technique from Sifu Rick -
After the initial stick disarm, Sifu performs an upright stick choke off of the second hand.
Video 1: regular speed - slow motion
From the initial choke, Sifu transitions to a horizontal choke.
Video 2: regular speed - slow motion
Announcements
- Sifu Rick will be conducting a seminar in Malmo, Sweden on October 11 & 12. For more info, contact Dan Johansson or check out the seminar page.
- Remember, PAMA will hosting Ajarn Chai Sirisute on September 13 & 14. Come and experience a martial arts legend!!! Please make sure you sign up in the Pro Shop and pay before the weekend.
- With the end of summer, the PAMA Photo Content will wrap up soon. Get your pictures in while you still have a chance!!! See the June Newsletter for details.
Dietary Supplement
- Resveratrol by Pure Encapsulations -
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a compound often associated with the health benefits of red wine, because of its powerful antioxidant and cardioprotectant properties. It promotes cardiovascular health through its antioxidant action and its ability to promote healthy platelet function and maintain healthy arachidonic acid metabolism. Pure Encapsulations Resveratrol is derived from one of the richest known sources, Polygonum cuspidatum, an herb utilized for centuries.
Excerpt taken from Pure Encapsulations
Credits:
Video/Pictures: Mary Jo Colli, Kurt Komoda, Mike Lee, Poney Boy Miller
Stories: Mary Jo Colli, Mike Lee, Poney Boy Miller