PAMA Newsletter - November 2008

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

Student of the Month

- Kobie Johnson -

Kobie Johnson

Tell us some of your personal background. What is your profession?

I grew up in the Mercer County area and currently live in Lawrenceville, NJ. I am a graduate of Seton Hall University with a Bachelors in Communications and a certification in Graphic Arts. After college I played professional soccer in Germany, eventually finishing my soccer career here in the states. Currently, I am a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Princeton where my father and I run our own practice together.
Which martial arts do you train at PAMA? Why/How did you choose to study those arts?

My training at PAMA involves Jun Fan, Kali, and Silat. There is no particular reason why I chose to start out with the arts that I did. It just worked out that way. However, Silat is definitely the favorite and most challenging for me. Eventually, I intend on taking some of the other arts PAMA has to offer such as MMA and Muay Thai.
How has training at PAMA helped you with other aspects of your life?

Training at PAMA has become such an integral part of my life. It has also been a humbling experience for me. I am no foreigner to training hard. However, my time at PAMA has opened my eyes and reminded me of the wondrous possibilities we all can achieve both mentally and physically when we truly dedicate ourselves and remove any barriers we set forth.
What goals do you hope to achieve through PAMA?

I have always been a competitive person. I have never been afraid to try new things and accept new challenges. I hope at PAMA that I can continue to push myself to set new limits and discover new heights and possibilities I might never have achieved elsewhere.
What is your favorite thing about PAMA and training here?

Since the moment I landed upon PAMA it has been nothing less than wonderful. All the instructors at PAMA are so knowledgeable. They encourage and challenge each individual student to, as Sifu put it in an October newsletter, to "tap into the greater part of yourself that lies latent within".
When you tell friends/family about what you train at PAMA how do they react?

It is very difficult to explain to people the type of training PAMA has to offer. Many of the arts are completely foreign to most people, as they were to me when I first started. Usually, my friends lump all the different arts I partake under the umbrella of "Karate" which irks me a bit but is understandable. However, most of my friends and family absolutely love the fact that I am involved in Martial Arts. Many of them often inquire about how they can begin training themselves.
Anything else that you would like to add?

I would like to thank Sifu for sharing his wisdom and knowledge. I would also like to thank all the instructors for the time and dedication they put in daily in helping us find and achieve the very best within us and making every class an enjoyable experience.

"If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them."
-- Sijo Bruce Lee

Events

- Sifu Rick Celebrates 20 Years in Sweden -

In October, Sifu Rick returned to Malmo, Sweden for his 20th year. The PAMA constituency consisted of Mary Jo Colli and Mike Lee. The weather on the first day of our arrival was beautiful. We made our way about the city on foot in the morning and then in the afternoon by bike! We covered lots of distance but got to take our time and enjoy the Malmo Castle, Western Harbor, and the shopping district.

(left) Sifu explains the intricacies of knife engagements
(right) Students prepare for training by shadow boxing

Laurence Sandum from London demonstrates what he's learned with seminar host, Dan Johansson

Click here to see all the pictures taken from the Sweden Seminar.

The host of the seminar and good friend of PAMA, Sifu Dan Johansson of the Martial Arts Alliance, has been training under Sifu Rick since 1988. Return attendees included some of Dan's loyal students, Laurence Sandum who flew all the way in from London for one day, as well as those involved in security who appreciated the efficiency, applicability, and usability of the techniques. Recently, there has been a rise in violent crimes in Sweden, so Sifu Rick spent the first day covering empty hand and weapon methods relevent to the street and self defense. On the second day, the emphasis continued with self defense and then shifted to MMA techniques. Everyone had a great and educational time.

(left) Mary Jo demonstrates the effectiveness of a jeet tek through a baseball shin guard
(right) Sifu Rick and Dan

Seminar Participants from Day 1 (left) and Day 2 (right)

Click here to see all the pictures taken from the Sweden Seminar.

We wasted no time enjoying the culture and sites. On our free day after the seminar concluded we took a jaunt by train starting in Malmo, Sweden to Helsingborg, then headed by ferry to Helsingor in Demark, followed by a train to Copenhagen, and finally back to Malmo. All in one day! Helsingor in Danish is also known in English by the name Elsinore. It is known internationally as the setting of William Shakespeare's Hamlet, whence the spelling 'Elsinore' originated. Therefore, Kronborg Castle was one of the great highlights of the trip.

Malmo, Sweden by foot and by bike.

Click here to see all the pictures taken from the Sweden Seminar.

As always, Sweden was an incredible experience. Thank you Sifu for giving us the opportunity and also Dan for being such a wonderful host!

Sites from Sweden (windmill) and Denmark (Hamlet's Castle)

Click here to see all the pictures taken from the Sweden Seminar.

For information on future seminars in Sweden contact Dan Johansson at dan.jkd@glocalnet.net.

- Teacher Appreciation Month -

Students expressed their thanks during October's Teacher Appreciation Month with flowers and cards, resulting in this stunning display. Sifu would like to thank everyone for their warm thoughts and words on how the martial arts and PAMA have affected their lives.

- Announcing Children's Birthday Parties -

Plan your child's birthday party at PAMA!!! See details

- Farewell to Greg Suskin -

Everyone at PAMA would like to wish Greg Suskin the best of luck and a safe journey as he moves to Arizona. Greg, we'll miss you and will look forward to your future visits. Keep in touch!

Greg's final day at PAMA. Good luck in your future adventures!

- Gear up for the Holidays! -

Finally get what you really need and want for the Holidays!

The Holidays is right around the corner. PAMA is here to make your loved ones holiday easier. Check out the PAMA wish list. Print and fill out on your own or see the Pro Shop staff or instructors for assistance. Or Gift Certificates always do the trick, good for merchandise or private lessons.

Look for an upcoming holiday sale items outside the Pro Shop. Also, it is better to give than to receive. Give family members and friends the gift of self-development and self-defense with a PAMA gift certificate.

- Check out the new Staff Page! -

Take a look at the newly refreshed staff page for updated Instructor bio's and pictures.

Testing

- Childrens Testing: 9-13 Year Old Test -

(left) Matthew Tantoy and Nicholas Castro, (right) Spencer Lee

In the 9-13 Children's Program, both Matthew Tantoy and Nicholas Castro performed excellently and advanced to Green Sashes. Also, Spencer Lee earned his Yellow Sash, passing his test with exceptional form.

- Childrens Testing: 6-8 Year Old Test -

(l-r) William Tantoy, Vinod Mahibir

Congratulations to Vinod Mahabir and William Tantoy on passing their Green Sash test! They both showed great spirit and growth throughout their time in the 6-8 year old Children's Class. William has since taken his skills with him to the 9-13 year old class.

Sifu Recommends a Book

- Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: The Complete Edition -

Bruce Lee's Fighting Method:
The Complete Edition
by Bruce Lee

Excerpt from the Publisher:

Vividly illustrating the techniques of a legendary innovator, this definitive examination explains how to survive attacks on the street, increase training awareness, and develop body movements. Originally compiled as a four-volume series, this revised edition breathes new life into a classic work with digitally-enhanced photography of jeet kune do founder Bruce Lee in his prime, a new chapter by former Lee student Ted Wong, and an introduction by Shannon Lee. This renowned compendium once again reclaims its place as an integral part of the Lee canon and a necessary addition for collectors and martial arts enthusiasts alike.

Video Technique

- Learn a Technique from Sifu Rick -

Sifu demonstrates a disarm from a knife tie-up.

Video: regular speed - slow motion

Announcements

The 4 and 8 month tests for Jun Fan will be held on November 22. Please see an instructor for details and don't forget to sign up in the Pro Shop.

Dietary Supplement

- Vitamins A & D -

Vitamins A & D
by Carlson

Natural Source vitamins A & D from fish liver oil in two different strengths in a Soft Gelatin capsule. Vitamin A has several important functions in the body, including the maintenance of proper vision. When the body is deficient in Vitamin A, the eye gradually loses its ability to adapt to changes in light resulting in "Night Blindness." Another vital role of vitamin A concerns the formation, maintenance, and growth of skin, which forms the body's primary barrier to infection. Vitamin D helps regulate and control the metabolism of Calcium and Phosphorus by aiding in the absorption of these two minerals from the small intestine, and by directly affecting the rate at which these minerals form and maintain bone.

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