Kids Holiday Party/Parents Night Out

Need a night to finish wrapping or shopping?  On December 21st, 2012 from 6:30pm-9:00pm-  Plum Blossom Fitness Martial Arts will be hosting its second annual Kids Holiday Party/Parents night out.

This is a time of fun and excitement for all of our Kung Fu/Jiu Jitsu Kids and their friends and siblings.  Kids will have Arts & Crafts, a Yankee Swap, Games, Dance Contest, Pizza or Sandwiches and Refreshments.  Dress up in your Holiday digs and join in the festivities.

The cost is $35 per child.  Please contact Laoshi Holly as soon as possible to let us know that you are coming, or sign-up directly by clicking here.  Ages 4 and up.

Stretching and Flexibility Workshop

Stretching & Flexibility are the cornerstones to good health, injury prevention, and safe/solid martial arts and fitness training. In this workshop, Master Brown will be sharing his stretching techniques and strategies that he's developed over 14 years of martial arts training.

Join us and gain ground on loosening up your muscles and joints. Appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. This workshop is $25 or FREE to Grand Dragons.

Saturday, December 8th from 2:30 to 3:45pm

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CLOSED for Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  We're thankful for all of the great students and families we are teaching and watching grow.  All of you are important to us.  Thank you for your support.

We will be closed Thanksgiving day and will re-open Saturday for classes.  Enjoy your time with your family and find time to think about all you have to be thankful for.

PS - Remember the holiday is 1 day.  Not 1 week of bad eating!

Master Brown

--
Plum Blossom Fitness Martial Arts
'Strength through Adversity.'
222 Great Rd.
Littleton, MA 01460
978-486-3095
http://www.PlumBlossomFitnessMartialArts.com

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New SKILL and PERSEVERANCE HOODIES!!!

They're here...and going fast. Our all new line of Skill and Perseverance Hoodies. Very comfortable sweatshirts from Augusta Sportswear. We only have 5 of each size (some are down to 2) so get them quick if you want one.

New HEALTHY Protein Powders from SFH

We are now proud to carry and distribute Whey Protein Powders and Fish Oils from 'Stronger Faster Healthier', a small family operated business right next door in Maine. These are top notch products are from FREE RANGE GRASS FED Cows, NO ANTIBIOTICS or GROWTH HORMONES, have NO ADDED SUGAR, and offer maximized RECOVERY for the smart athlete. Not only that, but they taste AWESOME!!!

CHARITY EVENT - Kick, Slam, Jump & Sledge-A-Thon

CHARITY EVENT - SPREAD THE WORD

We're hosting a Charity Event at Plum Blossom Fitness Martial Arts on Sunday, November 18th.  The event is to raise money for a friend of mine that was injured in a severe accident at the end of September.  Please join us for this fun filled event to help improve someone's life.  Details below.

Event Details:  

Come in and show the stuff you're made of.  Participate in one, or all four of the events.  Try to do as many repetitions as you can on - Bag Kicks (any kick you want), Bag Slams (any weight), Box Jumps (any height), & Tire Sledge (any weight).  Friends and family are welcome to participate as well.  Please spread the word so we can raise money to help out.

Each donating participant will receive a free Plum Blossom Stainless Steel Water Bottle.

Age:  7 and up.
Cost:  Free event.  Donations accepted.
Day/Time:  Sunday, November 18 from 12pm to 2pm.

Charity Details:

My friend Harley Blaisdell is from a town outside Philadelphia, PA.  He is a creative, top notch chef that works for an upscale Catering Company.  Previously he worked for QVC cooking and displaying foods for the shopping network.  His dreams were to start his own Catering Company, and in the past I have had many discussions with him on taking the leap and reaching his goals. Sadly, those dreams have been put on hold, or cut short.

In late September, Harley was struck by a car moving at a high rate of speed.  He was hit, then flipped up onto the roof of the car and was then thrown 25 feet into a metal pole that split the back of his head open.  He spent a week or more in a coma in ICU and underwent a tracheotomy.

He has since come to and has been working with physical therapists to try to walk again.  Harley unfortunately experienced a serious brain injury that has affected his short term memory.  There is no current knowledge of if/when he will recover from the accident, or how long he will be out of work.

Some of his work.

Robot Wedding Cake

He did have medical insurance but he is currently residing in a rehab facility, wheel chair bound, and out of work with no idea if/when he will be able to return. He's lost his apartment, and his insurance will run out in January when his health care expenses will move to a much higher cost.

To try and help my friend, I am organizing this Charity Event to raise money and deliver him a check in person at the Food for the Brain benefit being held in his honor two days after Thanksgiving.  Please assist me or just join in the fun event to show your support.

If you can't make the event, and you would like to make a donation anyway, please mail a check made out to Plum Blossom Fitness Martial Arts, to the address below, and "Food for the Brain" in the memo line.


Thank you all in advance.


-- 

Randy Brown
Master Instructor/Owner

Plum Blossom Fitness Martial Arts
'Strength through Adversity.'
222 Great Rd.
Littleton, MA 01460
978-486-3095
http://www.PlumBlossomFitnessMartialArts.com

We're BACK!

We're back up and running!  Classes are AS SCHEDULED this afternoon/evening.  We're looking forward to getting back to training!

Hurricane Sandy

Tonight's CLASSES ARE CANCELLED.  Winds are predicted to 60mph this afternoon/evening with the worst between 2pm and 8pm.  Stay SAFE!

Madhouse Retreat 2012

I picked up a nasty cold while traveling to Austin so I haven't been with it enough to write this follow-up.  I did want to tell all of you at Austin Fitness Martial Arts, what a great job you did in my Striking/Mantis Boxing workshop at the Madhouse Retreat 2012.  Thanks for a great time and awesome hospitality as usual.  Great food, excellent training, and even better...the students.

It was a pleasure to work with all of you and I look forward to returning.  Long live the Mantis!  -

--

Master Randy Brown

Plum Blossom Fitness Martial Arts
'Strength through Adversity.'
222 Great Rd.
Littleton, MA 01460
978-486-3095
http://www.PlumBlossomFitnessMartialArts.com

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Intro to Weight Training Workshop

FREE WORKSHOP

Improve your technique for Cleans, Squats, C&J's, Dumbbell Squats and more. Proper execution is crucial to long term health and fitness. If you're hurt, you can't train. If you can't train, you're hurt. Join this workshop and get the help you need.  Starts at 2:45pm till 4:15pm.

Get Signed Up Today!

Guest Instructor: Coach Keane from CrossFit Woodshed will be volunteering his time and teaching this event for everyone's benefit.  He is a certified Olymic Lifting Trainer as well as being CrossFit certified.  

Upcoming Class Cancellations

The following Kids Classes are cancelled over the next few days.  Master Brown will be in Texas this weekend teaching a workshop and training.  Laoshi Cyr will be assisting. Thank you for your understanding and we'll be back to normal next week.

Thursday Kids BJJ - cancelled

Saturday and Monday Kids Kung Fu - cancelled

Exciting Tai Chi Workshop

Plum Blossom Fitness Martial Arts presents:

Intro to 'Sun' style Tai Chi

Plum Blossom Fitness Martial Arts is proud and excited to offer this rare and special workshop with Special Guest Instructor Master Paul Averill. All are welcome. 

Expand your horizons and gain an advantage in life by experiencing the rare art of Sun Style Tai Chi. This course will introduce you to Sun Styles subtle differences in moving compared to Yang Style. Soft, higher stances, smaller movements, all make Sun style Tai Chi highly accessible to people of any age and ability.

"Its gentle postures and high stances make it very suitable for low impact exercise, relaxation, and martial arts therapy."

Special Guest Instructor: 

Master Brown's first Kung Fu teacher, Master Paul Averillwill be conducting this excellent workshop on Sun Style. Don't miss out on Master Averill's passion for Tai Chi and the martial arts and his desire to share that passion with others.

Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Fitness students, or complete beginners, are all welcome to participate.

Saturday, December 1, 2012 starting at 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
Must be age 12 and up.

Sign Up Today

Halloween Party/Parents Night Out

Halloween Party & Parents Night Out

Greetings All,

Last year our first Kids Halloween Party/Parents Night Out was a big hit and the kids had a blast. On November 2nd, 2012 from 6:30pm-9:00pm - we will be hosting our second annual Halloween Party/Parents night out.

This is a time of fun and excitement for all of our Kung Fu Kids and their friends.  We have games, costume contest, dance contest, pizza and refreshments.  Dress up in your best Halloween costume and join in the festivities.  We look forward to seeing everyone there.

The Halloween Party/Parents night out is $35 per child.  Kids are welcome to bring a friend(s) or family member with them to join the fun.

Register Today

Please contact Laoshi Cyr with any questions and register your child as soon as possible to save a spot.

Master Randy Brown
Owner/Master Instructor

Laoshi Holly Cyr
Instructor/Manager

Plum Blossom Fitness Martial Arts
222 Great Road
Littleton, MA 01460
978-486-3095
www.plumblossomfitnessmartialarts.com

Guidelines for Promotions and Ranking

Ancient Chinese Proverb - "One must learn to taste bitter, before they know sweet." 

Belt ceremonies and awarding of rank are an important part of martial arts training. This is an honor for both the student, and the teacher; celebrating the achievement of skill attained through hard work, dedication, commitment, and perseverance. The following are guidelines to our Belt Ceremonies:

1. Those being promoted will find out at a belt ceremony. It is impolite to ask if you are being promoted.
2. If you were to be promoted, but are unable to attend a belt ceremony, you will be promoted at the next belt ceremony. 
3. There are no tests. You either become a rank, or you are still working on the skills for it. Your instructors will promote you when you have demonstrated the appropriate skills necessary, and they believe you are ready. A voluntary demonstration of skills will be available following a belt promotion.
4. Consistent attendance and effort help you advance faster in martial arts. Show up, work hard, and let your teachers do the rest. Hard work and perseverance pay off. 
5. As stated, belt ceremonies are an important event in Martial Arts. It takes an 'average' of 8 to 10 years for people to attain a Black Belt in San Shou or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The school is a family, attend belt ceremonies when you see them, and support one another. 

Kids BJJ - New Class Coming Soon!

Exciting news!!!  Your kids love our BJJ class and every class is full of buzz.  They told us they want to train harder and more often, so we're adding a second class per week to our Kids BJJ program!  

Coming soon on Tuesday afternoons @ 4:30pm.  The class will get 'rolling' on September 25th the week after graduation.  We hope to see everyone more often so we can start getting ready for some tournaments! 

If your child would like to do BJJ in addition to Kung Fu and see a huge jump in their skills and confidence, and spend more time with their martial arts friends, let us know and we can get them set up.

Dojo: Those Who Enter, Never Leave The Same.

Many have entered these halls as one person, and left as someone else.  Bow when entering and leaving to show respect.  

The Dojo, a sacred place.  A place where knowledge and learning are passed down.  Where great transformations of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual take place.  Dojo is a Japanese term for a place to study Martial Arts; it's meaning however is something much deeper.  Dojo translates as 'Way Place', a place to study the Way, Path, Journey, or Line; also known as the Tao.  This place is considered by many to be the heart of transformation in an individual.

Dojo (Japanese).  Wu Guan (Chinese).

Without knowledge and understanding, someone might mistake this as a common gym.  The dojo is anything but a gym.  A gym has no attachment, no personal connection, and no depth of knowledge.  A gym is a place people gather to work out.  A Dojo is where people gather to evolve.

We treat libraries, museums, and archives with respect for the knowledge they hold within their walls. We treat courtrooms with respect for the weight of deeds being measured on the scales of justice.  We treat churches, mosques, temples with respect for the worship that takes place within.  We treat tombs and cemetaries with respect to honor the people that have come before us.  It is only proper that we respect the Dojo.

The Chinese refer to this as a Wu Guan (Martial Hall).  A place where military arts are studied. 

When a person enters these halls, whether they be adult or child, they embark on a journey that will change who they are.  Some will gain health, strength, knowledge; wisdom, discipline, honor; loyalty, respect, confidence.  All will gain skills.  These skills will transform how they view the world, and themselves.  How they treat others, and how they carry themselves.

People sweat here.  People laugh here.  People cry here.  People bleed here.  It is only proper that we show respect for the sacrifices these people make inside these walls, and the person they will become.  It is right that we respect the Dojo for the knowledge that is given by the teachers as they nurture the seedling so that it may grow into an iron tree.  A place they devote their lives to enriching the lives of others.

Student, Family, Friend, or otherwise - show respect for what you are a part of, and show others to treat it as you do and why.

Etiquette - Showing Respect for the Dojo.

1. Bow when you enter and exit.  
2. Bow when you step onto, or off the training floor.  
3. Remove your shoes before walking on the floor.
4. Turn off your phones.
5. Keep noise and voices to a whisper while classes are in progress.
6. Clean up after self and others.
7. Help maintain the Dojo by cleaning after class and assisting the teachers when it is time to repair, or renovate.
8. Invest yourself in your training and use the space as it is intended to be used.
9. Have fun.  A Dojo is not devoid of laughter and joy.

Bring honor to this special place and it will honor you.

--
by Randy Brown

New Class Times Take Effect Tonight

Reminder to everyone that the new class times for Kickboxing, Kung Fu, and BJJ take effect tonight.  Kids class is a full hour now so everything was pushed back 15 minutes.  Check our schedule online if you have any questions.

Plum Blossom Group Hike - Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012

We're taking anyone who wants to join us on a hike up Mt. Monadnock next weekend.  Bring you, your family, or a friend and join us for some fresh air.  This is a great hike less than an hour away.  We'll be meeting at the State Park at 9:30am.  We'll be starting the hike by 9:45am sharp.  Bring water and snacks.

If you want to go but know you can't make it all the way up, don't worry do what you can and then meet us for lunch after we finish.  There will be groups from Plum Blossom moving at different paces so you won't be alone.

Please review this website before joining us to make sure you are hiking safe with the proper clothing and gear.  - http://www.hikesafe.com/

We look forward to seeing you there!

2012 Boston Open - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament

Yesterday (Saturday, August 26, 2012) was the 2012 Boston Open Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament.  Master Brown and Laoshi Cyr signed up to compete in the tournament representing Plum Blossom Fitness Martial Arts and Best Way Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Hoping to learn the ropes (or the mats) - rules, format, systems, etc. so that they can bring some of the Plum Blossom students to future tournaments.

Randy Brown straight ahead in the far ring.

While it was a great experience and a very well run tournament, unfortunately there was a snag.  Laoshi Cyr was signed up online under the wrong division.  They are so strict at this tournament (in order to keep it running smooth and on time) that they do not allow you to change divisions the day of the tournament.  So sadly she did not get to roll with anyone yesterday but she's very much looking forward to the next opportunity.

Respect - Randy Brown with his BJJ teacher Andre 'Dedeco' Almeida

Master Brown entered the Featherweight, Senior 1 White Belt Division and faced off with his opponent around 5:45pm.  Laoshi Cyr says the match was quite a nail biter from the sidelines with each fighter vying for better position and control.  After sweeps, counters, guard passes, and reversals, at about 4 minutes into the match, Master Brown found an opportunity to lock in a partial triangle causing his opponent to try and break free.  As his opponent was working to free himself, Master Brown saw the opening for an inverted arm bar and locked it in.  Winning by submission.

Bringing home the Gold.

"I had an excellent opponent - skilled, fit, strong, and an admirable fighter.  He fought well and fought hard.  In the end, I am grateful to have had the opportunity.  Thanks go out to my BJJ teacher Master Andre 'Dedeco' Almeida, my Mantis teacher Master Tony Puyot who encouraged me to learn BJJ a few years ago, and all the students at Plum Blossom that I learn from and train with." - Master Brown

NEW VIDEO - Power Building Boxing (Gong Li Quan)

We're excited to announce that a new video is now available through Plum Blossom Fitness Martial Arts video store.  Use this video to help you practice between classes, or learn the form - Power Building Boxing (Gong Li Quan) as taught by Master Brown.  Master Brown has studied 5 or more different versions of Gong Li Quan over the years, and created this hybrid for his students to learn from and pass on.

You can find the video available for download from here - http://plumblossomfitnessmartialarts.mindbites.com/lesson/21385-power-building-boxing-gong-li-quan