North Alabama is committed to offering advanced training opportunities in addition to regular classes. Most classes are heavily centered on fundamental principles and basic techniques as the junior students are the majority of our students, which makes the advanced training offered out side of the regular practice schedule a good opportunity for senior students to sharpen their skills and for junior students to get a look at material that is not covered on a weekly or even monthly basis. The other instructors and I encourage all of the students to make themselves available for advanced training whenever possible. In addition, these training sessions are a good chance to meet students from other nearby dojo that come for the training and fellowship with fellow budoka.

With that said, we will be having a special skills seminar on February 17th. We will be focusing on using strikes to set up throws and take downs. There will be four hours of training total, with each session lasting two hours. We will start workout at 11am and break for lunch at 1pm. Class will resume at 2:30 and end at 4:30. Cost for the seminar is $20.00 per person.

Also, we will be hosting a USYBA regional clinic on March 15th and 16th. Sensei Phil Farmer from Nachogdoches, Texas will be the instructor. Those that attended our last regional clinic will remember what excellent instruction Farmer Sensei provided on his last trip to Huntsville. I encourage all who are able to attend.

It is my great pleasure to announce our most recent promotion. Mark Hauer has successfully completed his examination for yonkyu.

Mark was one of the first students to join us at North Alabama Yoseikan, after many years of necessary absence from regular training due to to medical issues. Mark has had both hips replaced and after a thorough and continuous rehabilitation process is getting very close to being at full capabilities.

Mark is a testament to perseverance and persistence in training. Most students would have simply given up their training when faced with Mark’s challenges. But Mark did what was necessary to continue his training and this promotion is very well deserved.

I couldn’t be prouder of my friend and student. He is an inspiration to anyone who faces physical challenges in their training .

Congratulations Mark.

Sensei

It is my pleasure to announce that we have had three promotions this week.

Congratulations go out to the following students for passing their 8th kyu exam.

Brett Gossage
Joe O’Neil

In addition, we have a new 9th kyu as well. His performance on the exam was excellent and he deserves congratulations as well.

Andrew Ams

Both Erbach Sensei and I were very pleased with your performance and wish you similar successes in all your future exams.

Sensei Gilliard