Sensei Kurashita, 10th Dan, will be leading the majority of training sessions in both karate and kobudo (weaponry).

Hourahine’s Martial Arts is very proud to be the host of this years series of international goju-ryu seminars.  Students from all styles and dojos are welcome to experience the teachings of some of the world’s top teachers.  Students aged 13 and up have the opportunity to train on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Junior students aged 6 to 12 get a special two-hour session on September 25th.  This is a FIRST for our club in eleven years and it is great to see so  many students getting excited!

See the web page for full information and registration…

Download the 2010 Camp Form HERE….

Our camps are run by a crew of dedicated black belts and camp counsellors.  Each day, students enjoy martial arts training, fitness challenges, cultural experiences, make new friends, and grow their skills.  Special thanks to Sempai James Wyatt, who cut his teeth as camp director this March and did a fantastic job providing a great week for the group.

SUMMER CAMP DATES:

July 19th to 23rd

August 9th to 13th

August 16th to 20th

August 23rd to 27th

Only 15 spaces available for each camp plus NEW for 2010 5 additional spaces for advanced students as part of our “Leaders in Training” program.  Camps usually sell out so pre-book as soon as possible to get your first choice.

This can be a challenge to new or younger students so please use the video below to help at home.

Competitors from across the province clashed four times this season, which began in September, to decide who will represent Ontario when the team faces the rest of Canada this coming March in Toronto.

The Cambridge Team, building on last year’s National success, demonstrated another strong showing across the many age and weight divisions.

Notably, Andreaa Popescu, after a hard fought season, finds herself leading the provincial pack in the lightweight black belt division.

Popescu, a grade 10 student at Cameron Heights, once again found herself in the gold medal match against a strong champion from our friends at ISK in Toronto.  Andreaa came back from an early two-point deficit to win the final bout in an exciting six to five finish and claimed Ontario’s top spot.

Popescu won’t be the only local on the provincial team; being joined by veterans Jacky Vong, Sanjay Bacchus, and Eduarda Silvestre.

The future is also looking very bright for the Cambridge crew with up and comers like Julia Hourahine, who had an outstanding performance the junior black belt division.

In addition to preparing for the National Championships, Karate has joined the ranks of other Olympic sports with its induction into the Ontario Summer Games creating another exciting challenge for the team from 20 Dickson.

DID YOU KNOW…

We have a great developmental team and program for any students aged 9 and up who are interested in competition!  You can come out to see what it’s all about in our Friday night classes without having to commit to competing.  Email info@martialartscentre.com for more information.

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The beginning of a new year is always a time for reflecting on the past and planning for the year to come.  We take a macro look of the year ahead and dream about where we might like to be this time next year as well as resolving how to get there.

Goal setting, or resolutions as they are commonly known around this time, are our map to success and our chance to improve on the year before.

According to an online poll, some of the top 2010 resolutions included spending more time with family and friends, fitting in fitness and a healthier life choices, enjoying life more and de-stressing, as well as taking on a personally important challenge or learning a something new.

From the our perspective, many of these goals can be embraced through the pursuit of martial arts.

Indeed, martial arts can be a means to an end rather than the end itself.  For example, a mom and daughter join the kickboxing program as a way to spend time together; or, participating in a vigorous karate class can de-stress you while you learn a new skill.

But these resolutions need to be more than an idea, gone and forgotten by mid-February.  You need a plan.

Goal setting is a process and, like most tools, when employed correctly can produce some fantastic results.  The basic idea is to take some time to consider what you might like to achieve in various areas of your life, for instance, career, family, health, personal development.  Then, on a piece of paper, write down all the great things you can imagine in each domain.  Next try and boil the big ideas down into small attainable steps that you can tangibly work on each day.  Finally, share your goals with someone you trust and who can help you stick to the plan.

For a full explanation on goal setting CLICK HERE!

So dream big, set your course, and engage!  2010 is yet unwritten so, once again, according to Kettering, “Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail.”

Our brown and black belts spent two days increasing their depth of knowledge in the kata system as well as working partner drill and acquiring the basis for Ryuei-Ryu Kobudo.

Thank you Sensei…see you in early 2010!

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The training camp offered the chance for all participants to not only advance their skills but to ensure Cambridge’s karate remain on par with the high, world-wide standards.  On the last day of the camp, students from all dojos performed kata and kumite for the exam board.  Both successful Cambridge candidates were pleased with their performances and are excited to share the experience with the students at our club.

Now it is time for a new group of black belt hopefuls to begin ramping up for their exam performance coming this summer 2010!  Good luck everyone, the road is long but well worth the journey.

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Thanks to all of the coaches and volunteers who helped out.  Remember, go easy on the candy and be prepared to work it off in classes!

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