Next week I will be taking a few days off from work to attend the Instructor Training Academy (ITA) level 2 intensive course at Kali Majapahit headquarters in Singapore.
Details here: http://www.kali-majapahit.
I attended the level 1 intensive course last year and it was fantastic!
It was excellent to go back to see my brothers and sisters, fellow instructors, and so many new faces as well. Here's what it looked like: https://www.youtube.com/
This time there will be a revised curriculum for level 2, as well as much more detail in how to make our classes the best for our students, which has been the goal of Punong Guro Fred Evrard and our teaching staff since day 1. As I have told my own students many times "it is not about me, it is about YOU." Kali Majapahit continues to grow and evolve, and I can't wait to experience the new discoveries and bring them back to use here in Tokyo.
I started training in Kali Majapahit at the school on Yan Kit Road, near Tanjong Pagar MRT, and it was a ramshackle 3 story traditional Singaporean shophouse building behind the wet market. It was hot, and the paint was cracking, but it was HONEST. We all trained very hard there and it was busy with many students coming and going. While I was there, the school outgrew that location and plans were set in motion for the new location on Carpenter Street, a very short walk away from Clark Quay MRT. A huge amount of work went into making the facility what it is now - a totally modern, fully-equipped, state of the art professional martial arts school.
When I walked into the new facility on opening night my jaw dropped.
It was simply the most beautiful dojo I had ever seen.
Hardly the largest or most expensive, it was tasteful and elegant, and immediately it felt like "home" - like where we belonged. It was always a joy to walk up the stairs and into the expansive studio. I miss it terribly.
Now it is home to over 200 students of all ages, races, and sexes, passionately training in Kali Majapahit, Tahitian Dance, Parkour/ADD and boxing. Once could argue that it is the best such facility in Singapore. It is definitely my favorite place to go and train.
In February at the legendary Bali Camp, KG Alison tested for her Kadua Guro and blew everyone away. She showed everyone her courage and spirit and reminded us what a warrior's heart truly looks like. I was proud to observe her test and can't wait to hear how she has done teaching class - bringing her explosive energy and mischievous smile to her students.
The other teachers have grown and changed too, and I am very excited to see their progress, and show them mine. The bond we share is unbreakable, forged by our hard work and commitment. I am humbled to be counted among them as a fellow instructor. This time, I am attending with one of my senior students, Frank, and I can't tell you how proud I am for him to see a place so special for me, and to meet some of the many people who have changed my life. It's going to be a great few days.
For all our students outside of Singapore, you owe it to yourself to get to Singapore to visit Kali Majapahit HQ and train there. Once you go, you will experience the community we have built (that you are a part of) - a global network of people who want to be better than yesterday. People committed to our Kali Majapahit and to each other. The energy and magic are hard to describe. You need to FEEL IT. Plan ahead and get out there. You deserve it.
For everyone else, I remind you that the power to take control of your life is always in your hands. We have a great team of people to help show you the way, and an even better family to walk the path with you. This journey could make all the difference in the rest of your life.
Give yourself a chance.
Time to go and pack my bags... see you there!
No comments:
Post a Comment