A Glimpse Into Training Camp

Four weeks ago, I woke up in a dorm room at the University of North Carolina.  The excitement began to set in as the sleepiness wore off.  I was 2,342 miles from home and my toddler, about to embark on four days of living the martial artist’s dream.  I was at training camp; my schedule was cleared, with nothing but Cuong Nhu on the docket for the holiday weekend.

I’ve been to training camp eight times before.  I’ve flown across the country, taken red-eye-multi-layover flights, and one time even a greyhound bus.  And every time it has been totally worth it.  Worth the time, energy, and expense needed to get there.  Once at camp, it’s like time stops.  Everything in the “real world” fades away and doesn’t matter.  It is four days of training hard, learning new things, working out with your counterparts from near and far, developing new friendships, and celebrating the people who make up Cuong Nhu.

This year was the first time I’ve gone since becoming a mom.  My daughter is almost two, and while I missed her a great deal, I was also thrilled to immerse myself in the training camp experience once again.  I joined some three hundred and fifty people, including Sensei Didi and Sensei Paul from Redwood Dojo, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  I re-connected with the Cuong Nhu family that is spread across the country.

From discussing the theory of quantum physics with the head of Unity Martial Arts in Arkansas, to exploring the subtleties of soft-style with instructors from World Headquarters, to debating where to find the supplies needed to make a rope dart with brown belts from Rohai Dojo, the camp experience is always a unique one.  This year was especially significant because it included Sensei Didi’s promotion to Shichidan (7^th degree master).  You may have noticed her new belt when we returned from IATC (International Annual Training Camp).

Though there is no way to really capture the training camp experience, you can catch of glimpse of it through some photos here.

Training camp sounds great!  Can I go to IATC next year?

Yes! All Cuong Nhu students are welcome.  There are classes for all ranks, for kids and adults.  Redwood Dojo students and instructors make the trip out regularly.  It is always on Memorial Day weekend, so you can start planning now!

If you want a taste of training camp but aren’t ready to fly across the country, we bring the camp to you!  Each year we have West Cost Training Camp here in the Bay Area.  Mark your calendars now – it will be September 28-29, 2018.  With so many great instructors and students visiting from all over the country, be sure you don’t miss out!

P.S. A big thank you to those who stayed behind and taught classes while we were away at camp!

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Summer Schedule for July

Summer is almost here!  This summer, as we do most years, we will consolidate our schedule of classes.  The regular schedule will continue through the month of June and will resume on Monday, August 6.  For the month of July, all kids (ages six and up) will meet on Tuesday and Thursday at 5 pm.  The Pre-Karate class (ages four and a half and five) will meet on Tuesdays at 4.  Teen and adult class as well as Saturday class will continue as usual.

Schedule for July:

• Pre-Karate will meet Tuesday at 4 pm (NO classes on Monday).
• ALL kids ages 6 and up (white belt through blue belt) will meet Tuesday and Thursday at 5 pm.
• Teens and adults will meet Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 7:30 pm.
• Adults, teens, and children (ages 6 and up) meet on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 am.

If you have a busy summer ahead of you and are planning on being away from the dojo, please let us know.  If you will be with us all summer, great!  We continue all year long and have some great training planned for those who are staying in town.

Looking for a summer camp?  Sign up for Karate Summer Camp at Rohai Dojo!  Sensei Didi will be teaching summer camps at our sister school in Berkeley.  There are three camps (plus an advanced camp) this year.  Kids always love karate summer camp; learn more and sign up here!

Holiday Schedule

We are coming up on the end of 2017 – our 26th year!  For the end of December and beginning of January the Redwood Heights Recreation Center will be closed.  Our last class of the year will be Saturday, December 23.  Classes will resume at Redwood Dojo on Thursday, January 4 for current students.  New students will begin on Monday, January 8 or Tuesday, January 9.

But don’t worry, you will still have the opportunity to practice over the holidays!

It is a Redwood Dojo tradition for students to visit Berkeley Cuong Nhu Karate (Rohai Dojo) over the holidays, to meet new friends and practice Cuong Nhu at our “sister school.”  All students are invited and encouraged to attend make-up classes Wednesday, December 27 through Friday, December 29.  Kid/Peewee classes are from 5 to 6 PM and Teen/Adult classes are from 6 to 7 PM.  See the schedule below for details.

Rohai Dojo is located at 1819 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, 1.5 blocks north of University Avenue, between Hearst and Delaware.  Whether you go to Berkeley or not, don’t forget to practice!

We look forward to closing out a great year at the dojo, and then…

We’ll launch into 2018 with a 26th Anniversary Celebration!

January 21: Be sure to mark this exciting event on your calendars!  The Redwood Dojo celebration will include a demonstration by students and a potluck party.  We want all students to participate in the demonstration.  Family and friends are invited to watch, and then join the party fun.  Keep an eye out for more details to follow.