American Moo-Do Kwan

What's New?

AMK Notebooks - June 21, 2009

Lisa SBN's notebook cover from age 10-16

As most of you may know, our school requires all students (regardless of age) and instructors to keep a notebook and bring it with them to class everyday. On testing, they must turn in their notebook for a score. Their notebooks account for 25% of their Personal Qualities score. Over the years, we have had many wonderful notebooks. I have always wanted to share them with others. Now, for the first time, I made copies of some of our junior student's notebooks. I have also included pages out of my first notebook that I made when I was also a junior member of our school. I think that it shows that regardless of age, our junior members understand the benefit of traditional martial arts training and thrive on it. Special thanks to the contributions of Nathan Penid, Elmier Penid, Jessica Lewandowski, Collin Lewandowski, and Jasmine Adair. Please check them out here: AMK Notebooks

Introduction to Kendo - June 20, 2009

Master Amsell teaches Kendo

Today we gave an introduction to some of our younger students to Kendo . Even though they're below the rank normally required for Kendo training, because of their hard work and dedication they were rewarded by having the opportunity to learn more advanced material. Also worth noting on the Academic front, Collin Lewandowski received all 3s on his report card which means he gets to move on to 1st grade. The most pleasant surprise though was Jessica Lewandowski who moved from a mainly 'B's and 'C's to straight 'A's and is moving on to the 3rd grade. We're very proud of Jessica & Collin's academic progress since joining our class. To see pictures from this day (and to see the famous Muscle Shirt pictures), please go to Introduction to Kendo

Elmier's Birthday & The Academic Achievers - June 13, 2009

Maria throws Elmier for his birthday (6,000th photo)

Today we celebrated Elmier Penid's birthday in our traditional AMK fashion with a birthday throw from all students and instructors. We also found a way to get his mother involved in the class with an offer she couldn't refuse: "Throw Elmier." This also happened to mark our 6,000 photo uploaded to our AMK photo gallery. On the academic school front, Nathan Penid received the Outstanding Student award for doing well in all areas of school. Jasmine Adair received her report card with straight "A"s along with her graduation from Kindergarten. Collin Lewandowski receive a Kindness/Courtesy award for supporting others in his class, sharing his supplies, and overall kindness to his fellow peers. Congratulations to Nathan, Jasmine, and Collin for a job well done! We also completed all of the White/Yellow Poomsae, sparring basics, and Aikido today in preparation for our upcoming test board. To see pictures from this day, please go to Elmier's Birthday & The Academic Achievers

Beach Training Teaser - June 3, 2009

Elmier doing push-ups in the ocean

I recently went to the beach with Nathan & Elmier's mother. While there, Nathan & Elmier were excited about our upcoming Beach Training. They were trying to guess what Beach Training would be like and what we would do. You can see what a few of their guesses were HERE Those of you who have never been to Beach Training will soon get to find out what we do. Be ready!

Memorial Day - May 25, 2009

Vietnam Veteran Memorial, Washington D.C.

For those of you who are not on the AMK/AMAC mailing list, Master Amsell started writing an annual Memorial Day editorial since 1989 (when the AMK Newsletter was in circulation). Due to the importance of Memorial Day, he continued to write one every year even after the AMK Newsletter was no longer in circulation. The original Memorial Day Editorial can be found here: Remembering the Vietnam Veteran: Volume 1, Issue 5. This year's edition can be found here: Memorial Day 2009

Push-up Party & Beware of the Crocodiles! - April 18, 2009

Elmier falls into the Crocodile Pit

For the first time in a long time, students had the privilege to practice all of our different push-ups. Students had the opportunity to practice their balance on the narrow wall outside without falling into the "crocodile pit." Elmier Penid demonstrated to everyone what happens when you lose your balance. Aderonke Olarewaju & Nathan Penid were recognized for both receiving Student of the Month at their schools. Students learned the valuable lesson about what happens when you hit another student and why Aderonke earned the Leadership award. Finally, Nathan & Elmier told Terry SBN to be meaner to them in class. To see pictures from this day, please go to Push-up Party & Beware of the Crocodiles!

2nd Quarter Testing (A Double Black Belt Test) - July 2009

Marcus SBN doing Kendo - 2009

Marcus A. Krieter will be testing for 2nd Dan, Black Belt at our 2nd Quarter Testing. Marcus SBN originally joined our school in 1987 and achieved his Black Belt on December 14, 1991. He was part of the group of our first AMK Black Belts along with Lisa SBN, Nila Welker SBN, and Joseph Ok SBN. Due to personal reasons, he left our class in 1992. He returned to our class in January 2008 to continue on a journey that he started 15 years prior. We strongly encourage all students and instructors to make sure that you are in attendance to fully support Marcus SBN and his efforts. For more on Marcus SBN: Students>Instructors>Marcus SBN (login required) & Photo Gallery. There will also be another very special Black Belt test that will be taking place on the same day, but the details of that test will only be revealed in our classes and not on the website.

1st Quarter Testing Results (Riley J. Sullivan SBN) - April 4, 2009

Riley J. Sullivan SBN

We gave out our 1st Quarter Testing results on Saturday, April 4. You can read up on the full results HERE

1st Quarter Testing (A Very Rare Black Belt Test) - March 29, 2009

Special Guest Examiners & Guests

We had a very special Black Belt test take place on Sunday, March 29. This test was a first in our school's history and several key people in our school's history took part in it to ensure that it will be a test to be remembered. The FULL REPORT on our 1st Quarter Testing (including 600+ photos) can be found HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS

2nd Quarter Testing (Black Belt Test)
Saturday, July 18

Located at La Palma Community Center in La Palma, CA. Scheduled from 10am-2pm. Participation is mandatory. Marcus A. Krieter SBN will be testing for 2nd Dan. Another special Black Test will also take place. Pre-test sheet will be handed out once your hours are met. Our Major Review will take place the week before. Please contact Lisa SBN if you have any further questions.

Beach Training
Saturday, August 15

Located at Doheny State Beach in San Clemente, CA. Scheduled from 7am-12pm. Full information will be sent out via e-mail. Plan to have a picni after class. Please contact Lisa SBN if you have any further questions.

3rd Quarter Testing (Black Belt Test)
Saturday, September 19

Located at La Palma Community Center in La Palma, CA. Scheduled from 9am-1pm. Participation is mandatory. Terry L. Owens SBN will be testing for 4th Dan. Pre-test sheet will once your hours are met. Our Major Review will take place the week before. Please contact Lisa SBN if you have any further questions.

20th Annual Jimmy Kim Invitational
Saturday, September 26

Located at The Pyramid (CSU, Long Beach) in Long Beach, CA. Scheduled from 8am-8pm. There will be NO CLASS this day. Please contact Lisa SBN if you have any further questions.

4th Quarter Testing (Potential Black Belt Test)
Saturday, December 5

Located at La Palma Community Center in La Palma, CA. Scheduled from 9am-1pm. Participation is mandatory. Pre-test sheet will be handed out once your hours are met. Our Major Review will take place the week before. Please contact Lisa SBN if you have any further questions.

End of the Year Party
Saturday, December 12

Located at TBD in La Palma, CA. At our end of the year party, we will awarded our 4th Quarter Testing Results as well as our Special End of the Year Awards. It is strongly encouraged that all students and instructors attend this very important event.

FEATURE STORY

Terry L. Owens SBN

Bo Fu

After Master Amsell's annual Memorial Day article, he posed the question to all students and parents, "what did you get out of the article?" There was a discussion among all participants in our Saturday class. Those at the BEAC (Boeing Employee Club) were also asked to complete a homework assignment that shared with all of us what did they get out of the article?

To add some contrast to this assignment, I have decided to post 2 of the articles on different ends of the spectrum. One paper is by Terry L. Owens SBN (10 years of experience) the other one is from Bo Fu (7 months of experience). Although there is a big difference in level of experience, I think this two papers can easily bridge the gap of the way we develop martial artists in our school from the very beginning: physically, mentally, and spiritually. Enjoy! {Read More}