Sunday, November 22, 2009

Tae Kwon Do Forms DVDs and Tang Soo Do Forms DVDs

Season's Greetings to All!!!

My DVDs:
Tang Soo Do: A Visual Guide to Forms and Tae Kwon Do: A Visual Guide to Forms

Are currently available at Amazon, Ebay, and Newedgemartialarts.com
They make a great gift and visual resource for any martial arts enthusiast this holiday season.
The DVDs feature all ranking and black belt patterns up to 4th Degree Black Belt (5th Degree Tang Soo Do.) Check the above links or articles below for more details on included forms, features, and bonus material.
As of now, the DVDs are being sold at a low holiday price on ebay... but are always available at a great price at Amazon and Newedgemartialarts.com.

Happy Holidays,
Kevin Nilson
Co-Owner
New Edge Martial Arts, LLC

Test Results for November 20th-

Both tests that were held at New Edge Martial Arts this past Friday night were just incredible. About 35-40 students participated, and did a wonderful job on all of their required skills. The latter test saw three students that I have taught for about four years become promoted to Deputy (Poom) Black Belt. All of the adults and youth students made me very proud--- it is awesome to sit back and see how they have become so talented over the years.

:)

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Test later today-

Several of my students will be testing later in the day (11/20/2009), including beginners as well as advanced practitioners. One of my students, actually the 16th student that signed up at New Edge Martial Arts a little over four years ago, will be testing for his deputy/poom black belt. :)
I am also happy to say that there will be a good number of adults participating in the event-- not only that, but there has been a good influx of new adult students over the past few weeks. It really keeps me motivated and happy to see so many friendly/talented individuals come to my business on a daily basis.
I love it.

:)

Monday, November 9, 2009

Kickpics.net

How cool!
I am currently being featured on Kickpics.net in the resource section of the page-

There are several pictures of me from my photo shoot, plus a bit of info on my DVDs, Tae Kwon Do: A Visual Guide to Forms and Tang Soo Do: A Visual Guide to Forms.
Also, there is a quote from me regarding Kickpics on the main page... basically, if anyone in the martial arts is interested in getting pictures taken- Kickpics.net is the place to go.  
Here is the link where I am featured:

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Looking back on martial arts and motivation...

This is something that I have recently been pondering, and felt the need to jot it down. Hopefully it is of some interest.

As a kid I never really accepted the habits that my mom or dad tried to place on me as far as exercise was concerned. I always had to be prompted to go outside and play--- be it basketball, running around, riding my bike--- you name it. My parents even went so far as to purchase a bowflex for the family, which I used MAYBE a good 25 times in my early-mid teens. I just wasn't motivated.
On top of that, I displayed some pretty bad eating rituals- craving McDonalds or some type of fast food several times a week. I was one of the heavy kids, and shied away from just about every team sport (from a combination of being picked last for competitions to me just not caring much about the sport.) This, among other things, led to mild depression in my youth and just general unhappiness.

A positive constant for me, though, was the martial arts. Sure, there were times that I did not want to go to class and practice (just me being lazy,) but I actually did have an overall sense of interest in the hobby/sport/way of life. In my mind, even though there were kids that far exceeded my athleticism in the sport, I was able to learn and study those skills at my own pace- without sitting on the bench or being picked last. Starting with my mom and kid brother when I was eight was probably one of the turning points in my life. Even though I had little to no drive to exercise or eat right in those early years, I gained an increasing love for the skills on the training room floor. Almost 18 years have passed, and I now co-own my own martial arts academy (New Edge Martial Arts, LLC,) alongside my mom.

I fullheartedly believe that the years I have spent practicing Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, Hap Ki Do, and other artforms have helped develop me into the man I am today... and I can say with honesty as well as amazement that I am in better shape now as an almost 26 year old than I ever have been. I enjoy being able to push myself by means of exercise--- I find it a fun, healthy way to not only release stress but just gain a better understanding of who I am and what I aspire to become. It has been years since I have had fast food, and I try to eat as healthy as possible- I also have never given into pressure when it comes to smoking, or drugs... and drinking just doesn't do it for me. As far as the confidence level is concerned- owning a school/teaching has developed my people-to-people skills immensely- I like myself and like meeting new individuals. I'm not sure if I could say the same thing if it weren't for the martial arts and the discipline I have developed due to training.

It is my goal to share at least a fraction of these habits with my students- young and old. Children are open to a great many different opinions from peers, adults, and the environment as a whole- I feel that martial arts and exercise in general are great alternatives that can help develop oneself for years to come. Coming from someone who used to be self-conscious, overweight, and unmotivated... it has done wonders for me. As far as adults--- the comradery that can be found in such activities is far worth the price of admission. I have made countless friendships over the years through my training, and it is a joy to witness my adult students experience the same thing. These training partners can push one another to continue their pursuit of a healthy lifestlye... proper exercise, eating right, self confidence, etc. A few of my current students/friends have actually motivated me into running several miles at a time early Sunday mornings. I enjoy the work out and would never have thought of doing such a thing if I had not met them. It is a great way to start the day, and it makes me smile to know that I have done so much in just a few hours after waking up.

For me, my motivation to be active, happy, and healthy... and share it with others is a combination of my faith, friends, students, martial arts, exercise, and experiences... it is all encompassing and goes hand in hand, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Update on this past Friday's tests...

I held two tests at New Edge Martial Arts this past friday for my students... one for beginners and the other for more advanced.
I am proud to say that all of my students did a phenominal job- (all passed their exams,) and the later test was honestly one of the best performances I have seen in my years teaching/training in the arts.
Great job to all participants! :)

Friday, November 6, 2009

Testing tonight-

Just as a quick announcement, there will be two tests tonight at New Edge Martial Arts. I am happy to say that in the second exam, several students will be testing for either an advanced ranking belt or deputy black belt status. It is so nice to see students of mine that have started as a white belt make it this far years later.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

A good week for New Edge Martial Arts

Wow. After having a minute to take a step back and break from teaching and office work... I have realized that the past week really has been a blessing for not only New Edge Martial Arts, LLC, but for me in general.

First of all, I would like to just shout out some praise to the Man upstairs... This past year has been rough on my mom (who is also my business partner.) She has had a number of all-too-numbing surgeries that have just lowered her spirits. Last week, however, she was cleared by her doctors to be able to exercise again and participate in the martial arts.
I am pretty happy for her, as she seems to be gleaming with confidence. It also helps in that we have another head instructor on the mat to teach our students. :)

We have also signed up a number of students this week- which is great, since the last part of October/beginning of November at times may seem like an off time for new people to come in.
There will be a test this Friday (tomorrow,) for several students... some testing for yellow belt... and others testing all the way up to deputy black belt! It is refreshing to see so many martial artists stick to their goals and enjoy the learning process.

As far as black belts are concerned- I could not be happier- My first group of adult black belts are now pretty comfortable with their current patterns and techniques--- and they have also, from what I have witnessed, grown so much in terms of being able to help out newer students. All of this has just really helped me recognize that the school is doing well- that I do love my job- and that others enjoy the exercise and experience they are partaking in.