Grandmaster Geoff really did save the best for last with Saturday's BBC Seminar - "The Art of Fighting" - wrapping up the 2009 "Art Of" BBC Seminars.

The seminar started with Grandmaster Geoff going through point sparring and competition sparring under some other styles and we were lucky enough to hear some of Grandmaster Geoff's stories from the days when he competed in sparring tournaments.

We were then all shown a few sparring drills to work on, and once we had a bit of practice, it was time to spar!

Of the 38 students in attendance, 37 joined in the sparring, which was great to see, particularly as a number of the students were junior belts! Everyone had fun sparring and everyone got to see just how tiring it is and how much you have to think about what your next move is going to be.

We then got to see something very special. Grandmaster Geoff explained the difference between sparring and fighting and then asked for a volunteer to step up so he could demonstrate to us what fighting looks like. Sir Adrian was quick off the mark volunteering and what followed was something no current active student has ever seen. It was an incredible display of prowess, skill, stamina and control, and though Sir Adrian did look the worse for wear straight afterwards, we could all see that Grandmaster Geoff did hold back and took care of Sir Adrian throughout the demonstration.

It is hard to describe what took place but it was an incredible experience for the students who were there to see it first hand.

This was a seminar not to have been missed and students were hanging around and talking about the whole experience long after the seminar was over.

A great way to wrap up the 2009 BBC Seminar Series and we are all looking forward to the 2010 "How To" BBC Seminar Series which is only going to be bigger and better!

2010 IHA "How To" DVD Series Now Out!

Released on December 6th, 2009 the 2010 IHA "How To" DVD Series takes the already great training series to a new level!

The new series covers all the IHA curriculum requirements from White Belt through to 4th Degree Black Belt. The DVDs are filmed in 1080p using 4 cameras to ensure every technique is clear and easy to understand. The DVDs are filmed with the focus being on the instructor teaching the camera the techniques required for each level. Each technique is personally demonstrated and explained by Grandmaster Geoff J. Booth - 8th Degree Black Belt and Chief Instructor for the International Hapkido Alliance (IHA).

The new IHA "How To" Series includes 4 DVDs with Over 7 Hours of footage and covers all the techniques for the IHA Belt levels of White through to 3rd Degree Black including Dan Bong and Cane techniques, plus Bonus material.

Cost: AUD $235 (Includes Postage & Handling)

To watch the Promo and to order your copy of this awesome DVD set today, go to
http://hapkido.netro.com.au/index_files/Page618.htm!

AHG Christmas Party - Be There!

The first EVER combined CSD (Moorebank), DSD (Parramatta) and CMA (Hurstville) Christmas Party is on this Saturday 5 December 2009 at a location specifically chosen with you in mind, a location that is central to all 3 schools!

This means no excuses for students from all 3 schools not to get there!

Where: Bankstown Sports Events Centre - 8 Greenfield Parade Bankstown

When: Saturday 5 December 2009

Cost: Adults - $45 buffet; Kids - $15 kids meal or $25 buffet

Lunch will be an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet which will cater to everyone's food needs.

Winners of the 2009 Spirit Awards will be announced at the Christmas Party and Trophies handed out to the winners on the day!

The AHG Christmas Party will feature the first EVER screening of the Intro to the new "How-To" Hapkido DVD series. And as if that is not enough, there'll also be competitions, prizes, trivia, fun, great company and other surprises in store for everyone!

Family and friends more than welcome!

Currently we have 197 people in attendance and looking to crack 200 before Saturday!

Speak to your Instructor today and get your name on the attendance list!!

Yesterday's BBC Seminar The Art of Self Defence was brilliant!

Grandmaster Geoff was in exceptionally fine form - it was a highly entertaining seminar with lots of jokes, laughs and anecdotes.

The demo put on by the Black Belts and Grandmaster Geoff was awesome.

The street psychology and body language discussion was highly interesting and useful and it was awesome to learn how to make even basic White Belt techniques nasty.

Great news also with the announcement of the 2010 BBC Seminar Series - the "How To" Series and the announcement of the first seminar in 2010 on "How To Be a Hapkido Student". This one will be a seminar no student will want to miss!

Looking forward to the last BBC seminar for 2009 - The Art of Fighting on 12 December 2009.

OTR Sydney 4 was held this weekend and what a fantastic training weekend it was!



Saturday started off with a Kids Seminar which was a smashing success! Each of the kids got thrown by Grandmaster Geoff at the end of their seminar, who said throwing was not fun?

In the afternoon Grandmaster Geoff took us through Old School Techniques from a Syllabus that dated back to 1986! Now these techniques were MEAN!



On Saturday evening we all headed to The Black Rose Cafe in Liverpool to celebrate 10 years of Kwan Nyom Hapkido - there was all you could eat pizza and pasta and it was a good thing the weekend was such a workout because we all ate way too much!



The Wing Tsun seminar on the Sunday morning was a lot of fun - its great to get exposure to another style of martial art without having to leave the Dojang and students soon discovered there was a fair bit of overlap between what we were learning and our Hapkido.

Yesterday afternoon Guro Floro taught a Kali Sticks seminar - this was a very entertaining seminar and we did Sinawali which was great fun!



All in all a fantastic training weeekend!

Have you got something (Hapkido or martial arts related) to share?

Have you got something (Hapkido or martial arts related) to say?

Contibutions for Issue 4 of The Hapkido Scrolls are now being accepted.

Issue 4 is due for release 2 November 2009.

Send your contribution to

hapkido@netro.com.au

before 15 October 2009, and be in the draw to win an awesome Hapkido prize!

September 2009 - AHG Grading

Grading success

Congratulations to the 10 students who were successful at the recent AHG Sydney Grading held at the Hurstville Dojang:

Green Belt

Steve M

Amadeus H

Yellow Belt

Neelab O

Adam M

Jun M

Ross B

Andy N

Shadi B

Nachi M

Callum J

Great effort and a terrific result for all those promoted! Well done!

Acknowledging the support and enjoyment of the 'impromptu seminar'

It was also wonderful to see the AHG Hapkido family attending from Parramatta, Moorebank and Hurstville Dojang's as vocal supporters during this grading. Your attendance and cheering was definitely felt at the front of the Dojang.

You would have to agree that the GMG 'impromptu seminar' was a big success following the Grading. Counting the supporters and successfully promoted students there were 55 Hapkidoists on the mat for Grand Master Geoff's seminar. The 'slam and jam' with 'ground and pound' was enjoyed by all students, from white to Black Belt, with everyone throwing one another to the ground ... with smiles on their faces.

Head over to the Hapkido Forum to offer your thanks to GMG for this seminar or to add your congratulations to those who achieved Grading success!

Regards

Sep - Oct 2009: What's on during these months?

Web check:! Further details for what's on can be found at the Hapkido forum and Hapkido facebook page!

September Events

AHG Sydney Belt Test @ Hurstville *All Belts*: Sunday 27 September (followed by)... Grand Master G's special Seminar

Come along and support your Hapkido family!

October Events

A heads up on the very hectic October including the Hell Week, OTR, 4th Anniversary dinner and Sun Bae training!

Sun Bae - 'Senior belt training': Sunday 4 October

U Hok Saeng - 'Hell Week': Monday 5 October - Friday 9 October

OTR (On The Road) Sydney 4*: Saturday 10 October - Sunday 11th October
*Kwan Nyom Hapkido 10th Anniversary!: Saturday 10 October starting at 6:30pm

AHG Sydney Grading Pre Test @ Moorebank *Blue/Brown/Red*: Saturday 24 October

Black Belt Club Seminar *Art of Self Defence*: Saturday 31 October

The 5th BBC Hapkido seminar in the 'Art of' series was held on Saturday 5 September 2009 - the topic was the Art of Power.

Whilst it wasn't a physically challenging seminar it did get the grey matter working and Grandmaster Geoff gave us a lot to think about and work on.

Tan Jun Breathing is something we do at the start of every class and yet most students don't do this correctly. And yet it is so important and something that when done properly can be of immense benefit to all students. Whilst most of us have to work on Level 1 Tan Jun Breathing before moving on to Level 2, it was great to see Grandmaster Geoff demonstrate Level 2 Tan Jun Breathing.

We also went through Level 2 and 3 meditation and discussed the benefits of meditation and how it can strengthen our Ki. Very interesting stuff and not to be taken lightly.

Of course, no seminar on Power (Ki) is complete without Ki Strikes, Ki Brushing and Pain Suppression/Control.

This seminar had something for all students and all 30 students in attendance took away something new and something to work on.

All in all a fantastic seminar!

Look out for the next seminar in the 2009 'Art of' BBC Seminar Series - Art of Self Defence!

BBC Seminar - The Art of Power

The next seminar in the 2009 BBC 'Art of' Hapkido Seminar Series is

THE ART OF POWER

on Saturday 5 September 2009 at the Moorebank Dojang.

This is the 5th seminar in the 2009 Hapkido BBC Seminar Series.

In this seminar Grandmaster Geoff will cover:

- Ki (Internal Power) Development
- Tan Jun Breathing, including never before taught - the second level of Tan Jun Breathing
- Meditation, including never before taught - the second level of meditation
- Power suppression - how to turn off pain for a limited amount of time
- Ki Strikes

This seminar, covering aspects of Tan Jun Breathing and Meditation that noone currently training would ever have seen, promises to be absolutely brilliant.

DO NOT MISS OUT.

The BBC Seminar starts at 1:00pm at the Moorebank Dojang.

It's FREE for all BBC members, $35 for IHA students and $50 for non-IHA members.

Put your name on the sign up sheet today!

The first AHG Sydney Hapkido Adults' Grading under the new Grading System was held last night at Dynamic Self Defence.

Good effort was put in by all 9 students who were grading and it was great to see so many students, friends and family in attendance in the crowd to show their support and to shout out encouragement during the grading.

Congratulations to the following students who were successful in attaining their next belt:

Ben V (Complete Self Defence) - Yellow Belt

Daniel N (Complete Self Defence) - Yellow Belt

Vivian P (Complete Self Defence) - Yellow Belt

Navid N (Dynamic Self Defence) - Yellow Belt

Ben S (Dynamic Self Defence) - Green Belt

Yossi W (Dynamic Self Defence) - Green Belt

Mira K (Complete Self Defence) - Provisional Black Belt

No doubt all the students who were successful last night are looking forward to their very first class with their new belt and to learn the new techniques their new belt brings.

The next AHG Sydney Adults' Grading is on Sunday 27 September 2009 at St George Self Defence.

August 2009 - What's on this month

Events
Aug 9 - Grading at Parramatta - 6:30pm (Juniors) & 7:30pm (Seniors)
Come along and support your Hapkido friends!

Aug 22 - Colour Belt Pre-test at Moorebank - 1pm
Come and watch the new pre-test system, and support your Hapkido friends.

Birthdays in August
2nd - Jared - Falcon
3rd - Nam - Yellow
3rd - Daniel N - Orange
9th - Jake - Yellow
10th - Cassie - Yellow
11th - Ely - Falcn
23rd - Damon - Orange
26th - Natasha - Falcon
28th - Evan - Hawk

Hapkido Adults Grading - 9 August 2009

Come and show your support for your fellow students at the next AHG Sydney Grading on Sunday 9 August 2009.

The grading will be held at DSD Parramatta.

The following 9 students will be testing:

Vivian P (CSD Moorebank) for Yellow Belt
Navid N (DSD Parramatta) for Yellow Belt
Ben V (CSD Moorebank) for Yellow Belt
Daniel N (CSD Moorebank) for Yellow Belt
Yossi W (DSD Parramatta) for Green Belt
Ben S (DSD Parramatta) for Green Belt
Antony L (CSD Moorebank) for Brown Belt
Mark M (CSD Moorebank) for Brown Belt
Mira K (CSD Moorebank) for Provisional Black Belt

The Junior belt grading starts at 6:30pm. The Senior belt grading starts at 7:30pm.

Come along and cheer on your fellow students.

Watching gradings is one of the best ways to prepare for your grading - you get to see what they are like, what is expected of students, what you will have to do when it's your turn to grade.

It's also great to be there to congratulate your fellow students when they successfully attain their new belt!

Hapkido BBC - Art of Weaponry

The 4th seminar in the "Art Of" Hapkido BBC Seminar series was run on Saturday - The Art of Weaponry.

Most students were armed with their own Dan Bong for the event, and all were only too pleased to learn many techniques using this Hapkido weapon.

Grandmaster Geoff explained to us the modifications he has made to the traditional Dan Bong.

Grandmaster Geoff's enhancements to the Dan Bong are renowned all around the world!

The techniques we learnt using the Dan Bong included how to enhance syllabus techniques, cord techniques, chokes, blocking techniques and striking techniques. Pressure points using the Dan Bong were also a big favourite.

We also learnt how to use the Cane, including chokes, strikes, blocks and throws!

Other weapons demonstrated included the sword, fan and chux and we all had the pleasure of seeing Grandmaster Geoff do Japanese and Korean sword forms!

It was great to see the number of white, orange and yellow belts who attended, and the large number of students as a whole!

A lot of fun (and pain) was had by everyone in attendance, and we're all looking forward to the next seminar in the 2009 "Art Of" BBC series!

BBC Seminar - The Art Of Weaponry

The next seminar in the 2009 BBC 'Art of' Hapkido Seminar Series is

THE ART OF WEAPONRY

on this Saturday at Moorebank!

This is the 4th seminar in the 2009 Hapkido BBC Seminar Series.

The seminar will cover 30+ techniques using an assortment of 6-7 different weapons including (but not limited to):

• Cane
• Dan Bong
• Staff
• Sword
• Fan

This is going to be a great seminar for all Hapkido students - it will provide great exposure to weapons for coloured belts and it will be an invaluable seminar for all Black Belts both with their syllabus weapon as well as learning how to use different weapons.

The BBC Seminar starts at 1:30pm at Moorebank straight after the midday class.

It's FREE for all BBC members, $35 for IHA students and $50 for non-IHA members.

July 2009 - What's coming up this month

STUDENT OF THE MONTH
June
HAWK - Michel S
FALCON - Luke D

July Birthdays
1st Angelo Hawk
2nd Noah Hawk
4th Linden Hawk
11th Blake Falcon
13th Julie Yellow
14th Jakob Hawk
19th Joel Falcon
22nd Sir Youssef
31st Talia Hawk
31st Zane Hawk

NEW MEMBERS
JUNE
Jared F

Returned Members
Kathryn F
Emily F

EVENTS
JUNE
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st - HELL Camp III

UPCOMING EVENTS
JULY
Saturday 18th - Black Belt Club Seminar “Art of Weaponry”
Saturday 25th - Belt Test @ Moorebank *All Belts*

CSD Moorebank Timetable Change

Please note the following timetable change:

There will be no Adults class for the next three Saturdays.

NO CLASS AT CSD MOOREBANK

Saturday 20th June

Saturday 27th June

Saturday 4th July

Saturday classes will resume on the 11th July
Warm Regards
The CSD Team

June 2009 - What's coming up this month

EVENTS*
MAY
23rd BBC Seminar The Art of Throwing

UPCOMING EVENTS
JUNE
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st - HELL Camp III

* check the Forum 2009 Event List to see what's been added

STUDENT OF THE MONTH
May
HAWK - Jordan L
FALCON - Leon V
ADULT - Sung D

June Birthdays
8th Hayden - Hawk
8th Sir Nick
9th Lan - Blue
10th Samantha - Falcon
11th Janine - White
11th Jane - Blue
14th David B - Green
20th Grace - Orange
23rd Caitlin - Hawk
28th PJ - Yellow
29th Sean - Blue
29th Sir Pete

NEW MEMBERS
MAY
William T
Manuel K

Saturday 23rd May

Saturday 23rd May (this Saturday) is going to be Grandmaster Geoff's first day back on the mats after his return from the hugely successful IHA World Tour 2009 and his promotion to Grandmaster!!!!

Saturday is also the next seminar in the 2009 BBC series is “The Art of Throwing”.

This seminar will cover 30+ non-syllabus throws, great exposure to throwing for junior belts who would otherwise have to wait for Green Belt, awesome for senior belts to learn new throws and no doubt will help with syllabus throws and 30+ variations for Black Belts!

When: Saturday 23 May 2009 at 1:30pm (after midday class) Cost: Free for BBC, $35 for non-members

At the last BBC seminar Grandmaster Geoff said that he would be doing one throw without using his arms or his legs - can't wait to see this one!

This seminar is going to be brilliant! Make sure you get your name on the attendance list and ensure you don't miss out.

April/May 2009 - What's coming up this month

Events*
APRIL
13th – 19th April ITS Lancaster PA USA
Grandmaster Geoff’s ITS World Tour & Promotion

UPCOMING EVENTS
MAY
16th Saturday - Cut off date to submit Grading Form
23rd Saturday - 1.30pm BBC Art of Throwing
30th Saturday - 1.30pm Adults Grading

* check the Forum 2009 Event List to see what's been added



May Birthdays
2nd Robert Z – Yellow
2nd Donna – Green
5th Tyler – Falcon
6th Lucas – Falcon
7th Jayden – Hawk
7th Michael – Hawk
9th Lori – Blue
10th Sir Aaron
10th Emanuel – Falcon
16th Alex – Hawk
16th Ronald – Orange
21st Jackson – Orange
28th Ethan – Falcon
28th Mira – Red
31st Ibrahim – Provisional Black

STUDENT OF THE MONTH
HAWK FALCON ADULT
April Caitlyn L Manish C Emmanuel O

NEW MEMBERS
APRIL
Elias A
Darren W

May 2009

Just a reminder as it is now May, class times at CSD Moorebank have resumed to normal.

This means that tonight we have a split:

- White-Green Adults class starting at 7:15pm - 8:15pm; and

- Blue + Adults class starting 8:15pm - 9:30pm.

Wednesday is same, split classes juniors at 7:15pm and seniors at 8:15pm.

Also, Saturday classes have now commenced again, class starts at 12pm.

Thursdays are as normal, combined class at 7:15pm.

Hope to see you on the mats!

April 2009

As you all know that Master Geoff and the Australian ITS crew have left the country to conquer the world of Hapkido and not everyone has took up the journey so therefore there will still be classes held at the Moorebank Dojang for all. The timetable has changed and it can be located here and on the forum.

Monday 13th April - Easter Monday
CLOSED

Wednesday 15th April
5.00pm - Hawks
6.00pm - Falcons
7.15pm - Adults Mixed Class (White - Black Belt)

Thursday 16th April
7.15pm - Adults Mixed Class (White - Black Belt)

Friday 17th April
6.00pm - Combined Hawks & Falcons

Saturday 18th April
NO CLASS

Monday 20th April
5.00pm - Hawks
6.00pm - Falcons
7.15pm - Adults Mixed Class (White - Black Belt)

Wednesday 22nd April
5.00pm - Hawks
6.00pm - Falcons
7.15pm - Adults Mixed Class (White - Black Belt)

Thursday 23rd April
7.15pm - Adults Mixed Class (White - Black Belt)

Friday 24th April
6.00pm - Combined Hawks & Falcons

Saturday 25th April
NO CLASS

Monday 27th April
5.00pm - Hawks
6.00pm - Falcons
7.15pm - Adults Mixed Class (White - Black Belt)

Wednesday 29th April
5.00pm - Hawks
6.00pm - Falcons
7.15pm - Adults Mixed Class (White - Black Belt)

Thursday 30th April
7.15pm - Adults Mixed Class (White - Black Belt)

There will be different instructors teaching each class which will be fun and diffirant. Also Master Geoff will be checking for people that don’t attend. So I should see you there!! Don’t forget

Also you can check the latest ITS news on http://its-2009.blogspot.com/

What a fantastic Hapkido-filled weekend!

WOW! What a fantastic weekend!

It all began with the 5 Elements Seminar on Saturday.

5 hours of fun-filled Hapkido, there was something in this seminar for everyone. There were 38 students on the mats, the Dojang was buzzing with the fun and excitement of learning new techniques, of trying new stuff, of students at all levels able to play around with techniques they would otherwise not have gotten the chance to see, let alone practice!

There were takedowns and throws even white belts could try. There was pain enhancement and students were surprised that the techniques they had learnt could hurt even more with the application of 3 letters - T, L and/or C!

And once we had learnt how to enhance pain, we went through how to control pain, how to turn pain off! So easy and so effective - AWESOME!!

A personal favourite, we saw how easy it is to knock people out, with one of the Black Belts going down like a sack of spuds (yes, and all caught on film for later enjoyment!)

A highlight was the students of varying levels who lined up to feel what it was like to get knocked out, Master Geoff making his way through the crowd like the messiah healing people.

And ofcourse we finished up with Ki, every student getting to break a piece of wood using only Ki. Always a seminar favourite!

But that was only half the weekend!

Sunday was a Sun Bae training day for red belts and above. A great opportunity for senior belts to work through coloured belt syllabus material, the Black Belts to play with the new Black Belt syllabus, and senior students to spend some quality mat time with Master Geoff on their techniques.

There were 11 senior belts on the mats at the Sun Bae, and the training day was of huge benefit to every student in attendance.

Well done to those students who managed to do both days, no doubt today is a huge let down after a jam-packed Hapkido weekend like the one we just had!

What a brilliant weekend, what a fantastic way to kick off the IHA International Training Seminar!

For more photos from the fun-filled Hapkido weekend, click here.

The 5 Elements Seminar!

The 2009 ITS kicks off with the 5 Elements Seminar, its on this Saturday 28 March 2009 at CSD Moorebank.

The seminar runs for 5 full hours, from 12pm - 5pm with an hour spent on each of the 5 elements:


1. Earth - ground locking and takedowns
2. Water - throwing and breathing
3. Fire - pain enhancement and locking
4. Wind - wave techniques, movement and redirection
5. Void - mind over matter and Ki

This seminar is an opportunity for coloured belts to get exposure to techniques they would otherwise have to wait YEARS to see. And no doubt every student in attendance will see techniques they have NEVER seen before.

And just for added fun, we'll get to do Ki breaks on wood as part of the Void session!

So come along and join the fun! Don't miss out and regret it afterwards!

This Saturday from 12pm at CSD Moorebank. It's going to be awesome.

March grading congratulations

The Hapkido grading on Saturday (21st) that was held in the Moorebank Dojang was the first new style grading to be run. The new style of grading consisted of a junior belt grading (orange to green) and then straight after the senior belt grading (blue to red).

After focus, sweat, technique and quality, the following students have successfully graded and will progress to the next belt:

Harley - Red
Peter K - Red
Jane P - Blue
Brett W - Green
Tara B - Yellow

Congratulations
The CSD Team

2009 ITS T-Shirt Design Revealed!

Push me if you dare!

Exciting news just in...

The Limited Edition International Training Seminar (ITS) commemorative t-shirt design has just been revealed (see image below)!

Following the witty tongue-in-cheek style of the previous 2 designs, this t-shirt is the hottest thing in season!

To be eligible for the t-shirt you have to attend one of the official ITS Seminars which are listed on the back of the t-shirt.

The sexy t-shirt costs AUD 40 (USD 30 or € 25) and orders to international students will be delivered by Master Geoff while on tour.

For Australian students, to guarantee receipt of your t-shirt at the Australian ITS seminar (that's The 5 Elements Seminar on Saturday 28 March 2009), you have to order and pay for your t-shirt before Monday 23 March 2009.

Order now through your Regional Chief Instructor or via email to hapkido@netro.com.au.

Don't miss out on your chance to wear one of the coolest Hapkido t-shirts ever!

Order your Limited Edition t-shirt today!

The Art of Striking

Who thought the Art of Striking 'kicked butt!' ?





A funny way to introduce the BBC Art of Striking seminar which traditionally involves hands, arms, elbows etc. But this one had more!

30 Strikes of different variations: crane, ridge, grazing, to name some familys. Everyone had fun, with lots of smiles, striking and great enjoyment. From white to Black Belt, there was a strike or two in there for everyone.

And to finish off - the amazingly funny and enjoyable hip and butt strikes, along with the 'liverpool' kiss aka headbutt x 2 variations. This seminar was certainly unforgettable.

And all captured by camera and soon to be released as part of the 'Art of .... ' series, 'In the raw' (unedited, just pure fun).

regards
The CSD Team

BBC Seminar - 'The Art of Striking'

The second seminar in 'The Art of' BBC seminar series is on this Saturday 7 March 2009 at 1:30pm.

The topic is 'The Art of Striking' and we're going to go through 30+ strikes, some not using your arms, most of which have never seen before, none of which are on the current syllabus.

That's a minimum of 30 new strikes to learn for every student at the seminar - some of which you will love and want to keep for your arsenal. For Black Belts this means exposure to new variation techniques to add to your list of weapons!

If the last seminar on 'The Art of Kicking' was anything to go by, the seminar this Saturday is going to be a great deal of fun.

Just a reminder also that 'BBC In The Raw' - the DVD of the last BBC seminar is now available to order. The DVD will set you back $25 and is footage of the last seminar - that's right, all 30 kicks! Great to have for those who attended the seminar (you might even see footage of yourself trying one of the flying kicks on the wavemaster) and a must-see for those who missed out on the last seminar. Order your copy today!

March 2009 - What's coming up this month

Events*
6th Friday - 6pm Falcon Grading
7th Saturday - BBC Seminar The Art of Striking
21st Saturday - Coloured Belt Test
28th Saturday - 5 Elements Seminar
28th Saturday - 3rd AHG Black Belt Challenge & Technical Review
29th Sunday - Sun Bae Training

check the Forum 2009 Event List to see what's been added

Birthdays

1st Rosendo - White
3rd Sir Kev
5th Leanne - White
9th Mark - Blue
12th Dante - Hawk
15th Vivian - Falcon
16th Charlie - Blue
17th Sir Mick
23rd Luke - Falcon
26th Siska - Blue
27th Thel - Hawk
28th Sir Yash
29th William - Falcon

Master Geoff's Birthday

Master Geoff celebrates his birthday on Wednesday 25 February 2009.

And what better way to celebrate than by getting into your Dobok and onto the mats for a fun Hapkido seminar that will be run by Master Geoff himself and on his birthday no less!

Seminars are always fun, but without a doubt this special birthday seminar will be more fun than usual!

Of course no celebration is complete without cake...

Join us for the seminar which will start at 7:30pm and to wish Master Geoff a HAPPY BIRTHDAY with cake cutting (and eating) straight after the seminar at 9pm next Wednesday 25 February 2009!

But... does anyone dare sing Happy Birthday? ;)

February 2009 - What's coming up this month

Events*
6th Friday - 6pm Falcon Grading

21st Saturday - 6pm Kids Sleepover

28th Saturday – 1st March OTR Melbourne (Check more details at Sir John's OTR post at the Hapkido Forum)

* check the Forum 2009 Event List to see what's been added

Birthdays
5th Jordan L – Hawk

7th Bianca H – Falcon

7th David T – Yellow

10th Natalie M – Green

12th Nicholas S – Falcon

13th Dom N – White

14th Patricia T – White

14th Chloe L – Hawk
17th Sir Graham

17th Jonathan T – Falcon

18th Jacob D – Falcon

18th Peter K – Brown

21st Amadeus H – Yellow

25th MG
28th Chris U - Blue

Heads up for March
(March is such a busy month we thought you'd want to plan ahead since February is only 28 days!)

7th Saturday - BBC Seminar The Art of Striking

21st Saturday - Coloured Belt Test

28th Saturday - 5 Elements Seminar

28th Saturday - 3rd AHG Black Belt Challenge & Technical Review

29th Sunday - Sun Bae Training

Regards

The CSD Team

Wrapup for January

January was a great lead into 2009. While it's the Year of the Ox every where else, this month marked a great start to The 'Year of Quality' for Hapkido at CSD, Moorebank. Read on to catch the 'wrapup of January'.

Hell Camp III - Confirmed
Master Geoff has announced that Hell Camp III will go ahead in June (19-21), the dates posted previously. (It seems the Year of the Ox has been good to that little Hapkidoist longing for Hell Camp)

But we can't rest there because we still need more students to join the fun. So come on and challenge yourself.

Students of the Month
Congratulations to the following students of the month:
Angelo T - Hawk
Nicholas S - Falcon
Mira K - Adult

New Members
Welcome to the new members who joined our family during January:
Joel F
Linden B
Leanne L
Rosendo B
Ronald T
William K

Colour Belt Grading
And finally, the first 2009 Colour Belt Grading was held at Moorebank.

Regards

The CSD Team

January grading congratulations

The grading on Saturday (31st) was held during a hot 35c afternoon and sweat was definitely in the Dojang. The small group demonstrated all their Hapkido techniques in the hot-house at 'headquarters', Moorebank.

After sweat, sweat and more sweat, the following students have successfully graded and will progress to the next belt:

Robert L - Provisional

Monica B - Red

Charlie L - Blue

Hakan U - Yellow

Ben S - Yellow

Congratulations

The CSD Team

AHG 16th Anniversary

Happy 16th Anniversary to the Australian Hapkido Group.

Yes, that's right, Master Geoff's AHG turns sweet 16, Monday 19 January 2009.

Look out for the year that's building the AHG into a young Adult.

(And join us for cake between the Junior / Senior Adult class, Monday night)

Art of Kicking

Well the first Black Belt Club Seminar in the Art of series has finished today, the first seminar was the Art of Kicking.

So whose legs feel like jelly after 30 plus variation kicks?

Ground kicks, 360 degree kicks, falling with kicks, Sin Moo kicks, flying kicks. Now you really know that Hapkido kicks butt!

There was a wide array of Kicks on display during the 2 1/2 hour seminar.

All the students attending got to feel like a senior belt having done low spinning hook variations, or a Black Belt with their attempts at 360 degree variations such as turning back kick (head low), double flying side kick, off the wall kicks.

There was a great amount of energy and enthusiasm by all who enjoyed a marvelous Hapkido seminar, shown in the picture below. (No doubt they're looking out for the next series in the Art of Hapkido - Striking.)

AHG Turns Sweet 16!

The Australian Hapkido Group (AHG) celebrates its Sweet 16th Birthday on Monday 19 January 2009.

To think that is was 16 years ago that Master Geoff created this incomparable and unparalleled organisation, an organisation we are all so proud to be members of!

To celebrate this momentous occasion we invite you to join us for dinner on Saturday 17 January 2009.

Details as follows:

Where: Black Rose Cafe
Time: 7pm

If you'd like to come along and help us celebrate, please put your name on the sign-up sheet at the front desk by Thursday 15 January so we can let the venue know how many people to expect on Saturday.

There will also be cake in abundance next Monday night between the juniors and seniors class so please make sure you join us for that also!

Black Belt Club

Complete Self Defence is proud to announce details about the Black Belt Club (BBC) for 2009. BBC is designed for coloured belt students to help motivate, educate and enhance your path towards Black Belt!

BBC is for any student serious about Hapkido, serious about progressing, serious about learning new techniques. As part of BBC you will learn techniques that are not currently on the syllabus, techniques you will not learn in class, techniques that will enhance your training.

Benefits of Black Belt Club:

• Free BBC seminars


• Free belt testing through the coloured belts


• Discounts on merchandise


• Discounts on special events


• BBC badge


• BBC belt

Requirements:

• Minimum rank of Orange Belt to apply


• Lifetime BBC Membership Fee is $250

Benefit Analysis 2009:

• 7 BBC seminars @ $35 = $245


• 1 belt test @ $35= $35

Subtotal $280, that's already a saving of $30 in Year 1 alone, not taking into account any other discounts on merchandise, equipment, special events and/or extra belt tests!

The BBC Membership Fee can be paid off in 3 instalments and will increase to $300 in March 2009. Apply before March to get the current rate and save $50!

In 2009 there are 7 BBC seminars scheduled. At $35 each for non-BBC members, as a BBC member you already get your money back in Year 1.

The 1st BBC seminar is on Saturday 17 January 2009 at 1:30pm on "The Art of Kicking". Join us as we go through at least 30 different kicks - stationary, moving, flying and ground kicks! It's guaranteed to be a GREAT deal of FUN!

January 2009 - What's on this month

Events*


The following events and activities are on this month:

• Saturday 17th - Black Belt Club Seminar *Art of Kicking* - 1:30pm


• Saturday 31st - Belt Test @ Moorebank *All Belts* - 12:00pm
  (Class at 12 for all testing students, Grading starts approx. 1:30pm)

* check the Forum 2009 Event List to see what's been added

Reminders

The Hell Camp III decision to 'go ahead' needs to be made early January so 'dare to dream and accept the challenge' and get your name on the list now. We can then confirm numbers and secure the venue for June 09 Hell Camp III.

Birthdays

The following people will be getting a little older (perhaps wiser) in January - Congratulations to:

1st - Van (Orange)
9th - Ben (White)
14th - Erin (White)
24th - Aaron (White)
31st - Nick (Blue)

And since we were busy celebrating over December, congratulations to the following students who also added a year: 3rd - Jared (Blue), 8th - Karen (Green) and Jayden (Falcon), 12th - Alex (Yellow), 14th - DJ (Green), 15th - Philip (White), 24th - Sir Emmanuel, 27th - Nour (Hawk), 28th - Leon (Falcon).

Regards
The CSD Team