July 7, 2018, Portsmouth, NH -- Don’t panic…..we’re not closing for good….only for a couple of weeks to travel to China for training at the Shaolin Temple. Just as a reminder, the studio is closed from Wednesday, July 18th through Wednesday, August 1st. We reopen for our regular class schedule on Thursday, August 2nd.
It’s coming up fast! Approximately 40 SDSS students and instructors – from all the SDSS studios - will be leaving on July 19th for about 10 days in China. The trip offers the opportunity to see some popular sites, such as the Great Wall, the Imperial Palace, and others, but the main event is the opportunity to train with the Monks at the Shaolin Temple in the Song Mountains just outside of Dengfeng, Henan Province. This year, both Sifu Cindy and Sifu Jennifer are going. Neither have been since 2011, so it’s an exciting opportunity. BUT, there’s more! Portsmouth students Allen McG. and Dylan D. are traveling with the group, and this is the first time any Portsmouth student has made the trip. Way Cool! BUT, there’s still more! Young Dylan (age 8) will actually be performing in front of the Abbot and Monks (and other SDSS students). This is a once-in-a-lifetime honor and opportunity that few, very few, ever have. Dylan will be joined by other SDSS students who have been chosen to perform, and this year, in an exceedingly rare occurrence, Grandmaster DeMasco will also be publicly performing, as part of his anniversary celebration of 20 years of training at the Temple. Watch our Facebook page! We’ll try to post a few pictures as the trip progresses. If, for some reason, we’re unable to do so in real time, we’ll post some highlights when we get back. Don’t forget, the studio is closed July 18th through August 1st. Tuition for the month of July will be appropriately pro-rated for students.
March 31, 2018-- Being grateful is something we all are, after having received something special…like a gift, or finding what we thought was a lost object, or getting some extra-special treatment. But being grateful everyday – just for the gift of the day itself – is not something many of us really think about or practice. And yet, several studies have shown that people who express and live their gratitude daily are healthier and happier. Sounds easy, yes? Hmmmmmm…… It takes some work to keep negative thoughts away and maintain a focus on positivity. It doesn’t necessarily come naturally to most of us. After all, we can almost always find something to complain about, and it’s so easy to express those complaints. It takes courage and commitment to express positive thoughts…..courage, because others often snicker at this, and commitment because one must truly change the everyday mindset and maintain it. Whew! Is it worth it? Yes! Once one begins to always seek the more positive side of life, more positive things seem to come. (Conversely, negative thoughts tend to bring on more negativity.) This works for kung fu training, too. Nourishing a gratefulness for the opportunity to overcome both mind and body challenges helps keep those challenges in perspective to other daily challenges. And really, that’s what being grateful is all about…..keeping a healthy perspective on life. Yup, perfect an attitude of gratitude, and you’ll reap the rewards! Try it!
Stay safe and warm through this 3rd Nor’easter. Classes resume March 15th.
Stay safe and warm throughout this snow storm. Classes will resume tomorrow.
February, 2018 -- Portsmouth will be sending four of our teenagers to Danbury, CT on March 3rd to test for their Zhongji-level Black Belt! These will be the very first of our students to test for this “intermediate” Black Belt rank. Daniel T., Alana R., Nikolai K., and Katie R. will be evaluated by Sr. Master Meyer and Grandmaster DeMasco, along with several other higher-ranked Black Belt instructors. This is both an honor, and if we’re being honest, a bit intimidating. But our students have been working hard on their material and are very ready to accept this challenge. So, what, exactly, is a Zhongji-level belt, and how does it differ from the full Shodan rank? The rank of Shodan is a full adult-level first degree Black Belt. This is usually only given to students aged 18 and older who successfully demonstrate their material to the level required to meet the Black Belt standards. On the other end of the spectrum, the Jr. Black Belt is awarded to students aged 12 and under who also successfully demonstrate their material, based on their age and skill-levels. The Zhongji Belt (roughly translated as “middle” or “in between” or “intermediate”), is awarded to those students, aged 13-17, who successfully navigate a test that is nearly as rigorous as a full adult test, but also takes into account the age and skill-levels of those teen years. We’re very proud of our four students. When you see them in the studio, offer your best wishes and encouragement to them. This is a true milestone in their lives. One that very few ever experience. Getting to this point represents a high ...
2018....The Studio will be closed January 4th due to the severe weather. Stay safe and warm!
December 22, 2017.....the Studio will remain closed today due to the weather. Classes will resume Tuesday, December 26th, after the holiday. Enjoy, and be safe!
Tuesday, 12/12/17. The Studio is OPEN today. If you're coming in for class, be careful out there....the roads are challenging.
The Portsmouth studio is closed for the long Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no classes November 22nd-26th. The studio reopens for its regular class schedule on Monday, November 27th. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!