Ninja and Samurai Martial Arts Dojo

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I was proud to attend the Poway Veterans Park Dedication ceremony this morning. Here are the photos I took of the Navy parachute team and U.S. and flag raising.

Tony Whetstine (former Marine)

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I’m pleased to be hosting this event, Self Defense -A Preventative Approach for Women Evolution on February 5, 2011 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Please pass this information along to any woman you know about this important event. You can also save $10 when you use the code: women.

Here’s more information from the Women Evolution founder, Shavon Lindley:

“It seems as though every time I turn on the news there is another report of an assault on a local female. One of the most important ways we can empower ourselves is to learn how to protect ourselves and our families. In order to do so, we have decided to revisit the topic of Self-Defense with a much more hands on approach. We have enlisted the help of Mr. Tony Whetstine of Poway Samurai Martial Arts. Mr. Whetstine is the best of the best when it comes to Women specific self-defense! We will also be relocating to his facility in Poway for the day to ensure that there is plenty of room to punch, yell and kick! So be sure to share this with all your Poway, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Penasquitos friends! Read below for more information about Mr. Whetstine and his experience.

Although critical, physical defense should be the last defense. Dr. Rachelle Amini will be discussing tools and strategies to help tap into our most powerful resources: instinct and awareness. She has offered a preview of what she will discuss below. This promises to be a unique and powerful take on self-defense!

We’ve had a lot of exciting change here on the Women Evolution front…new location, new speakers, new take on an important topic! I feel empowered by our own evolution and am excited to share it with each of you. Sign-up today to ensure your space and please share this e-mail with all the important women in your life. Learn more at: www.WomenEvolution.org

Your Most Powerful Defensive Tools: Instinct & Awareness
Dr. Rachelle Amini
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

On August 7, 2010 at 6:30 a.m., a 30-year-old woman was attacked from behind by a man while jogging not far from Balboa Park. The young woman screamed at full volume as the man jumped on to her in the middle of street. Thankfully, good Samaritans heard her screams and chased off the attacker before doing much more harm. The woman later told police that she had previously seen this same man on another recent jog.

Given that sexual assault takes place every 4 seconds in the U.S. (Dr. Van Zandt, 2009), ask yourself, what is the most significant piece of information in the above story? The woman had previously seen her attacker. Knowing that she had previously seen him, it begs the question, at first sight was there a moment she knew instinctively that something was wrong? Did the woman maybe think to herself, “he’s looking at me; I feel weird, stay further away from him?” As women, if we can learn to trust our instincts and take action based off of our innate reactions, we can prevent harmful situations from occurring in our environment.

Tools for Personal Safety
Tony Whetstine
Owner/Instructor Poway Samurai Martial Arts

As a US Marine Corps veteran of the Persian Gulf War, Mr. Whetstine has “real-world” experience that allows him to see the martial arts in a more complete perspective than just theoretical or competitive views.

Mr. Whetstine has 30 years of martial arts experience and teaches the Takamatsuden samurai and ninja arts and holds dan level rankings in both the Jinenkan and the Bujinkan federations.

This gives Mr. Whetstine an in-depth knowledge of both the historical and practical points of view. He used this experience to develop the Tools for Personal Safety™ Women course, which for ten years has helped provide women with simple effective principles and tools for avoiding and escaping dangerous situations.

When:
February 5, 2011
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sign up now!
Save $10 when you use the code: women

Where:
Poway Samurai Martial Arts
13160 Poway Road (In the Library Plaza)
Poway, CA 92064
(858)486-0059
View Map

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I’ve recently connected with a great wellness center right here in Poway and I wanted to share it with you as they are having a free event tonight.

Trigger Point Therapy: A Home Stress Reduction System

WEDNESDAY, September 1, 2010
6:30 – 7:30 pm
COST: FREE
Location: Better Health & Wellness Center in Poway
12455 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064 Suite G

A great workshop that will show you and a partner an effective method for reducing physical stress by educating you about what Trigger Points are, how to locate them on a person, and how to relieve them easily and quickly. You and your partner will learn the relationship between stress, trigger points and their effects on health.

This is a fun, hands-on informative workshop that will reduce stress in your body!
Please call 858-679-5544 to reserve your spot. Space is limited.
Or, visit bhwc-poway.com to learn more.

See you in the dojo.
Tony Whetstine (The Bushido Guy)
Poway Samurai Martial Arts

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Poway Samurai Martial Arts is launching a new contest just for Facebook Fans. You have until August 31st, 2010 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time to “Like” the Poway Samurai Martial Arts Facebook page. On September 1st, a winner will be selected at random out of our Facebook Fans to win 1 FREE month of training! (Up to a $120 value*)

Here’s How It Works:
Login to Facebook (or quickly and easily create a free account) and go to the Poway Samurai Martial Arts Facebook Fan page. Click the button “Like” before August 31, 2010, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. While you’re in Facebook, post a comment on our wall telling us why you want to win the training for you or your kids. We will select a winner at random on September 1, 2010. The winner will be contacted in Facebook and will be announced on the Poway Samurai Martial Arts Facebook Fan page wall, the Samurai School blog, and the @bushidoguy Twitter page.

What You Can Win:
The Winner can choose (1) one of the following (4) four training options:

1. Adults Basic Kobudo Martial Arts
   Kobudo is the “Old Martial Arts” of Japan. These classes help you get fit and have fun in a safe environment. The traditional martial arts training provides self reflection and this new focus and determination can help you succeed in all areas of your life, home and work. One month of training is a $100 value!
2. Kids Martial Arts
   Kids ages 6 – 16 who take our classes find that they improve their focus and self esteem. They are not affected by peer pressure and can even get better grades in school, all while having fun in a supportive and safe environment. Your child may even discover leadership skills he /she didn’t know he had! One month of training is a $100 value!
3. Little Ninjas
   Kids ages 3 – 5 learn martial arts movements, games and activities designed to help build coordination, listening, teamwork, discipline and awareness. One 8 week session of Little Ninjas is a $120 value!
4. Qi Gong (Chi Kung)
   The practice of Qi Gong has innumerable health benefits. One area that effects most people’s lives is stress. Large amounts of stress to the body can cause “dis-ease” leading to poor health. Regular qigong practice can help prevent illness. One month of training is a $60 value! (Assumes 4 classes per month).

Just enter today by becoming a fan at facebook.com/PowaySamuraiMartialArts. We are the only martial arts school in San Diego teaching “Martial Arts with Meaning.” Come see how learning “Bushido”, the way of the Samurai, can change your life.

*Free training will occur at the dojo located at 13160 Poway Road. Uniforms and equipment costs (if applicable) are not included. Free training must be used before 10/1/10. This offer is good for new students only.

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Recently, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Poway Veterans Park Poker Run, a motorcycle run to benefit a new veterans’ memorial park being built in Poway, CA. It was a great event that supported a great cause. It was very well organized and those responsible for setting this up are due a tremendous thanks for their hard work. Volunteering and being of service to the community is something that is important to me and I instill these values to my students at the martial arts school as well.

All of my family was working hard at the event. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law were key organizers, and he rode in it. My mother-in-law and father-in-law were at 2 of the rest stops, as was I. My wife took my kids to the site where the park is going to be built where my son put up a lemonade stand and gave out free lemonade to all the bikers. Then at the end, I took my son to the VFW to enjoy the BBQ and festivities. I even ran into some old Marine Corps buddies I hadn’t seen in years.

Anyone who is in the San Diego area and wasn’t able to participate this year, it will most likely be back next year as the park will need ongoing maintenance and funds will need to be raised to support that. Keep an eye for more information on that next year. For those who are veterans or wish to honor them, this is an event not to be missed!
See you in the dojo.

Tony Whetstine (The Bushido Guy) and Marine Corps Veteran
Poway Samurai Martial Arts

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June is Men’s Health Month and summer is a great time to start a fitness plan. If your good health has not been a primary concern, take a moment to reflect on what you are doing for health and fitness in your life and see if you can make any changes for the better.

The American Heart Association reports that heart disease is still the leading cause of death among men in the United States. Men’s Health Month was created to heighten awareness of preventable health problems in men and boys. With a statistic that one in three men can expect to develop some form of cardiovascular disease before the age of 60, there is no better time than now to start a fitness routine.

Poway Samurai Martial Arts has several ways men can improve their health and fitness:

1. Martial Arts
   Martial arts classes can be a great way to incorporate exercise into your weekly schedule and wont give you the same routine each time so you’ll be anticipating each session and not getting bored.
2. Sword Classes
   Learning the Samurai and Ninja sword is an activity where you can not only break a sweat with physical activity, but also gain mental acuity as well and improved focus.
3. Qi Gong
   Qi Gong is a slow set of exercises great for reducing stress and also eliminating other physical “dis-ease”.

We invite you to try one or all our classes for a new exercise program that will keep your interest and never be boring. Plus you can improve your health and fitness with traditional and authentic martial arts.

See you in the dojo.
Tony Whetstine (The Bushido Guy)
Poway Samurai Martial Arts

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The release of the new Karate Kid movie has caused me to take a look back at the original movie, which I enjoyed very much as a teen. At that time, it helped to bring more attention away from the martial arts action films from China and Japan and placed much more focus on the reasons for practicing the art.

In many ways this opened up the eyes of those who were not exposed to the philosophy of traditional martial arts and its value beyond self protection and/or tournaments. It helped to show the importance of the relationship between the teacher and student and the heart of what it means to be a martial artist rather than a fighter.

While the new movie might be more aptly called “The Kung Fu Kid”, as the boy in the film is taught Chinese Kung Fu rather than Karate from Japan or Okinawa, hopefully it will not only be entertaining but also increase interest in its’ predecessor. Paraphrasing from the At The Movies hosts at the time of the original movies release, the Karate Kid movie was “not a martial arts film but rather it was a film about martial arts”.

The more people can learn about the “why” aspect of learning this art as opposed to the “how” can I fight, the better off our community will be. Self-improvement, self-esteem and personal growth is why martial arts practice is so valuable. Yes, you do also learn self defense and fighting skills, but, it’s the internal focus that brings you so much more. Please read my older post titled: Why Practice the Traditional Martial Arts of the Samurai and Ninja.

I’ll see you in the dojo.

Tony Whetstine (The Bushido Guy)
Poway Samurai Martial Arts

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In the last 2 weeks, we’ve received a number of calls from women interested in taking the “Tools for Personal Safety – Women’s Only Self Defense” workshop. With that, we’ve scheduled a class on August 7, from 1 – 4pm.

Here’s a video clip of just one of the techniques women have learned in this workshop:

I demonstrate and teach the attendees how to escape, avoid, control, and evade dangerous situations that an jeopardize their safety. We also talk about awareness training such as: what to do if a stranger approaches asking for help, how to protect yourself in a parking lot and most importantly, how to avoid dangerous situations all together.

Don’t miss this important Women’s Safety and Self Defense class and please share this information with anyone you know: mother, sister, aunt, niece, grandmother, wife, daughter, friend, co-worker. They will be glad you did.

The “Tools for Personal Safety – Women’s only Self Defense” workshop will be held on August 7, 2010, from 1 – 4 pm at 13160 Poway Road (in the Library Plaza Shopping Center).

Fee: $30 per person. Those who bring a friend will save $5 per person.

Participants are asked to wear comfortable clothes.

See you in the dojo!
Tony Whetstine (The Bushido Guy)
Poway Samurai Martial Arts

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In light of the recent tragedies involving two young girls in our area, our inquiries about our martial arts and womens’ safety programs have been way up. Normally it takes my wife and I a good two months to get enough women to participate in one of our bi-annual womens’ safety classes. But, the last few months have seen the phone ringing quite a bit with concerns for women’s and girls’ safety.

As you can imagine, most of the calls are parents worried about their daughters. That’s not a bad thing but today I want to remind people not to forget their boys. There isn’t nearly the attention given to boys who go missing as girls. Boys can get hurt in this world too and all too often this can be over looked.

Boys who experience abuse many times to find a way to deal with it on their own, an inherited stigma of machismo. Sadly, all too often this only leads them to becoming abusers themselves or to harming themselves. It is a good thing to have our boys look out for others and to teach and encourage this. But, they are not men yet and they need to be protected and looked after too, just as girls do.

Let’s remember to love our sons, protect them, encourage them and help them learn to do the same when they are men. I know for me personally, my son always makes me think of working as hard as possible to be a better man and a better dad. I need to be the best role model for him I can be. What are you doing in your life to be a good role model?

I look forward to your comments.

Tony Whetstine (The Bushido Guy)
Poway Samurai Martial Arts

The City of Poway is going to build a Veteran’s park on Midland Road and they need your help. On June 6, 2010, there is going to be a Motorcycle Benefit Ride to help raise money. As a Marine Corps veteran and Poway Citizen, I am donating 1 month of free martial arts training as a raffle prize (a $100 value). You can participate in several ways: riding in the benefit or donating directly. Donating $25 gets you a raffle ticket and ride entry and $1 more enters you in the poker hand for the Bike run.

Ride Details:

1. Ride will take place on Sunday, 6 June 2010.
2. Event will start and end at Poway VFW Post 7907 (12342 Old Pomerado Road Poway, CA 92064)
3. Registration begins at 0830 and ends at 0925.
4. Riders depart at 0945.
5. Ride will make stops at: Moreland Choppers, Vista VFW Post 7041, Escondido Cycle Center, Ramona VFW Post 3783, Poway Veterans Park Future Location
6. Ride completed no later than 1300.
7. Prize awarded for best hand and raffle conducted at end of ride.

It is a poker run. People start at the Poway VFW and then at each stop, they draw a playing card which is recorded on their “poker hand card.” At the end of the run they will have drawn enough cards for a poker hand and the best hand wins the “pot”. At the end of the run, back at the Poway VW, there will be free hot dogs and hamburgers, music, and the raffle prizes are given away (along with awarding the poker hand pot).

To Sign Up for the Motorcycle Ride:
Ride Point of Contact is Joe “Gunner” Vaineharrison at: vaineharrison@aol.com 858-722-9206
To participate in the Motorcycle Ride, email Joe for the entry form.

To Send a Check:
Make checks payable to “City of Poway” (write “Veteran’s Park” in memo). Donation is tax deductable. The receipt will come directly from the City of Poway.
If you cannot attend on June 6th, please mail your donation to:
Joe Vaineharrison
12247 Buckskin Trail
Poway, Ca 92064

See you in the dojo.
Tony Whetstine (The Bushido Guy)
Poway Samurai Martial Arts