Kids ages 7 – 13 will learn to be a “Jidai Knight™” as we cover the traditional martial arts skills from the samurai of the sengoku jidai period of Japan for a 1 week camp that meets every day. They will learn martial arts training, self defense and awareness training PLUS in-depth look at the philosophy, art appreciation and history of these historical figures.

We are the ONLY school that can offer this program and participation is limited so RSVP now! Our Jidai Knights™ program offers a one of a kind look at the samurai of the jidai era that inspired the space faring sci-fi knights in one of the most popular space trilogies.

Date: Monday, July 18 through Friday, July 22nd – 2011
Time: 9am – 12pm each day
Ages: 7 – 13
Class limit: 15 kids, so, sign up now as spaces will fill quickly!
Cost: $150 (we require a $50 deposit to hold your space)
Uniform fee: $30 (if you are not currently a student)
Number of class meetings: 5

Don’t forget about our Little Ninjas Summer Classes – 2011

Little Ninjas Summer Classes

Little Ninjas (ages 3 – 5) meet once a week to learn martial arts movements, games and activities designed to help build coordination, listening, teamwork, discipline and awareness. The class includes tumbling exercises, rolling and stances that develop stability and strengthen the core. This is a 4 week session (usually 8 weeks) that meets one class per week. Sign up for one or both!

Monday Classes – Once a Week, 5pm
Session #1 Mon 7/11, 7/18, 7/25 & 8/1
Session #2 Mon 8/8, 8/15, 8/22 & 8/29

Tuesday Classes – Once a Week, 4pm
Session #1 Tues 7/12, 7/19, 7/26 & 8/2
Session #2 Tues 8/9, 8/16, 8/23 & 8/30

Ages: 3 – 5
Cost: $60 per 4 week session
Uniform fee: $30 (if you are not currently a student)
Number of class meetings: 4

To enroll call #858-486-0059 or email info@powaymartialartsschool.com to learn more.
We offer a multiple child discount of 10% for each additional child.

I’ll see you in the dojo for summer fun!

Tony Whetstine (The Bushido Guy)
Poway Samurai Martial Arts

(Photo credit – lardbiscuit.com/jidaigeki)

Poway Veterans Park Bike Run

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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My Son Lee - Practing Seigan (Age 2)

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

Summer is almost here! If you want a fun activity for your kids, check out the classes and camps we’re offering this summer.

Samurai Summer Camp

Samurai Summer Camp

Your kids ages 7 – 13 will learn to be “Jidai Knight” as we cover the traditional martial arts skills from the samurai of the sengoku jidai period of Japan for a 2 week camp that meets every day. They will learn martial arts training, self defense and awareness training PLUS in-depth look at the philosophy, art appreciation and history of these historical figures. We are the only school able to offer this program and each session will be limited to 15 participants. Our Jidai Knights program offers a one of a kind look at some of the most central inspirations in modern mythology!

Date: Samurai Summer Kids Camp is two weeks long. Monday, June 14 through Friday, June 25th
Time: 9am – 12pm each day.
Ages: 7 – 13
Class limit: 15 kids, so, sign up now as spaces will fill quickly!
Cost: $300 which can be paid in two installment of $150 per week. (A $50 deposit is required to hold your space)
Uniform fee: $30 (if you are not currently a student)
Number of class meetings: 10
Update 6/9/10: Enrollment for Samurai Summer Camp is now closed. Please email us with your interest for next year.

Little Ninjas Summer Classes

Little Ninjas (ages 3 – 5) meet once a week to learn martial arts movements, games and activities designed to help build coordination, listening, teamwork, discipline and awareness. The class includes tumbling exercises, rolling and stances that develop stability and strengthen the core. This is a 4 week session that meets once per week.

Monday Classes – Once a Week, 5pm
Session #1 Mon 6/28, 7/5, 7/12 & 7/19
Session #2 Mon 8/2, 8/9, 8/16 & 8/23

Tuesday Classes – Once a Week, 4pm
Session #1 Tues 6/29, 7/6, 7/13 & 7/20
Session #2 Tues 8/3, 8/10, 8/17 & 8/24

Ages: 3 – 5
Cost: $60 per 4 week session
Uniform fee: $30 (if you are not currently a student)
Number of class meetings: 4

To enroll call #858-486-0059 or email info@powaymartialartsschool.com to learn more. We offer a multiple child discount of 10% for each additional child.

Update 6/9/10: We are still accepting summer enrollment for Little Ninjas. Please call to schedule a free class.

I’ll see you in the dojo for summer fun!

Tony Whetstine (The Bushido Guy)
Poway Samurai Martial Arts

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