White Crane Martial Arts

A Way of life.

Austin and I are at Kidz Fest with our booth set up at the Keene High School today, 12-5. Laser tag, mini golf, a magic show and martial arts. Stop on by!!

Austin recently tested for nikyu and was promoted. He comes to just about every class and even helps out in the kids class. He has come a long way and I look forward to see his continued growth.
Austin has a great spirit and an even bigger heart.
Congratulations , sir!

Oh no, zombies!!

We had a very spooky Halloween class last Thursday at the dojo.

Enjoying some jump rope at the end of the kids class.

Setting aside the ways that are easy, instead following the more arduous path.

Austin always gets to the dojo about half an hour before class even begins. Sometimes, even before me. He helps out with the kids class then participates in the adult. Here he is sitting outside in the rain waiting for me open the door. No complaints. No excuses. Only hard work.

Good job, sir.

My only suggestion: you should be doing kata!

Great classes tonight. We worked some kicks on the pads and finished off with some Ananku bunkai.

Budo remains in the heart of a very few.
The ups and downs of life make training on a consistent basis month after month, year after year, difficult. We grow older, lose some interests, gain others. Our bodies change, sometimes in unwanted and unpleasant ways. It makes the practice hard.
That’s the point.
Around 20 years ago a met a young boy who had joined my senseis dojo. I remember him being very kind, respectful and strong spirited (and continues to be so). Over time he attained jr Shodan (jr because he was under the age of 16) and even became an apprentice under our teacher.
Although he ended up moving away Budo remained in his heart.
Hunter Deerfield has been living overseas as a journalist for some years now. He interviews artists from many different countries as a profession. He visits the US when he can and always manages to get some Karate in with us. On Saturday June 29th, 2024 a few yudancha under Patrick Donahue, sensei gathered together for a surprise adult Shodan test for Hunter. It was a sharing of knowledge from all who participated. The test however not only included a memorization of the curriculum, but much more than that was his ability to blend and adapt to changing environments. To be able to move and think differently without being stuck in set patterns. And, to see the Art for what it is. Structure without boundaries. Seeing and understanding the principles and being able to apply them to any situation or experience.
It was very wonderful to see Hunter demonstrate.
Eric Matt, Daniel Kornguth, Stician Samples, and myself decided to promote Hunter to Shodan in Shorin- Ryu Karate- Do. A very well deserved and long overdue promotion.
Congratulations to you, sir!

This past Tuesday was the last class at St Joes, last nights class was held at Ashuelot park in Keene. As of Tuesday July 2nd, we will be at our new location at Aloha Yoga Studio at 83 Court St, Keene. I am extremely grateful for the people at St Joes for allowing us to use their space for the past two years.
Also, recently we had testing. Brantley, Ashton, Ceelie, were promoted to kukyu, Hazel, Austin, and Nick to seichikyu, Thomas, Declan, Riley, and Noah achieved green belt. Lastly our highest ranking kyu rank is Marco who will be going for brown belt in the fall. Congratulations to all!