December 2010/ January 2011

THE FIT ESS ACADEMY

GRADI G GRADUATIO
The Fitness Academy 1& 2 Church Road Boreham Chelmsford Essex CM3 3EF Tel 01245 467680

By Sid Ramakrishnan
Moving from the modest Boreham Village Hall to the larger venue of the Marconi Club, Laurence Sandums Fitness Academys third Graduation Ceremony would soon prove to be a stunning celebration of martial arts and the merits of the Academy. With a starry backdrop to the stage, proceedings kicked off with an introduction by Laurence Sandum for this October Graduation Ceremony. This was soon followed by the first demonstration of the day, by the Little Dragons (Under 12 Martial Artists) and instructors the Junior programme teaches important life skills and values in addition to self-defence. The latter was demonstrated through a selection of punches and kicks, and a recital of the Student Creed. Up next was the adult kickboxing class, who pounded away on hook and jab pads (from the Western part of the art) and also showed more martial art influenced kicks. Kerry Masarati (who recently achieved 1st Degree Black Belt in Muay Thai) then performed a traditional dance for the art, a Ram Muay, before a full demonstration was shown by the whole class (including an array of knees and elbows in addition to normal kickboxing techniques.) After a short break for the raffle, participants of the CIT (Certified Instructor Training) also took their certificates. Mike Allen then went on deliver his speech for the EFC, which the Fitness Academy has been part of for a year. The EFC was founded around 45 years ago, helping thousands of instructors across the world to improve their skills. He also spoke of the benefits of martial arts which extend far beyond self-defence skills. Jun Fan (an art involving trapping in addition to pad-work) was next up, with practitioners displaying impressive sensitivity in drills as well as flexible answers to a jab cross attack. MMA (a mixture of Jiu Jitsu, Sombo, Judo and Western Boxing under the name of Mixed Martial Arts) included an impressive display of punches, takedowns and grappling, both standing and on the floor. This was followed by a separate presentation for Judo practitioners. The final art of the day was Kali, a Filipino martial art involving a variety of weapons in addition to empty hand combat. Robin French and Dave Farmer (both Black Belts in the art) gave a particularly stunning demonstrations, using a knife and a stick each with great dexterity. The day was enjoyed by practitioners and observers alike, and the high standard of drill shown displays the Fitness Academys drive for perfection.

Parents as Coaches
We have a complementary class once every two months on a Saturday which is called Parents as Coaches. We would like as many parents as possible to attend. We will teach you important basics such as how to hold pads for your child and how to tie their belts along with some basic self defence techniques and principles which will be of value to both you and your child. Parents, guardians and grandparents please turn up with your child on Saturday 22nd January 1:45pm to 2:45pm. Turn up in comfortable loose fitting clothing and trainers.

Congratulations to the following people for passing their gradings

Luke Mountain Lily Harrison Ben Small Maxim Scanes Rachael Stone Graham Young Debbie Lysaght Grant Reed Ruby Tonge ick Marsh Archie Cotterill Ben Buckland Tor Fisher Rhys Read Thomas Comerford Joseph Comerford Louise Jones Melanie Malee Gary Das Simon Small Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kickboxing Kali MMA MMA MMA Muay Thai Muay Thai Muay Thai Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Jun Fan Red White/Red Yellow Red Purple Green Orange Blue Yellow Purple Orange White/Red White/Red Orange White/Red White/Red Yellow White/Red White/Red White/Red Red Red RED Yellow Orange Yellow Red Red Red White/Red Red White/Red Yellow Yellow White/Red Yellow Yellow Yellow Red White/Red White/Red White/Red Green Red Red Red Orange White/Red Orange

Dojo News
ew Members
JAMES ADAMS GARY DAS RUTH BIRD SIMON FLEMING JACK CRICK TOR FISHER DAVID RYAN ADAM MCLAUGHLIN THOMAS BUTCHER CONNOR MANSFIELD KEITH KAVANAGH MELANIE MALEE

Special Events
January Saturday 8th Judo and Grappling for martial arts with Grand Master Martin Clarke 8th Dan 35 if paid before January 4th. 40 after. Christmas drinks and get together Monday 20th December at The Six Bells pub 6:30 to 9 pm Tuesday 21st at the Grange 6:30 to 9pm Wednesday at the Six Bells 6:30 to 9pm Leadership workshop January 20th 6:30pm to 7:30pm

John Coleman Chris French Jon Lawes Lavaneya Manikam Shehzad Siddiqi Louise Jones Ben Spruce Harry Spruce ick Holbrook David Wilson Dawn Cotterill Archie Cotterill Simon Small Jon Lawes Youssef Qassem Grant Davis Alex Davis Ruby Tonge Penny Bonnett Debbie Chambers icola Booth Charlotte Edmonds Kerry Masarati John Moloney James Harrison eil Gosden Deniz Celebi Alex Williams Stephen Marr

BEN SUMMERS JOE SPENCER ALEX WILLIAMS THOMAS WILKINSON IAIN BOYLE LINZI HAGUE NICOLA BOOTH JAKE DAVIS-PATTEN SAM SMITH CHARLES WINTER

January Grading Dates

Thursday 27th 5pm Jun Fan 6pm Kali 7pm Muay Thai 8pm Jun Fan Friday 28th 6pm Kickboxing 7pm Jun Fan Saturday 29th 9am MMA 10am Kickboxing 11am Jun Fan 12 Muay Thai 1pm Kickboxing