Busy Februa.... Wait, it's March already?

Wow, February was a busy month! Between special classes for NYU students, doing a workshop at Jeff Mach's Wicked Faire (which was a blast, by the way. If anyone ever has the opportunity to attend a Jeff event, especially the Wicked Faire, do it! There's something for everybody and you'll have a great time), and my trip to New Orleans, I haven't had much time. The Thurday class continues as usual, and I'm even considering adding a second class directly after the 6:00 class, or on another day of the week (possibly Tuesdays). Ah if only it didn't cost so much to rent space in NY!

I'm also having a conversation with a mother who is interested in setting up a teen class for her son and some of his classmates. I think this is a terrific idea. I know that if I would have had the opportunity to study the sword in High School, I would have jumped at it! I think that it would have really brought some much needed focus that I seemed to lose, especially in the last year of school.

Oh, and if you've been to the class, I'd love it if you would take the time to write up something about it on Yelp! It doesn't even have to be long, just a few comments and maybe a rating. I've pasted a link below to help speed you on your way.

Schedule updates - FEB 11, 18

There will be NO CLASS ON FEB 11. I will be in the Big Easy, paying my respects to Baccus, and his disciple, Drew Brees.

On FEB 18 class will begin at 5:30, instead of the usual 6:00. The class will run from 5:30 - 6:30. There will be an NYU class coming after that from 6:30-7:30. Any student from the 5:30 class is invited to stay at no cost to continue practicing until 7:30. Please contact me if you have any questions!

Thank you!

Sexy Swords Spies

Hopefully, soon I'm going to be starting a new partnership as a teacher with the Stiletto Spy School, a company that creates kick-ass-and-takes-names spy missions for women (and now for men, too) including small arms training, hand-to-hand combat, sexy dancing, poker playing, and now.... sword training! Even better, there's already a knife class, so I can use the line: "That's not a knife.... THIS is a knife." Check out their website to find out more about what they day, or you can see them on German TV here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbxEshT9Ct4

Schedule update!

The next class will be on MONDAY, DECEMBER 21 at 5:30 PM. I will be there from about 4:30 to get in some extra training if anyone wants to come early.

Grand Masters

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Originally uploaded by Sung Moo Kwan

About a month ago, I had the honor of sparring with come visiting masters, including two grandmasters (other than my own teacher). Obviously, this was was an incredible experience. They each had a very distinctive style, and I learned different lessons from each of them.

I try to always keep an open mind, and remember that there is no one way to do anything. Each of these extrodinary gentlemen have reached a supreme level of ability walking their own paths, and it's just breathtaking to see them learn from one another.

Swords and Dating - Time Out NY writeup

Time out has done another write up on the class. I may try that restaurant after the next class! My date will be Vivian, my sword ;)

Samurai sword class and venison-chili nachos
Sword virgins get in free to the weekly samurai sword class at the Workmen’s Circle (NYR Studios, 45 E 33rd St at Park Ave, sixth floor; 201-317-9517; Thu 6–7pm). Equipped with a wooden sword, you’ll learn basic etiquette, like “how to respect each other,” according to instructor Raab Rashi. Postbattle, bury the hatchet over venison-chili nachos ($12.95) and a refreshing Doc’s Hard Apple Cider ($7) at Waterfront Ale House (540 Second Ave at 30th St; 212-696-4104, waterfrontalehouse.com). Just watch out for a final lunge if you try to snag the last chip.

Read more: http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/sex-dating/81062/best-mostly-free-dates#ixzz0ZDXFbJUR

Ok, this made me so happy this morning. I've often wondered if Mario ever had formal training, or are his (in)famous exploits in the Mushroom Kingdom borne solely of his sheer will of perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds? I think he's probably had training with SISMI

Photo shoot with Lauren Rutten

This is a photo shoot that I did with a very talented artist and friend of mine, Lauren Rutten. She is actually one of the artists I work with at my day job, and is also an incredibly talented teaching artist. You can see more or her work at her website, http://www.laurenruttenphoto.com/

You can see the rest of the pics HERE

 
 
 
 

8 Forms

This is a video of me demonstrating the 8 forms of Siljun Dobup. These forms are exactle the same as those practiced in Nakamura Ryu - a school of iaido founded in the 20th century from which Siljun Dobup draws heavy influence. These 8 basic positions lay the foundation for all the cuts practiced.

New video up!

There's a new video on youtube of Grand Master Seong performing Set Gi (Earth), Cut Number 1. This is the first maneuver you learn after getting through all the basic cuts. It is a diagonal-downward cut, from left to right, ending in the center.