Business-News No. 2
February 20, 2012
I was Facebooking today and came across a posting by my friend and former Twin Dragon classmate Rick "Tony" Maresch.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/fitness/exercise/fitness-research/with-muscles-use-it-or-lose-it-rings-true/article2342273/
Absolutely true!!!
I get so tired of people whining...boo hoo "I m getting old"..."it's normal aging"....
"Oh Bullshit!" I say to that!
So many people use that as an excuse to "Falldown" on their training and resign themselves to premature decrepitude. Geez, I remember years ago training at Twin Dragon North...there was a guy named Jerry who was around 38 or so..he was in great shape and used to spar with all the young guys...we all considered him old at the time cause we were all in our early 20's.....LOL!!! He was amazing he could keep up with all of us and sometimes even beat the shit out of us!!!!
Jerry kept saying that once he reached 40 he would no longer train and sure enough after that time I never saw him again. I don't even know what happened to him or how he is now..... I vowed however, that I would never ever give up training in any way shape or form!!!
Now at almost 53 years of age, the only thing I regret is not having the foresight or the financial means to have adequately provided nutritional support to my joints over the years - as witnessed by my recent hip replacement. LOL! Bear in mind however, that I have been been jumping around up to 7 times a day running classes at Iron Dragon for the last 15 years. Almost 50 classes per week as opposed to the average 3 classes per week attended by students at our club!!!
Despite that little hiccup, my training continues and I look forward to continuing for the rest of my life! To stop training after a lifetime of doing so would be the equivalent of apathetically waiting to die!
Do I expect to reach age 100? That is not what I mean. No, instead I expect to live all my remaining years in a functional and non-sickly state. I expect to enjoy whatever period of life I have left in a positive state of mind with an active lifestyle, wonderful family life and a reasonable state of health! Now that is my definition of truly living!
Training at Iron Dragon is one way to ensure this. Continue training and truly live!
As Winston Churchill once proclaimed..."Never ever, ever give up!"
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December 25, 2011
CHRISTMAS TIME AND FAMILY GATHERINGS…….
A time to rekindle family connections…..
BEWARE HOWEVER THE……..ENERGY VAMPIRE!!!
Energy Vampire? You know who they are…sarcastic morons that will give you 10 reasons why you can’t succeed at something instead of giving you 1 reason that you can!!!
The holiday season will bring families together...a great thing! Beware however the ENERGY VAMPIRES! Such a gathering can quickly become a trapped audience for their inadvertent agenda!
They'll bring up past mistakes or misfortunes to suck the energy from future positive aspirations that you may have…
Past mistakes or misfortunes are exactly that…PAST!
The past cannot be changed but moving forward you can make positive changes to
enable you to live your dreams!
You are the person you have become today not the person you once were!
Don't allow the dreaded ENERGY VAMPIRE to suck the spirit from your soul!
2012 is the year of the Dragon!
Be an ENERGY VAMPIRE SLAYER in 2012!!!!
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December 21, 2011
As is often the case during the Christmas Season....
One of our Iron Dragon brothers is going through some difficult times....remember this and remember it well....the whole of your Iron Dragon Family stands behind you at all times through good and through bad...Keep on truckin' my brotha!
Remember the phrase "there but for the grace of god go I". Too many times people look down on others for the mistakes they have made and the resultant consequences. No one is infallible! A quote from Iron Dragon member Randy Carter (attributed to an unknown author)
"Don't look down on someone unless you are willing to give them a hand up!"
One of the most inspirational quotes I have ever read! Whenever I start reading about the Amy Winehouse's of the world and start getting misled by the smug quotes of the media I quickly remind myself of this quote! Thanks Randy!
Hmmm...as I think about the media..anybody ever hear the smug and self righteous tone in the voices of the various idiot puppet heads that read the news on 680 AM. Used to listen to their crap everyday on the way to work and then realized one day that I was worked up into a total rage by the time I reached work! Turned that rubbish off and presto the ride to work was instantly less stressful! I think often of the people that are addicted to CNN and lament every passing of even the most insignificant news...do we really need to be updated every hour, every minute of the day?! My advice to you all ...turn that crap off for a few hours and watch your blood pressure go down and your mood elevate!
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November 5, 2011
Wow with an upcoming trip to the Phillipines for my marriage to Erna Marie on November 29 I have been so busy that I am guilty of neglecting my blog for he whole month of October!!! I will be leaving on November 12 and returning on December 1/11.
There are exciting things going on before I leave however! Today our members will gather at the club for our 16th Annual Iron Dragon Kung Fu Club Photo Day and Lunch.
This year we have retained Photographer Lesley Khan to do the picture taking. Last year we had so many members turn up, that for the first time we did 2 group photo's, one for the adults and one for the kids.
With Leslie's expertise, this year we are hoping to get everybody in to one big group portrait! Imagine looking at this picture 20 years hence! Oh how I wish the schools that I had attended would have had such occassions. That is why we at Iron Dragon do!!!
On Sunday, November 6, 2011 Iron Dragon will be attending the Twin Dragon Kickboxing Show in Vaughan, Ontario. Two of our Iron Dragon Fighters "Iron" Arnold Kitson and Shawm "Hammertime" Nanay will be taking on fighters from Twin Dragon East.
Twin Dragon East is owned by my Kung Fu Older Brother Lou Giuliani. I have known Lou for over 38 years and have always looked up to him for both his Kung Fu skills and more importantly his skill in bringing out the best in people through martial arts training.
Despite all that congeniality, I have informed Lou that my boys are gonna rock the house when they take on his fighters. Of course Lou has informed me that his boys will take no prisoners! LOL! Either way it will be a great afternoon of Kickboxing action. Good Luck Lou and Team Twin Dragon East.....you're gonna need it! LOL!
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September 22, 2011
Had a great lunch with Kru David Crawley of New Energy Muay Thai. The man is as passionate about his martial arts as I am! Talks the talk and walks the walk unlike some of the trainers I have met (any of you Taekwondo "masters" recognize yo'selves - LOL).
After the death of Shawn Tomkins another trainer I've known but never really took the time to get to know, I promised myself I would take my time and get to know all the trainers that I see on a regular basis and but have never taken the time to converse with.
Today I took that time to meet David and discovered what an awesome personality he is. Watch for the October 2011 newsletter where I will publish an article based on today's meeting.
Much respect David to you, your club and students!!!
August 26, 2011
Nothing is more gratifying to me as Sifu at Iron Dragon than to hear the positive impact that our martial arts training has had on my students!
My long time student Omar Ally reported to me last night that his doctor had ceased his Diabetes medication because he no longer requires it! Omar came back to training just one and a half years ago and it that time has not only lost a substantial amount of weight but has also reversed the Diabetes that had resulted from being so badly out of shape!
Congratulations Omar!!! I look forward to publishing many more success stories such as this in future blogs! Once again IRON SPIRIT, IRON WILLPOWER AND IRON BODY has manifested itself in the well being of an Iron Dragon student of Kung Fu!
August 20, 2011
Martial Arts clubs come and go. Very few can stand the test of time be they good or bad. Many schools that feature less than qualified instructors and ridiculously unrealistic fighting styles survive simply due to the owners business acumen. For the most part the students that are attracted to such schools are quite simply not the students that we want at Iron Dragon so I am able to co-exist peaceably with them despite my poor assessment of their styles and or teachers.
That all changed recently when some insolent dog had the audacity to open up a school within view of our club and named it after the symbol that has represented our club for over 15 years...a Red Dragon!!! Whether this was a deliberate attempt to ride on the "coattails" of our success or just plain stupidity remains to be seen. The fact is,.... Iron Dragon is often copied but can never be duplicated!
Now it has come to my attention that another "Johnny come lately" and severely under qualified instructor has closed down his school after collecting dues in advance from his students.
Such incidents leave a bitter taste in the mouth of the students who earnestly put forth their cash and efforts to master a martial art. This happened to me years ago as my first school "Oriental Health and Fitness" closed down shortly after I put up my hard earned dough for a 1 year membership back in 1972! I remember how bitter I felt as I came to the front door and found it locked with no notice as to what had happened!
Iron Dragon is an established martial arts school. We have been here for 15 years and survived all forms of fads and fancies. Why? Because we provide qualified instruction in an art that has evolved over 1,500 years - Shaolin Hung Gar Kung Fu!
If you are looking for a reputable school of martial arts you will find it here. If you have been cast to the wayside in a school closing please come and explore Iron Dragon.
I promise you will not be dissapointed!!!
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August 15, 2011
Iron Dragon Kung Fu and Kickboxing Club sends out its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Shawn Tompkins.
I first met Shawn in Calgary in 1999 where we competed at the Canadian National Amateur Kickboxing Championships. Shawn brought teams to our club for several competitions in early 2000 and 2001. In fact current UFC Contender Mark Hominick fought in this very gym in 2001!
Those were the days of early amateur kickboxing in Ontario. We used to have to put on our fights "under the table" because of sanctioning issues. Shawn went on to make quite a name for himself as an MMA Coach and became pretty much a household name in the sport. Another warrior fades off into the night. Rest in Peace Shawn.
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July 1, 2011
On July 1, 2011 Iron Dragon commenced it's 15th year of operations in Ajax, Ontario!
We will be having a party on Saturday, August 13/11 to commemorate this amazing milestone!
In 1993, after 8 years of dedicating myself to work, work and more work. I returned to an all out workout schedule to reclaim the health and fitness I had lost due to infrequent training. I returned with a vengeance, training in the noon class and evening class as a member of Twin Dragon at Steeles and Yonge. I alternated days of weight training with my days of Kung Fu Kickboxing Training. By 1997 I felt better than ever. One day while weight training the thought occurred to me...When I was not working I was working out. Wouldn't it be great if I could make working out my work?!
That was it! My eureka moment! I busily made plans to open my own martial arts school. Originally I had asked my Sifu's if I could open a branch of their school in Bowmanville since my kids lived there. I was turned down because they felt the location was too close to the existing Ajax location. I decided to forge on as Iron Dragon in Bowmanville. The week before I was due to sign the lease in Bowmanville, I received a phone call from the Twins requesting that I take over the Ajax club.
I fondly remember the summer of 1997. After purging the club of non-payers and various thugs I was left with about 2 members! My kids and I spent our annual summer vacation together sitting in the club waiting for someone...anyone to join! By September of 1997 we had a group of about 20 students and we have never looked back since!
Now with around 150 students (several of whom have been here for years)
the club membership continues to grow and our curriculum has grown to include Boxing, Chinese Wrestling and Yoga! We now offer more classes in more martial arts than any other Durham region martial arts facility! I look forward to many more years of teaching my loyal and hard working students at Iron Dragon Kung Fu Kickboxing Club!
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June 15, 2011
At Iron Dragon we have assigned certain themes to every training day. Friday has been named "Axe Kick Murderer Friday". In the same way, we have named every other Wednesday "Happy Hooker Wednesday" as a "tongue in cheek" reference to our focus on Hook Punches and Hook Kicks on that day.
Now with the media attention on the fight to legalize prostitution I would like to emphasize that "Happy Hooker Wednesday" is in no way to be construed as our acceptance of what many have called the world's oldest profession.
Kung Fu is an art that is intended to emphasize positive character development. Prostitution is at odds with that ideal. Basic Human Dignity is an ideal that we look to maintain and nurture through the age old martial art of Kung Fu.
One again, martial artists will hold themselves to a higher standard than society as a whole. Again we see that martial arts training is far more than fighting alone.
IRON SPIRIT, IRON WILLPOWER AND IRON BODY!!!
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June 13, 2011
There is only one "Red Dragon" in Ajax and that is Iron Dragon! We have proudly served Ajax for 15 years and no "Johnny come lately" bandwagon jumpers are gonna ride our "coattails" of training excellence! Our Logo has been a Red Dragon for over 13 years! Please make sure you make this clear to anyone who is interested in checking out our club or they will end up in commercial karate dojo, taekwondo dojang, cookie cutter training hell!!! LOL! Forget the rest and train with the best!
June 9, 2011
Wedneday was one hot day. In fact, one radio station even reported that it was hotter in Toronto than it was in Hawaii! Obviously our class participation was ridiculously low since many people assumed that it was far too hot to workout.
"Horse Malarkey ! " I say to that. I would like to point out that the people who worked out at the Kwoon today may have performed at about 75% of their usual capacity (due to the heat). Actually, they performed 100% more physical activity than the air conditioned zombie's that chose to stay reclined on the couch watching TV (and yes Nancy...munching on bon bon's)!
All joking aside, we must remember that no one can perform at their best in every workout. We get injuries but must learn to work around them. Our energy levels are sometimes sapped by work and personal problems. Still...to just let training fall on the backburner is a huge mistake. When you feel physically weak you must become mentally strong! Your body wants to go home and recline but you must demand that it train! The mental aspect of martial arts training is equally important to the physical training in martial arts. One without the other defeats the overall purpose of martial arts training.
The next time your body tells you to take it easy and relax...ignore the little bugger and demand performance right now!!!! (needless to say, this same policy can be applied to other areas of your life ;) ! LOL!
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June 7, 2011
Fitness Fads….they are a dime a dozen. How many Fads have we seen over the years? Tae Bo, The 20 minute workout, The Ab Rocket just to name a few.
Now we have “Boot Camp” training.
Extreme workouts in the short term do produce quick results and that is why people flock to these types of workout routines. What the proponents of such training do not tell you is that such extreme workout routines are unsustainable in the long run.
Sure, pulling metal skids across parking lots, hammering truck tires with mallets and sprinting while handicapped with a parachute attached to your back, will indeed burn calories. In the long run however, such a routine will lead to long lasting injuries that will curtail a fit and active lifestyle. The lack of a specific training purpose (beyond the vanity fuelled need for weight loss) will also lead to boredom and lack of motivation.
At Iron Dragon we very much prefer to adhere to a training regimen that has proven itself for over 1,500 years. Shaolin Kung Fu training is a holistic regimen that will benefit you both physically and spiritually. Training will provide you with a practical method of self defense along with the powerful attributes of an Iron Spirit, Iron Willpower and an Iron Body!
You will train hard, yet be constantly challenged by a body of physical training and knowledge that has been accumulated and improved upon for over 1,500 years. “Boot Camp” training on the other hand, will be relegated to the junk pile of fitness fads!
Come in and try a free trial class at Iron Dragon!
Experience a workout that is far beyond comparison to the “Boot Camps”!
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June 1, 2011
The warm (and dry!!) weather is finally here! Summertime is a time to be outside enjoying the many activities that we dream about all winter. Tennis, Baseball, Picnic’s, Skinnydipping….well, maybe not Skinnydipping…I don’t want anybody to catch a Muskie! ;) *
*my Sifu Mick McNamara always told that joke on the way up to his island and now you my students must
be Victimized err… entertained by it too! LOL!
You might consider reducing attendance at the Kwoon to take advantage of the weather and do some summer activities, but please, please….for the love of god…
DON’T FALLDOWN FOR THE WHOLE SUMMER!!!!
All jokes aside, Martial Art training is not a seasonal activity. It must be considered a lifestyle in order for you reap the maximum benefits of such training.
Would you give up your job completely every summer so you could go enjoy the weather and then line up in the employment line every September to get another job and then toil for 2 months to get your skills back up after the long layoff? No!
You take a 2 week holiday and you cut back on the overtime for 2 months but you keep employed while doing that. Unlike your actual job, consider Martial Arts training to be a job where all benefits of the work you do go directly back to you!
Still want to stop completely for the summer? Good, I didn’t think so!! Train less, enjoy the summer but keep the fire of desire for your martial arts training burning deep within your soul! Don’t extinguish the fire completely by dropping out for the summer (perhaps never return)!
Summertime means outdoor training. Yesterday, May 30 we had the first of many outdoor workout sessions to come! The parking lot may be full of holes and in a general state of disrepair but where others see Pot Holes and randomly scattered pebbles, we at Iron Dragon see only “water traps” to test our footwork. We like it even better that way! LOL!
*special note - need a free trip to China? Go ahead and step into one of those Potholes! LOL!
True Martial Artists do not see the 100 reasons that they can’t train…they merely see the one reason that they can! That one reason is….IRON DRAGON! We are here and we are open. Where other clubs cut back their schedule dramatically in the summer we keep it firmly in place all summer with the exception of Saturday afternoons.
On July 1, 2011 Iron Dragon will enter its 15th year of operations! I started this club with the intention of creating a gym where I would like to have trained as a student coming up through the ranks. I pledge to continue making your club an amazing training facility!
I look forward to many more years training with you all!
Karl, Sifu
May 14, 2011
Kung Fu (commonly translated literally as "hard work"), depends upon a steady workmanlike effort in order to reap the many benefits of the art. Kung Fu is much more than a typical sport or recreational activity however. It is in a fact, a lifestyle enhancement that should be reinforced not just through regular physical training but also through daily contemplation. Yes daily contemplation!
Don't just go through your physical training like a robot. You must reflect upon your training sessions on your "off" days and contemplate the things that you have learned.
Visualize how you would use the techniques that you have been taught against an attacker. Visualize the execution of a specific technique. Visualize how hard you will work on the knuckle pushups in the next class. Visualize the pleasant ache of a bodypart the day after a hard workout. Ponder upon the ethical and moral principles that are as much a part of Kung Fu as the actual fighting.......
Science has validated the use of visualization to enhance performance in many professions and sports. Kung Fu training has used this technique for over 1,500 years!
May 1, 2011
Spiritual Sunday is here at Iron Dragon!
Sunday is truly my favourite Day at Iron Dragon Kung Fu and Kickboxing Club!
It is the one day of the week where almost every age group and participants from every class format will attend on the same day.
Lil' Dragons aged 4-8 get a chance to view the Traditional Hung Gar class that is just finishing as they get in. The older Hung Gar stylists get to greet the youngest members of Iron Dragon as they complete their class.
Young Dragons aged 9-13 come in just as the Lil' Dragons are finishing up and they in turn get a chance to greet the Lil' Dragons on the way in. Finally at 2:30 pm the Kung Fu Kickboxing adult class get to greet the Young Dragons as they exit for the day.
Think about that for a moment where else outside of the Kwoon (Club) do people of all ages and all backgrounds interract with one another on such a frequent basis. It is not unusual for a 50 year old member to count 4 year olds, 9 year olds and adults of varying ages among his or her friends at our club!
Martial Arts training is truly an activity that encompasses all ages, all genders and all races. Iron Dragon continues to embrace the "Family" structure of the traditional kung Fu Club. Unlike other styles where coloured belt ranking and specific attainment of skills set apart the senior members, in Kung Fu the ranking hierarchy is based on length of training at a specific club.
Humility, Respect, Compassion, Discipline and an Indomitable Spirit are all engendered in our club motto:
IRON SPIRIT, IRON WILLPOWER, IRON BODY
Bodhidharma began the tradition at the Shaolin Temple in 527 AD and here we are some 1,484 years later!Amazing!!!
Come work out with us today. Take a moment at the end of your class to ponder the source of all the wonderful transformations you are making in your life through martial arts training at Iron Dragon!
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I was Facebooking today and came across a posting by my friend and former Twin Dragon classmate Rick "Tony" Maresch.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/fitness/exercise/fitness-research/with-muscles-use-it-or-lose-it-rings-true/article2342273/
Absolutely true!!!
I get so tired of people whining...boo hoo "I m getting old"..."it's normal aging"....
"Oh Bullshit!" I say to that!
So many people use that as an excuse to "Falldown" on their training and resign themselves to premature decrepitude. Geez, I remember years ago training at Twin Dragon North...there was a guy named Jerry who was around 38 or so..he was in great shape and used to spar with all the young guys...we all considered him old at the time cause we were all in our early 20's.....LOL!!! He was amazing he could keep up with all of us and sometimes even beat the shit out of us!!!!
Jerry kept saying that once he reached 40 he would no longer train and sure enough after that time I never saw him again. I don't even know what happened to him or how he is now..... I vowed however, that I would never ever give up training in any way shape or form!!!
Now at almost 53 years of age, the only thing I regret is not having the foresight or the financial means to have adequately provided nutritional support to my joints over the years - as witnessed by my recent hip replacement. LOL! Bear in mind however, that I have been been jumping around up to 7 times a day running classes at Iron Dragon for the last 15 years. Almost 50 classes per week as opposed to the average 3 classes per week attended by students at our club!!!
Despite that little hiccup, my training continues and I look forward to continuing for the rest of my life! To stop training after a lifetime of doing so would be the equivalent of apathetically waiting to die!
Do I expect to reach age 100? That is not what I mean. No, instead I expect to live all my remaining years in a functional and non-sickly state. I expect to enjoy whatever period of life I have left in a positive state of mind with an active lifestyle, wonderful family life and a reasonable state of health! Now that is my definition of truly living!
Training at Iron Dragon is one way to ensure this. Continue training and truly live!
As Winston Churchill once proclaimed..."Never ever, ever give up!"
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December 25, 2011
CHRISTMAS TIME AND FAMILY GATHERINGS…….
A time to rekindle family connections…..
BEWARE HOWEVER THE……..ENERGY VAMPIRE!!!
Energy Vampire? You know who they are…sarcastic morons that will give you 10 reasons why you can’t succeed at something instead of giving you 1 reason that you can!!!
The holiday season will bring families together...a great thing! Beware however the ENERGY VAMPIRES! Such a gathering can quickly become a trapped audience for their inadvertent agenda!
They'll bring up past mistakes or misfortunes to suck the energy from future positive aspirations that you may have…
Past mistakes or misfortunes are exactly that…PAST!
The past cannot be changed but moving forward you can make positive changes to
enable you to live your dreams!
You are the person you have become today not the person you once were!
Don't allow the dreaded ENERGY VAMPIRE to suck the spirit from your soul!
2012 is the year of the Dragon!
Be an ENERGY VAMPIRE SLAYER in 2012!!!!
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December 21, 2011
As is often the case during the Christmas Season....
One of our Iron Dragon brothers is going through some difficult times....remember this and remember it well....the whole of your Iron Dragon Family stands behind you at all times through good and through bad...Keep on truckin' my brotha!
Remember the phrase "there but for the grace of god go I". Too many times people look down on others for the mistakes they have made and the resultant consequences. No one is infallible! A quote from Iron Dragon member Randy Carter (attributed to an unknown author)
"Don't look down on someone unless you are willing to give them a hand up!"
One of the most inspirational quotes I have ever read! Whenever I start reading about the Amy Winehouse's of the world and start getting misled by the smug quotes of the media I quickly remind myself of this quote! Thanks Randy!
Hmmm...as I think about the media..anybody ever hear the smug and self righteous tone in the voices of the various idiot puppet heads that read the news on 680 AM. Used to listen to their crap everyday on the way to work and then realized one day that I was worked up into a total rage by the time I reached work! Turned that rubbish off and presto the ride to work was instantly less stressful! I think often of the people that are addicted to CNN and lament every passing of even the most insignificant news...do we really need to be updated every hour, every minute of the day?! My advice to you all ...turn that crap off for a few hours and watch your blood pressure go down and your mood elevate!
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November 5, 2011
Wow with an upcoming trip to the Phillipines for my marriage to Erna Marie on November 29 I have been so busy that I am guilty of neglecting my blog for he whole month of October!!! I will be leaving on November 12 and returning on December 1/11.
There are exciting things going on before I leave however! Today our members will gather at the club for our 16th Annual Iron Dragon Kung Fu Club Photo Day and Lunch.
This year we have retained Photographer Lesley Khan to do the picture taking. Last year we had so many members turn up, that for the first time we did 2 group photo's, one for the adults and one for the kids.
With Leslie's expertise, this year we are hoping to get everybody in to one big group portrait! Imagine looking at this picture 20 years hence! Oh how I wish the schools that I had attended would have had such occassions. That is why we at Iron Dragon do!!!
On Sunday, November 6, 2011 Iron Dragon will be attending the Twin Dragon Kickboxing Show in Vaughan, Ontario. Two of our Iron Dragon Fighters "Iron" Arnold Kitson and Shawm "Hammertime" Nanay will be taking on fighters from Twin Dragon East.
Twin Dragon East is owned by my Kung Fu Older Brother Lou Giuliani. I have known Lou for over 38 years and have always looked up to him for both his Kung Fu skills and more importantly his skill in bringing out the best in people through martial arts training.
Despite all that congeniality, I have informed Lou that my boys are gonna rock the house when they take on his fighters. Of course Lou has informed me that his boys will take no prisoners! LOL! Either way it will be a great afternoon of Kickboxing action. Good Luck Lou and Team Twin Dragon East.....you're gonna need it! LOL!
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September 22, 2011
Had a great lunch with Kru David Crawley of New Energy Muay Thai. The man is as passionate about his martial arts as I am! Talks the talk and walks the walk unlike some of the trainers I have met (any of you Taekwondo "masters" recognize yo'selves - LOL).
After the death of Shawn Tomkins another trainer I've known but never really took the time to get to know, I promised myself I would take my time and get to know all the trainers that I see on a regular basis and but have never taken the time to converse with.
Today I took that time to meet David and discovered what an awesome personality he is. Watch for the October 2011 newsletter where I will publish an article based on today's meeting.
Much respect David to you, your club and students!!!
August 26, 2011
Nothing is more gratifying to me as Sifu at Iron Dragon than to hear the positive impact that our martial arts training has had on my students!
My long time student Omar Ally reported to me last night that his doctor had ceased his Diabetes medication because he no longer requires it! Omar came back to training just one and a half years ago and it that time has not only lost a substantial amount of weight but has also reversed the Diabetes that had resulted from being so badly out of shape!
Congratulations Omar!!! I look forward to publishing many more success stories such as this in future blogs! Once again IRON SPIRIT, IRON WILLPOWER AND IRON BODY has manifested itself in the well being of an Iron Dragon student of Kung Fu!
August 20, 2011
Martial Arts clubs come and go. Very few can stand the test of time be they good or bad. Many schools that feature less than qualified instructors and ridiculously unrealistic fighting styles survive simply due to the owners business acumen. For the most part the students that are attracted to such schools are quite simply not the students that we want at Iron Dragon so I am able to co-exist peaceably with them despite my poor assessment of their styles and or teachers.
That all changed recently when some insolent dog had the audacity to open up a school within view of our club and named it after the symbol that has represented our club for over 15 years...a Red Dragon!!! Whether this was a deliberate attempt to ride on the "coattails" of our success or just plain stupidity remains to be seen. The fact is,.... Iron Dragon is often copied but can never be duplicated!
Now it has come to my attention that another "Johnny come lately" and severely under qualified instructor has closed down his school after collecting dues in advance from his students.
Such incidents leave a bitter taste in the mouth of the students who earnestly put forth their cash and efforts to master a martial art. This happened to me years ago as my first school "Oriental Health and Fitness" closed down shortly after I put up my hard earned dough for a 1 year membership back in 1972! I remember how bitter I felt as I came to the front door and found it locked with no notice as to what had happened!
Iron Dragon is an established martial arts school. We have been here for 15 years and survived all forms of fads and fancies. Why? Because we provide qualified instruction in an art that has evolved over 1,500 years - Shaolin Hung Gar Kung Fu!
If you are looking for a reputable school of martial arts you will find it here. If you have been cast to the wayside in a school closing please come and explore Iron Dragon.
I promise you will not be dissapointed!!!
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August 15, 2011
Iron Dragon Kung Fu and Kickboxing Club sends out its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Shawn Tompkins.
I first met Shawn in Calgary in 1999 where we competed at the Canadian National Amateur Kickboxing Championships. Shawn brought teams to our club for several competitions in early 2000 and 2001. In fact current UFC Contender Mark Hominick fought in this very gym in 2001!
Those were the days of early amateur kickboxing in Ontario. We used to have to put on our fights "under the table" because of sanctioning issues. Shawn went on to make quite a name for himself as an MMA Coach and became pretty much a household name in the sport. Another warrior fades off into the night. Rest in Peace Shawn.
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July 1, 2011
On July 1, 2011 Iron Dragon commenced it's 15th year of operations in Ajax, Ontario!
We will be having a party on Saturday, August 13/11 to commemorate this amazing milestone!
In 1993, after 8 years of dedicating myself to work, work and more work. I returned to an all out workout schedule to reclaim the health and fitness I had lost due to infrequent training. I returned with a vengeance, training in the noon class and evening class as a member of Twin Dragon at Steeles and Yonge. I alternated days of weight training with my days of Kung Fu Kickboxing Training. By 1997 I felt better than ever. One day while weight training the thought occurred to me...When I was not working I was working out. Wouldn't it be great if I could make working out my work?!
That was it! My eureka moment! I busily made plans to open my own martial arts school. Originally I had asked my Sifu's if I could open a branch of their school in Bowmanville since my kids lived there. I was turned down because they felt the location was too close to the existing Ajax location. I decided to forge on as Iron Dragon in Bowmanville. The week before I was due to sign the lease in Bowmanville, I received a phone call from the Twins requesting that I take over the Ajax club.
I fondly remember the summer of 1997. After purging the club of non-payers and various thugs I was left with about 2 members! My kids and I spent our annual summer vacation together sitting in the club waiting for someone...anyone to join! By September of 1997 we had a group of about 20 students and we have never looked back since!
Now with around 150 students (several of whom have been here for years)
the club membership continues to grow and our curriculum has grown to include Boxing, Chinese Wrestling and Yoga! We now offer more classes in more martial arts than any other Durham region martial arts facility! I look forward to many more years of teaching my loyal and hard working students at Iron Dragon Kung Fu Kickboxing Club!
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June 15, 2011
At Iron Dragon we have assigned certain themes to every training day. Friday has been named "Axe Kick Murderer Friday". In the same way, we have named every other Wednesday "Happy Hooker Wednesday" as a "tongue in cheek" reference to our focus on Hook Punches and Hook Kicks on that day.
Now with the media attention on the fight to legalize prostitution I would like to emphasize that "Happy Hooker Wednesday" is in no way to be construed as our acceptance of what many have called the world's oldest profession.
Kung Fu is an art that is intended to emphasize positive character development. Prostitution is at odds with that ideal. Basic Human Dignity is an ideal that we look to maintain and nurture through the age old martial art of Kung Fu.
One again, martial artists will hold themselves to a higher standard than society as a whole. Again we see that martial arts training is far more than fighting alone.
IRON SPIRIT, IRON WILLPOWER AND IRON BODY!!!
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June 13, 2011
There is only one "Red Dragon" in Ajax and that is Iron Dragon! We have proudly served Ajax for 15 years and no "Johnny come lately" bandwagon jumpers are gonna ride our "coattails" of training excellence! Our Logo has been a Red Dragon for over 13 years! Please make sure you make this clear to anyone who is interested in checking out our club or they will end up in commercial karate dojo, taekwondo dojang, cookie cutter training hell!!! LOL! Forget the rest and train with the best!
June 9, 2011
Wedneday was one hot day. In fact, one radio station even reported that it was hotter in Toronto than it was in Hawaii! Obviously our class participation was ridiculously low since many people assumed that it was far too hot to workout.
"Horse Malarkey ! " I say to that. I would like to point out that the people who worked out at the Kwoon today may have performed at about 75% of their usual capacity (due to the heat). Actually, they performed 100% more physical activity than the air conditioned zombie's that chose to stay reclined on the couch watching TV (and yes Nancy...munching on bon bon's)!
All joking aside, we must remember that no one can perform at their best in every workout. We get injuries but must learn to work around them. Our energy levels are sometimes sapped by work and personal problems. Still...to just let training fall on the backburner is a huge mistake. When you feel physically weak you must become mentally strong! Your body wants to go home and recline but you must demand that it train! The mental aspect of martial arts training is equally important to the physical training in martial arts. One without the other defeats the overall purpose of martial arts training.
The next time your body tells you to take it easy and relax...ignore the little bugger and demand performance right now!!!! (needless to say, this same policy can be applied to other areas of your life ;) ! LOL!
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June 7, 2011
Fitness Fads….they are a dime a dozen. How many Fads have we seen over the years? Tae Bo, The 20 minute workout, The Ab Rocket just to name a few.
Now we have “Boot Camp” training.
Extreme workouts in the short term do produce quick results and that is why people flock to these types of workout routines. What the proponents of such training do not tell you is that such extreme workout routines are unsustainable in the long run.
Sure, pulling metal skids across parking lots, hammering truck tires with mallets and sprinting while handicapped with a parachute attached to your back, will indeed burn calories. In the long run however, such a routine will lead to long lasting injuries that will curtail a fit and active lifestyle. The lack of a specific training purpose (beyond the vanity fuelled need for weight loss) will also lead to boredom and lack of motivation.
At Iron Dragon we very much prefer to adhere to a training regimen that has proven itself for over 1,500 years. Shaolin Kung Fu training is a holistic regimen that will benefit you both physically and spiritually. Training will provide you with a practical method of self defense along with the powerful attributes of an Iron Spirit, Iron Willpower and an Iron Body!
You will train hard, yet be constantly challenged by a body of physical training and knowledge that has been accumulated and improved upon for over 1,500 years. “Boot Camp” training on the other hand, will be relegated to the junk pile of fitness fads!
Come in and try a free trial class at Iron Dragon!
Experience a workout that is far beyond comparison to the “Boot Camps”!
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June 1, 2011
The warm (and dry!!) weather is finally here! Summertime is a time to be outside enjoying the many activities that we dream about all winter. Tennis, Baseball, Picnic’s, Skinnydipping….well, maybe not Skinnydipping…I don’t want anybody to catch a Muskie! ;) *
*my Sifu Mick McNamara always told that joke on the way up to his island and now you my students must
be Victimized err… entertained by it too! LOL!
You might consider reducing attendance at the Kwoon to take advantage of the weather and do some summer activities, but please, please….for the love of god…
DON’T FALLDOWN FOR THE WHOLE SUMMER!!!!
All jokes aside, Martial Art training is not a seasonal activity. It must be considered a lifestyle in order for you reap the maximum benefits of such training.
Would you give up your job completely every summer so you could go enjoy the weather and then line up in the employment line every September to get another job and then toil for 2 months to get your skills back up after the long layoff? No!
You take a 2 week holiday and you cut back on the overtime for 2 months but you keep employed while doing that. Unlike your actual job, consider Martial Arts training to be a job where all benefits of the work you do go directly back to you!
Still want to stop completely for the summer? Good, I didn’t think so!! Train less, enjoy the summer but keep the fire of desire for your martial arts training burning deep within your soul! Don’t extinguish the fire completely by dropping out for the summer (perhaps never return)!
Summertime means outdoor training. Yesterday, May 30 we had the first of many outdoor workout sessions to come! The parking lot may be full of holes and in a general state of disrepair but where others see Pot Holes and randomly scattered pebbles, we at Iron Dragon see only “water traps” to test our footwork. We like it even better that way! LOL!
*special note - need a free trip to China? Go ahead and step into one of those Potholes! LOL!
True Martial Artists do not see the 100 reasons that they can’t train…they merely see the one reason that they can! That one reason is….IRON DRAGON! We are here and we are open. Where other clubs cut back their schedule dramatically in the summer we keep it firmly in place all summer with the exception of Saturday afternoons.
On July 1, 2011 Iron Dragon will enter its 15th year of operations! I started this club with the intention of creating a gym where I would like to have trained as a student coming up through the ranks. I pledge to continue making your club an amazing training facility!
I look forward to many more years training with you all!
Karl, Sifu
May 14, 2011
Kung Fu (commonly translated literally as "hard work"), depends upon a steady workmanlike effort in order to reap the many benefits of the art. Kung Fu is much more than a typical sport or recreational activity however. It is in a fact, a lifestyle enhancement that should be reinforced not just through regular physical training but also through daily contemplation. Yes daily contemplation!
Don't just go through your physical training like a robot. You must reflect upon your training sessions on your "off" days and contemplate the things that you have learned.
Visualize how you would use the techniques that you have been taught against an attacker. Visualize the execution of a specific technique. Visualize how hard you will work on the knuckle pushups in the next class. Visualize the pleasant ache of a bodypart the day after a hard workout. Ponder upon the ethical and moral principles that are as much a part of Kung Fu as the actual fighting.......
Science has validated the use of visualization to enhance performance in many professions and sports. Kung Fu training has used this technique for over 1,500 years!
May 1, 2011
Spiritual Sunday is here at Iron Dragon!
Sunday is truly my favourite Day at Iron Dragon Kung Fu and Kickboxing Club!
It is the one day of the week where almost every age group and participants from every class format will attend on the same day.
Lil' Dragons aged 4-8 get a chance to view the Traditional Hung Gar class that is just finishing as they get in. The older Hung Gar stylists get to greet the youngest members of Iron Dragon as they complete their class.
Young Dragons aged 9-13 come in just as the Lil' Dragons are finishing up and they in turn get a chance to greet the Lil' Dragons on the way in. Finally at 2:30 pm the Kung Fu Kickboxing adult class get to greet the Young Dragons as they exit for the day.
Think about that for a moment where else outside of the Kwoon (Club) do people of all ages and all backgrounds interract with one another on such a frequent basis. It is not unusual for a 50 year old member to count 4 year olds, 9 year olds and adults of varying ages among his or her friends at our club!
Martial Arts training is truly an activity that encompasses all ages, all genders and all races. Iron Dragon continues to embrace the "Family" structure of the traditional kung Fu Club. Unlike other styles where coloured belt ranking and specific attainment of skills set apart the senior members, in Kung Fu the ranking hierarchy is based on length of training at a specific club.
Humility, Respect, Compassion, Discipline and an Indomitable Spirit are all engendered in our club motto:
IRON SPIRIT, IRON WILLPOWER, IRON BODY
Bodhidharma began the tradition at the Shaolin Temple in 527 AD and here we are some 1,484 years later!Amazing!!!
Come work out with us today. Take a moment at the end of your class to ponder the source of all the wonderful transformations you are making in your life through martial arts training at Iron Dragon!
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With muscles, use it or lose it rings true
alex hutchinson
From Monday s Globe and Mail
Published Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012
alex hutchinson
From Monday s Globe and Mail
Published Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012