Well a lot can happen in a week! As we mentioned in our last update as new information is gathered and as the situation evolves we will make adjustments as necessary. As of yesterday our local government has implemented a 3-week ban on public gatherings starting today and our federal government has hinted at a national 2-week mandatory quarantine. Based on these updates we will keep the academy closed until April 6th.

When we re-open we plan to implement all of our previously mentioned changes with the exception of how we run testing. Where this has developed at the very end of our testing cycle and we are closed for 3 consecutive weeks we don’t want all of student’s efforts over the last 3 months to be wasted. These are scary times for everyone and many of our students suffer from various forms and degrees of anxiety so this disruption to their schedules can be very upsetting. For this reason (as well as the fact we may all be going stir crazy in a few days!) we would like to help out by giving everyone something to do so that the students can keep up their training and not have all their hard work go to waste.

In the next few days we will send you a video of the curriculum each class has been working on and was prepared to test on. In the video we will highlight the specifics of what we are looking for in each individual class and level. Students can take as much time as they like training to meet the expectations. When they feel ready email us a video of them performing the material. If the expectations have been met when each student returns to class they will break a board and receive their new belt. If there are any concerns we will email you back with what needs correction and you can resubmit the video with the corrections. I am aware that many of our students have equipment at home to practice on but if you don’t you can find a variety of equipment on amazon or century martial arts. If you don’t wish to make the investment (or delivery services shut down!) you can also be creative with pillows!

These are uncharted waters we are all navigating and we GREATLY appreciate all the support and encouragement we received from all you in the past few days!! As a community we will weather this storm and be stronger for it! We are praying that you all remain healthy and safe and will continue to keep you updated as needed!

 
Now that we’ve had a few days to gather more information, Tara and I would like to share some thoughts and temporary changes we will be implementing in our classes.

1. At the moment it appears that kids are not in serious danger of the virus. They are however carriers of the virus. That being said any place where children congregate could be a potential danger to those whose respiratory systems are compromised. Therefore we plan to take the next week off and let things settle down. At the moment we plan to go forward with testing the week of the 23rd with a modified format to minimize physical contact.
2. Our testing format will no longer include physical contact when performing self-defense techniques. All students will demonstrate what they’ve been training in the air as they do when performing forms.
3. Sadly, we will have to have to cancel our bi-annual Black Belt Spectacular Promotion Ceremony. We have 11 students preparing to test next Saturday and we will not be able to honor those who pass at this event. We will make every effort do so in the days that follow.
4. Our next testing cycle, which will run from April to June, will replace physical self-defense techniques with self-defense strategies. Our curriculum will include: Verbal De-escalation techniques, how to run effectively when being chased by a larger person, and how and when to use the 911 emergency system.
5. All Krav Maga classes will be working on long-range combatives and offensive weapons training. This is higher-level material (2nd and 3rd Black Belt level) but it involves keeping distance between you and your opponent so there is less physical contact than is experienced in the typical level 1 and 2 classes.

If we receive new information in regard to this developing situation we will make adjustments as necessary. Tara and I are very committed to the safety of all of our students. That is why our life’s work has been the teaching of Martial Arts. That being said, we are aware that the younger children are watching how we respond to this threat and looking to us (all of us) to make them feel safe and protected. We are committed to making them feel this way. If you do have any questions or concerns that you would like to discuss please reach out privately and we’d be happy to talk with you.