Samurai Karate Studio To Volunteer For Tour De Cure

On May 7th, Samurai Karate Studio will volunteer to man a rest stop for bikers during the annual Tour De Cure Columbia. Bikers from all over the state, will ride between 25 and 100 miles to raise awareness and donations to fight diabetes.



Our aid station includes water, gatorade, various fruits and snacks, first aid care (bandaids and the like) bicycle repairs and lots of TLC !

We will be manning the last stop out for the 100 mile riders, so we will bring lots of Black Belt energy and enthusiasm to get these riders to the finish line.

 

What should you know about diabetes?

(from the Tour De Cure website)

 

About Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery. Both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles in the cause of type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes
Results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes
Usually results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90-95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Symptoms of Diabetes
Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms can seem harmless. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes. Some diabetes symptoms include: frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision. If you have one or more of these diabetes symptoms, see your doctor right away.



Diabetes Complications are Serious

• Increased risk of heart disease and stroke
• Leading cause of kidney failure
• Nervous system disease and nontraumatic lower-limb amputations

Please consider donating to such a worthy cause!

 

Sensei Chris Feldt

Samurai Karate Studio

803-462-9425

samuraikarate@bellsouth.net

SKS Moms Train Free For Mothers Day

In honor of Mother's Day, which is May 8th this year, I would like to invite all mothers who have students enrolled in our karate program, who are not already training, to train with us for the month of May for FREE.

This is my small way of saying thank you for all your support, and to share in something that could be really benefit you, physically, mentally and even spiritually.

There is no obligation to join!  There will be no sales pitches or pleas to ask you to join.   This is just an opportunity to experience class and to say thanks for all you do!

This offer is valid to just SKS mom's please and is good for the month of May, 2011.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 803-462-9425 or email at samuraikarate@bellsouth.net.

Again, thanks for all you do and for being MOM!

Sensei Chris Feldt

Samurai Karate Studio

803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net

Pam Dorr -- Leader of HERO

Pam Dorr, whom we worked with in Alabama, was featured in Tree Hugger, an online environmental group, earlier this year. She and her team are amazing and they really make us feel welcome when we visit Greensboro.

Here is the article from Tree Hugger, written by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California, that will give you an idea of her philosophy and the work they are doing in Hale County, Alabama:

Pam Dorr of Hale Empowerment & Revitalization Organization, or HERO, and John Bielenberg of Project M spoke together this weekend at Compost modern, presenting a bit about what their projects are about. We recently talked about the amazing, fast-paced projects of Project M. So here, we focus on some incredible work being done by Pam Dorr and her group - specifically, how they figured out how to build a sustainably crafted house for $20,000 - something anyone in architecture will say is impossible - and how they're helping people own homes on $600 a month.

Dorr used to design underwear for companies like Esprit and Victoria's Secret. But after traveling the world and having "it all," she realized she had to design things that actually make a difference. She headed to rural Alabama and started up HERO, her organization that advocates sustainable housing development in Hale County.

As amazing as what she and her group accomplishes in design are the people to whom the homes go to.

Here, Dorr speaks about figuring out how to make a home for $20,000 - and why $20,000 is the target number.














Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net

Martial Arts Lessons, Baseball, Football, or Soccer?

As a boy, my parents took me to try out all the typical sports. As a an adult, I am now able to reflect back on all those activities --and I have an opinion about sports that might help you (parents), if you too are considering something athletic for your own child.

The martial arts lessons I took, hands down, left me with the most powerful memories, usable resources, and the richest experiences of all the sports I participated in. Just this morning for example, I was recalling something one of my teachers used to say, “If you can’t, then you must --and if you must, then you will.”

Even now as an adult, as I continue my training and the lessons learned continue to be valuable, as they reinforce the principles of Black Belt. like courage, honor, integrity, compassion, perseverance and respect. I am forever training to become a master and I will always explore areas of self defense that include more than just kicking and punching, like Diabetes awareness, obesity, body image, anger management, environmental self defense and community service.

My life is my dojo and my training has become a way of life, which it does eventually for many of my students.

Martial arts lessons will stick with your child. I’m more confident today, more capable, and better when the pressure is on -- and I attribute a lot of that to my martial arts training.

Parents, invest in lessons. They’re worth it!

Sensei Chris Feldt

Samurai Karate Studio

803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net

Bullying Facts

Look at the latest facts concerning bullying. Scary!
According to the U.S. Department of Education:

• 8 out of 10 students report being bullied during their school days.
• 160,000 students miss school every day due to fear of being picked on or beaten up by a bully.
• Approximately 2 out of 10 students are scared throughout the school day.
• 58% have not told their parents about an online bullying incident.
• 56% of students have personally witnessed some type of bullying at school.
• 42% of students have bullied online; 1 in 4 had it happen more than once.
• 21% of students received mean or threatening e-mail or other messages.

We ALL need to take responsibility and report bullying when we see it or communicate to school administrators and teachers.

Help me take a stand against bullying! This is good self defense! Yes?

Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net

The Riches of Greensboro, AL

This is my second journey to Greensboro, AL; and like my first trip, I return a RICHER person!

How do I mean richer?

I traveled with 4 of my students and feel blessed to have shared with them such an important UBBT adventure. I believe they have a deeper understanding of what it means to serve and a stronger commitment to support the work I do with my karate school.

I traveled with my middle son Nathan, who got to see first hand, what Tom and the UBBT and The 100 stand for. I can't think of a better way to spend time with my son, to share in the experience and the many life lessons that are taught during this trip.

I am inspired by the work of HERO, led by the amazing Pam Dorr, who has brought together a whole community of people, to help bring life back into this sleepy little town. Nearly 70 homes have been built since Pam arrived and HERO has over 60 people employed. This little "sleeping giant" is waking up and doing great work in the area.

I am inspired by the men from the Cattle Ranch, who are transitioning to a life outside of prison and trying to re-establish themselves once again, outside a life of crime. They welcomed us on to their ball field and despite having a far superior team, handled themselves with grace and kindness. It was remarkable!

I am inspired by our youth, who make up the Youth Corp, Americorp Vista, Habitat for Humanity and many other groups that are working hard to bring about change for the citizens of Greensboro. Instead of seeking jobs of prestige or money, these men and women are seriously devoted to making a difference in the lives of many residents in Hale County.

I am inspired by my UBBT and 100 team mates, many of whom are doing great work in their own home towns, but take time out of their busy schedules to come to Greensboro and offer help that is selfless, genuine and real. I have never been with a group that is kinder, more compassionate and caring......I consider many of you friends and I am grateful that I have gotten to know you and appreciate your support!

Finally, I am inspired by Coach Callos, who helps us believe that we ALL are capable of doing great things within our own schools and community, and "little things add up to BIG things!"

Yes, I am richer for coming to Greensboro and working with a dedicated group of people, who are making their mark on the world. I only hope that I am equal to the task and can bring about the kind of positive change in my community during my lifetime!

"Why do we come to Greensboro, Alabama?"

"Because no one else will!" Tom Callos

Sensei Chris Feldt

Samurai Karate Studio

803-462-9425

samuraikarate@bellsouth.net