EVENTS

    


December 6th - 7th
Belt Exams
Columbia 

December 12th-14th 
Belt Exams
Los Angeles  

December 15th, 3pm
Holiday Showcase & Awards Ceremony, LA
 
Saturday, Dec. 21st, 7pm 
RPKC
Holiday Party
Columbia!  



__________________

BELT EXAMS
Columbia, MO
Results Sept. 2013: 


YELLOW BELTS
Rick Buford
Erin Greer
Thomas McClure
Aaron Melville
Dequan Simmons
Alexia Simmons
Loki Singh
Ben Walter
Kiera Buford
Victoria Lubahn
Dusty Walter
Harry Le


PURPLE BELTS
Yana Lubahn
Chris Melville
Adam White
Alex Rice
Mazin Alahmadi 

 

ORANGE BELTS
Laith Almashrawi
Robin Prica
Monika Vangordon
Ashley Kemple

________________


BELT EXAMS
Los Angeles, CA
Results Sept. 2013: 

PURPLE BELT
Noriko Ishida

ORANGE BELT
Kyle Taylor

BLUE BELT
Justin Fleming
Kyla McElhaney

GREEN BELT
Anthony Nieto
Janice Sonski
Rachel Sonski

BROWN BELT
Noah Garcia

BROWN STRIPE
Nathan Luu




    R. P. M. A. A.    
Rifkin Professional Martial Arts Association 
                    November 2013                     


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Columbia, MO (573)442-0668                 Canoga Park, CA (818)888-0743

Martial Arts or the Gym 
Why choose to train? 

A young couple walks into a fitness center for the first day of their new found exercise regimen, wide-eyed and enthusiastic about what is to come.  They are going to change their bodies to be fitter, leaner and more energized.  They have set aside time after work four times a week to reach their goals and have committed themselves to a one year membership at the fitness club; they are excited to get started.  So here they are in the middle of the fitness center...looking like two polar bears dropped in the Mohave Desert.   What now?  Like most people new to a fitness club regimen, they gravitate toward the cardio machines because everyone knows how to pedal a bike or walk on a treadmill.  Eventually, after eyeing the weight machines and the free weight section, they work up the courage to go over and try out a few exercises.  They bounce around doing a few repetitions here and there before moving on to something else, never really focusing on any one thing and not really knowing the correct form or motion.  After a few days of this, maybe they hire a trainer to set them up on a workout program, and maybe they just learn by following the lead of others.  They may even see some initial results.  They patiently stride through their cardio machine workouts, counting the minutes and watching the clock.  In a few months, their designated four days a week turns to three then two.  The staff at the gym doesn't call to see where they have been; there is no follow up.  Before long, they get frustrated with the lack of results they are seeing in themselves.  Like many people, they are not self-motivated enough to continue the regimen, especially with no real tangible goals to reach.  The frustration turns to resignation and excuses why they have given up on their fitness goals: too busy, not seeing results, injuries, etc.

Why did these people's fitness goals fail?  People with little motivation or little knowledge of fitness  concepts often need reinforcement of goals and tangible mile-markers along their journey.  They need to be held to task and accountable for their successes and failures.  And if they don't show up, or their training attendance begins to dip, THEY NEED TO BE CALLED AND ENCOURAGED.  Why do fitness infomercials selling the latest and greatest "low cost" fitness machines frequent the television?  Because the ads tell them repeatedly how little effort it takes to achieve the pictured results (which, by the way, were NOT achieved using the
belly blaster, ab-tastic, super duper fat-omatic or whatever).  People buy into the myth they are selling and the machine gets used once or twice before being retired to the attic or basement, never to be seen again.  Why?  Because if the buyer was self-motivated, he or she would ALREADY be achieving results in the first place.  Some new "breakthrough" machine is not going to motivate someone just because they bought it.  The buyer is being played for a fool.  And the manufacturer of the latest and greatest makes a fortune on the aspirations of the ill-informed. 


"Weight loss is another great benefit associated with martial arts. In one pound of fat is equal to approximately 3,500 calories. Therefore, in order to lose one pound of fat in a week, you must eliminate 500 calories from your diet each day. By participating in one hour of moderate intensity martial arts, you can definitely burn 500 calories. You will be well on your way to great weight loss results."
 
-FitDay Website

In our Martial Arts school, we hold our students accountable for their progress.  If a student's attendance drops, they get a phone call or an email.  Attendance does count, as does serious results.  Rather than dreading their gym workout and counting the minutes until their prescribed cardio time is up on the treadmill, our students look forward to every class.  The more they see improvement in their fitness level and their new found abilities, the more they enjoy coming to class.  Students enjoy an increased level of confidence, a renewed energy and peace of mind that hey can defend themselves.  I encourage our students to work out at home, to stretch and to practice.  The results are far greater because students are goal oriented.  And when the work pays off and the results are obvious, there is no better motivator for the future than to see what you have achieved thus far.  A good instructor not only teaches, but in large part our job is to INSPIRE and MOTIVATE.

"Practicing martial arts leads to weight loss for another reason aside from all the calories you're burning off. Martial arts builds character in the form of teaching you about discipline, setting goals, and then using motivation and personal commitment to achieve those goals. This frame of mind that martial arts drills into students is utterly invaluable in helping people foster a mental attitude that makes it likely that they will lose weight. Martial arts lessons teach you to stick with your set of movements until you have the correct form down pat. This kind of mental focus and discipline can easily be carried over into forming the mental toughness you need to push yourself to stick with a weight loss plan."
-FitDay Website

Once you have decided to change your life....to live a healthier, more active lifestyle and to set high goals for yourself, then the question then becomes HOW?  You need to make the choice that best fits you.  What training regimen is most likely to get you where you want to go?  Are you self-motivated and know beyond a shadow of doubt that you will continue to push yourself to new heights and achieve great results?  Or are you someone that needs to be pushed by a trained professional, someone that will help you to achieve the results you are looking for? 

The journey is not an easy one.  Taking the first step is.


-Master JD Rifkin
President, RPMAA

 

RPMAA Gets Serious with Social Media


 
With the ever-increasing use of social media to communicate with one another, market new products and ideas, or just to share photos, experiences, etc., The RPMAA and Rifkin Professional Karate are now on Facebook, Google Plus, and Linkedin and YouTube

Although we use email as a great way to communicate with students and those interested in our programs, other social media avenues have become the "new standard" in communication, especially among the younger generation. 

Click on these Social Media links and register as being a part of the RPMAA to receive the latest pictures, news, events and specials. If you would like to share your experiences (and we hope you do), click Google Plus and post  a review!

*Los Angeles students make sure to visit and "like" Anderson Professional Karate on Facebook as well!

TRAINING VIDEOS
3rd Degree Shinai
Master Rifkin Teaching 3rd Degree Shinai to 2nd DAN in September

CURRICULUM VIDEOS


Key components of the R.P.M.A.A. curriculum are embedded as a reinforcement of technique and as a way for students to train at home.  These components may be open hand
Self Defense Techniques, Knife Defense, Sparring Techniques or
Forms. Make sure to look for future newsletter videos and tutorials.

Master Rifkin demonstrates redirecting a hook punch (RPMAA Yellow Belt #4):

Yellow Self Defense #4
Yellow Self Defense #4
Distance for Sparring 
Distance for Sparring
 
Anderson Professional Karate Shines at Jun Chong Invitationals


In their first competition since Sensei Anderson took over the school, APKC turns in an impressive final result in the tournament held October 13th in
Los Angeles:

 
 

 
 
Noah Garcia--1st place forms
Kyla McElhaney--1st place forms

Anthony Vita--1st place forms
Levi Yung--1st place forms and 1st place sparring
Vincent Moran--2nd place sparring
Rachel Sonski--1st place forms
Janice Sonski--3rd place forms
Michelle Lerner--1st place forms, 1st place weapons
Gabby Amaro--2nd place forms
Nathan Luu--1st place bow form
Jeyun McElhaney--1st place forms, 3rd place breaking
Brian Fung--3rd place sparring
Rosi Sajbin--4th place forms
Michael Khachaturov--2nd place forms 
Mr. Tristan Swanberg--1st place forms, weapons, grand champ black belt forms


R.P.M.A.A. Kinder-Age Programs Teach Early Skill Set  

 

 

Kinder-Age Programs are age appropriate martial arts curriculums, specifically designed to meet the needs of younger children. The goal is to develop the child's balance, coordination, attention span, self control, and discipline, preparing them to attend the regular karate class.  Students learn basic martial arts techniques through instruction that is made accessible for younger children, and through participation in developmental games. 

 

The most obvious benefit is self defense.  Students will learn how to defend themselves in a situation where they are threatened by a bully or other person intending to do them harm.

Children develop their motor skills and hand-eye coordination, become stronger and leaner with greater flexibility and agility.  Kinder Kicks is a fun and engaging program and provides a safe place for children to channel pent up energy.

*For further Kinder-Appropriate Class information, contact either school for class times.  

Canoga Park, CA: (818)888-0743

Columbia, MO: (573)442-0668 

 

RPKC Introduces Attendance Award Program

In effort to always increase student attendance and student progress, we are introducing a program to reward those that attend class the most.  At the conclusion of each month, we will be awarding an ATTENDANCE AWARD to the student that has attended the most classes.  That student will receive a one-on-one private lesson with Master Rifkin. 

Private lessons are great for working on specific material, problem areas tha
t need more attention.  Though private lessons are always available for those
 that want to focus on a specific material, make sure to attend class
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE and try to earn a free session! 

The Attendance Award Winners for October are Monika Vangordon
and Chris Melville, each with 18 classes this month!
ONLINE SIGN-UPS
 
If you or someone you know is interested in RPKC's 1-Month Trial Program for $49, we now have an internet special with Online Registration.  Students can register from the homepage of our website or click below to take advantage of the online offer.

Trial Program includes:
-1 month unlimited classes
-FREE Introductory Private Lesson
-FREE School Uniform


RPKC Partners with Columbia Career Center
Womens' Self Defense Seminar and 6 Week Program


Beginning in the new year, RPKC is hosting a class through the Columbia Career Center focused around Self-Defense for Women.  Master Rifkin will be teaching a one day seminar followed by a 6 week intensive course.  Though the curriculum is designed specifically for women, practical self-defense is applicable to ALL.

Registration will be through the Columbia Career Center.  Look for an updated course catalog to be released in November.
RPKC Referral Contest for October and November '13


STARBUCKS BASKET 

For the month of November, Rifkin Professional Karate is teaming up with Starbucks Coffee to promote student referrals.  At the end of the month, the student that has referred the most qualified friends, family, or colleagues to RPKC will receive a Starbucks Gift Basket and a FREE Private Lesson with Master Rifkin. 

As an institution, we have always relied heavily on the word of our students to get the word out about the quality of our programs.  Please take the time to print and cut out copies of the coupon below.  In order to get credit for your referral make sure to mark your name on the coupon before handing them to friends.  Hand out as many as you like (even to strangers).  The student that has the most redeemed coupons on November 30th will receive the Gift Basket and Private Lesson.

*Note: Qualified referrals indicates those students that sign up for the RPKC Trial Program
 
1 month special $49


Referring Student Name:_____________________

1 Month Trial Program
Program includes:
  • Introductory Private Lesson
  • FREE School Uniform 
  • Unlimited Classes

  • R

 

 

2500 Broadway Bluffs Dr.
Columbia, MO
(573)442-0668

 


Essay Compilation 


"One of my personal philosophies is "do not live your life to please others, but do what you believe is right, do it from the heart and do it with passion."  Long ago, many of us heard of the Golden Rule of behavior also -"do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  The reality for many is that you must teach people how you want to be treated.  This does not have to be in a negative fashion as we often see in individuals' bullying behavior.  We can achieve this through positive interactions which we can use to help teach respect to each other and to the benefit of society as a whole.

 

When I began my Martial Arts journey, I didn't know what to think about bowing in and out of the dojo, to every Black Belt or to my fellow classmates.  I thought this way partly because I never had to do it before and partly because of pride.  I quickly realized the deeper meaning behind the action, what it meant to those that have strived for perfection before me, and what it now means to me.  I now bow happily to show understanding for the struggles that all of us have endured to be a part of this culture and lifestyle..."



-Glenn Kleiner, Blue Belt, R.P.M.A.A.

 


________________________________________________________________________

 

Yes we wear uniforms, Yes we bow to each other, Yes we do Forms,Yes we believe in Loyalty, Respect and Tradition. Yes all this is important if you are training in Martial Arts and not just a fighting system. As Grandmaster Cho told me a long time ago, "you are a champion for a day, but a Martial Artist for a life time."  Just look at the the many fads that the Martial Arts have had over the years. What has always lasted was the traditional Martial Arts. If you have a problem with this please give it time and history will repeat itself.

 

 

-Grandmaster Phillip Ameris, AIMAA