What can I say?  To participate in the martial arts was the best decision I ever made. 

Although I study a hardstyle -- there were no good kung fu schools within an hour of me --  I also like "Wushu Kung Fu" as well.  Soft styles are cool and flowing, but Wushu is extremely acrobatic and graceful; it sets itself apart from all other martial arts. In fact, it is more beautiful than practical (like gymnastics rather than fighting) and in order to participate, you must get yourself really flexible and have no fear of acrobatics. Since I studied gymnastics as a kid and had some real talent at it, I would love to find a school near me.  

Ray Park, a Wushu martial artist introduced me to the martial arts.  I want to thank him for that.  I have never enjoyed a sport or hobby more than this! Honestly, I regret not taking an interest a long time ago when I could have really used it.  But anyway, if I ever meet Ray, I am going to let him know I appreciate his talents.

Addendum -- I did meet Ray Park in 2003 and thanked him personally for sparking my interest. I bought his autograph and chatted with him, he is a really nice guy!  In 2004 I met him again (whoa, he actually remembered me...impressive!) and we posed for a photo with one of the first trophies I ever won in a tournament.  He had some cool martial arts pictures for autographs! Too bad I didn't have a job or I would have gotten one of those.  Oh well, next year....

About My Studies

I study a hard style called Zen Karate (and just love it!). It is a blend of Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Kick Boxing.  We get the best of all worlds.   The blend consists of Shotokan katas and hand techniques, Tae Kwon Do's foot techniques and Kick Boxing's modern and versatile fighting style.   We are still respectful of the original traditions but the sport sparring is not outdated like in some schools and styles.  Of course, this isn't the ultimate style or anything, but it sure has it's advantages.  And our school has not given up the principals of discipline and fitness to become more modern or to push students along in belt ranks.  (the workout is BRUTAL at times)

Because there aren't a lot of schools where I live (Red Deer Alberta), I believe that we have the best Dojo in the area. I can't think of a tournament where one of our members didn't come back with a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in sparring or forms.  

During my yellow belt, I earned 7 trophies at 4 tournaments alone, and to me, this shows the quality of our school and its teachers.  (Although we have talented students too).  

Even more demonstrative of this, is the fact that Cheney's students are required to earn every belt and people who want free handouts don't last long..  For example you can't study sparing until your second belt.  (That gets rid of people joining just to learn to fight) you also can't study weapons until you are a Green belt, and there are definitely no 8 year old Black Belts hanging around (or contracts, or money up front deals for testing).  

Trust me, I've seen a lot of crap at tournaments which has made me wonder about the ethics of some Martial Arts Schools, and the worst part, is their teachers are more than HAPPY to give excuses about why and how a 8 or 10 year old earned his black belt.

I am especially irked about high ranking children in general.  The closest we come to let's say, child black belts, is a Jr Black belt rank (black belt with a white stripe), and even then, they are required to retest at 18 and prove they still have the skills.  I don't think you can even become a Jr Black belt until you are 14, and it takes approx 4-8 years to earn such a rank at Cheney's -- all depending on your talent and dedication of course.  One of the coolest things about getting your master rank, is that you get to wear a coloured Gi -- *grin* you are stuck wearing white until then.  It gives you a bit of something to look forward to.  

I would recommend that if anyone looks at a school, no matter what the style, to be wary of all the above -- ie: schools with young high ranking students (belt factory) and schools that insist on you signing long term contracts or making you pay large amounts of money up front before belt tests.  Money factories like these are very unreliable.  You won't ever be able to guarantee that you earned your rank. Maybe they just gave you your belt or had you sign a contract to keep you from leaving ($$$ cha-ching).  It's all about money rather than a sport or a system of self defense.

If you would like to learn more about my Sensei Lyle Cheney, please read this magazine article on him.

I have *NEVER* had such good friends in my life, they are like a family.    And well we are.  If someone messes with one of our members, they have to mess with *all* of us.  I sure wish I would have had that when I was younger.  I can think of a few people who wouldn't have picked on me ever again... 

I highly recommend a martial art to anyone, soft or hard.  Do it for the exercise, do it for the discipline, do it for the confidence, do it for the friends! 

Karate Tournaments

Victory Martial Arts Tournament Calgary 2000 (3rd sparring, 3rd Kata)
Arashi Do Karate Tournament Calgary 2000 (1st Kata, 2nd Sparring)
GingWu Tournament (3rd Kata, didn't enter sparring)
Western Canadian Karate Championships (1st Kata, 3rd Sparring)

Goofy Wallpapers