Prior News Letters

April 2008

        April 26th 2008 - Congratulations to the following students for successfully testing for their next level in Doce Pares:

• Diana Level 3 advanced

• Juan - Level 3 advanced

• Steve - Level 3advanced

• Guillermo - Level 2 advanced

• Tish - Level 2

• Dave  -  Level 1 advanced

• Jeff - Level 1 advanced

Thanks to Guro Big Mike and Guro Chris as well as Oliver Lim for helping testing , and to Jack Wang for helping partner with some of the students testing!                                

Congratulations to Taylor Leen  for being accepted into the IMAF SWAT (Special Winning Attitude Team) program. SWAT program teaches leadership skills to children. The students act as class assistants to the class instructor and learns how to lead groups, develop teaching skills and self-confidence. This program helps children develop skills that will help them in all other activities including school. Congratulations Taylor.

IMAF hosted Carl and Sue Agnelli for a Kettlebell workshop. Carl is an experienced kettlebell advocate and trainer.  Both Sue and Carl took the class through the foundations for an incredible kettlebell workout. Thanks also to Dan Font who is an experienced kettlebell practitioner for assisting in the class.

March 2008 -

First Aid Workshop - IMAF student, & school nurse Laurie Dellosso and her husband Wayne, both  Livingston certified EMT volunteers conducted a first aid workshop for students Monday evening at IMAF. Students got an overview of appropriate courses of actions as they relate to a variety of first aid situations, the importance of 911 and how it works and got to tour an EMT rig.

I'd  like to thanks Laurie and Wayne and Ken Gruber who so graciously agreed to let himself be strapped in, bandaged etc so the children could see first hand some of the procedures and EMT would use. This was a great learning experience .

Belt Testing - Congratulations to all those students that tested for their next belts this past Friday March 14th. Also a big thanks to all those that came by to help conduct the test.

January 2008 - Congratulations to Big Mike Horn, Abe Zakhem, Harry Huncken & John Lodato, Mindy Raisor and Chris Davis  for successfully testing for their Blue Belts under  BJJ  American Top Team Black Belt  Andre "Gigueto" Soares.

December 2007 - Congratulations to Jessen Lim for successfully testing for his IMAF Black Belt. Jessen's test was an all encompassing test of endurance skill and knowledge designed to ensure the student is fully competent in the Integrated style taught at IMAF, Filipino Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts and Jeet Kune Do kickboxing. We are proud to have Jessen as part of our exclusive group of IMAF Black Belts.

December 3rd 2007 -Four of IMAF's Doce Pares students completed their level testing this past weekend.

Congratulations to

• Juan Reistra - Level 3

• Diana Montes -Level 3

• Oliver Lim - Level 4a

• Chris Davis - Level 2

• Randy Kansky - Level 4a

for a great job. Their hard work showed in their ability to demonstrate their understanding of the material. Thanks to IMAF Black Belt Keisha Aranjuez for her help in conducting the testing .

Congratulations to Lindsay  Rosenberg for being accepted into the Black Belt Club. Lindsay came to IMAF as a senior student from another school and worked hard to get up to speed in IMAF's diverse curriculum.

November3rd 2007 - Congratulations to Big Mike Horn, Chris Praml and Keisha Aranjuez for successfully testing for their IMAF Black Belt this past Sat morning. This test is a grueling test encompassing physical stamina technical proficiency in the three ranges we teach, kickboxing, Eskrima (weapons) and submission grappling. The test which ran from 10:30 to 1:00 challenged the students to the limit an provided an opportunity to display skills.  I was proud of each student as they demonstrated what one can accomplish with consistent training, in spite of other commitments (work, family, school).

Both Mike and Chris have already attained their Doce Pares Black Belt last year testing under GM's "Diony" Canete and "Dong" Cuesta as well as Master Don Edwards.

I'd also like to thank the students and family that came down to support them in this test and to Jesson Lim for assisting Keisha in her test and to Jack and Joey for assisting Sifu.

September 10th 2007 - Congratulations to Kayla Goldman for making the Black Belt Club. Kayla has worked very hard and displayed the focus and commitment necessary to achieve her goal of Black Belt.

August 10 2007 - IMAF's  Allamuchy bike trip turned out to be a fun if exhausting ride.. Thanks to Chris, Rich, Matt along with Sifu Don for a fun day. Rafting trip is next!

July 26th 2007 - Thanks for all those that came down to wish Anthony Salcedo farewell and good luck in his move. We will miss him..

July 17th 2007 - Congratulations to Guro Tom Walker for successfully testing for his Black Belt in Doce Pares. Tom, who has been training with Master Don Edwards for almost 8 years tested with Master Dong Cuesta. Guro Chris Praml and Steve Grossbard helped Tom in his testing while IMAF students came in to cheer Tom on.

June27th 2007 - Congratulations to Julia Chirls and Avishai Berman on their successful testing and promotion to Black Belt. Both students had to endure an extensive conditioning test followed by performance of their Black Belt empty hand form, demonstration of advanced Doce Pares stick drills, three rounds each  of  full contact stickfighting, kickboxing, MMA and 4 minutes of BJJ. All this was followed a series of advanced board breaking, and a reading of their essay. Both students, who had been with IMAf for 6 or more years,  performed flawlessly. 

Akiva Mattenson also tested for his first strip on his Black Belt performing an advanced Black Belt Form from Doce Pares, advanced MMA control, defensive techniques and BJJ sparring followed by an advanced board breaking sequence.

More pictures will follow.

June 27th - PIMA fighters came to IMAF's stickfighting training session this past Thursday. I want to express my thanks to all of them for making the effort to come in and train with us. Good friends are hard to come by and these guys are the best! - Sifu Don

April 27th 2007 - Congratulations to those students that tested this Friday night. As usual, everyone performed above expectations and showed the determination necessary to continue down the path to black Belt. Special thanks to Simu Amy and Sifu Anthony, and Black Belt James Goldman and Red/Black Belt Julia Chirls  for their help.

Ninja Students

Children/Jr Students

March 30th 2007 - Congratulations to those students that tested this Friday night. Everyone did a great job and showed determination and skill.

Some of the Little Ninja students that tested

Children's Karate students that tested

Tiger Cubs after their test!

March 2007-  New IMAF Black Belts

Congratulations to John, Chase, James , Joey and Evan for successfully testing for their black belts this past Friday. The students, who have been with IMAF  for 6 or more years had to test for 2 1/2 hours in a test that encompassed intense physical fitness goals, advanced empty hand forms, Doce Pares stick drills, followed by 3 rounds of kickboxing, 3 rounds of stickfighting , 4 minutes of BJJ and 2 rounds of  MMA. They ended the test with extensive board breaking routines followed by reading their essays. All students displayed the determination to succeed and overcome challenges. I would also like to thank all the parents for believing in our program. Also special thanks to Kim Goldman and Laurie Dellosso for helping in making this a successful and rewarding event.

Special thanks to Guro "Big" Mike, "Guro" Chris, Simu Amy, Sifu Anthony, Ken Gruber, John Lodato, Harry Hunckin and all the IMAF students that came and supported and assisted the students in their test.

Evan	Joey	James
Chase	John

James flying side kick over 4 students	Evan flying high - off the human staircase	Chase powerbreaking side kick
Joey - power side kick	IMAF  Black Belts with supporters and instructors	John's sidekick through 3 boards!

IMAF Adventure Trip - Allamuchy - Well it seems the

January 2007

 winter has brought out only thr strong and those that like the cold. Our second outdoors "character building" trip was attended by John and Anthony as well as Sifu Don. This time we climbed the back half of the "Teal trail" to the out look and back. We then hiked another trail further down the rooad which ultimately led to Deer Pond.  We are waiting for more snow for the next trip. nothing  like a little adversity to build character!

Tiger Cubs Promotion - Congratulations to our "Tiger Cubs" class who completed a new IMAF program which required all students to perform punching kicking combinations, a simple "form",  breaking a board and performing a variety of agility drills. The start of the road to Black Belt!

IMAF Promotions - Congratulations to all those students that tested this Friday, Jan 12, 2007. All those that tested worked hard and it showed. Everyone look crisp in their techniques and they demonstrated how hard work pays off. Special thanks to those senior students that took the time to help during the promotion. Joey Dellosso, James Goldman, Allix Chirls and Julia Chirls. It';s encouraging to see the senior students step up and make the effort to make these events successful for all.

December  2006

SWAT Team - Joey Dellosso was named to the IMAF SAWT program. The SWAT program is special program for those students that put in additional time assisting the instructor with class. Joey has consistently helped in the Little Ninja class even leading the class through the stretching routines. This program develops leadership skills in the students and helps prepare them for leadership positions in the future. - Congratulations Joey!

 IMAF Holiday Party

IMAF students (martial arts and fitness clients) were invited to celebrate the holiday in the annual IMAF holiday party. We had a great turnout and everyone contributed to a great time of dancing and partying. I would like to thank all those that attended (we unfortunately didn't get pictures of everyone) and to everyone who contributed food etc.  Have a safe and happy holiday!

November Black Belt Club Members

IMAF Belt Testing- October 27, 2006 - IMAF Students participated in an extensive belt testing Friday night. All students had to demonstrate proficiency in  JKD kickboxing, Doce Pares Eskrima drills and forms, submission grappling and board breaking. All students turned out an excellent performance and demonstrated how hard they trained for their exam. Special thanks to Keisha, who tested for her Black/Red belt (pre black belt - 3 rounds each of kickboxing, grappling and stickfighting non stop) and then help other students in their test!

IMAF Halloween Party - October 26, 2006 -  IMAF held it's annual Halloween party this past Wednesday and Thursday. All students and their friends had a great time and showed some great costumes. Thanks to all that came and we're glad you had a great time.

IMAF Hike- October 13th, 2006 - Debbie Edwards, Mindy Raisor, Anthony Salcedo, John Lodato and Amy Edwards along with  Sifu Don spent 3 hours climbing trails, rock scrambling and taking in some incredible views of the valley from lookout points in Allamuchy State Park. . The group had a great time and we are looking forward to the next trip. Below are a few pic's from the trip. Thanks to those that participated....

The Beginning - Big smiles	Group on the trail!	Group  - First rock	Debbie and Anthony	John and Mindy - rock scramblers
On top of the mountain - a great view	Anthony taking in the view.	Sifu Don	John finding his way	Amy after falling in the stream!!!!
Rear view of John - sliding down too many rocks!	The end - long trip but loads of fun

New Black Belt Club Members - October 2006

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