Villari's Martial Arts Center of Shrewsbury, MA
Congratulations VShrewers!
by VShrews on 06/09/17This past weekend, VShrews was proud and excited to send 7 first degree Brown Belts off to the Regional Black Belt test to earn their first degree Black Belts. All 7 students not only passed their test, but learned a little something about themselves, their fellow students, and apparently metallurgy?
Judan spoke about tempering, a metal heating technique applied to create toughness and elasticity by decreasing hardness and rigidity. Things that bend are less likely to break, he argued, and that's what gives a martial artist their strength. As Bruce Lee said, "Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind."
But it's not just our bodies that need that kind of flexibility. Our minds often need to bend as well.
Having listened in on some of the answers given to the Master Board on Saturday, I was happy to learn that the lessons we teach at VShrews really have been absorbed over the years. When we talk about how and why a technique works, how to assess one's own abilities and weaknesses accurately, what it takes to achieve one's goals, and even what kind of people we strive to be, our students are listening and learning and becoming exactly what we've been hoping for: the very best version of who they already are.
One of our students even said she liked her karate school because we accept her for who she is but push her to be what she wants to be. That's the kind of answer that makes us proud not only of our students but of ourselves. We're training black belts, yes, but in an environment that values all sorts of people for who they are, not for what we'd want them to be. There is value in diversity and our students prove that over and over again.
In order to create that kind of environment, we've needed to bend. We've needed to consider who our students were as individuals and what they needed in order to achieve their goals. We've even had to accept that not all of our students have the same goals. Some of us are on the path to Black Belt and above from the moment we begin our training. Others are looking for something within themselves that a strip of fabric can't provide. And while we, as instructors, can stand before a class as role-models of what hard work and consistent effort can provide, we cannot expect that every student wants or needs to follow our path.
So we continue to be proud and accepting of all of our students, regardless of rank or goal or achievement because joining us in any capacity is an opportunity for everyone involved to learn and grow and to be of some service to others.
We are so very proud of our new Black Belts. But we're so proud of the rest of our students as well. Whether you are with us for two months or a decade, we're honored and grateful to be part of your journey!
To see pictures of our new Black Belts in action, visit our Facebook photo album, 2017 June Black Belt Test.
To see pictures of our every day hero students, scroll through our Facebook feed where we update with new class pics every Monday.
Starting to Almost Feel Like Spring
by VShrews on 05/24/17Well, VShrewers, it's finally starting to feel like spring (sometimes) so we're starting to think about our Summer t-shirts!
In an unprecedented twist of fate, we actually received our t-shirt order SUPER early so we're thinking about maybe moving up the start of t-shirt and freezepop time. Now, we haven't actually gotten the freezepops yet, so don't expect your summer treat to start next week but it's entirely possible that Summer at VShrews will start sooner than Summer-feeling weather does. Keep an eye out for a new flyer in the lobby soon!
We're also closing for Memorial Day both Saturday and Monday, May 27 and 29, so make sure you're making up your classes.
If you're a BBC (and you know who you are) the Black Belt test is just a week and a half away. Make sure you're practicing at home and coming to classes because Your Time Has Almost Come and we can't wait to hand you that new belt!!!
Don't forget to make up any missed classes from early spring before the expire and talk to us if you're going on an extended vacation this summer so we can adjust your account!
Happy sorta sometimes Spring, VShrewers! The school year is almost over and freezepops await youuuuuuuu!
VShrews is closed on April Fool's for Snow? Yeah, we are.
by VShrews on 04/01/17Well, this is just ridiculous. But yes, it snowed and iced on April 1st and we're closing because of it. Well, because of the ice. The snow's not that bad but the ice? That stuff is treacherous.
No joke, VShrewers, we will be closed today, Saturday April 1 2017 due to inclement weather.
No worries, though. Forecast calls for Spring-like weather again tomorrow, so maybe some of this mess will melt!
Stay safe, stay warm! We'll see you soon!
Yup, Another Snow Closing
by VShrews on 03/13/17We're calling it ahead of time:
VShrews will be closed on Tuesday March 14, 2017 due to snow weather badness!
Cross your fingers that this is the last of it for this season, VShrewers! And keep an eye out for Wednesday's plans because we just don't know yet.
Stay warm, be safe! We'll see you again soon!
More Closings, Did You Say?
by VShrews on 02/13/17That's right. Thanks to yesterday's storm, we're still digging ourselves out and we're willing to bet you are too.
So Villari's of Shrewsbury be closed today, Monday February 13, 2017 for just that reason.
Remember a month ago when it was winter but we could still go places and do things? We miss that.
