It is kind of nice to start a new month on a Monday. I know that it is an artificial alignment of “beginnings”, but it does help to sweep away some of the habitual excuses that we tend to fall into (I’ll start it tomorrow/next week/next month). So stripped of that framing, today provides a wonderful opportunity to start fresh and forge ahead on a few longer term plans.

First, we will be starting our run of preparation for gradings in jujutsu, kendo, iaido and jodo this week. I would ask that you have a look at your grading requirements in your respective arts, and bring some questions to the dojo to shape what we focus on in our sessions. This might be technical (the “how you do it” requirements), process-based (the “what you need to do” requirements), and conditioning (how to improve strength, balance and cardiovascular conditioning to achieve your goals). Everyone will be different in what they need to focus on, even if you are attempting the same grading level, so you need to be active in the process of your preparation in order to maximise your chance of success. Ask questions and we will tailor what you need to work on this week.

Second, Club group orders will be going into our suppliers. Knee pads are available at Grapplingstore, so have a think if you would like to purchase a set (knees are important after all), and have a look at their website to see if there is anything else you would like. Tozando ought be able to fulfil orders before the next QKR seminar if we get them in this week, so again, have a think about what you might like. This includes Kyudo related items such as a Kyudo gi, gomuyumi etc. that you may wish to obtain, and of course jujutsu uniforms.

Third, I will be trialling some new features within our Martialytics student database this week and spending some time at the back end of the Club’s systems to streamline some of our procedures. I will be checking that we have current details and photos for all members, so be warned that you may have a snap taken when you are in this week.

Fourth, we are scheduled to have an Executive meeting this Sunday, so if you have any suggestions or issues you would like to raise, please let your relevant instructor or discipline coordinators know.

Have fun everyone today, this week and this month, and, as always, I’ll look forward to seeing you in the dojo!