New Year, Who Dis?

Aaaand we're back! We hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday break and was able to find time to relax, spend time with their loved ones... and practice. Because now that we're all rested and focused on our 2019 #DojoGoals, it's time to get at 'em! Take a look at what's coming up in the New Year.

We closed the year out with decorating the Dojo Tree with our 2019 goals, but that was just the first step. Now it's time to create a plan of execution and crush those goals that are little-by-little going to bring us closer to becoming the best Martial Artists and the best selves we can be. Coming up with a plan is a whole lot easier when you know what you're working towards and how much time you've got to get there, which is why you should Click Here to view and print your own 2019 Dojo Calendar of Events. It's got the dates for all of this year's tournaments, Belt Tests, holiday closures, Bully Blockers summer camp registration dates, and more, so you won't miss any important or exciting events.

If you're looking for a little boost to help keep you focused and motivated to achieve your Martial Arts goal(s), post your goal on Instagram using the hashtag #DojoGoals and tag us (@ussdsc). We'll share it with the rest of the Dojo fam so we can all give you little "friendly" reminders now and then to help keep you focused and consistent, and the best one will win one of the new Team SC t-shirts!

Speaking of goals, our first Belt Tests of 2019 are coming up fast! The Teen/Adult Belt Test is (tentatively) scheduled for Friday, February 1st (no Teens or Adults group class that evening), and the Kids Belt Test is scheduled for Saturday, February 2nd. If you or your child is ready for the February Test, you should receive an email with all of the details within the next week. If you have any questions about how you can help yourself or your child to best prepare for an upcoming Belt Test, please speak with your instructor.

2018 ended in a tie! Congratulations to Lynnox B. and Enzo C., our December 2018 Students of the Month!

2018 also ended with our always-awesome Dojo Family Potluck, where we had RRPhotoz come through to snap some great photos of the students and Instructors! If you haven't had a chance to do so yet, check for an email from the photographers which will include direct links to your photos, where you can then choose your favorite poses and backgrounds to purchase so you'll always remember how rad you looked holding that sword. You can also order your copy of the Team San Clemente group photo by Clicking Here.

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! The Dojo will remain open and on regular schedule on Monday, January 21st.

Looking ahead to next month, "Early-Bird" registration for our 2019 Bully Blockers Ninja Summer Camp begins on Monday, February 11th! This year's camp is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31st through Friday, August 2nd, 8:00 am to noon each day. Whether it's your first year at Ninja Camp or your 6th, Bully Blockers summer camp is always a blast and the perfect way to help ensure that your child is ready for whatever comes their way in the new school year (for a recap of last year's camp, Click Here). Bully Blockers Ninja Camp registration is open to all kids (students and general public) ages 5 to 11, and space is limited.

The Ninja Sleepover (Saturday, August 3rd ~ Sunday, August 4th) is included with camp registration for USSD San Clemente students who sign-up through the Dojo (rather than online through the City of San Clemente's Summer Recreation Programs) only. We can't wait for another awesome self-defense summer camp!

Training hard and consistently to achieve your goals can be a lot of (beneficial and rewarding) work, but it's a whole lot harder when you're fighting a cold or stomach bug. We put a lot of effort into making sure that the Dojo is a clean, healthy, and safe environment for all of our students to train in, so if you or your child is sick (especially if you've had a fever or vomiting/diarrhea within the last 24 hours), please do not come into the Dojo for your scheduled training, and instead stay home so you can focus on getting well. Group classes and private lessons are a lot more fun and productive when all of the instructors and your training partners are healthy and energetic, and no one wants to be coughed on or have their gi used as a Kleenex while they're grappling or practicing takedowns (yuck!). Let's all work together to keep the Dojo a healthy and safe place to train for everyone.

Besides sticking the 2019 Dojo Calendar of Events on your fridge, be sure and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop with all things Dojo-related, and to see lots of great photos and videos (and sometimes memes).

Let's make our first full year in our (kinda) new Dojo the best yet! Have a great month and a Happy New Year, and we'll see you in the Dojo.