View May’s training programme now.

Adult Spirit Camp. Pier Cellars, Cawsand Bay. February 24th-26th
Kids Camp. Nine Ashes Scout Camp, Bodmin. May 18th-20th
Family Summer Camp. Venue TBC. August 18th-25th
Adult Spirit Camp. Pier Cellars, Cawsand Bay. September 21st-23rd

In April 2012, one of our black belt students is planning on running the “toughest footrace on earth” in aid of the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.
Darren Handley will attempt (and complete) the “Marathon des Sables” which is a 7 day / 150+ mile endurance race across the Sahara Desert where temperatures can reach in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.
The race covers the miles in 6 stages over 7 days. The first day is a warm up of only about 17 miles, the second and third days are usually about 21 – 24 miles long each.
On the fourth day, runners set off across the barren wilderness to complete a 50 mile stage. Few people complete this before dark that evening and some will not come in till after dark the next day. This is followed by the 26 mile Marathon stage!! The final day is a “fun run” half marathon. The terrain varies from dried river beds to uneven rocky, stony ground as well as 15 – 20% of the distance being in sand dunes.
All competitors have to be self sufficient and run each day carrying everything they need for the remainder of the race in a rucksack (food, clothes, medical kit, sleeping bag etc). Water is rationed and handed out at various checkpoints, penalties are applied for runners who need extra water, food also has to be prepared by the runner for the week. The sun, heat, distance, terrain and sand become major obstacles with blisters, dehydration, heat exhaustion, fatigue and injuries being a major factor to be overcome to survive the event.
It has been estimated that mental stamina (indomitable spirit!) constitutes at least 50% of whether competitors complete the distance or not, although fitness is clearly a factor. To prepare for this event Darren has been training by doing endurance weight training and running with a rucksack for ever increasing distances since January 2011. To date he has completed numerous 30 + mile runs across varying terrain. As the event gets closer, he intends to increase his weekly mileage until he is regularly running 100+ miles a week with a rucksack.
Why this charity?
Darren has served in the Royal Marine Commandos for over 18 years, during this time he has served around the world, including numerous operational tours of Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and most recently Afghanistan. He has lost friends and colleagues to enemy action and has experienced the life changing injuries of fellow marines who sustain wounds leading to loss of limbs, permanent scarring and other severe injuries. Darren has witnessed the importance of ongoing aftercare for those unfortunate enough to sustain severe injuries and would like to do something worthwhile to pay back part of the debt we all owe these brave servicemen. The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund help wounded and injured Royal Marines in any way possible, assist those still serving and facing repeated high threat deployments where required and also assist the families of those unfortunate enough to have made the ultimate sacrifice.
You can learn more about the Marathon des Sables at www.saharamarathon.co.uk.
Donations can be made securely online at www.justgiving.com/Darren-Handley
All donations however small are very much appreciated.

Miss Szczutkowska’s medal haul included a Gold medal in Individual Female Degree Patterns, Gold medal Individual Female Degree Sparring, Gold medal Team Degree Patterns, Gold medal Team Sparring, Gold medal Team Power, Gold medal Team Special Technique, Bronze medal Individual Power and a Bronze medal Individual Special Technique.  She also won a Gold medal for Best Female Team and to top it all off, Jo has won the Best overall Female Champion.
A massive congratulations from all at SCMA, we are very proud of her.

Ian joined SCMA in the summer of 2011 as a second degree black belt. Ian is also a Chiropractor working from Plymouth Chiropractic Clinic and wishes to enlighten you about Chiropractic and how it can be more than just a helping hand for back pain…

My interest in Chiropractic began after experiencing Chiropractic first hand following a sporting injury that left me with constant back pain. As a young man, I thought nothing of it and waited for the pain to ease; only it didn’t.  Months later and a coincidental meeting with a Chiropractor, I was persuaded to give it a try. After a short period of care I was not only back to my old self, but feeling better than before. It was then when speaking to the Chiropractor that I began to understand why I was performing better whilst under Chiropractic care.

I was so amazed by the whole experience, I quit my job and went back to college and after 5 years of training, I graduated from the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in Bournemouth.

Most people have heard of Chiropractic; ask the average person on the street and the most likely answer you will hear is that Chiropractors ‘fix bad backs’. Whilst Chiropractors have built a reputation for improving back pain, at the core of Chiropractic is the pursuit of 100% function and optimal health.

Imagine a car with a flat tyre, most of us wouldn’t dream of driving around for too many miles with a flat tyre because we know the likely consequences. Not only is it likely to ruin the wheel but it’s also likely to have a knock on effect to the suspension and other structures of the car. Sooner or later the car will come to a grinding halt and will require a lot of work to get it roadworthy again. The human body isn’t all that dissimilar! Imagine all of the knocks and bumps your body has taken over the years, poor posture, lack of exercise, too much sitting, perhaps a favoured kicking leg at Taekwon-Do or kickboxing, leading to an imbalance. The human body has an amazing ability to adapt to the stressors we put it under, but unless we deal with these, our performance potential decreases and we cannot function at our optimum and that’s when symptoms begin to appear.

This is where Chiropractic comes in. Chiropractic is a form of health care that supports the body’s inborn ability to heal itself by restoring function and balance to the spine and nervous system without the use of drugs or surgery. Chiropractic is suitable for everyone of all ages, from newborn babies to pensioners alike with an array of complaints. We are never too young or old to begin your journey towards optimal health.

If you would like to find out more about Chiropractic or if you know someone who could benefit, speak to Ian if you see him at one of the classes or contact Plymouth Chiropractic Clinic:

Telephone -01752 770131

www.plymouthchiropractic .com

SCMA EXCLUSIVE OFFER – HALF PRICE INITIAL CONSULTATION AND FOLLOW UP CONSULTATION. JUST MENTION SOUTH COAST MARTIAL ARTS WHEN BOOKING YOUR APPOINTMENT.

One of our kickboxing students, Robbie Taylor is taking part in a Charity trek to Everest Base Camp and is looking to raise as much sponsorship as possible.

Here’s Robbie’s reasons and details regarding this event.

Within my personal and working life I have recently seen two people (one as young as 5) lose there battle with different illnesses. I have therefore decided to take on a challenge and raise some well deserved money for Cornwall Hospice.

Cornwall Hospice Care provides Specialist Palliative Care – the term used for the alleviation of pain and management of symptoms – for people in the county who have life limiting illnesses and gives support to their loved ones.  The charity provides 24 in-patient beds, day treatments and therapies at its two hospices in St Austell & Hayle. It costs nearly £6 million annually to run these services – over £11 a minute and around 85pence in every £ must be met through raised voluntary income.

The Challenge I have decided to join is one that will push me to my limits and one which I hope will raise a significant amount of money.  My Challenge is a trek of approx 112km (70miles) to reach the base camp of Mount Everest, now as you can appreciate is not a simple walk in the park, the trek is one which that finishes at a height of 5,557m above sea level (this classes as extreme altitude) which is 4013m higher than Ben Nevis (Highest Mountain in Great Britain), or in simple terms its like climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower 8 ½ times,. No lift!!!!

Anyway I have agreed to raise a minimum of £4000, however I have set myself a goal of £10,000, so this is were you all come into my plans.  If you feel that what I am attempting and the cause for which I’m doing this warrants a personal donation then please make that donation.  I have registered with virgin money giving where you can make your donation at:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=Robbieseveresttrek

I would like to take this opportunity and thank you for any support you are able to give.

If anyone has any questions then please feel free to contact me via SCMA.

I’m also looking for a kit sponsor which would require a donation of £1500, but this does bring with it some advantages all the clothing will carry the log of the Sponsor, and I will be having a light banner made for photos at the base camp, and on route.  I will also be arranging local newspaper coverage and advertisement.  If anyone knows of any company that maybe interested in this opportunity then please feel free to pass my details on.

Many Thanks

Robbie Taylor

Call Mick Casey on 01752 515994 or email at: mickcasey@hotmail.co.uk

What is a Pattern?