RPMA Monthly Newsletter

August

Summer Camps

We had a ton of fun at our July Camp!
We are looking forward to our final Summer Camp at the end of this month

Remember to register early as spaces are limited. 

You can sign up at Summer Camps - Rochester Phoenix Martial Arts (rochesterjiujitsu.com)

Upcoming Events and Schedule Updates:

Marathon Roll: Thursday, August 1st

Kids Game Day: No game day in August

Summer BBQ: Sunday, August 18th!
There is a sign up sheet at the dojo next to the cubbies. Please sign up to bring what you can!

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT!!

We are very excited to feature our very first member spotlight this month!!
Each month, we will feature a new member, so make sure to check out our monthly newsletter to find out who it will be.

This month's featured member is: 
Macey

Name: Macey Fredericks (they/them)

Occupation: 
Student at Buffalo State and Math Tutor

How long have you been training in martial arts?  
I have been training martial arts since March of 2013, I trained Karate at UMAC from 2013-2018 then have been training BJJ and Judo at RPMA since then. When I am not in Rochester I find gyms to stop by. 

What motivated you to start training in martial arts? 
I was motivated to start marital arts because I was in between 2 swim seasons as a nine year old and one of my sisters friends trained. I have loved it ever since. 

Which martial art(s) do you practice, and why did you choose it/them? 
I currently train BJJ and Judo. I choose to practice these because I like the mental game you have to play along with the free movement. I also love the camaraderie within both of these arts there's a lot of support from training partners and coaches!

How do you stay motivated to train consistently? 
Staying motivated to train consistently never seemed to be an issue for me when I started training. BJJ and Judo always brought a lot of light into my day and I look forward to seeing my training partners and learning and practicing. During my gap year and college it was a bit harder to train consistently because of other  responsibilities I had but I think that the place I can separate my life from fun has been something that definitely helps. 

Can you share a memorable moment or achievement from your martial arts journey?
 I think that one of the many memorable achievements that I have had in martial arts was getting my Judo green belt. I was supposed to test right after covid started and it got pushed back about a year before I even started training my green belt moves again. This belt not only was a testament to the fact I trained consistently and came back after some pretty significant world changes but it was also the belt that I grew emotionally alot and felt as though I am a leader and could be responsible.

How has martial arts influenced your life outside of the dojo? 
Outside of the Dojo, martial arts has influenced by confidence knowing that I can do hard things and also just made me more patient with myself and with people I am with, everyone has different strengths and weaknesses and martial arts has taught me that we need to support one another.

What life skills have you gained from martial arts training? 
Through martial arts I have gained focus, the ability to find flow and being able to work diligently in effort to make the work I do the quality that I want it to be and that it can be. 

Do you have any advice for beginners who are just starting their martial arts journey?
 For people just starting there martial arts journey I would recommend to not be in a rush, you will learn moves and get better it doesnt come overnight. Make sure to have fun with it because the environment really make the training epic. 

How do you balance martial arts training with other aspects of your life (work, family, hobbies)?
 To balance martial arts and other aspects of my life I make sure to set the time I will be training every week, if I have a lot of things going on maybe I will only make it twice a week and I remember to give myself compassion because Martial arts will always be there for me. 

Do you have a favorite martial arts movie or book?
 I haven't watched or read a ton of martial arts stuff but I feel like Avatar the Last Airbender is great for the martial arts mindset.

What are your future goals in martial arts? 
My future goals in martial arts is to find a supportive community to continue training in buffalo. 

Is there anything else you would like to share about your martial arts journey or personal story?
  This summer I am doing a charity bike ride, biking 1,800 miles down the west coast from Seattle to San Diego. I am doing this through Bike the US for MS. All 20 people in my group have done some amazing fundraising and these funds go to support research, treatment and provide direct assistance to those living with MS. This organization has been around since 2007. Multiple Sclerosis affects almost 3 million people world wide, and is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system.
 Please consider donating to this Organization!  
https://ride.biketheusforms.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=1&_gl=1*j1m69r*_ga*MTE5Nzk0NjA3Ni4xNzIwMjAwNjE4*_ga_CFGFP5CY1Z*MTcyMDIwMDYxNy4xLjAuMTcyMDIwMDYxNy4wLjAuMA

We want to hear from you!

We are excited to introduce our suggestion box! 
Want to let us know we are doing a good job, or have suggestions on ways we can improve? We want to know! Feel free to drop your suggestion in anonymously, or write your name if you want us to follow up with you! We appreciate any feedback as it helps us improve!

Forgot your water bottle? 
Thanks to a donation from Mark's Pizzeria from next door, we have water bottles for members to grab! 
Please make sure to write your name on the bottle so we know who it belongs to, and make sure to bring it home with you!

Join Our Discord Community

Stay connected with our dojo community by joining our Discord server. It's a great place to ask questions, share experiences, and keep up with the latest news. Download the app and join us here:  https://discord.com/invite/f8xw3rHxfw  

Check-In!

Remember to check in to every class you attend!! BJJ, Judo and Karate!

For kids, attendance tracking is essential for promotions, and regular participation is key to progress.

 Use the iPad by the cubbies, or download the gymdesk app to check in on your phone.

Buy Our Merch

Support the dojo and look great doing it! Check out our new merchandise, including t-shirts, hoodies, water bottles, and gift certificates.

Visit our shop at Shop - Rochester Phoenix Martial Arts (rochesterjiujitsu.com)

Dojo Rules for Kids

To ensure a safe and respectful environment:

What to Wear/Not to Wear

Wear: Comfortable athletic clothing. Rash Guards are recommended. Spats, leggings or shorts.

Not to Wear: Jewelry, watches, or any loose clothing that might get caught during activities. T-shirts. Any clothing with zippers, buttons, sparkles, or anything that sticks out or can hurt others.

What to Bring Every Day:

• Belts: This is mostly for Kids! Don't forget to bring your belts so you can get your promotions on time! Belts are also sometimes used for games. Be sure to have your belt.

• Water Bottles: Staying hydrated is crucial, so make sure to bring a water bottle. We have a water bottle refill station. The refill station is for filling water bottles. It is not a water fountain, so please do not place your mouth directly on it.

Referral Program

Do you know someone who would love our dojo as much as you do? Refer a friend to join and you will receive a special reward! It's a great way to share the benefits of martial arts and grow our community.

Leave Us a Google Review

We value your feedback! If you've enjoyed your experience with us, please take a moment to leave us a review on Google. Your reviews help us improve and attract new members.

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Thank you for being a part of our dojo family. 

Missed last months news? No worries. 
Check it out here: