Bonnie Ehrenreich-Desjean I am spreading the word to all my friends and their friends on how ABSOLUTLY AMAZING JKS is. Received a call from Zachary's school yesterday telling me how impressed and proud they are in Zachary's change, he has done a complete 360 and we owe it all to you. :) Thank you so very much!
Dear JKS Martial Arts, March 23 2011
On behalf of Batshaw Youth and Family Centers, members and staff, I take this opportunity to express our sincerest appreciation for your contribution and support. Batshaw is deeply grateful for lyour support and generosity. It is through the support of individuals and cororate representiatives such as yourselves that we are able to continue to strengthen our programs and to devolop new and innovative projects to serve our members and the community. Your contribution will broaden our clients discilpline and character, in and out of the ring which is invaluable to thier furture endevors. We look forward to your continued support. Again, thank lyou for making this mission a reality. Sincerely, Courtney Sewel
Information Agent Batshow Youth and Family Centres
" Its on of the best things I’ve ever done for myself." Saya Kenzo, Cornell Uneversity Ph.D. candidate, age 28
"It gives me the self-confidence to be able to defend myself effectively in a physically threatening situation. Training at JKS provides you with a strong body and strong mind." Christine Cooper, mother and physical education teacher, age 41
"JKS will show you strengths you never knew you had." Erin McKinnon, McGill psychology student, age 21
"Since I joined I feel so much more empowered and full of energy." Maki Tae, business owner , age 28
"Its the only form of excercise I’ve ever stuck with and it got me into great shape." Andrea Salpeter, auditor, age 25
"I’d only wish I’d joined earlier." Suzannah Krack, Concordia University Student, age 20
"its so much fun, I’m getting fit and everone is so friendly." Suzanne Bohay, Technical illustrator, age 31
Dear James
You have been an exceptional and inspiring mentor and teacher for me. I will take what you have given with me to continue learning and growing in the spirit of JKS.
Perseverance, personal discipline and focus will be some of the more important factors in this journey towards a new phase in my learning curve.
Thanks for the last five years.
Christine Cooper
With this letter, I wish to thank James Monettte and his staff at JKS for what has been a truly transformative experience for me, thanks to their skilled instruction, patience humour, and understanding.
I highly recommend JKS to anyone interested in learning self-defence or a martial art. The format is highly adaptable and will suit both the skilled athlete and the nervous beginner. You will notice the progress within the first months, yet there is enough to learn to keep you challenged for years.
JKS has helped me to achieve something I would never have thought possible. When I joined, I was not only afraid of confrontation, but also avoided trying anything new, convinced I would look ridiculous, especially since I have had very little “natural” athletic ability. (In fact, I had always had a poor sense of balance and coordination, but that has changed to my delight.)
Thanks to JKS, I have gained confidence in my ability to defend myself. But even more importantly, I have discovered that I have the capacity and the determination to overcome fear and discouragement in order to learn new skills-not only in martial arts but on many other levels too.
The idea of any type of physical proximity or contact used to make me highly uncomfortable, because I associated them with feelings of helplessness. At JKS, the “fighting`` actually felt safe, because of the implicit and mutual message of trust and respect that is essential. ``I will let you do this move (strike, kick, sweep, takedown..)to me because I trust you will not hurt me; in return, I will also will do my best not to hurt you.``
The staff at JKS is sensitive to the fact that students may have experienced assault or intimidation in the past. Their patience and the atmosphere of acceptance and encouragement create an opportunity to learn to work with trust. As a psychologist, I recommend JKS classes to anyone who is looking for a challenge that will help them grow and to anyone who wishes to confront shyness, proximity, inhibition, or trust issues.
