2017 Spirit Challenge Dedication

We all have challenges to our spirit at different points in our lives. These past few months have been especially challenging for the family of a dear friend and coworker from my school (East Leyden High School in Franklin Park). I am dedicating my 2017 Spirit Challenge to Anita Habura and to her family. Anita passed away a couple of weeks ago after fighting hard against cancer. She was a bright, loving, laughing light. All who knew her miss her very much.

So today, I will give my all in her honor during the events of the first day.

• 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM: Fitness Circuit Challenge - Lots of abs, squats, push-ups, lunges, etc.!
• 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM: Board Breaking - Since this event is repeated on the last day of Spirit Challenge, I will hold and assist during this session. Next Saturday, I will break five boards dedicated to Anita and to her family.
• 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Rehearsal for Friday’s performance piece - I am so lucky to be able to perform in a piece written by Senpai Margarita. She has been through a major personal Spirit Challenge: two heart surgeries and then a heart transplant last February. She will recite a poem that she wrote and we will perform kata.
• 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM: Light/Middleweight Sparring
• 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM: Yoga

As always, if you have any desire to see any of the events, you are welcome to attend! They are all held at Thousand Waves, 1220 W. Belmont, Chicago. See below for the full schedule of the week, but here are a couple of highlights: the performance on Friday from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM and the Board Breaking next Saturday from 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM.

Besides participating in these events this week, I will also be teaching high school every day and preparing for my Nidan (second degree black belt) test in June. In fact, when you see pictures of me during this Spirit Challenge, you may notice that I’m wearing a white belt. During the month before testing for black belt rank promotion, the tradition is to put on our old white belts. This represents “beginner’s mind” - going back to the basics and remembering why we chose to become martial artists in the first place.

As always, I thank each and every one of you for your continued love and support. I would not be here without you!

Peace, love and Osu (Striving with patience)!

Peace, love and Osu (Striving with patience)!