Monkeying around with family and friends!

Camp Courage Cookout Open to Everyone: Wednesday, June 19th, 6:30 pm – join us at beautiful Gillespie Campground at Tilden Park for a cookout for all Naga students and families. Sign-up at the back counter so we have enough for all ($10 dinner donation). Meet visiting students from our sister Portland schools and share the campfire, camp songs and s’mores, of course!  Directions to the campsite will be available at the studio.

Going great guns? Mas Leslie and her family sponsored a super fun trap-shooting day at Chabot Gun Club last month, and she’s following that up with a Rifle Class on the afternoon of June 8th. There are spaces still available. Join for only $50 – it’s safe, fun, family-oriented and supports the Tulen Foundation.Teens and up are welcome – Mas William, green sash, is an outstanding shot! Email us at the studio and we will forward to Mas Leslie.

Free Teaching Seminar: Friday evening, June 7th, 6:30-9:00 pm. Taught by Goeroe Judy, Mas Georoe Louise, and Pendekkar Amber. All brown, black, and green sashes are STRONGLY asked to attend; blue sashes and others by request. Sign-up on the back counter and bring a notebook and food for a shared dinner. This seminar is FREE – please attend. There will be ‘homework’ to bring to the first class: we’ll email you the handout. Remember, the highest rank in Tulen is that of Teacher.

Up, Up and Away! How about a Napa Valley hot air balloon ride with champagne brunch to support the Tulen Foundation? Beginning with coffee and muffins at dawn, you’ll then float over Napa Valley for sunrise, followed by a post-flight gourmet breakfast spread. We’re auctioning this off to the highest bidder as of July 1st. (Bidding starts at $240 – the price of one ticket.) All proceeds will fund the Tulen College Awards which gives $500/annually to each teen black belt attending college full-time. Call or stop by the studio to put in a bid.

Some quick announcements before you get back to your crazy action-packed June:

• Join us on our Facebook page to get up-to-the-minute class updates and watch our videos.
• If you are a former student, or have outgrown your gi, we’d love to restock our “loaners” – bring ‘em in. (Thanks, Keck family!)
• Thursday night adult Cun Tao class is going great – third phasers, join in to work on your holds!
• Two more Monday night focus classes on Kembangs, June 3rd and 10th, 6:15-8:00 pm with Goeroe Sam and Bantoe Jeanessa – these have been super popular, kids and adults can join in!

See you at camp!

Xoxox MGL

Camp Courage: Two weeks of camp opportunities are on the horizon. Will you join us? Outdoors for overnight camp at Tilden in June? Or indoors for day camp at Studio Naga in July? Camps are an excellent way to boost your training and get a whole lot of personal attention – plus have buckets of fun. We have some great surprises in store for all the campers!

Change is Good!  We’re collecting change for the Tulen Foundation – a slew of our teens are off to college in the fall and with them, we’ll be sending their Tulen Foundation College Awards of $500. To help stoke the coffers, we set up a “change” jar on the back table. Add to it and you can help support our teens as they make important life changing moves towards their futures!

Water Bottles: They are a must now that spring has sprung – please don’t forget them! Bring a full bottle onto the floor for all classes – including the Jungle folks!

Social Media Hounds:  (And aren’t we all these days?) Please join our Facebook page to get the latest on Studio News. (And check out the great moves in our weekly third phase videos!) And Yelp us if you’ve got the time.

Mas Kai getting his third stripe!

Congrads to Mas Kai on his stripe, and Mases Rydell and Amelia, too! More tests coming up. And it’s great to see Little Tigers pouncing around downstairs.

Mases Amelia and Rydell jumping and rolling like tigers and the Little Tigers promotions!

“I have a lot more friends since I joined Poekoelan because everyone who does Poekoelan is always nice to each other.”

                             Mas Kyle, training 3 years, 8 years old

“I started Poekoelan because when I was 4 years old I was so shy. I sat by my mother the whole class trying to see what it was like. I like training because it sets a goal for me.”

                               Mas Dante, training 2 years, 10 years old.

What are your reasons for training? Drop a note into Mas Goeroe’s mailbox to get your thoughts in an upcoming ‘zette and blog!

The Bantoe testers during their swim at “Secret Pond.”

Also look out for the “big blue” contingent who tested last Saturday!

Proud mentor Mas Spyke with Mas Dante and Mas Kyle after their blue sash test!

Watch out! Little Tigers!  “Little Tigers” will be our new Jungle Gym program for kids in the process of transitioning to downstairs classes. After three times participating downstairs, they will receive a tiger patch. Be aware of these brave young cats as they pounce and bounce among you, but don’t underestimate their ferocity!

Kids Camps: Once again we have a wonderful contingent from Portland coming for our overnight camp – joining our collegiate black belts who will be here for the week. There is still space available – and you can do the Tilden camp and come only for day camp if you’d like! We have new campers this year as well, so join in! Our July day camp at the Studio is also a great time to get a lot of individual attention – perfect for those who want to get going on their next rank! Sign-up online or at the Studio

Kick-A-Thon, Saturday April 20th: If you want to raise funds for your own camp tuition, Mas Dee and Mas Cathie are helping by coordinating this year’s Kick-A-Thon. Gather sponsors and do 1000 kicks (you can do it, we promise!) and all your funds go towards your own camp enrollment. For those who want to kick for others, those funds will go into a scholarship fund. Get a form on the back counter and start gathering pledges!

Facebook: Join our Studio Naga page for last minute announcements, videos from class and other cool pix.   And our Yelp offer still stands: write a review that sticks and collect your 25 clams!

Partners in Crime (or to prevent crime!): Last month we joined forces with UC Berkeley to offer our Ladies Fight Night self-defense class to their public health department. We’re looking to partner with other groups, schools and corporations. Any ideas? Talk to Rian in the office!

Some thoughts from Mas Dee on going to Mas Goeroe’s Weekend in the Cape:

I haven’t been to the Cape in a few years due to school and then my new job. This year, I went to train, and to support my mates up for Bantoe testing. If you’ve never been to the Cape for training: Go. You will find you can move in ways you thought impossible, your training will be moved to the next level through the inspiration of Mas Goeroe Agoeng Barbara’s and her amazing guidance.

For me, every test has been a lesson in learning more about myself and the physical and spiritual aspects of our art. In this test, I cried, laughed and was at times speechless. Testing with my teammates and with Bantoe Tom and Mas Rob (from the Cape and Portland) showed me once again that everyone’s test is different. No one moves or discovers the joy of training in exactly the same way.

My training has brought me much peace of mind, and great successes both on the floor and off. There is not enough Nagazette space for me to go into the many ways my life has changed as a result of my training but I am open to sharing – so grab me anytime. For today, I will just say that am most grateful for Mas Goeroe Agoeng Willy Wetzel, Mas Goeroe Agoeng Barbara Niggel and for Mas Goeroe Lousie Rafkin.

- Terima Kashi,

Mas Dee leading the tiger charge at camp!

Upcoming Testing: Blue and Gold Sash testing will be Saturday, March 23rd, starting at 9:00 am! Testing on the Cape for the Bantoe candidates Mas Xian, Mas Julia, Mas Brett and Mas Nick will start March 13th. It is a long, hard test for which they have been preparing for six months. Keep them in your thoughts as their journey continues!

Promotions! Mas Dorian and Mas Allesandra – our new first stripe heroes! Mas Ben got his third stripe and will be testing for his white sash this Saturday, the 2nd: send him good energy! And HUGE congratulations to Goeroe Sam Ward who was promoted last month by Mas Goeroe Agoeng Barbara Niggel.

Camp Courage 2013: We have lots of new campers this year so make sure you get on the list now. And please save some money by taking advantage of the generous early registration discounts – the deadline is March 15th. Register online at the Naga Store.

Auction Again?!: It’s that time of year again and we are getting ready to send out our first round of 2013 Auction letters. We need your help to get the letters out the door! Mas Laurel and Rian will be organizing the mailing. First round will be put together during and after class Saturday, March 16th – can you help out? Sign-up on the back counter. Parents, if you can help during Saturday morning class, please jump in!

Be Our Friend, Invite Your Friends: Don’t miss out on last minute announcements, awesome videos of class, and other cool stuff by “friending” the Studio Naga Facebook page. Like us on Facebook. And please, invite your friends as well!

Also, anyone who writes a Yelp review in March that sticks (shows up in the opening list and doesn’t get filtered) will get $25 cash for their efforts. Find us on Yelp To get a review to stick, you have to review other businesses and also friend people on Yelp… please tell Rian if you have success. He’ll give you the dough!

Sumatra Sojourn Slide Show: Mas Goeroe Louise will talk about her epic adventure and show slides of Indonesia’s wonderful people, astounding scenery and delicious food this coming Wednesday night at 7:30 pm, at the end of third phase class. Everyone is welcome, we’ll close third phase a bit early and drink tea and muse about the hot, humid islands of our “homeland”. Mas Georoe Louise also picked up some rare manuscripts in English on the history and philosophy of the many Indonesian arts – including this lovely, though slightly awkward, paragraph on teaching:

“Teachers have three qualities, asih (loving), asah (developing), and asuh (protecting). Leadership is not based on physical power or formal authority, but on the authority shaped from personality, example and dedication, which is accepted by people because the leadership has shaped useful capabilities for their living, including the capability to realize excellent, sublime and useful progress for themselves, their families, and their community.”

Asih, asah, asuh! Perfectly put.

-xoxo Mas Goeroe Louise

PS: Here is a taste of some tempting photos from Mas Goeroe’s trip!

Mas Goeroe with silat harimau students in Western Sumatra

Children in Sumatra and a Minangkabau wedding.

Celebration after Mas Haley’s Black Belt Test!

“Ladies Fight Night” February 7th, 6:30-8:00 pm:  Women and teen girls’ self-defense class and party! Our first Fight Night was totally awesome, and this time it’s doubly good since it’s co-sponsored by UC Berkeley’s Department of Public Health. We’ll provide sound, easy self-defense training followed by an awesome chocolate cupcake and celebratory beverage – because taking care of yourself deserves a reward! Be your own valentine; take this class! Only $30, or bring a pal and it’s only $25 each.

Community Garage Sale! Sunday, February 17th, 9:00 am, at the Studio.  Free up some space for the New Year by donating your clutter, cast-offs and treasures. All items accepted! Contact Mas Nick at wightman2@hotmail.com or 510-717-9957, to coordinate a drop-off or pick-up from your home. All the proceeds go to support the students who are traveling to Cape Code for their 3rd Degree / Bantoe tests with Mas Goeroe Agoeng Barbara in March.

Kids Night Out: Valentine Style! Friday, February 15th, 6:30-10 pm:  Parents – enjoy a special night out while we entertain your kids with an action packed workout, valentine snack and family friendly movie.  $25 per child. Come ready for the obstacle course challenge! Mases Nick, Brett, Xian and Julia will host – again, all funds will help them with their upcoming Cape testing. RSVP to 510-652-6242 to reserve your spot and pay at the door this time. Please bring cash or make checks to the students that night.

Come join us on Cape Cod, March 14th-17th!  Many of us are going to Mas Goeroe Agoeng’s Training weekend:  four days of training, fellowship with Tulen students from all over the world, and a super big ton of fun. And this year, tests for our teammates! Visit the dynamic, inspiring head of our system! Talk to Pendekkar Judy or Bantoe Jeanessa if you’re interested in coming along.

Camp Courage 2013 – Overnight Camp June 18th-21st and Day Camp July 8th-12th:  Sign-up now, online or at the Studio. Last year we maxed out enrollment, so be sure to get your name on the list early. We have the beautiful Camp Gillespie again this year- Tilden is an inspiring place to train! And our Studio Naga day camp in July is a great time for our outside school kids to get some focused, individual training!

Walkabout Time: I’ll be gone for a few weeks traveling to Western Sumatra, Indonesia, where our tiger fighting style comes from. The Minang people in the Minangkabau Highlands are Muslim, but their society is matrilineal; property is passed from mothers to daughters, though governing is by men. It’s a unique culture, so it should be very interesting! They also have very beautiful dances, many of the moves also show up in our forms. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, train hard with all the black belts while I’m gone, and I’ll see you late in February.

-xo Mas Goeroe Louise

Connect with Studio Naga! We’re posting action-packed stuff on our Studio Naga Facebook page- join us here to get up to the minute info on classes and events. Also, we’d love to getsome more Yelp reviews up – click here to help out. (Those of you who’ve had your reviews filtered, it helps to connect to other Yelp reviewers. So get out and network so those reviews show up!)

Ladies Fight Night Round Two:  Fun self-defense class and party coming up February 7th, 6:30-8:00 pm. This was a super blast last time, so please spread the word. Sound, effective self-defense in a palatable bite-sized class – only $25 – and that includes cupcakes and a celebratory drink!

Camp Courage Save the Date: Overnight Camp is June 18th-21st this year and day camp will be July 8th-12th – info and sign-ups coming soon!

Black Belt Weekend: Bursting into the New Year with black belt and brown sash testingJanuary 11th-13th. The test will start Friday night at 7:00 pm and runs through Sunday night. Sign-up for meditation on the back counter and hope for good weather! The night walkwill be Friday night so bring lots of warm clothes!

Auction Round-Up: Such an amazingly fun time, such a great meal, and a huge success! Auction 2012 raised just over $12,000 for our scholarship fund. This provides for discounted/free training for many members, in addition to funding the teen college scholarship awards. Thanks to each and every person who made the event and the evening a reflection of the joy and compassion in our community.

Click here to check out some of Studio Naga’s recent videos, including the great Jungle Gym demo from the Auction!

On the Horizon: Kids’ Night Out (February), Mas Goeroe Agoeng’s Training weekend on CapeCod (March), and a school wide benefit yard sale to fund the upcoming Bantoe testers to get to Cape Cod… watch for details (and don’t do your spring cleaning just yet!) Talk toMas Nick or Mas Brett if you have donations for the yard sale.

Camp Courage Save the Date: Overnight Camp is June 18th-21st this year and day camp will be July 8th-12th – info and sign-ups coming soon!

Back to the Roots! Mas Goeroe Louise will be traveling to Sumatra at the end of the month. The land of the Minangkabou, a matriarchal tribe, is where our tiger style originates from. Sumatra is a wet, rugged place and she’ll no doubt have great stories to tell when she gets back. Rian, the office manager, and Pendekkar Judy will hold the Naga fort so please support them during those few weeks. Here’s a few photos from Mas Goeroe’s last trip to Indonesia, when she went to Java in 2006.

Mas Georoe Louise learning “seated” style cimande martial arts and practicing gatong rajong in Java.

Bidding Sheets Are Up Now!  We have some big items this year, including more vacation overnights and hotels, Disney passes, and tickets to all kinds of events and adventures. Get a jump on things and get into the Studio this week – and get your dinner tickets at the same time! Proxy bidders are available if you absolutely can’t be there Sunday.

Auction 2011 was great! Our bussers looked fab in their Indonesian finest and had a blast.
Auction 2012 is sure to be even more fun!

Holiday Schedule: The Studio will be closed Dec. 24th, 25th (Monday and Tuesday) and Dec. 31st and January 1st. Saturday classes will run through the break, and January 2nd we will be open as usual. Join us at 6:30 pm that night for a New Year’s Celebration/Training and the Pendekkar Ceremony for Pendekkars Amber and Ethan. Please wear white (if you are under black belt) and kids are welcome.

End of Year Charitable Giving: If you would like to make a direct donation to the non-profit Tulen Foundation – click here to see how your donations will be used – please talk to Goeroe Louise or Pendekkar Judy. All of the funds donated go directly to support training and self-defense classes here and at our Tulen Schools nationwide.

Camp Courage: Watch for the dates, coming soon!

Black, brown and color sash testing:  January 11th-13th. Starts Friday night, runs through Sunday night…. Check for times soon!

Goeroe’s Weekend on Cape Cod:  March 15th-18th – many of us are going, please join in!

Slow Down and Take Stock….

As life speeds up here at the end of the year, and I try to fight the crazy razzamattaz of the holidays, I find one question helps me focus on what’s important.

I ask myself “what matters most?” (By the way, this question is the opening on Stanford’s Graduate School of Business application for prospective MBAs.)

The answer that comes to me is simple: love and connection. As we close the year and reflect on the year at the Studio, I see the love and support here. We show up for each other, both for the fun and easy times and during tests – both of the Poekoelan variety, and for those others, external or internal and even, sometimes, mysterious.

When I think of the campfire at Camp Courage and the glowing faces of our teens, our wild first Ladies Fight Night, our newest white sashes all of six years old, our Pendekkar tests last January, the crazy joy of almost any Saturday morning, and the moment that Mas Aimee shocked us all with an entirely new move, it comes together, my “what matters” question is answered.

I urge you to take a moment to answer the question for yourself, and if you feel like it, email me your answer. We’ll post them in the January ‘Zette and on Facebook.

And take it easy these few weeks – I’m going to try!

Xoxo Goeroe Louise

Join us as we get ready for this important event. We’ll be sending out an e-invite soon!

If you have ideas on auction items – or have something to donate – please let us know. We need everyone’s help to make this the best auction yet! Tickets are now on sale for dinner, $20 for adults and $13 for kids, but the auction, party and demo are free! Check out the back room as bidding sheets will be going up soon. We have some big items this year, including more vacation overnights and hotels!

October Highlights:

Family Training: We now have several family groups trainings – three Becerras, three Joseph’s, four Yerovam’s, and three Solano’s now join three Irwins, three Price-Friends and several generations of Hampton’s! It’s awesome to have all the families here getting strong, healthy, and best of all, supporting each other!

Speaking of Becerras…Here are Mas Max and his dad Mas Simon
looking fierce at the recent demo in Rockridge!

Congrads and Growth: A white sash for Mas Brinn! And more new white sashes on the horizon! Looking forward to seeing ya’ll wearing the black and joining third phase class! Excellent tests – congrads to all the mentors.

Studio Naga Fit/Fitter: Sixteen women lost 116 pounds in last month’s challenge! The winning team “Your Mom” led the way, but every participant had a success story. Many thanks to Mas Dee for wearing the spurs. She’s starting a new “game” in November so talk to her or leave a note in her box if you are in.

Ladies Fight Night was a blast – and thanks to James and the Giant Cupcake for the swell desserts! Thirty women and teens attended and it was SO much fun! Next class will be in January – watch for the date.

And Spooky Night Out was amazing – the scariest haunted house ever…even Mas Goeroe Louise jumped!

The reason Mas Goeroe Louise jumped…Spooky Mas Nick and floating glasses of doom!

Save the date: January 11th- 13th – black belt testing!

And some words of inspiration from our young students, from their green and blue sash test essays:

“Because I train I am a better person. Teaching has taught me how difficult it is for teachers! Cleaning the studio has given me responsibility. I have learned to deal with big changes and to protect myself.”

-Mas Jeffrey, age 12

“I know it takes me awhile to go up in the ranks, but I know it doesn’t really matter how long it takes me – I’m okay with that. Exercising is fun and I know myself better from training.”

-Mas Taj, age 12 (training since he was 4)

“I train to be more loving to my friends, my parents and everyone. In training I learn to read my emotions and control them so they don’t get the best of me. I take Poekoelan to bring out the real me.”

- Mas Gabe, age 12

It’s that time… Spooky Night Out!: Halloween Party/Parents Night Out, Friday, October 26th 6:30-10:00 pm. Come join in the ghoulish good times! A “batty” workout, a spine tingling haunted house, creepy crawly snacks, and a Halloween movie. $25 per child. Sign-up sheet is on the back counter. Spots fill quickly, so please reserve. You can register and pay online here to make sure you are in! See Mas Abby if you want to be on the Spooky Crew to help set up the fun!

Ladies “Fight Night” Out: Self-Defense Class and Party! There are still some spots available for Thursday, October 11th, 6:30-8:00 pm. Be a Superhero in your own life! Learn to defend yourself and have fun at the same time. The class concludes with a celebratory drink and a dreamy chocolate cupcake – because taking care of ourselves deserves a reward! For teens and up. Usually $60, this class is now only $30 – bring a pal and it’s two for $50! Please spread the word!

Upcoming Tests: Kids’ Color sash testing this Wednesday, October 3rd, starting at 6:00 pm. Wear white! A date has been set for upcoming black belt testing-January 11-13th. Tests are community events, please come to participate and show your support!

Tulen Auction Action: We still need help following up on auction requests. Remember the auction is our big yearly fundraiser and we use all the funds raised for our scholarships and teen college awards. If you can make a few phone calls to help out, or think up a few places you can ask for a donation, that would be great! Talk to Pendekkar J, Mas Goeroe, or Rian in the office if you can help out.

Fit or Fitter is Going Strong! The Studio Naga Fit or Fitter teams are making it happen, getting fit and fierce! The four teams are battling it out with healthy meals, exercise and lots and lots of water. Check the board in the back room for the current standings!

Solano Stroll: September brought us another awesome Solano Stroll. Special thanks to Mas Nick for doing an amazing job coordinating the demo and to all who participated. This year 250,000 people attended the Stroll, which means more people than ever got to experience what we do at Studio Naga! We had great crowd participation and everyone had a great time!

Mases Lindsey, Xian, Laurel and James W. do Set One at the Stroll! And Mas James M. teaches an eager (and adorable) crowd participant some new moves!

And as always, After-School students and families- please join us for a FREE class at Studio Naga anytime!

Memories from last year’s Solano Stroll. Let’s make this year even better!

Ladies “Fight Night” Out: Self-Defense Class and Party! Thursday, October 11th, 6:30-8:00 pm. Be a Superhero in your own life! (Like a Tupperware party, with punching!) Learn to defend yourself and have fun at the same time. Combine easy martial arts with simple street-fighting techniques, the class includes a celebratory drink and a dreamy chocolate cupcake – because taking care of yourself deserves a reward! For teens and up. Usually $60, this class is only $30 – bring a pal and it’s two for $50!

Upcoming Tests: Color sash testing October 3rd, during third phase. Black belt testing is around the bend – watch for a date. Talk with your mentor if you think you are getting close!

Put Your Money Where You Mouth Is – Game On! Come “play” for a healthy lifestyle. Over six weeks we’ll score points for eating well, exercising, sleeping well, and adding and subtracting habits. Organizational Meetings:  Saturday, September 1st at 11:45 am and Wednesday, September 5th at 8:00 pm at Studio Naga. The meetings will give you the gist of the game and a chance to sign up. If you want to play, you have to pay $25 per person. All of that $ goes into a pot and the winning team gets it ALL! The game starts September 5th -talk to Mas Dee at 415-205-6356 for more information. All Tulen students and their families/friends are invited.

Parent Info Sheets: We’ve put together an info sheet for parents to explain our philosophies around training and community. Pick one up in the office and please ask any questions you might have about anything related to the school and training!

Tulen Auction Action: Rian, our office assistant, is busy getting donations organized for our annual auction in December. We use all the funds raised for our scholarships and teen college awards. If you can make a few phone calls to help out, or think up a few places you can ask for a donation, that would be great! Talk to Rian in the office if you can help out.

Welcome back from Summer – It’s great to see new faces in the Studio!

And welcome to Fall 2012 After-school students and families – Joaquin Miller, Thornhill, Chabot, Crocker Highlands and Beach students – please join us for a FREE class at Studio Naga anytime!

The Studio will be closed on Monday, September 3rd for Labor Day – Enjoy!

-Mas Goeroe Louise & the Naga Staff

Speaking of Summer Fun…The gang getting ready for the awesome PAWMA demo!