“Our Kempo training really paid off in spades for this event,” says AZ territory District Manager Casey Paiz. The course is strategically designed so that each obstacle plays a pivotal role in breaking you down but also in forcing you to continue on. According to the Tough Mudder website, “Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. As the leading company in the booming obstacle course industry, Tough Mudder has already challenged half a million inspiring participants worldwide and raised more than $2 million dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project. But Tough Mudder is more than an event, it’s a way of thinking. By running a Tough Mudder challenge, you’ll unlock a true sense of accomplishment, have a great time, and discover a camaraderie with your fellow participants that’s experienced all too rarely these days”. Sound familiar?????

The 11 teammates of the “Z-Ultimate Mudders” were all Arizona Instructors, students, or parents of current students. “We set our goals early on and trained relentlessly for this day” says Chief Instructor Brad Bennett. “You have to have a goal-oriented mentality of complete victory and accepting anything short of that is unacceptable,” Bennett continues. That victor’s attitude came to fruition because all 11 AZ participants made it to the finish line. What was the worst part? All 11 participants agreed that the worst obstacle was the “ice jacuzzi” which was a 20 foot long by 5 foot deep container of FRIGID ice water that you had to wade across. “It was horrible,” contends Instructor Andy Swart, “Nothing can prepare you for it. It’s like taking a full body punch over and over again and then you`re cold and wet for the rest of the day.” Through all of the pain and suffering, it was important to keep in mind that the overall point of the event was the money contributed to the Wounded Warrior Project. It`s a fun way to raise money for a very noble and honorable cause. “The AZ Tribe really came through and I`m very proud of each of the `Mudders` for their contribution,” exclaims Paiz. “We are already planning our next Tough Mudder for later this year,” he adds with a devilish grin that’s hard to conceal.

The Tough Mudder motto is “probably the toughest event on the planet.” By participating in the Tough Mudder, and showcasing the core Z-Ultimate values of RESPECT, DISCIPLINE, & HUMILITY, the AZ-Ultimate Tribe has proven without a doubt that Z-Ultimate is the BEST and most EXTREME example of its kind!

For more information about participating in a Tough Mudder near you (or to make a contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project) please visit www.toughmudder.com .

Not if you celebrate the Chinese New Year, too; in honor of the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Dragon – everyone here at Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios say, “Happy New Year!”, or as they say in certain dialects of Chinese, “Gung Hay Fat Choy!”

The Chinese New Year is the most celebrated events by the Chinese and other Asian cultures.  Literally translated to “Spring Festival”, it marks the end of winter.  It is not uncommon for families to gather for an “Eve of the Passing Year” reunion dinner in celebration.

The Chinese calendar is lunisolar, meaning it is based on the moon phases and not calendar dates.  Because the Chinese calendar is based on the lunar cycle, the start and end dates of every Chinese new year changes; this year, Chinese New Year is celebrated today, January 23rd, and it is the Year of the Dragon.

In the western Zodiac, every month has a sign attached to it, like November is Scorpio, and so on for all twelve months.  In the Chinese Zodiac, rather than each month having a sign, there are twelve animals - the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

The Chinese calendar rotates through the twelve animals in order, one animal per year, based on the lunar calendar.  Last year was the Year of the Rabbit, this year is the Year of the Dragon, next year would be the Snake, and so on.  Every twelve years, you repeat the cycle.

For example, if you were born 12, 24 or 36 years ago – assuming you were born within the cutoff dates – you were born in the Year of the Dragon, and this is your lucky year, as it is the sign of the Dragon.  Once you understand that the sign repeats every twelve years, it is easy to figure out by your birth year what animal sign you were born under. (If you Google Chinese Zodiac, you can find more information to study; there are also several great books on the subject as it relates to personalities, relationships and so on.)

In the Chinese culture, the Dragon is considered lucky and the most prosperous.  This is why many Chinese businesses have dragons displayed in their lobbies – to attract good fortune.  The key distinction between Asian or Chinese Fortune Dragons is that they have four or five toes – better to hold onto money!

Happy Chinese New Year to you and yours – may your “Year of the Dragon” be a fortunate and prosperous one!

Best,

Master Huff
Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios

“Well, I am just not sure this is for me and my family…”

Recently, Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios just held the Winter Grand Championship Martial Arts Tournament and families – just like yours – flew in from around the country to compete and get to know their fellow Z-Ultimate martial artists.

I put together a video highlighting some of what went on at the tournament and why martial arts classes can be a perfect fit for you and your family.

Enjoy…

Master Huff
5th Degree Black Belt
Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios

P.S. – There is something special at the end of the video that you don’t want to miss; please make sure you watch the whole thing.  Thank you!

Here’s the video:

Shihan Paul Taylor – 9th Degree Black Belt  and Senior Instructor to the Board of Masters for Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios – was promoted to the rank of Grandmaster and 10th Degree Black Belt by Grandmaster and 10th Degree Black Belt Shihan Joe Nesta.

This historic promotion ceremony is NEVER seen by people who are not Grandmasters, but we captured this entire event on film, and we want to share it with the entire Z-family.

Enjoy…

In an unprecedented event, Shihan Joseph Nesta – a Grandmaster and 10th Degree Black Belt, also the highest ranking Black Belt ever promoted by Professor Nick Cerio in Nick Cerio’s Kenpo – promoted Shihan Paul Taylor to Grandmaster and 10th Degree Black Belt at the Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios Winter Grand Championship Tournament.

This is unprecedented as NO ONE under the rank of Grandmaster has ever seen a Grandmaster and 10th Degree Black Belt promotion ceremony before.  Shihan Nesta thought this was a such a special and historic moment for Shihan Taylor and the entire Z-Ultimate family, that he wanted to share it with everyone in attendance.

Congratulations to Grandmaster Paul Taylor on this lifetime achievement.

Here is a snippet from the ceremony:

The truth is, people from all age groups and skill levels come to compete in our events – from little kids all the way to the entire family – and they have a great time doing it.

Check out some of the videos below to see for yourself…

At his age and skill level, this is a solid performance of one of the katas used to develop your power, balance and footwork.  If he keeps at it, this will be developed to a Black Belt level very soon.

Make sure you check the site and our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ZUSDS – for live updates…

There are many great reasons to attend these events – meeting students like yourself, meeting other Z-Ultimate family members from across the country that share your passion for the martial arts and being able to enjoy one of the most professional, safe and family-oriented atmospheres you will ever encounter at a martial arts event.

But that is not the most important reason…

When the Student is Ready, the Teacher Will Appear

You may have heard the saying, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”

The “teacher” referred to in this saying is usually a person, but it can also be an event; something that happens to you that has a profound impact on who you are and how you think.

One of those times for me was the summer of 1996, at a martial arts tournament.  At that tournament, I won the sparring and kata divisions for Black Belt men, and placed 2nd in weapons competition.

More importantly, it was the first time my father had ever seen me compete or do any sort of martial arts.  It was an emotional moment when I won the final point of the sparring match and my father, in his excitement, ran out onto the floor to hug me.  I’ll never forget that moment and it permanently changed my relationship with my father for the better.  That “event” taught my father and I very much.

You Don’t Know When This May Happen to You

You never know when an event like this may happen to you; all we can do is keep an open mind and open heart and expose ourselves to situations where we can “allow” our “teacher” to appear.

This weekend – our Day of Champions and National Grand Championship Tournament – could be that moment for you.

You will get the chance to meet and train with people like Master Ryan Lloyd, 5th Degree Black Belt.  Master Lloyd has been a martial artists since childhood and recently was one of the “The Nine” – nine high-level Black Belts that were promoted to 5th Degree Black Belt at Corporate Headquarters in Huntington Beach, California.

Master Lloyd has been training and teaching in the martial arts for over twenty years and has a wealth of knowledge to share with anyone who is interested enough to learn. He will be just one of the high-level Black Belts and former Tournament Champions that will be teaching at the “Day of Champions” event and in attendance at the National Grand Championship Tournament.

Meeting and training with Master Lloyd may serve as a “teacher” for you, but only if you are at the “Day of Champions” event and National Grand Championship Tournament.

I know I’ll be there, and I look forward to seeing you there, too.

To your best,

Master Huff

P.S. – It is not too late to register to attend; contact your instructor or local Z-Ultimate location for details.

P.P.S. – If you haven’t registered for the tournament yet, contact you location right away; today is the deadline.

P.P.P.S – Follow the blue links if you have any questions on the Tournament or Day of Champions.

Happy New Year to you from all of the Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios family – may 2012 be your best year ever.

We here at Z-Ultimate are v-e-r-y excited about all the new and exciting things we have planned for 2012.  As always, our focus is on being “the most extreme example of its kind” and providing you with the Ultimate in Personalized Martial Arts Instruction; that means we are always monitoring and measuring what we do and how we do it, so we can deliver the best experience possible for you and your family.

To “kick off” 2012, not only are we holding our Winter Grand National Championship Tournament, but we have also organized the first ever Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios “Day of Champions”.

We have never put together an event like this before.  The idea came about one morning after a invigorating martial arts class.  After the class, several high-ranking Black Belts and the Board of Masters had a meeting and the main question that was asked was, “How can we make the preparation and experience for the students even better for our tournaments?  How can we set them up for success even more?” This sparked a lively discussion and what came out of it was the “Day of Champions” event.

At the “Day of Champions” event,  students like you have the chance to train with former Black Belt Instructor Tournament Champions.  You get access to the training tips, strategies and techniques that Z-Ultimate Black Belts have used in tournament competition. To put it in perspective, this would be like going golfing with Phil Mickelson and having him teach you what he does when he is trying to win a golf tournament! You will be taught what it takes to train like a champion.

Class sizes are going to be limited so that you can get the most out of your training session.  We have never offered an event like this before and there is no guarantee that one will be offered in the future, so this may be your only chance to train with a high-ranking Z-Ultimate Black Belt Tournament Champion.

For more details and to get registered, please see your instructor right away; class sizes are limited so once they are filled, you will miss out on the opportunity.

Here’s to you “Kicking Off” your 2012 with a bang – and joining us at the Z-Ultimate Winter Grand National Championship Tournament & Day of Champions weekend.

To your best in 2012,

Master William Huff, Jr.
Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios

P.S. – Please follow the blue links for more details online about the Tournament and Day of Champions.The deadline for both events is this week, so please don’t delay.

P.P.S. – If you have any questions about how the tournament works, please check out the Tournament FAQ.

P.P.P.S. – Here is a quick video with some past tournament champions performing; these will be just some of the instructors that you will personally learn from at the Day of Champions: