Letter to Our Two Sons

Letter to Our Two Sons

Dear Kadante and Roland H. (Samuel),

Sabomnim/Guro Kadante and Sabomnim/Guro Roland

This is a public thank you that has been long over due. You were born into a life that you did not choose. From birth your lives were filled with all that is a martial arts studio. You know what it is too sleep on the floor of the business night after night because there was too much to do to drive all the way home just to come back a few hours later. You gave up your winter breaks to stay home and remodel the studio or plan the business events for the coming year. There were no summer family vacations for you as summer is our busiest time of year. Your summers were filled by teaching Ninja Camps, running summer programs and the annual Summer Picnic Extravaganza. 

You worked developing your martial arts to become two of our best practitioners. You shared your knowledge through teaching everyday with no breaks. You answered phones, took inquiries, answered questions, did orientations, ran the front desk, mopped floors, cleaned bathrooms and policed the studio. You were our greatest source of marketing just by being kind, mature and courteous. We relied on you to be the backbone of our studio and our martial arts family.

You have spent complete summers touring California for our Filipino Martial Arts System PaaMano Eskrima by performing, raising cultural awareness and advocating to save endangered species. You have help organize, perform and execute fundraising shows for In the Flow Studios Arts for over a decade. You have given of yourselves and of your talents freely and wholeheartedly, asking nothing in return. 

Most will never know just how much you have both sacrificed to help our students, our business, our martial arts and our family. You inspire us to be more humble, more grateful, wiser and over all better people.

We asked a great deal of you both from a very young age. You were expected to be the perfect examples of the Martial Way of life. Each of you surpassed our expectations and taught us more than you will ever know. As the years have passed we have realized how unreasonable our expectations were for such young people. We are sorry to have put such a heavy burden on you. 

Once again you are both a source of strength for our family and our studio. You are now grown men with lives of your own and no one, least of all us, would expect you to sacrifice any further. Yet without hesitation or thought for yourselves you offer your talents, time and hard work to rebuild our family and our business. 

We are grateful for you both, for your dedication, for your integrity, for your sacrifices, for your selflessness and most of all for your love. You give us faith that tomorrow can and will be better than yesterday. 

Thank you both from the bottom of our hearts.

We love you,

Mom and Dad

Aurora Ferrer, Director and Roland Ferrer, Grand Master

Perseverance...Flame Your Fire

Perseverance is what allows us to take our dreams from the realm of possibility to the realm of reality. In art as in life we will stumble, fall, encounter opposition, become disheartened, overwhelmed and lose all hope. Remember that it's ok, it's all part of the process. 

It is not our success or our failures that define us. It is the will to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and try, try again that will become our legacy.

We must celebrate our successes as well as our failures for they are just steps along the same path...the journey of self-discovery and an authentically lived life.

A special thank you to Kadante Ferrer of Hip Hop Martial Arts for letting me contribute to his upcoming Candle-Power video series through my photography and film.  Hip Hop Martial Arts or HHMA is an inspired movement of mind, body and spirit. You can read Kadante Ferrer and Hip Hop Martial Arts - Artist Highlight for more information about the creator and the HHMA movement - Path of the Urb Monk. 

"Illuminate" - Candlepower - Hip Hop Martial Arts®

You can also follow HHMA on 

HHMA Facebook Page

HHMA Youtube Channel 

 or @hiphopmartialarts on Instagram.

Thank you for visiting. May inspiration overflow throughout all of your creative processes.

Contact Info for In the Flow Studios Arts

Website: http://intheflowstudios.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InTheFlowStudioArts

Instagram: http://instagram.com/speakyourart or @SpeakYourArt 
"In the Flow Studios is a grassroots organization dedicated to empowering the arts, the artist and worthy causes."

Aurora's "Speak Your Art Blog Hub" combines posts from seven of her other blogs: In the Flow Studios Arts, In the Flow Studios Body, I Love Shelter Dogs, Mana Keepers, PaaMano Eskrima & Performing Arts, Self-Actualization thru Women's Empowerment and Speak Your Art Poetry. It brings her organizations together and offers her readers an easier way to follow new posts in one convenient location. 

POI

Water is Life, Stand with Standing Rock

*Repost from Mana Keeper December 11, 2016

Protecting our fresh water supply is not a Native American problem it is a human problem. We have a limited amount of fresh water on the planet and it's needed to sustain much of the life on earth, humans included. "Water is an essential component for life as we know it. Our bodies are comprised of more than 70% water. Humans can survive only a few days without water yet can survive a month or more without food. Water powers our bodies, from the elasticity of our myofascia (cognitive tissue) to the ability to process thoughts coherently, it literally is our life's blood." Excerpt from Water Presents Us With Deeper Reflection. The Native American Nations, Indigenous Peoples of Central and South America, New Zealand, Australia and land and water protectors have come together at Standing Rock to remind us to put the well-being of the land, water, air and people before profits for a corporation. 

This writeup is an overview for my readers not familiar with the Standing Rock Movement as well as a resource for my readers inspired to stand with those at Standing Rock. There are many ways we can help. The struggle for safe and clean water at Standing Rock is not over yet. While the Army Corps of Engineers has ordered constriction halted by revoking the easement, the corporation has not stopped construction on other sections of the pipeline and have stated their intention to continue with their plans. Winter has set in and temperatures are freezing and the committed water protectors need our help.

While Native American cultures and customs have historically  varied from Nation to Nation all shared a deep respect for Mother Earth and lived with gratitude for all things provided by The Great Spirit. They taught their young that humans were the stewards of the land and the caretakers of its natural resources and were responsible to protect the land, water, plants, animals and air for future generations. Native wisdom did not view humans as the owners of the land or the natural resources found in it, it was a "sin" to exploit or pollute it. "You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of our grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children that we have taught our children that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves."
~ Chief Seattle - Quote shared from "Native American Wisdom, Images and Quotes". 

While Native Americans were the first peoples in North America they have been eradicated on the majority of our continent and those remaining have been relegated to tiny plots of land once deemed worthless to white settlers. We have tried to erase their history, culture and language, yet without Native Wisdom our society would not exist. The original people of North America contributed to the very foundation of our modern democracies. "Indian governments in eastern North America, particularly the League of the Iroquois, served as models of federated representative democracy to the Europeans and the American colonists. The United States government is based on such a system, whereby power is distributed between a central authority (the federal government) and smaller political units (the states)". (1) They taught early settlers about the animals and plants best suited to thrive in the settlers' new world and signed treaties in good faith that were broken time and time again.

Sadly it seems that not much has changed in our treatment of Native Americans over the last 450 years. Standing Rock is a present day reminder of the injustices and poor living conditions our Native American sisters and brothers have had to endure for centuries. 

Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. is trying to build an oil pipeline under the Missouri River which many Native Tribes, Water Protectors and Land Defenders feel puts at risk the only supply of fresh drinking water to the Sioux tribes as well as any other people living down stream. The corporation is also digging on lands Native American tribes hold sacred. On April 1st a prayer ride on horseback from Sitting Bull’s burial site in Fort Yates, N.D., to the Sacred Stone Camp site initiated the movement at Standing Rock and that prayer has continued in daily group ceremonies, water ceremonies, prayers before meals, prayers with sage, tobacco and cedar, songs and chants, sweat loges and the sacred fire. The Standing Rock Sioux Nation have invited people of all faiths and beliefs to join in prayer. “As long as there’s prayer, we don’t judge. Our belief is there’s one Creator, and he taught all the nations of this world a way to pray in their own way”, Standing Rock Sioux tribal councilman Dana Yellow Fat is quoted saying. They have created the largest gathering of Native Americans in the past hundred years. Native peoples as well as those that stand in solidarity with them have come together in prayer and in action to peacefully stand their ground and protect the water for their children and our children. 

In September of 2016 PBS News Hour aired this new story about Standing Rock. 

Tribes across North America converge at Standing Rock, hoping to be heard

Stories From Standing Rock | Vogue - November 2016

Peaceful and prayerful Water Protecters have been harassed both verbally and physically. They have had dogs set on them. They have had water cannons turned on them in freezing temperatures, flash grenades, rubber bullets, mace and to date over 500 of them have been arrested. I had the honor of interviewing three Water Protectors that stood at Standing Rock, Lou and Rich Guerrero and Shannah Bupp. Shannah was arrested while trying to help an Elder on crutches. I'll be doing a write-up about them and sharing their stories for my next post but for now you can watch Standing Rock Part Two to get a better idea the situation.

Standing Rock: Part Two | The Turnaround: Your World in 360

Lakota People's Law Project is calling on individuals and organizations to divest from banks funding the Dakota Access Pipeline. Sign their petition at http://lakotalaw.org/pipeline-action
Check out their DAPL Timeline at http://lakotalaw.org/oceti-sakowin-camp.

Important websites and links to help you take action, support the Water Protectors and keep up to date with the movement at Standing Rock: 

Stand With Standing Rock Website "In honor of our future generations, we fight this pipeline to protect our water, our sacred places, and all living beings." The Oceti Sakowin Camp represents a first of its kind historic gathering of Indigenous Nations. The most recent such assembly of Tribes occurred when the Great Sioux Nation gathered before the Battle at the Little Big Horn.

Oceti Sakowin Camp Website Urgent Update 12/10/16: ADVISORY: OCETI SAKOWIN CAMP IS NOT ACCEPTING NEW ARRIVALS DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS THIS WEEKEND.We truly appreciate your support and willingness to be on the ground as a showoff solidarity, but we are closing camp doors to new arrivals for safety reasons. Please continue to support through prayer and actions that you can take at home. Stay tuned for further updates via website, Facebook, and Twitter.

If you have a camp at Standing Rock and you have online contact info such as website, Facebook page, etc where the public can donate or learn more about your work, I would be honored to add your link to this post. Please message me or leave info in comments. 

I hope you will join me in doing what you can to help our Native American sisters and brothers protect clean drinking water for their children and ours.

References:
(1) "The History of Native Americans" Scholastic.com

Pilamaya! Thank you! for visiting. Wishing you Peace today and everyday.

Website: http://manakeepers.com
Shop: http://shopmanakeepers.blogspot.com
Instagram:http://instagram.com/manakeepers
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mana-Keepers/187105678024226?ref_type=bookmark
Blog: http://manakeepers.blogspot.com

Aurora's "Speak Your Art Blog Hub" combines posts from seven of her other blogs: In the Flow Studios Arts, In the Flow Studios Body, I Love Shelter Dogs, Mana Keepers, PaaMano Eskrima & Performing Arts, Self-Actualization thru Women's Empowerment and Speak Your Art Poetry. It brings her organizations together and offers her readers an easier way to follow new posts in one convenient location. 

POI

About Our Tarsier Class for 4 - 6 Year Olds

Kumusta, our PaaMano Eskrima® Program teaches Eskrima and specially developed skills for 4 to 6 year olds. We focus not only on providing the foundational skills necessary to become successful martial arts practitioners but also on developing balance, coordination, self-confidence and helping students meet and exceed important child-developmental milestones. "Balance is the pillar beneath every skill we have," says Marjorie Woollacott, Ph.D., professor of human physiology at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

We incorporate important developmental exercises and foundational eskrima skills into interactive drills and games. Our Tarsier’s classes are fun as well as challenging. While we are committed to providing an enjoyable and welcoming training environment, respect for self and others is our primary principal. Our program fosters self-reliance, initiative, cooperation and collaboration.


Our students also have the opportunity to perform in shows at different events and venues throughout California, through our PaaMano Eskrima® & Performing Arts Company. The Filipino Martial Arts has a unique history. During Spanish occupation, practicing the Filipino Martial Arts was outlawed. Masters had to train in secret. For 300 years they practiced and taught under penalty of death. Thanks to them Eskrima was saved for us today. We want to honor their legacy and sacrifice by continuing to share the art.




Tarsier students will learn the foundations for: rolls front and back, breakfalls, footwork, offensive and defensive timing and distance, balance techniques, punches, kicks, noodle drills and basic Eskrima with single and double sticks. Our 45 minute classes disguise repetition in fun games and drills as well as teach the basic principals of respect and focus.

Register Now for upcoming September classes at PaaManoEskrima@gmail.com

Class Times
Friday 4:45pm-5:30pm
Sunday 11:45am - 12 noon


Maraming Salamat Po!

www.PaaManoEskrima.com

For any questions please contact us at PaaManoEskrima@gmail.com 

PaaMano Eskrima's Organizations

PaaMano Eskrima & Performing Arts

PaaMano Youtube Channel 

PaaMano Eskrima Facebook

Roland's Martial Flow

Kadan Martial Arts 

POI

Aurora's "Speak Your Art Blog Hub" combines posts from seven of her other blogs: In the Flow Studios Arts, In the Flow Studios Body, I Love Shelter Dogs, Mana Keepers, PaaMano Eskrima & Performing Arts, Self-Actualization thru Women's Empowerment and Speak Your Art Poetry. It brings her organizations together and offers her readers an easier way to follow new posts in one convenient location. 

POI

PaaMano Eskrima Sundays offers advanced martial artists as well as beginners the chance enjoy and learn  our style of Filipino Martial Arts.

PG Roland Ferrer brings his 40 years of martial arts experience to our Sunday practices. Use this link to learn more about Roland Ferrer.

About PaaMano Eskrima - Our Filipino Marital Arts Style

PaaMano Eskrima literally means paa-foot, mano-hand, Eskrima-skirmish. Master Roland Ferrer created and founded this style in 1992. The style combines multiple styles of weaponry with empty hand concepts as well as kicking applications. Elbows, knees, takedowns and disarms are an integral part of the system.  Eskrima is a flowing and rhythmic art.

Its’ practice was outlawed by the Spanish conquistadores. The Filipino people had to find a way to keep their art alive to pass down to the next generation. They solved this problem by incorporating the martial art into some of their traditional dances. The martial art was hidden in dance for centuries.

PaaMano Eskrima was created to honor all the evolutions and changes of the art throughout the ages. The Sayaws (dance/forms) created for this curriculum are a balance of accuracy and application with flow and artistry. They are a tribute to the fine warriors and performers that for so many centuries kept the art alive for us to enjoy today.


We are grateful for all the different Arnis, Eskrima and Kali, styles, instructors and practitioners for keeping the art alive for future generations and for sharing FMA with the world. Salamat po.

Advanced Eskrima Class
Sunday, 10am - 11am
•For advanced martial artists
•Admittance by PG approval only

The PaaMano Eskrima Advanced Program was developed for advanced martial arts practitioners in any style that also have intermediate/advanced eskrima training. These are fast paced classes that incorporate advanced empty hand, knife, single stick, double stick, sweeps, takedowns, joint-locks, throws and ground work. This is the first time PG Roland has agreed to teach these techniques outside of his immediate family.

Do to the pace and the scope of the class all perspective students must submit an application and audition to enter the program. Students must adhere to a strong code of ethics and sign the PME ethics and comportment agreement. PG will not teach such advanced techniques to be used irresponsibly.


Eskrima Fencing Class
Sunday, 11am - 12noon
•Live Stick Fencing
•Must have full armor and sticks
•Admittance by Guro approval only

PaaMano Eskima Fencing Classes are about learning to implement the practical application of the live single and double stick(s). The class also develops timing, footwork, and the offensive and defensive skills needed to succeed in the sport of Eskrima. Full armor is required. Class available by audition only.


PaaMano Eskrima Family Class
Sunday, 12noon - 1pm

Our PME Family classes build a well rounded foundation in our Filipino Martial Arts system.
Our curriculum encompasses single stick, double stick, sword, dagger, empty-hand, sayaws, footwork and strategy training. The PaaMano Eskrima family class focuses on not only developing proficient Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) skills but also offers an opportunity for family members to learn together. Learning a new skill with your child, grandchild, sister or brother can help forge an even deeper bond and create memories that will last a lifetime. Ages 10 to Adult. Children under 10 years old must audition and have guros’ approval.

Classes begin July 2018
PaaMano @ EZ Aerobics Studio
6046 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park, CA 90621

For more info or to register email PaaManoEskrima@gmail.com or text (714) 890-0080

www.PaaManoEskrima.com
@PaaManoEskrima

Aurora's "Speak Your Art Blog Hub" combines posts from seven of her other blogs: In the Flow Studios Arts, In the Flow Studios Body, I Love Shelter Dogs, Mana Keepers, PaaMano Eskrima & Performing Arts, Self-Actualization thru Women's Empowerment and Speak Your Art Poetry. It brings her organizations together and offers her readers an easier way to follow new posts in one convenient location. 

POI

Chakra Stones Workshop Basics

 My Chakra Stones Workshop was developed to educate participants about the seven major chakras in the human body as well as to further
develop their knowledge and understanding of the chakras' workings in relation to physical health, emotional well-being and consciousness. Participants will also learn about special stones that complement mediation and balance the energy centers of the body. They will learn about the importance of breath and of water in relation to vitality of body and spirit.

Nicola Tesla

Through my 25 years of training and study in multiple disciplines and arts I have  created my signature Chakra Stones Healing and Cleansing set. My set consists of 11 stones and 9 placements. The numbers 11 and 9 are important in helping to create an optimum energetic field for cleansing and detoxifying both the physical body and the energy body. Each stone resonates to a specific vibrational field and interacts with the subtle energies of our chakras and energy system. I will guide practitioners through a simple yet powerful meditation using the stones to release stress and to gently begin bringing the chakra system into balance. (Stones, minerals and crystals have been used for much more than decorations by numerous cultures throughout human history. They are still used for healing, meditation, protection and divination in cultures worldwide today.)

Chakra is a Sanskrit word that translates as wheel or disc. A chakra is a center of activity that receives, assimilates, and expresses life force energy. The chakras are like spinning spheres of bioenergetic activity emanating from the major nerve ganglia branching forward from the spinal column. Six of these wheels are located in a column of energy that spans from the base of the spine to the middle of the forehead. The seventh is beyond the physical region above the head. Each chakra in your spinal column is believed to influence or even govern bodily functions near its region of the spine. 

Eastern based medicines, religions, martial arts and philosophies all recognize the existence of electromagnetic fields throughout the human body. For thousands of years Eastern cultures have incorporated their knowledge of the workings of the energy “centers” or Chakras and the energy "rivers" or Meridians in the human body into health, healing, martial and consciousness expansion practices. Some of the practices that have become popular in West are Acupressure, Acupuncture, Reiki, Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, Aikido, and Meditation. (Use this link to connect with "Free Guided Meditations" - UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center.)

Water Crystals after being exposed to words

Water is an essential component for life as we know it. Our bodies are comprised of more than 70% water. Humans can survive only a few days without water yet can survive a month or more without food. Water powers our bodies, from the elasticity of our myofascia (cognitive tissue) to the ability to process thoughts coherently, it literally is our life's blood. The quality of the water we drink will affect the quality of our health and consciousness. Participants will learn how to elevate the vibration of the water they drink and use daily. Use this link for more information on the importance of the quality of the water we drink. 

Participants will receive a 55 page ebook with in-depth information regarding all the topics discussed in the workshop.

Date: Sat, 5/4/19
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Place: In the Flow Studios
11951 Valley View St., Garden Grove, CA

Cost:  $55 does not include my Special Chakra Set 
*Participants my not substitute other Chakra Stones sets as the set I have developed has unique pieces that I have worked with for over 15 years.
Class size is  limited so please reserve your spot as soon as possible.

You may use this PayPal button to register for workshop.

If you'd like to purchase my special Chakra Stones Set please use PayPal button bellow. (Optional)
Set of 11 Chakra Stones $35.00
No Shipping: Pickup at Mana Keepers Shop located at In the Flow Studios  
11951 Valley View St., Garden Grove, CA

You may use this PayPal button to purchase my 11 piece Chakra Stones Set

Thank you for visiting. Wishing you Peace today and everyday.

Website: http://manakeepers.com
Shop: http://shopmanakeepers.blogspot.com
Instagram:http://instagram.com/manakeepers or @ManaKeepers

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Blog: http://manakeepers.blogspot.com

Aurora's "Speak Your Art Blog Hub" combines posts from seven of her other blogs: In the Flow Studios Arts, In the Flow Studios Body, I Love Shelter Dogs, Mana Keepers, PaaMano Eskrima & Performing Arts, Self-Actualization thru Women's Empowerment and Speak Your Art Poetry. It brings her organizations together and offers her readers an easier way to follow new posts in one convenient location. 

POI

Vision Book Workshop

Helping our dreams become our reality...

For more info ManaKeeper@gmail.com 

Our Vision Book Workshop focuses on sharing age old wisdom forgotten by many in our modern age. This workshop is designed to help each participant gain a deeper understanding of the subconscious mind and it’s (subconscious) effects in our physical reality. Students will learn fun, simple and practical applications to work with their subconscious minds. By using this new understanding students will create a personal vision book to use as a tool and a guide in manifesting their dreams and uncovering their talents.

This workshop is open to the general public and all are welcomed but we highly encourage artists and idealists to attend. These techniques and lessons are especially helpful to those that work through inspiration. Participants develop easy and enjoyable ways to feed their inner muse daily.

The Inner-child and the Body

For thousands of years great spiritual cultures understood the importance of our connection and communication with the subconscious mind. This knowledge and understanding was passed down through verbal history. Most of those practices have been forgotten but some have survived. The ancient Hawaiians used some of these practices to harvest Mana (Divine Life Force Energy). They used Mana not only to enrich their bodies and spirits but as a sacred breath to feed their dreams and bring them into reality. The Australian Aboriginal cultures used Dream Time as a way to communicate with the heavens. Through understanding the meanings of their dreams they were able to predict and avoid dangers as well as bring the dream world into the waking. Tibetan Buddhist monks practice Lucid Dreaming as a way to understand the subconscious mind in multiple realms of reality. 

In contemporary society we also have great minds that have taught us the importance of the subconscious mind in how we live and perceive our realities. Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, Carl Jung spoke of the subconscious mind’s power to manifest in our daily lives. Albert Einstein said “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking” and “Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” The imagination is a product of our subconscious. Joseph Campbell is known for many great things, not the least of which is the philosophy of "Following Your Bliss". By following your bliss you are reflecting the unique talents that lie within. 


"Follow your bliss.
If you do follow your bliss,
you put yourself on a kind of track
that has been there all the while waiting for you,
and the life you ought to be living
is the one you are living.
When you can see that,
you begin to meet people
who are in the field of your bliss,
and they open the doors to you.
I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid,
and doors will open
where you didn't know they were going to be.
If you follow your bliss,
doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else." 
— Joseph Campbell

Our subconscious is the key to getting in touch with our deepest dreams and latent talents. This workshop shares easy and effective tools to re-connect with the inner-child or sub-conscious mind. Through forging a healthy relationship with the subconscious participants are able to co-create their realities and manifest their Divine talents. 

Date: Sun. 8/25/19
Time: 4pm to 6pm
Location: In the Flow Studios
11951 Valley View St., Garden Grove CA
Cost: $50
Class size is extremely limited so please register now to ensure your space.

You may register for workshop via PayPal or via email. 

Thank you for visiting. Wishing you Peace today and everyday.

Website: http://manakeepers.com
Shop: http://shopmanakeepers.blogspot.com
Instagram:http://instagram.com/manakeepers or @ManaKeepers

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mana-Keepers/187105678024226?ref_type=bookmark
Blog: http://manakeepers.blogspot.com

Aurora's "Speak Your Art Blog Hub" combines posts from seven of her other blogs: In the Flow Studios Arts, In the Flow Studios Body, I Love Shelter Dogs, Mana Keepers, PaaMano Eskrima & Performing Arts, Self-Actualization thru Women's Empowerment and Speak Your Art Poetry. It brings her organizations together and offers her readers an easier way to follow new posts in one convenient location. 

POI