Video: Master martial arts seminars at MCC-Blue River

Master martial artist Nick Yang hosted a seminar at MCC-Blue River in April:

Building on the success of master martial artist Nick Yang's April seminar, MCC-Blue River's Martial Arts Club will host another huge event this summer.

On June 11 and 12, Brent Yamamoto will be coming to town to lead a seminar on the principles of Okinawan Karate.  MCC-Blue River instructor Eric Parsons, head of the Blue River Martial Arts Club, says, "I’ve had the good fortune to train with Sensei Yamamoto, and not only is he extremely fast, he hits hard.  Really hard... in a way that relies on technique, not body mass."

The Yamamoto seminar will draw the attention of martial artists far and wide, the sensei having earned the respect of leading authorities in his sport. Rory Miller, author of Meditations on

Martial Arts event helps MCC-Blue River students

Mr. Nicholas C. Yang

In April, Nicholas Yang, the president of Yang's Martial Arts Association International (YMAA) will be on the MCC-Blue River campus teaching several martial arts courses including: Shuai Jiao (Chinese wrestling), Chin Na (joint locks), and White Crane.

 The YMAA is a teaching organization for martial artists and was established in Boston almost thirty years ago by Yang's father, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming. Nicholas Yang is an acclaimed instructor in his own right and has taught seminars world-wide.

This event is an excellent opportunity for martial arts enthusiasts to hone their craft while helping a Blue River student organization. Proceeds from the event will benefit the college's Single Parent Book Loan program.

This is actually the third year Blue River has held this fundraising seminar in conjunction with YMAA. "As the seminar series has grown, we've developed a closer and closer relationship with YMAA", says Blue River's Eric Parsons, “bringing the president of the organization in for a seminar seemed to be a natural next step". Parsons describes Yang as a "great martial artist" and says "it will be a lot of fun to meet and train with him." Last year the group raised $800 for the single parents' program and hopes to exceed that amount this year.

The details are:

Dates:
April 1 – 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

April 2 – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Campus Info:
MCC-Blue River Arts and Sciences room 100
20301 E. Hwy 78, Independence, MO 64057

This is a public event costing only $40, MCC students get a $10 discount to the event, making the student price $30 for Saturday or $40 for Friday and Saturday.

Participants traveling from out-of-town may take advantage of discounted lodging rates at Staybridge Suites in Independence, Missouri. Contact the hotel directly at 816. 994.2700 and say you are with the “Eric Parsons Group” to get the $50 a night rate.

For more information or to receive a registration form, contact Eric Parsons at eric.parsons@mcckc.edu or call him 816. 604.6746.