Where Do All the Old Stories Go?
September 28, 2008
Don’t you just love to read new posts on the website? Everyone agrees – updated, fresh content is the best, and websites like ours are constantly changing, with news, notices and interesting stories posted every week. But if you haven’t visited USBAPride.com before now, or have been away on vacation for a month, don’t worry that you might have missed something important…because it is still here!
We are keeping all of our past content accessible to you on our website. Here are three easy ways to review old stories, or posts, as they are called in the “blogosphere”:
- At the top of each page on USBAPride.com is what is called a header, and in the header below the USBA logo are two navigation bars. In the “grey belt,” you’ll find links to School News, USBA Kids!, Tips & Techniques, etc….Click on one of those, and you’ll be taken to a page that lists all the posts in that category, in chronological order, newest first, oldest last.
- Over in the right sidebar, you can find the same category shortcuts under Departments.
- If you prefer to look at posts in ALL the categories, but only during a certain month, in the right sidebar under Archives, click on a link for any of the months you find listed.
Not quite as easy is the Site Map for USBAPride.com, which lists all the pages, all the posts, for all time! But there you will also find older posts from months long ago. You’ll find the link for the Site Map at the bottom right hand corner in the footer.
Don’t forget one more easy way to find content on USBAPride.com – the search box at the upper right. Type in the word or phrase you want to locate, and click the blue “Go” button. Try it!
USBA Chosen the Best of Orange County!!
September 26, 2008
Exciting news! Thanks to the Orange County Register for their recognition and award – USBA has been chosen as the number one martial arts school in Orange County!
Amongst hundreds of schools, recognition as the best place to train is truly an honor. Thanks to staff, and to our wonderful students and families for their hard work, and for their huge contribution to our success!
Here’s the text of the Orange County Register article:
The Carlyle family had been searching for an activity to do together and found one, albeit an unconventional one. Barbara and Steve and their two children, Logan and Madison, have been students at the U.S. Blackbelt Academy for a couple of years. It was Madison who was first to join the center, which is close to the Carlyles’ Laguna Niguel home. She was 6 when her mom signed her up for the classes nine years ago.
“They do a free month,” Barbara Carlyle said. “She liked it, and we continued taking her there.” Madison stopped taking lessons to play soccer, but her brother, Logan, signed up, followed by Steve and then Barbara. Madison has since returned to taking lessons. “It is near our home and convenient for us,” Barbara Carlyle said. “When Madison first started, it was just tae kwon do. Now it is mixed martial arts.”
The academy appeals to the family because there are different programs and disciplines for them to choose from - muay thai kickboxing, gracie jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts, among others. Instructors at the facility spend many years training in the martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors. Through extensive testing, certification and tournament-level competition, staff members have attained mastery in their martial art and enjoy sharing their skills.
The studio is owned by Master Ivan Kravitz, who also is the chief instructor. Kravitz, a pioneer in the martial-arts industry, has enjoyed more than 25 years as a martial artist, athlete and teacher. He holds the rank of fifth-degree black belt and continues to train and learn a variety of arts to add to the studio’s multistyle training system.
USBA Students in the News!
September 24, 2008
Congratulations to Blake Ferguson, USBA student and fellow Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu classmate. Blake’s hockey team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, defeated the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 in the league championship.
Blake has been playing hockey for nearly 17 years. Born in Minnesota, where nearly everyone plays hockey, Blake continued to play in Illinois and now in Orange County. In attendance for the championship game were some of Blake’s martial arts classmates, supporting his efforts on the ice, and looking to see if Blake utilized his Gracie Jiu-Jitsu techniques while pinning opponents on the boards!
USBA Kids!
September 22, 2008
Thanks to all of our wonderful USBA students that worked so hard in this summer’s classes and camps! Extra special congratulations to the Top 10 Summer Ticket Winners!
USBA Partners with KONO Magazine!
September 12, 2008
US Blackbelt Academy has teamed up with KONO Magazine, a national martial arts publication for kids – in conjunction with the President’s Challenge, a non-profit organization that takes staying active beyond the school gym and into everyday life – to help get kids active and stay fit, improve grades, and boost self-esteem.
To do our part, US Blackbelt Academy is hosting a special event: Back-to-School Buddy Bash and an ABCs Concentration for Success workshop FREE to all kids in the community ages 4 - 11. All children that attend will receive a COMPLIMENTARY KONO Back-to-School issue that features the KONO Action Challenge, a fun challenge to prompt kids to try different exercises and track their fitness goals through the President’s Challenge Website, as well as tips for studying smarter, dealing with stress and anxiety, and improving overall health.
This special event is geared towards living a healthy lifestyle and will take place at US Blackbelt Academy on Saturday, September 27th from 12pm – 2pm.
This fun event will help kids understand the fun and importance of exercise and takes the pressure off meeting new people by improving self-esteem. Attendees will engage in the KONO Action Challenge, fun activities and games, and be given the tools to maintain an active lifestyle and long-lasting friendships. Students will learn the mental qualities and concentration techniques to improve grades and become successful in life. Students use Attitude, Belief and Concentration (ABC) to break a board and break out of their bad habits.
In addition, we are also pleased to have OC’s Celebrity Chef Adam Navidi catering this event. Award Winning Executive Chef Adam Navidi caters O.C. premier parties and many Newport Coast philanthropic events. He is also the Fine Dining Chef de Cuisine at The Californian Restaurant in the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. Join us for fun activities and games, watch a martial arts demonstration, meet new friends and build school spirit.
For more information and to register, please contact us at:
949-363-6500 or via email right here on the USBAPide.com website.
Other links: www.konomag.com and www.presidentschallenge.org
Back to School Sale is Under Way!
September 10, 2008
It’s Back to School time and U.S. Blackbelt Academy is having one of our hottest sales of the year! This is a great opportunity to stock up on new uniforms, t-shirts, at-home training equipment, sparring gear and just about any martial arts gear you need!
Is it time to replace some of your old (sweaty) boxing gloves or sparring gear? This is a perfect opportunity to SAVE on some replacement equipment!
Could you use some extra personal training to take your skills to the next level? Check out our private lesson packages and save up 20%! So, stop by the school anytime this week and you’ll find some incredible Back to School Savings!
USBA to Open Its Second School Location!
September 8, 2008
Thank you to all of our USBA students and families! We are proud to announce that we are expanding this fall to a second location. Located in north Aliso Viejo, the new school will offer the same great mixed martial arts curriculum as that we have all enjoyed in our flagship Laguna Niguel school.
Kickboxers – Bring a Friend!
September 5, 2008
Attention Kickboxing Students!! Have a friend you know that would benefit from our AMAZING KICKBOXING CLASSES! How about someone who’s been dying to try out a class?
Great news! You can bring a friend with you to a FREE Kickboxing Class on
- September 6 at 9a,
- September 13 at 9a,
- September 20 at 9a,
- September 27 at 9a
Your guest(s) get a great workout & a VIP pass for a trial month. Pick up a guest pass at the Front Desk today!
Rodrigo Gracie MMA Seminar
September 5, 2008
USBA is a great place to train! Here’s an example: a couple of weeks ago, we were “advised” by Master Kravitz, at the conclusion of training on a Monday evening, to attend the class on Wednesday. No reason was offered, only that we would “really be glad we did,” and that we did not need to bring our sparring gear, as is normal for our Wednesday night adult class. Staff was tight-lipped about Master Kravitz’ secret…
Well, Wednesday soon arrived. Arriving at class early with some anticipation about what awaited, and leaving some extra time for stretching, I figured out quickly that we had a special guest instructor — Rodrigo Gracie had come to Orange County and was “in the house” at U.S. Blackbelt Academy.
What a great class it was! We learned a sequence of techniques beginning with two counters to a jab, chosen purposely to set up a takedown. After the takedown, we were taught to properly set up for a submission. After the end of this terrific MMA class, Rodrigo stayed to also teach the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu class at 8:30pm. During the Jiu-Jitsu class, we learned an impressive sequence of positions, reversals, submissions, and escapes.
Rodrigo Gracie is a great instructor….his directions are specific, and he is a stickler for keeping things precise and smooth, stopping and correcting us when we were even slightly off the mark. The biggest challenge for me was remembering the huge amount of material we learned in two classes that evening!
I was also excited to learn that the night’s events were not a one-time treat. Instead, Rodrigo Gracie will be teaching monthly at USBA a mixed martial arts seminar as part of our regular curriculum! He has also agreed to assume the role of head MMA coach, and to guide our MMA program at USBA. I guess it is now time to order my fingerless MMA gloves from the Online Proshop.
Thanks to Master Kravitz and USBA staff for putting together yet another great addition to our school!
Back to School BASH!!
September 5, 2008
Come join the USBA staff and students and the action-packed Back-to-School Bash! This special event, from 12pm-2pm on Saturday, September 27th, is catered by O.C. Celebrity Chef, Adam Navidi, and is open to the public! Students: bring up to two of your friends.
Special events during the BASH include the ABC Concentration for Success Workshop, to learn concnetration techniques to improve grades. Also planned: Martial Arts demonstrations, fun karate-themed games and activities, board breaking and raffles with great prizes! We look forward to seeing you on the 27th!
Royce Gracie with Ivan Kravitz, USBA Owner
Quick Link: USBA Class Schedules
Click here for instant access to USBA class schedules!Our monthly event calendars are found here.
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