Rose School of Karate November 2002 Disciple Retreat

Rose School of Karate
November 2002 Disciple Retreat

Each year, my direct disciples from all across the country gather together for 3 days with me. It is a time of reflection and grounding. A time to come together and discuss progress on assignments from the last year. A time to exchange ideas and techniques with each other so that we can all grow.

And a time for me to meet individually with each disciple - most having been training with me for 15 years or more - to set goals and study outlines for the coming year. It is an intense period, but - as the pictures show - that doesn't keep us from having fun while we work. Of course, it's not everyone's idea of a good time to be working from 7:30am until 2am the following morning. But we do have fun!

Unfortunately, the retreat was finalized late due to concerns about scheduling and many disciples having prior committments. Rather than cancelling or putting off until the weather in the Norteast turned really tough, I wanted to hold the retreat anyway. Hopefully those who were unable to attend will be able to come out and vist at some other time. We'll try this again next year!

Russ Jones (left) of the Sachem School of Self Defense, Laconia, NH received a surprise promotion to 3rd Degree Black Belt, Sandan during the retreat.

We couldn't pass up the opportunity to sit out on the veranda of the Eagle Mountain House, Jackson, NH.

I have held many retreats and advanced black belt exams at the Whitney's Inn, Jackson, NH. It sits at the base of the Black Mountain ski area and offers peace and quite in a spectular setting.

Though demanding, the corner table behaved themselves and were allowed to "park it" in the beautiful lounge of the Eagle Mountain House for a relaxing lunch discussion. From left to right: Sandan Russ Jones of the Sachem School of Self Defense, Laconia, NH, Grandmaster Peter Rose, and Nidan James Nancarrow of the Northwood School of Self Defense, Northwood, NH.

Sandan Jones insisted on taking this picture of me. It is to remember the rather horrible experience I put him through many years before on this very bridge - overlooking a bubbling brook in the dead of winter - during his certified 1st degree black belt exams. I guess he is scarred for life with the frustration he experienced at dealing with the issues I had posed to him. I had sent him out of the warmth of the inn to ponder his fate on this bridge. I had told him that perhaps the brook would have the answers he was seeking if he would just take the time to listen to the power of the Nature that was around him.

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