I again hosted here at my condo my annual Disciple Retreat. Thursday evening, Carl Parker flew in from Albuquerque, NM and Russ Jones drove down from Laconia, NH as they were staying here for the weekend with me whereas the others would come in at 7:45am each morning and then head back home at 10:00pm or 11:00pm - whenever we would wrap up for the day.

This year was a little different in the structure of the retreat as I had 4 external speakers come in to give presentations. This was to have a comparative basis of analysis of some of the things that we do with them and their pursuits.

Dr. Wesley Merritt of Merritt Chiropractic, Durham, NH discussed body structure, nerve transmission, and health as it relates to chiropractic. Our own Shodan Brian Serven who has extensive training from The Yoga Institute, Mumbai, India discussed the historical and philosophical aspects of yoga as a comparative analysis to our beliefs in the Martial Arts. Rev. Robin Clark spoke about philosophy and spirituality and how balance to the human experience is developed through theology. And Susan Lyndes spoke as a guest artist. Her presentation showed how someone from a totally different profession (photography) came to their own connection with Nature. It was particularly interesting to us how the words and phrases that she used to express herself on this process were identical to those used by Merritt, Serven, and Clark.

In recognition of several of our advanced black belts, I made the following promotions: James Nancarrow, Yondan 4th Degree Black Belt, Carl Parker, Yondan 4th Degree Black Belt, Richard Downs, Sandan 3rd Degree Black Belt, and Scott Williams, Sandan 3rd Degree Black Belt.

I calculated that despite all of these guest presenters, I must have spoken for 13 hours myself! I'm sure there are 6 advanced black belts out there still biting their nails, curled up in fetal positions under their dining room tables after that experience!

Thursday evening class. Steve Shackford, Brad Root, and Shodan Brian Serven.

Thursday evening class. Yondan Carl Parker, Yondan Russ Jones, Sandan Rick Downs in background, and Yondan Tim House.

Thursday evening class. Eleanne Solorzano.

Thursday evening class. Yondan Tim House.

Thursday evening class. Yondan Tim House.

Thursday evening class. Shodan Brian Serven on the receiving end of an arm lock by Grandmaster Rose.

Thursday evening class. Yondan Russ Jones and Sandan Rick Downs.

Thursday evening class. Grandmaster Rose with Shodan Brian Serven demonstrating an escape from a choke.

Thursday evening class. Getting ready to end class; Yondan Carl Parker had just arrived from his flight from Albuquerque, NM and drive down from Portland, ME.

Thursday evening class. Trying to choose a slice of pizza from all available after class can be more difficult than doing a complex form....

Friday morning. Yondan James Nancarrow and Yondan Russ Jones getting coffee.

Friday morning. Yondan Tim House.

Friday morning. Grandmaster Rose.

Friday morning. Sandan Scott Williams and Sandan Rick Downs.

Friday morning. Sue stayed just long enough to have coffee with us before heading off to work and then a weekend visit with a friend in Fryeburg, ME.

Yondan James Nancarrow and Yondan Russ Jones at Friday afternoon's seminar with Dr. Wes Merritt.

Grandmaster Rose and Shodan Brian Serven at Serven's Friday afternoon seminar presentation on Yoga.

Shodan Brian Serven presenting his lecture on Yoga to the assembled group.

Yondan Tim House and Sandan Rick Downs during a brief break late Friday afternoon.

Sandan Scott Williams assiting Yondan James Nancarrow who had the honor this year of preparing Saturday morning breakfast for the disciples.

Sandan Rick Downs and Yondan Tim House Saturday morning.

Yondan James Nancarrow, Yondan Russ Jones, Sandan Scott Williams, Sandan Rick Downs, and Yondan Tim House during Reverend Robin Clark's presentation Saturday afternoon.

Reverend Robin Clark, her husband Eric, Yondan James Nancarrow, and Yondan Russ Jones.

Sandan Rick Downs Saturday afternoon.

Sandan Scott Williams and Yondan Carl Parker.

Grandmaster Rose during one of his Satruday afternoon presentations.

Yondan Tim House and Yondan Russ Jones during one of Grandmaster Rose's Saturday afternoon presentations. Yondan James Nancarrow in the background getting something to drink in the kitchen.

Sandan Rick Downs and Grandmaster Rose having ice cream and Kruskovac after dinner Saturday night.

Kruskovac really does exist. This is one of Grandmaster Rose's last bottles that were given to him by Grandmaster David Landers who found them at Zimmerman's Liquor Store on the South Side of Chicago (where Grandmaster Rose's father used to get it) many years ago.

Early Sunday morning getting coffee just prior to moving into the living room for the morning's first presentation. Grandmaster Rose, Yondan Tim House, Yondan Russ Jones, and Sandan Scott Williams.

Sue took this picture of the group on the back deck late Sunday morning just before the close of the retreat. 2012 Grandmaster Rose Disciple Retreat October 12, 2012, Dover, NH. From left to right: 4th Degree Black Belt Carl Parker, 3rd Degree Black Belt Richard Downs, 4th Degree Black Belt Tim House, 3rd Degree Black Belt Scott Williams, 4th Degree Black Belt James Nancarrow, 9th Degree Black Belt Grandmaster Peter Rose, 4th Degree Black Belt Russ Jones.