Tree of Life Dojo

After kicking butt last year, it was no surprise these two would do the same this year, though they may have gotten a little softer in some areas 😉☯️ . Senseis Julia and Jena have spent the past year teaching varying levels of all ages, including kids, teens and adults. While Julia took on helping to teach the recently re-started teens class, Jena continued to teach and lead the soft style and Tai Chi class. Outside of the dojo, Julia and Jena give lots of their time to helping coordinate our various community engagement activities, such as the annual Pride Parade🌈, Summer Shade Festival 🌳 and Haunted Dojo 💀. Both did this in addition to maintaining their own training schedules, in regular advanced ranks classes and outside of class time. Instead of earning their black belts and taking a step back, they’ve continued to jump in and volunteer in many ways. They continue to inspire members of all ages and genders with the energy that keeps our community open and inviting to all.

Thank you both for being such great leaders in our dojo. Congratulations to our two newest shodans, Sensei and Sensei !

Harder. Better. Faster. Stronger. When it comes to breaking things down, analyzing everything and putting it back together in a way to improve oneself, Addison is your man! We love watching the wheels turn in his brain, the inquisitive looks that pop up on his face and the questions he asks as he processes the information he takes in, but even more powerful is when he locks in and performs with the muscle memory he’s ingrained into his system from years of dedication and practice. 
Addison is so much more than a thinker. His heart is full of the love that Cuong Nhu embodies. From providing rides so members can attend class, to leading and teaching strength training seminars, to funding members so they can attend IATC, he gives back and cares deeply for the community he’s a part of. We’re forever grateful for the bromance that brought him into the fold. 
Congrats Sensei Addison, Sung Ming Shu can’t wait to see what you do next. For now, take pride in your accomplishment and go get that brunch you’ve worked so hard for!

Self-confidence, self-control, modesty and a non-defeatist attitude are 4 qualities Sensei Jessica clearly possesses. While she has always been incredibly humble and modest, watching her self-confidence grow and blossom over the years has been a wonderful journey. Whether seeking feedback on how to improve and feel more comfortable with sparring or looking for strategies for board breaking, she persevered through any obstacle in her way. It’s no surprise, Jessica was smiling from ear to ear during last week’s promotion ceremony.

Outside of training, Jessica is a member of the SMS social media team, helps coordinate our annual New Year’s Day challenge and serves as a point person for community festivals and outside engagements. Not to mention, she’s also a full time professor at Georgia State! Her journey is a testament to the power of lifelong learning, whether in the classroom or at the dojo.

We’re incredibly proud of all she has accomplished and grateful for the positivity, determination, and leadership she brings to our Cuong Nhu family. This milestone is well deserved, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.

Congratulations, Sensei Jessica! .armytage

The ✨healing power of community✨ was the focus of Seth’s sandan paper and speech and he is one who can truly say he’s walked the walk and not just talked the talk. Having learned from two substantial injuries over the course of his training, Seth takes both the physical and emotional lessons and incorporates those in his teaching and in his relationships with others. Whether helping instructors improve their warm-ups, coaching students on better techniques, or suggesting modifications, he always loves giving back.

He’s a committed member of our dojo, from teaching our kids’ classes in his early years, to re-establishing our teens’ classes, to teaching adults of all levels; his attention to foundational skills and body mechanics, as well as the importance of tradition and etiquette in martial arts holds members of Sung Ming Shu and Cuong Nhu to high standards.

Not only is he a member of our community, but he’s an honorary dojo member after moving to Little Rock to help Sensei Tanner when he first opened up Gouitsu dojo back in the day. Behind the scenes, Seth channels his passion and creativity into new graphics for SMS and is constantly thinking of ways to give back to the style.

If you know Seth, and most people do, you know that his heart is as big as his kiai, he’s goofy and personable while also a deep thinker who will spend countless hours breaking things down to review and improve upon. His joyful, outgoing, highly sociable personality brightens any community and he has been a wonderful addition to many. The Sung Ming Shu community is so proud of you, congratulations on earning the rank of Sandan, Sensei Seth!

The mighty tee-shirt. A humble piece of clothing. Worn not when we want to “dress up”, but when we live our lives, complete our chores, and for martial artists - under our gis when we train. We make them for our biggest events, to celebrate our schools, and show pride in Cuong Nhu.
This year’s IATC is about stepping forward. What better piece of clothing is there to catalog the path our style has taken? Even if you are pretty sure someone’s got an older shirt, bring your oldest Cuong Nhu Tee to training camp. Let’s see if we can’t chart a complete path from the 70’s to today.
When you are at training camp, look for someone wearing one of the badges above. They will take a picture of your entry and take down your story.
See y’all soon!

Here at the Tree of Life we are grateful to all the mothers in our lives! From the mothers working hard in our dojo, to those showing up to watch their kids in kids classes, to those that support us in all things both related and not, we celebrate you!

✨There’s a special kind of energy on Kids Test Days at the dojo. ✨

I often find myself thinking of the next generation of Cuong Nhu and wondering which of these students will emerge as future leaders in our style. Their determination and ability to push through the challenges they face is always inspiring to see. Congrats to the 32 students who tested today at Tree of Life dojo! We are excited to see where your Cuong Nhu journey takes you!

Check out the fashion here at ! Want one for yourself? They are available for purchase at https://www.treeoflifedojo.com/store and ship literally anywhere.

.. ok, maybe not the moon. we've not tried that yet.

Want a chance to win one for free? Check out our Cuong Nhu Wearable History Contest!