The 2nd Degrees!

This past year has been a HUGE year for 2nd Degree Black Belts. In this past year alone I have produced at my own school four 2nd Dan Black Belts at TMAFC. One of my mentors became a 2nd Dan Black Belt in an Israeli martial art, and a friend of mine became a 2nd Dan in Taekwondo within the year. There must be some magical energy about having to do with 2nd Degrees!

Not everyone who trains in the martial arts make it to Black Belt. I mean a TRUE Black Belt. A Black Belt is not so much what one can do physically in skill and technique but what one learns in the heart and mind and how they live life. However, there is a much LARGER percentage of people who DO make it to Black Belt than to 2nd Degree Black Belt.

Me personally, it is a real staple in one's training to make it to 2nd Degree Black Belt. It's a big mile stone and I give a lot of credit to those people who move forward in their training and make it to that point. Not to take away from 1st Degree, but there is just something about making it to 2nd Degree that really shows dedication and commitment to martial art training in a different way.

When I trained under my old master, I made it up to 2nd Degree. That is probably the highest rank anyone ever made it to under my old master. There were certain levels that preceded that rank, but never past 2nd Degree. I think I am the first and ONLY student he ever had to have ever pass that rank, even if it wasn't from him. I remember when I conducted my own Black Belt test for my own students, how excited I was. But nothing made me more excited to do my own 2nd Degree test for TMAFC, and it was ten times more special for me because it was for someone very special for me.

In September 2011, exactly seven years after my own 2nd Dan test, I conducted TMAFC's first 2nd Dan test for my best friend Kristin Barrett. I started martial arts with Kristin and we trained together under the old master. We taught together and we were known as one of the greatest teams ever to teach at our old master's school. Her test symbolized a lot of great victories and personal triumphs and the collaborated energy from the past to present was beyond overwhelming. I believe that first 2nd Dan test for Kristin still is one of the greatest tests I will ever produce. It was also the first time I had three of my mentors involved in my school. You can read about the magic of Kristin's test here.

Kristin Barrett receiving her 2nd Dan Sept 17, 2011

Eight months later, I had TMAFC's second test for a 2nd Degree for Samantha Volk. I began teaching Samantha at the age of seven (I think it was seven, she always corrects me and it confuses me! LOL). She left during her four years of high school, but was always a great supporter of whatever I was doing and she and her family always had great respect for me. She attended my first Black Belt test I conducted, participated at events at TMAFC, attended the grand opening day class, and finally six months after I opened the doors she came back in uniform as a student. I was thrilled. She always said she would never train again, but she did. Not only did she train again, she taught classes and competed. Then, a choice she made by herself, she wanted to upgrade her rank as a junior Black Belt to adult Black Belt and tested for 2nd Degree. I knew the test meant many things for her, and to follow Kristin Barrett was a privilege for her. Today Miss Volk is a certified AAU Official and I am so proud of her.

Samantha Volk receiving her 2nd Dan May 2012

This past September, another student of mine named Erin McKenna tested for her 2nd Degree Black Belt. Erin was one of my first students and she has been with me for many years. Erin was a student training under me when I was still apprenticing under my old master, she is one of the pillars on which my origins of TMAFC began, she was the first Black Belt test I ever gave, she was the first maintenance test for 1st Degree I ever gave, she was the first Black Belt test at my center's location, and it just so happened that this past September, her 2nd Degree test was my first Black Belt test as a master! Also, notice that the three 2nd Dan tests were all female? Something must be said for the women warriors!

Erin McKenna received her Black Belt Sept 2012, one year after Kristin Barrett

However, this past January, the streak was broken when I finally tested my first male 2nd Degree Black Belt for Andrew Kranich. And his test was one of the best panels we ever had, along with a very different approach to how the testing went throughout the week. Andrew's test was a challenging one for many different reasons, but he demonstrated great focus and discipline as a 2nd Dan should. No matter what the challenge was or what the block was, he pushed on. It was a great test, and he proved he learned cumulatively from all his previous tests. This was truly his moment. Being a 2nd Dan suits him.

Andrew Kranich receiving his 2nd Dan Jan 2013

My own mentor, Master Samuel DeJesus also received his 2nd Degree in Haganah and my friend John Vanderhee was awarded his 2nd Dan under Master Dough Cook from the United States Taekwondo Association. So here's to all the 2nd Degrees! I will be ecstatic the day my school is ready to produce 3rd Degrees. Anyone who has seen, heard, or read about the Black Belt tests I have know one thing: Black Belts are NOT given here. They are definitely earned. So to receive that high of rank here will be an experience I look forward to giving. (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO

A Master and his Father

Master Frank Yee and Master Pedro C. Yee

"The Wong Fei Hung Northeastern All Kung Fu Championships were held on September 27 at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. Things got going around 11 a.m. with three different lion dance troupes. The drums, cymbals and lion dances energized the crowd (many of whom were affiliated with Yee's Hung Ga - if I had to estimate I would say up to half the competitors were from a Yee's Hung Ga, which has kwoons in all five boroughs, as well as upstate and New Jersey), and at the end Master Frank Yee jumped in and tossed the lion head around a little too.
After the lion dances, Sifu Pedro Cepero and Master Yee (both of Yee's Hung Ga) stood in front of the head table as the announcer made a long speech about how martial arts is like a family. A good father is... a good son is... Master Yee has been a good father to us... Sifu Cepero has been a good son to Master Yee... it was all very nice, but I was wondering what the point was. Then came the kicker - "As of September 19th, 2003, Sifu Pedro Cepero will be known as Pedro C. Yee!" Master Yee legally adopted his student! They embraced in a bear hug for almost a full minute as the applause swelled. I could feel the emotion running through the gym - truly a beautiful moment."

- Website of "Martial Arts NY" posted on October 2 2003
Wong Fei Hung All Kung Fu Championships

 

Sifu and Sigung in deep conversation.

I have known my master only for a short time. It'll be two year this July, and I have been training under him only going onto nine months now. But I know more about my current master in nine months than I ever did with my old master in ten years. I know so much of the history of the Hung Ga Kung Fu system, stories that would blow your mind away. And I also have heard so many great stories pertaining to my master's own training and experiences. Many which involve his own master, Master Frank Yee.

The above quote is about a moment in time in which I WISH I was present. Master Frank Yee, my Grandfather master (also known as Sigung) is a third generation disciple of the Hung Ga System.The art has been passed down and lived on because of the work and effort of Master Frank Yee. It is through my own Sifu, Master Pedro C. Yee that the entire system of Hung Ga has been taught to inside and out. Not only has the art been passed down, but so has the name "Yee" when his own master adopted him.

I think of that time in 2003, where was I  in the world? Oh yes, I was a first degree Black Belt under my old master at the time, teaching classes in Saddle Brook, NJ. Wow. It's amazing to think of this momentous moment going on. I wish I was there for it! It's all about timing. The master-student relationship in martial arts to me is a sacred one. It is a relationship that unless you truly have it to the extent as it should involving every aspect of your life, then you really cannot understand it.

Back in the day, my old master planted seeds that formulated a very well rounded training material for myself, each specialty providing me with tools that allowed me to use in every aspect of my life. It was through my original training I understood the skills I was learning for really teaching greater skills for my life.When the old master and I parted, I was VERY picky on who I would train under as my master. My expectations and standards were and remain VERY high. I found these phenomenal mentors but they are limited to their specialty in my training and nothing more other than some phenomenal friendships as well. My next master would have to be the real deal in my eyes, and will truly train me in all aspects of my martial arts that will seep into my life.

I think of what Sifu's training was like with his father. My imagination runs wild. Just to think of what my master's training was like, and the opportunity to be a part of this fantastic martial art. Sifu has done many styles of martial arts, but he has Hung Ga as his chosen art. And to share such a phenomenal bond with his master, a relationship that could only rival one of father and son. That really is something special.

Father and son enjoying each other's company.

I have written in a previous blog when Sifu came to visit me unexpectedly one day how I was reflecting some of the greatest teacher-student relationships we may know about. Master Yoda and Obi Won or Obi Won and Luke Skywalker. Master Roshi and Goku, Splinter and the Ninja Turtles. Even in real life like Master Bardatsos and Steven Lin or Grandmaster Chun and Master Doug Cook. These pairs have their names synonymous to the other. But I don't think any can compare to the story between my Sifu and his father. 

To always have that "go-to" authority for guidance or comfort is always a special thing. Something I personally hold in high regard it knowledge. I absolutely LOVE to learn, especially if it is of such high quality that can be used to bettering the world or people in some way. Me personally, my greatest gift to anybody would be to pass on something of great value that I know. A martial arts master has a wonderful ability to share knowledge through a unique and spiritual manner. I can only imagine Master Frank Yee's initial excitement and joy when he finally realized he had someone he could pass down ALL of his knowledge to, and that is was JUST as important to this person as it was to him.

I want to learn everything I can. I work hard, I put effort in truly studying my training, and being as well rounded as possible. I take all I can from my mentors, and by expanding my horizons in my training on SO many levels through my master training, I am in utter bliss. It makes me so happy to learn this great magic, but also to learn it from the best of the best. And appreciating where it came from in the first place.

A master is always sharing his knowledge with his students, no matter where they are in life.

I do not know about my other training brothers and sisters. Of course it is important to them, and they know they have the best of the best as well. But for me personally, what I am learning goes beyond gold. I know my Sifu has many other students and disciples. I can only voice that the greatest treasure I have in my life is having a master who can lead me to the higher level of living I want to be at. To be a part even in the smallest way of these great tradition and history. I admire the story of he and his father so much. It is inspiring and awe-striking. 

But even more so, it's wonderful having a master again PERIOD. Training solo for a few years, I did very well and had great guidance. But the moment you acknowledge someone as your master, it opens an entirely different energy for you. Unfortunately, I don't feel my words can truly convey this energy, unless you yourself have experienced it. I look forward to all my training with Sifu and learning even from his own father. It is a privilege and honor to be learning from the best there is. It means more to me than he will ever know. I will strive to become the greatest master I can be for my own students. Who knows, maybe one day there will be a student out there who will be just as proud and enthusiastic to train under me as I am to train under Master Pedro C. Yee.

Me listening to Sifu and Master Frank Yee one year ago at Yee's Hung Ga.

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO

Relating to Lucy...Sick of the Misconceptions

"Lucille Ball was pragmatic, shrewd, and an excellent strategist, carefully planning her moves for maximum effectiveness and advantage. She was willing to work long and persistently for what she wants and often she did things the right way. Lucille did not expect others to take care of her and sometimes refused or simply did not seek any outside help. She was very ambitious, but quietly so. There was nothing flamboyant or flashy about her approach. She was very responsible, conscientious, and concerned with her duties to others and how she comes across socially - her "rank so to speak. To others Lucille Ball seemed mature, serious, quiet, reflective, and emotional...Lucille always liked to appear poised and in control; and she hated to show any weakness, vulnerability, or chinks in her armor...."

"Lucille Ball respected tradition and the time-honored way of doing things, and she feels that there is much to be gained from studying history and also by learning from older, more experienced people. A wise mentor or father was often Ball's guide in life, and she in turn developed a great deal of hard earned wisdom, which she liked to impart to younger people. Lucille Ball had a stern, authoritarian, no-nonsense aspect to her personality. She expected much from herself and may not have given herself enough leeway to experiment and make mistakes. She also tended to be rather close-fisted, to save and conserve her money and resources rather than spend or enjoy them. Lucille Ball spent money on things of quality and lasting value, things which were good investments, but not frivolous temporary pleasures. There was a bit of ascetic in her. Lucille exercised great self-discipline and self-control and she could 'do without' very well. Her tastes were generally understated and simple..."

 "Though she may had other, more colorful and imaginative sides, the face Ball showed the world was modest and rather conservative. At times, Lucille Ball came across to others as being rather intense and possibly manipulative or controlling...Others may have seen Lucille as a cool, reserved and unapproachable person, perhaps as a result of her conservative and stern upbringing. Lucille could have felt no one understands her and tends to isolate herself from others."

-Anonymous

I bet as you read this long quote about Lucille Ball, you would never have thought such a thing. Unless you are a die hard fan of not only the character of work of Lucille Ball but of the life and work ethic of this woman, you couldn't have possibly known this. I have written countless blogs on the strong women who have been in my life, many blogs on how I admire Lucille Ball and am a big fan, but there is more to my liking to this woman.

Not only have I watched every episode of I Love Lucy since I was young and continue to watch them and laugh to this day, but I have researched a lot about her life as well. I read her autobiography, watched many interviews from her or about her. I have watched documentaries and re-enacted movies about her as well. What I have always loved about Lucy was not only the magnificent work she created, but the unparalleled work ethic. I admired it, because I related to her. I saw it in myself.

When Lucy filmed her television show with her then husband Desi Arnaz, Desi was a fantastic businessman and pioneered how television would work up to today! And Lucy was a perfectionist at her art and did things no other comedian, woman, or actor/actress had ever done. If it weren't for her we would never have TV today, truly. 

When they divorced, and began her new show The Lucy Show, she came in and saw how the script was wrong, the lighting was incorrect, and props weren't right. She said to her protege Carol Burnett "You know kid, I used to come in and all I had to do was BE LUCY. But after my divorce I had to do EVERYTHING Lucy did and I had to do EVERYTHING Desi did. I had to be BOTH Lucy AND Desi." And that's exactly what she did.

It didn't matter that she was a women, it didn't matter she was an actress, she was all business and as the head of the entire Desilu Studio, she ran it with an iron fist. Carol Burnett described Lucy as "all business." "If she didn't like something, you'd know it. If you loved something, you know it equally and knew it was nothing personal. But she was definitely tough." She did everything and was a perfectionist to the tee. She wanted to know EVERY little thing pertaining to her business and show. She wanted to know everyone's names, every line of every script, every prop, every position of the lights, what was said at every meeting, how much money was going where, etc. She knew her business inside and out, made excellent decisions including the singing of TV shows such as Mission Impossible and Star Trek. 

And she was still the Queen of Comedy and her own TV show was number one on the charts. She was untouchable. It was her stern, no nonsense attitude that got her where she was. She came off to the world as this zanny, silly, funny, sweetheart like her character on television. Even though she was pleasant to everyone, she had no censor to what she said or how she said it, she just did, nothing personal, and was dead on RIGHT when it came to her business. 

Lucille Ball accepting an award presented to her by her protege and dear friend, Carol Burnett. Lucille was Carol's idol since childhood and had the privilege of working with her on her own show and mentored her to the end of her days.

When I read this quote, it hit about a thousand chords and put into words of exactly how I felt about myself. Back in the day when I apprenticed under my old master with BFF Kristin Barrett, we were a team like no other. She was stern and strict, but her classes were appropriately standard. My personality at the time was opposite, I was light hearted and always smiling, but my classes were tough and hard. Kristin used to call me "sarge" for the way I taught, but I did it with a smile. 

When Kristin went separate ways from my old master a few years before me, I felt I had to be both Kristin AND myself. It took a couple of years to find the happy medium until I taught completely solo. When I began my own business, the real Lucy really began to come out of me. But I had that personality all through high school too, anyone who went to school with me can tell you. Pleasantly joyful but cutthroat appropriately so. Even some teachers knew not to cross me when it came time to work right.

Many people labeled Lucy as a bitch or moody or cut throat. But no one seemed to realize it was because of her personality that made things so great happen. And those who stuck around benefited greatly, and those who couldn't take it and left her kicked themselves a thousand times over. Lucy felt misunderstood and hurt when the ones closest to her should know better.

Over the years I am always told that I think I am never wrong, am moody, am impatient, and they hate "the way" I say things. As I have gotten older, I have learned to not really care, like Lucy. I say what I mean, most people don't. I say what I feel after inwardly reflecting and being sure I am not out of line or inappropriate. And WHAT I am saying is more important than HOW. So if you don't like it, GET OVER IT. I make it a rule to not open my mouth UNLESS I know what I am talking about. Silence is sometimes the best answer and I opt to be silent many times. My friends and family reading this may actually be laughing right now. But it's true. Imagine if I didn't keep silent when I do? o___O

But what hurts and bothers me the most, is when the people closest to me who I feel SHOULD understand me don't. And they say these things. Just like Lucy, who felt misunderstood and isolated herself when it happened, it bothered me. It wasn't until she was long gone after she died did people look at how she acted in a different way, and gave her credit instead of criticism to her personality, that attributed to the work she produced and empire she built. If people just stepped outside of themselves and stop getting so offended (which is what it means to making it about themselves, worrying how they feel from the exterior expression vs the actual subject matter) and just listened and understood, and perhaps trust what a master like Lucy knows and directs, that maybe just maybe good things will follow no questions asked.

So do I have to die for people to realize that about me? I've done enough devils advocate with myself to see where I really am just being emotional and mopy about this topic to know, NO. The best teachers I have ever had, and the greatest people in history and culture who did ANYTHING in our world, had these personalities. The great Lucy was one of them. I hope to do great and wonderful things in my future through martial arts. I am happy, light hearted, enthusiastic, grateful, and encouraging. Or at least I put my effort to doing so. At the same time, I can short, blunt, and stern when it is important enough, and serious enough. ESPECIALLY when it comes to my business and training. 

Lucy, I always understand how you felt. I always admired the work ethic you had to produce what you did. I understand you, and I relate to you. I hope one day, my closest inner circle along with the rest of the world, will understand me and replace criticism with perhaps the same admiration as I have for you. (BOWS)

Yours in service,

MASTER TRENTO

The Mentor's Camp

My student, William Steihl, at the 2012 AAU Nationals in Florida.

This past Saturday at Master Balon's school, there was a training camp open to all students to join in which included conditioning, sparring, and drills. There were two camps, both two and a half hours long. The first was for younger students under 10 years old, and the second was for 10 year olds and above. I had two students for the first camp and four for the second who participated.

The camp was run by Master Young from New York and Mr. Charles Ferrone, Master Balon's son. Both gentlemen were absolutely fantastic. There were students from Master Balon's team known as "Force One" and students from Master Young's school, I think a student or two from other schools came, and our Trento's Martial Arts were in attendance.

Master Balon said to me not too long ago about having all the New Jersey AAU Taekwondo schools come together, perhaps on a monthly basis, going to each school, and having the instructor do a seminar with the students on some kind of specialty training or training in general to learn from different people, to build good friendships among the students, and build their confidence in the art. I of course personally think it is a great idea.

As a master, I have NO problem exposing my students to other instructors, especially my own mentors. Years back, no one wanted to do such a thing. When I opened TMAFC, my students knew I was still training and I would learn from other mentors, such as Mater Balon, and loved telling my students all about them and even introducing them. Quite honestly, it is something I feel I contribute in my own area, especially with Black Belt tests. I have outside guests come to each of the Black Belt tests I have done, and some Masters who come have NEVER seen other tests other than their own, and it has built great relationships amongst themselves with other judges. It's a great experience.

There wasn't a doubt in my mind we were going to go down to Fastkix Taekwondo Saturday. I pushed for the camp for a month, and we would have had more students if it didn't turn out to be Easter weekend. But the students who went had a fantastic time and learned so much. My younger students, William and Anthony, are good boys and have made so much progress over the year. At the beginning they had a hard time keeping up, but you saw such a difference in their performance, and better yet in their attitude by the end of the camp!

TO spar people you've never sparred before and being encouraged by people OTHER THAN your own master is just what our students need sometime. And William and Anthony weren't scared but excited! I even got to coach students from the other schools myself.

Trento's angels (Mia, Bethany, and Taylor) along with Miss Samantha Volk attended the second camp with the older crowd. Miss Volk has taken her own personal time to work with the girls, getting them ready for the Black Belt test being held in May. The girls still came to their teen/adult class at 8:45am with me BEFORE this camp. They were also very excited to meet Master Balon, knowing what an important mentor he is to me. I even suggested maybe they could ask him to look over their form for them in preparation for their test. I knew Master Balon would nit pick at EVERYTHING I tell them to do that perhaps they don't. But when you have someone else tell you, especially at the caliber Master Balon is at, you all of a sudden see things a little clearer.

And that's exactly what happened. And I couldn't have been happier. The girls were a little shy to ask, but they asked Master Balon to take a look at their form. I stood there smiling. It didn't matter how many corrections he had to make or improvements he had to offer, I am not about impressing my mentors or other instructors. I am about my students being educated to the highest degree. Master Balon pointed out several things I always tell the girls, and when he did, they would glance in my direction and I would smile and chuckle. When they heard Master Balon point out the same things I would say, it was like this "OH" factor for them. They came right back and worked even harder.

That's what our students need. We cannot pretend to know everything. Ego is left at the door, and we welcome students with open arms. I train very hard on my own and have excellent guidance with my mentors and my own master. The expectations and standards are being held higher and higher all the time. And my students are getting better and better as am I. It's amazing how far WE have come the last four years since opening TMAFC. Even more amazing since my old master and I went separate ways.

I thank Master Young, Mr. Charles, the Force One Team, and the Fastkix Instructors for their phenomenal encouragement to my students, for their great knowledge, and being so welcoming as they always are. And of course to one of my own personal mentors, thank you Master Balon for all your help and support with my own students and myself. (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO

P.S The New Jersey AAU Taekwondo Championships will be held at 105 Summerhill Rd in Spotswood, NJ on APRIL 20TH!

Qigong with Sifu

My master level training has been an experience like I never thought it would be. It's beyond magical and enlightening. Training with a master like Master Yee (Sifu) is an experience like no other, and a type of training I have waited my entire life to have. My training in Hung Ga Kung Fu has elevated my martial arts to an entire new level. It's expanded my awareness and knowledge on a physical level that when I return to my Taekwondo, it has been improved ten times over.

But besides martial arts, I am very keen on learning the healing arts with Sifu as well. That is why when he began "A Comprehensive Course in Qi" to learn Qigong Therapy, I jumped on the opportunity immediately. Not only am I taking the class to become a certified Qigong therapist, but my Black Belt Frankie is also taking the course with me and so is my own mentor Lisa.Upon completion of the course with a theoretical and practical exam, the three of us, along with other Qi-mates, will become certified Qigong Therapists under Sifu from the Center of Tuina and Qigong Therapy.

In this course we learn the fundamentals of Chinese medicine and how to use Qi for healing purposes and understanding spiritually how Qigong can help us. Qi is everything, it's universal life flow and the essence of all that is. It cannot be created nor destroyed, but can be cultivated, manifested, and moved. Objects are Qi, emotions are Qi, we are Qi. We can use our posture and movements to develop Qi, we can use our breathing with Qi, we can also move it through our body with our blood.

Understanding Chinese medicine is beyond fascinating, but application is even more fascinating. We learned the different classifications and functions of Qi to better understand it when using QI and dealing with it. We have discussed Shen, Qi, and Jing and discusses Yin and Yang Theory as a starting point when helping people with Qi. We are discussing the Five Elements Theory next week.

We have also begun Qigong movements and poses for spiritual Qigong, that puts energy into the three Dan Tiens and has the energy open and move through the meridians of the body. The warmth and the Qi flowing through the body is something I cannot yet describe to it's fullest, but it energizes and invigorates me. The hardest thing I have which I do every day is my meditation. It happens to be the VERY FIRST thing I ever done with Sifu when I first met him in July of 2011 (almost two years ago!).

It could be because I struggle in quieting my mind when the exterior of my life is challenging. It could be because I need a new level of focus. It could be because my focus is inconsistent. When I do it right, I feel the Qi around my body, hugging me almost, I can literally feel the electromagnetic energy surging through my body and learning to "breathe from my pore" which is an amzing experience when done correctly. The enitre experience has been amazing.

My training with Sifu is never ending. I see what I am learning now, and also understand as great as I will be learning all of this, it will be a great many years of study and application to get to the level of skill I want to be at and continuously build on top of it. I don't know what everyone else's agendas are in the course, but I know what mine are. This is a never ending process of learning and growing. I don't know if Sifu has or has had before anyone who wanted to learn as much as me, but I am committed to not only using this material but understanding it in it's fullest to helping people become the very best they can be. (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO

The Essential Oils Seminar

Last Sunday I did what I felt was one of my best workshops yet. As part of my wellness and psychology training with Lisa, we have done and continue to work on aromatherapy using the essential oils from Young Living. I became a distributor only to get the wholesale price of the oils, that way I'd be more keen to getting them and using them. Little did I know how much I would discover how they really could help me and the people I work with.

Over the past year I have learned how the oils had properties that could be used somewhere in your life everyday to cleaning your home or office to taking care of colds and bruises. They can help sinuses, allergies, illnesses, hives, headaches. They can clean stains in carpets and be more effective cleaning the kitchen counters. Maybe even help you fall asleep when having a rough night.

The oils have properties that can emotionally calm you down, mentally relax you, and also change your entire state of being. Understanding emotions and their opposites and seeing anger transform into laughter, or betrayal to trust, or anxiety to confidence has been my greatest success and greatest joy with the oils.

And then there is a spiritual side to the oils. If a higher power created the world and it's plants, then one may say the aroma of the oils is the breath of God healing all it touches. After all, back in the day, the healers of the world used the natural properties of the oils like frankincense, myrrh, and cedarwood.

I've been using the oils for so long that a lot of people have asked me to do a seminar on the oils. It's been a year of asking and asking and finally, after feeling I understood them enough and had enough experience in their uses, I decided to have a workshop right before Easter. I did it more an introduction to the broad side of this vast amount of information. They were people I knew, I didn't feel as if I had to impress anyone, it was very conversational, and it was on material I knew very well. I also of course invited my mentor Lisa to join me to observe me, to refer to her to fill in any blanks I may have had, and for her to share some of her stories and insights in only a way Lisa can.

I always find the talks I do the least amount of preparation for are the talks that I do the very best on. And this was BY FAR, one of my best workshops I have done. There was plenty of information but I feel like I had everyone's attention, they were learning while at the same time experienced plenty of the oils. I was passing them around, everyone got to smell the different fragrances, we shared plenty of stories, many questions were asked, and everyone was very enthusiastic.

Lisa said I did a great job. I gave 30% information and 70% stories, that's what a good speaker does. Well I think I do that naturally. I try to do that even with my blog. That's how people learn. That's how people understand. Hell, that's how I learn! I think it was a very interactive seminar, and I think everyone enjoyed it.

My goal as a master is have the ability to get people to shine their inner light and become the best person they can possibly be. Making them feel happier, stronger, and healed from any negativity on any level. I have grown so much over the last few years and this was just one other way I know people will benefit from what I teach. These oils are truly a blessing. And anyone I have ever used them with or have had an experience with them know what they can do for them.

As I continue to work with Lisa in my mentor training with her, I may be doing this very seminar again in the future, or more specialized ones on stress management and emotional cleansing. But Lisa herself will ALSO be doing seminars at my school that will be pertaining to her book which is ALMOST DONE after five years of waiting! These oils have nutritional purposes and weight loss management properties and have helped Lisa tremendously and you can learn how when she does talks at TMAFC.

If you want to order essential oils, you can go to my Young Living website at www.youngliving.org/trentoa1 and use my number 1278866. You can also become a distributor and benefit from wholesale price like me, and maybe even look into their business opportunity. I don't use it as a business, my objective is to help people and share what they can do for YOU. ENJOY AND BE HAPPY! (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO
 

Qigong Success!

March has been a roller coaster of a month. Three months into my training and working with mentors, and working with my master, along with expanding my business in many ways, the word busy does not even begin to describe this past month, or the months coming up! One of the things that was really big this month was the Qigong seminar at TMAFC. I wrote in my previous blog I explained exactly what Qigong is.

Qigong has been around for thousands of years as a Chinese martial art that strengthens you, heals you, helps you meditate, etc. We had Sifu Sal Canzoneiri come in for the first time in my center to share what Qigong is all about. Frankie, Lisa, and I went to Rockaway to do Sal's Qigong seminars a yea ago. It was just the three of us for a while and then summer came and Lisa continued to work with him and I began my training with Master Yee, and lo and behold a year later, we decided to share this Qigong thing with everyone else!

On March 10, we had about 18 people come to experience Sal and the Qigong methods we learned from his seminars. Not only was I really pleased with the turnout, but with the material Sal had demonstrated. We did the Wuji Qigong stance where we cultivated Qi into our hands, made Qi balls, and everyone reported they felt the heat in their hands, the ball formulating, Sal even had us do "Qi games" where we tested the Qi moving in and out of us through other people, transferring thoughts to another, and feeling interruptions in the Qi etc.

Two of my mentors were also present, Lisa and George Valentino, along with friends, new people, parents, and students. Sal also did a number of healings on people as well. I know what you're thinking. Healing? YES! Qi is also used to help heal physical, emotional, and spiritual ailments within your body. Qi is ENERGY, universal flow, always is and always will be. A master such as Sal, and even my own master (Sifu Pedro Yee), you can move the Qi and allow it to move and heal the person with ailments.

I think my favorite part is when he was demonstrating how you can take out negative Qi (energy) within a person and have it flow through to you. He put his hand over a woman's head and he was describing her feelings, feeling them through the Qi, and the woman confirmed exactly everything he was stating. He had his left palm over her head, and his right palm was just hanging down to his side, and he told us to take a look at it.

All 18 of us witnessed his hand turning red, then into a dark brownish color and we ALL said we said the symbol of a star in his hand! "Yeah, Qi will make symbols sometimes, but I don't always know what they mean," said Sal. Then as we were ooing and ahing about the hand turning dark brown, he explained how we must always send the energy back into mother earth where it belongs so it can transform into something new. He took a deep breath in, and swung his hand down with a big exhale and his hand turned WHITE!

Needless the say, the reaction of the 18 of us was unbelievable! "OH MY GOD!!!!! IT's LIKE MAAAAGIC!!!" Well it is magic! White magic, if anything! Sal left a phenomenal impression on the people who attended. There was such a demand from people who attended, and people who heard about it, that we did ANOTHER Qigong seminar the week AFTER on March 17th. And because there is STILL a demand for them, We will be doing ANOTHER on a Thursday night on April 4th at TMAFC at 7:00pm. $35 per-register, $45 at the door.

Sal will be coming weekly to TMAFC starting in April to do his Qigong program. You can pre-register each time, or come at the door, or pre purchase two, four, or eight classes with discounted prices at a time. He will also do private healings at TMAFC for those interested in that. If you're interested for more information call me at 201-203-0773 or email at tmafcinfo@gmail.com.

This truly is a magical experience. These are the type of things I want to share with the world and help people to becoming the best they can be and function fullest in life! And when you have the best of the best, like Sal, you can expect nothing less than MAGIC! (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO