Stories from RhyDin & The Rings

Active Guard Gym


(( all images courtesy of www.artofjiujitsu.com ))

About

Active Guard is excited and proud to open its doors in New Haven district, Rhy'Din. Founded by Hope Naharis, two-time Duel of Fist Diamond and Duel of Fist All-Title holder, Active Guard exists first and foremost to build and serve the community. As previous Baron of New Haven, Hope wished to find a way to give back to the district that supported her when she represented them in Duel of Swords. A few years ago Hope traveled to Japan for personal matters and when doing so took the opportunity to trek the country visiting several different dojos, mainly Kodokan Judo. Upon her return her admiration grew for the native martial arts and her interest spread into derivative forms. A firm believer that martial arts are not invented but discovered, Hope sought to learn and better herself by training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As time passed Hope became less content with knowing and more intent on learning so she branched into new studies involving Jeet Kune Do. Most mixed martial arts are known quantities; the development of new content is often completely disregarded in the quest to master the known. Active Guard teaches the fundamentals of everything Hope has learned with everything she aims to in the future by blending all three of these schools into her own: Shuimian Kyojin. The fusion of its roots literally translating to Sleeping Giant, Shuimian Kyojin is rooted in the principle that within everyone there is not only the means but the capability to protect and defend themselves against any sized assailant. Where other schools have reached their peaks Shuimian Kyojin is always growing and always learning new ways to adapt. Each student, instructor and practitioner adds to the growing history and as such it will never be a truly understood or finished martial art.

Belts


In every facet of life we measure our progress as we grow. Whether that's by pencil lines on our door frames, scars from fights or wine bottles on our shelves- martial arts are no different. Any first-time student attending any class, guest instructor session or self-defense course will be administered a White Belt to start their journey. To proceed to the next belt students may either pass a belt test or show their growth in the Official Outback Standings. ((OOC: Belts are not only achievable through dueling. While the correlation is strong your character can obtain any belt through writing. Some will take longer than others of course! Belts will be available as icons on the RDI!))

Beginner

White Belt - Sky Belt - Grass Belt - Bubblegum Belt
((being of Jade rank in DoF automatically qualifies any student as a Grass Belt))


Intermediate

Coral Belt - Navy Belt - Bee Belt - Boreal Belt
((being of Ruby rank in DoF automatically qualifies any student as a Coral Belt, being of Sapphire rank in DoF automatically qualifies any student as a Navy Belt, being of Emerald rank in DoF automatically qualifies any student as a Boreal Belt))


Advanced


Black Belt - Mojave Belt - Twilight Belt - Midnight Belt
((being an Emerald rank in DoF under Hope's tutelage automatically qualifies any student/instructor as a Black Belt, having obtained an Opal currently or in the past qualifies any student/instructor as a Mojave Belt, having obtained a Diamond currently or in the past qualifies any student/instructor as a Twilight Belt, having held all titles in DoF qualifies any student/instructor as a Midnight Belt))

(( all images are edited version of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BJJ_White_Belt.svg ))

Courses

For every tier of student from Beginner to Advanced there is always something to learn and be taught. Courses will span from fundamentals to the more advanced techniques as well as many varied topics including but not restricted to: learning the basics, climbing the ladder, how to handle challenges, how to handle tournaments, self-defense and many more. From time to time there will be guest instructors who will be covering topics specific to their style so keep an eye out for these when they're available!


Facility


(( all images courtesy of www.bjjee.com ))

Active Guard houses over 6000 square feet of space including two different large training mats, men and women locker rooms, a modern waiting area and various workout rooms. The facility is lined with various martial art memorabilia in photos and awards including Hope's first and second Diamonds, some photos of her Opal victories, her tenures as Baroness of Old Market and New Haven and other memorable events. Paintings line the main training hall to help build the community atmosphere and reflect on the culture in New Haven.


Promotions

For the opening month of Active Guard anyone may attend any class and be awarded their White Belt(or corresponding belt determined by DoF rank). All classes will be free for the first month to commemorate the grand opening.

Active Guard is happy to announce that by showing any receipt for EgoTrip will qualify you for a free personal lesson tailored to your experience(valid through 6 months of date on receipt).

Active Guard is happy to announce that by showing any receipt for PUBLIC: An Art Gallery will qualify you for a lifetime membership with personal one-on-one lessons.

If you would like to arrange any promotions with Active Guard please stop by our location or contact Head Instructor Hope Naharis for particulars. These are all of our promotions at this time.

((OOC: So this is finally starting to come together! After some time to think over the basic structure and foundation I've managed to put Active Guard together as it is. If you're interested in have any of your characters participate at any level please feel free to reply to this thread, mention it in any of your stories or PM me for any possibility in the future. Students, rival schools, guest instructors- please anything you feel you can play off of Active Guard don't hesitate to do so I just ask you let me know in some capacity or you link to the thread. I plan on coming up with fresh content actively and aim to get my own folder going so stay tuned for more. Super excited to get this going and I hope there's something here for everyone ))

Self-Defense Session Featuring: Kheldar
When: Friday January 20th, 7PM Rhy'Din Standard Time
Where: Active Guard Gym
Subject: Self-Defense
Walk-Ins Welcome!

((image courtesy of Forked River Gazette, www.forkedrivergazette.com ))[/center]

From approximately 7PM RST until 9PM RST Active Guard will be hosting the first of many free classes to those interested in participating. Anyone who would like to participate may sign up or may show up whenever they can. To get the self-defense program off on the right foot Active Guard is excited to host veteran of the Outback, Kheldar. Without giving anything away it's going to be a fun class and not one you should miss! Any and all attending qualify for a white belt and will get a unique perspective and some tricks from our special guest.

((anyone who wants to participate can respond, write about it in your own thread, mention it in passing in the chat, or however else you'd like to! Special thanks to Kheldar for being involved!))

Beginner Session: Space Management and Guard
When: Sunday January 29th, 3PM Rhy'Din Standard Time
Where: Active Guard Gym
Subject: Acknowledging when to fight, managing distance and the fundamentals of the guard.
Walk-Ins Welcome!

(( image courtesy of www.pinterest.com ))

Self-Defense Session Featuring: Koyliak
When: Wednesday February 8th, 5PM Rhy'Din Standard Time
Where: Active Guard Gym
Subject: Self-Defense
Walk-Ins Welcome!

((image courtesy of Youtube, www.youtube.com ))

Join Koyliak VanDuran-Simon at Active Guard this Wednesday as she shares self-defense techniques that can be employed whether you're at home in pajamas or at a cocktail party in heels. Fashion need not suffer in the name of safety. Class will include practicing moves in various shoes and clothing that will be provided by instructor and will run from 5PM RST to 7PM RST. Walk-ins welcome!


((anyone who wants to participate can respond, write about it in your own thread, mention it in passing in the chat, or however else you'd like to! Special thanks to Koyliak for being involved!))

General Session: Learning How to Lose
When: Tuesday April 11th, 3PM Rhy'Din Standard Time
Where: Active Guard Gym
Subject: Learning How to Lose
Walk-Ins Welcome!

((image courtesy of AndThePlotThickens, www.andtheplotthickens.com ))

Everyone has to lose sometime, except you because you always win right? Losing is often more important than winning because if you don't lose you don't learn. "But I've lost so much and I haven't learned anything!" That is exactly why you should join Hope at the Active Guard Gym and learn a thing or two about what it means to lose gracefully. Taking your setbacks and turning them from negativity into hard work is one of the most underrated skills in all of competition. What is past you trying to teach present and future you? Anyone who has ever won anything always started with losing first. Stop by today and prepare to take notes from a professional loser first hand.


((anyone who wants to participate can respond, write about it in your own thread, mention it in passing in the chat, or however else you'd like to!))

Attention: All Classes Canceled

Active Guard apologizes for the inconvenience but on Friday the 21st all classes are canceled. They will resume on Monday the 24th.

General Session: Essential Punches in Boxing
When: Friday July 14th, 3PM Rhy'Din Standard Time
Where: Active Guard Gym
Subject: Learning the Four Essential Punches in Boxing
Walk-Ins Welcome!

((image courtesy of The Sun, www.thesun.co.uk ))

So you're learning how to grapple and choke and submit- great! You think you're ready for the big leagues? Wrong! There's a lot more to fighting in an octagon or in Rhy'Din than just having solid Jiu-Jitsu. Ground game can win you a lot but if you add a solid foundation of standup to it you're that much more likely to win. Hope will be going over four essential boxing punches: Jab, Cross, Hook and Uppercut. Don't wanna miss this one but you do want to dodge if you can!


((anyone who wants to participate can respond, write about it in your own thread, mention it in passing in the chat, or however else you'd like to!))

General Session: Being Prepared and what that Means
When: Tuesday November 7th, 3PM Rhy'Din Standard Time
Where: Active Guard Gym
Subject: Being Prepared and what that Means
Walk-Ins Welcome!

((image courtesy of Caffeyoga, caffeyoga.com))

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed." ~ Michael Jordan

What does being prepared mean? Sure, you may stretch properly and rest properly but are you really prepared? The mind and body are inseparable. You can't say you're truly prepared unless you have embraced all possibilities. Losing is not just a likelihood, it's an inevitability. You may not lose today or tomorrow but eventually you are going to come up short of your goal. By not just understanding this but embracing it as a detour on your path and not a backtrack, you allow yourself to be freed from the bondage of doubt, stress and anxiety. Prepare for your next meet, match, competition, game or whatever else; but don't neglect your mind as you do so.

((anyone who wants to participate can respond, write about it in your own thread, mention it in passing in the chat, or however else you'd like to!))

General Session: Sometimes You Have to Roll the Hard Six
When: Tuesday July 2nd, 4PM Rhy'Din Standard Time
Where: Active Guard Gym
Subject: Knowing when and where to take risks in a fight.
Walk-Ins Welcome!

((image courtesy of wall.alphacoders.com))

"Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks." ~ Herodotus

We've all been there. You were up a comfortable lead and it's gone and evaporated into thin air. How did I get here? you think to yourself at a tied score. The answer to that question is typically never one in the same for most games, sports and competitions. You can't decide if you win or lose- you can only control your input. The one thing most champions have in common is that they are willing to take risks. Early, late, when they're favored and when they're underdogs: risks make rewards. But I could fall flat on my face! No, you will fall flat on your face. The key is taking risks that pay out more than they lose. Sometimes you can't rely on 90:10 or 80:20. Sometimes you have to go with the 60:40 or the 50:50. Knowing when is the tricky part but the more you take the easier it gets and the better you get at taking them. You cannot compete hoping that your opponents will respect you; you must command their respect.

((anyone who wants to participate can respond, write about it in your own thread, mention it in passing in the chat, or however else you'd like to!))

Addressed to Hope and left off at the gym's reception.



Once opened the card read:
Hopefully these brighten up your day.
- A Chae

General Session: Throw the Right Pitch at the Right Batter
When: Friday April 16th, 4PM Rhy'Din Standard Time
Where: Active Guard Gym
Subject: Understanding your opponent and what works(and what doesn't)!
Walk-Ins Welcome!

((image courtesy of freevector.com))

“The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.” ~ Michael Porter

It's the bottom of the ninth and Lucky Luciano is staring you down from home plate. He's swung and missed at 2/3rds of your pitches each at bat. But every 3rd pitch, your fastball, he has an on base percentage of 1. What does this mean? It means you need to stop throwing him your fastball. Seems easy right? Sometimes we psyche ourselves out of the obvious. This time he won't expect it. He won't swing again. Wrong and wrong again. Your opponents will stick to what is working regardless of what you think. Every time Lucky sees you wind up that third pitch he's already decided to swing- you just keep walking right into it. Don't keep throwing fastballs at Lucky let him taste that changeup every now and then. Don't expect people to change without making them. Sometimes our intuition is incorrect; a trick that any competitor can use to spice up their approach is to look at the hands of a watch. If you have any number of options at your disposal select chunks of time to represent them and let the second hand on your watch decide. Yes and No, 1-30 are Yes, 31-60 are No, not so hard right? Be unpredictable when you need to be and know that Lucky will keep swinging at your fastballs until you teach him it's a bad idea.

((anyone who wants to participate can respond, write about it in your own thread, mention it in passing in the chat, or however else you'd like to!))