News & Events

April belt testing

Posted on by Sensei Madani

Dear IMA members/families,
Thank you once again for being active and coming to your virtual classes. Please know that we miss you and look forward seeing you all in person soon.

Please know that we understand that this is a financially difficult time for everyone so we would like to give everyone the choice of paying what is affordable for your family. If the full price of the test is too much, please let us know, no questions asked.

As you noticed, this week we started our testing practice for those students who are scheduled to test. Due to special circumstances and a variety of belt levels that will be testing, we have decided to host the belt testing on two separate dates. The first being April 4th and the second being 18th

All belts white through purple are scheduled for April 4thand all blue belts and up for the 18th. We have put the higher belt levels on the later testing date to give them more time to prepare for the test. We will be doing this testing system to insure a quality experience for every student. This will give instructors the opportunity to supervise students more attentively. We are asking you to fill out the attached form and either drop it in the Dojo mailbox or email it back and we can process your payment with account information on file.

We will send a time line to everyone who will be testing and we will give you the option of picking up the belt/certificate at the dojo or we will deliver it to your door prior to the testing day. Please download the April Kyu testing or April Kyu testing format of the application.

Our goal is to keep our members motivated by pursuing the progress and keep training to build a strong mind and body!

Please feel free to contact us for any question or concern.
IMA staff

Thank you all/ Update

Posted on by Sensei Madani

Dear IMA members/parents,
Thank you so very much for a wonderful week!

As most of you know by now, we started our virtual classes last week and had all positive feedback from everyone who reached out.
Although for some young ones it might be something being hesitant about it, but believe or not it’s a lot of fun and awesome training. Please give it a shot.

It is also fun to interact with each others over the screen and with our new development we now dividing the group by belt and assign them to work with different instructors.

Our dojo fun time also is engaging our young ones to have some fun and get something to do while staying at home. Attached, please find the new beltsfor tomorrow (Monday). Please also gather some plastic straws for tomorrow activity. See you on line at 10:00am Monday through Friday.

We will also make an announcement for our upcoming belt testing as well during regular classes. It’s very exciting!

We would like also to ask each one of you to spread the news to those who do not know about our virtual training and encourage them to join the regular classes.
We are in it together and will continue training to have a strong body and mind!

Be safe by washing hands and keep social distance.
IMA staff

IMA Fun Time!

Posted on by Sensei Madani

Tune-in for IMA Fun Time Mondays through Fridays 10:00-10:30 a.m.

Dear IMA Family,

The IMA Virtual Dojo is going strong! And…we have new daytime options for kids!

First, we are now adding a fun time/story time option for kids at home from 10:00-10:30 Mondays through Fridays starting tomorrow Thursday, March 19th. Tune in to say hello to Sensei Madani, and senior instructors. We’ll check-in, play games, and read stories.

Second, please join us during our regular training hours for classes. The Zoom IMA Virtual Dojo is turning out to be a great way for us to stay connected and keep training. Kids can earn stripes for attending virtual classes!

Parents, Please download colorthedojo and have kids color it for Thursday session before coming on line.
Please also print Stripe Checklist and keep track on everyone progress.

How to join the IMA Virtual Dojo
• Download Zoom on your laptop or phone, create an account if you don’t already have one. Go to zoom.us and click the “SIGN UP, IT’S FREE!” button or download the Zoom app on your smartphone.
• Five minutes before your regular class time, either click on this link to enter the Zoom IMA Virtual Dojo https://zoom.us/j/8044321773 (you’ll be prompted to open the Zoom app on your device) or open your Zoom app and enter this number: 804 432 1773 to access the Zoom IMA Virtual Dojo.
• Please add the student’s name (hover over your name and click “rename”).
Wash hands, be kind, see you online!

Dojo is going virtual!

Posted on by Sensei Madani

Dear IMA Family,

As we mentioned in last week’s announcements, keeping our members and community safe is our top priority, so we wanted to share some new opportunities for you to stay connected and training in the time of social distancing. We have a big announcement for you!
Social distancing, is proven to be the most effective way to stop this epidemic and it’s the only healthy option at this time. This is a time for IMA to show leadership and act decisively to prevent the virus from spreading.

Starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the IMA Honbu Dojo is going virtual! Face-to-face classes are suspended for the time being, but training continues for our members and their families online. We are excited to offer our regular classes via Zoom, a videoconferencing service.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:
If you don’t have it already, download Zoom and sign up for an account using whatever email address you’d like!
Go to zoom.us and click the “SIGN UP, IT’S FREE!” button OR
Download the Zoom app on your smartphone (iPhone/iPad and Android apps available) and sign up in the app
Five minutes before your regular class time, either click on this link to enter the Zoom IMA Virtual Dojo https://zoom.us/j/8044321773 (you’ll be prompted to open the Zoom app on your device) or open your Zoom app and enter this number: 804 432 1773 to access the Zoom IMA Virtual Dojo. Yes, you can bow on your way in! Make sure the student’s name is showing on the video.
For the love of Funakoshi and all that is good, MUTE YOUR LINE during regular class times. Instructors will be watching to see if you raise your hand with a question and will ask you to unmute then to ask your question. You may unmute for games!
An 8 ft by 8 ft (larger is better) open space would be optimal for training.
Even if you’re remote from home, come dressed for class.
Use this checklist to earn blue stripes when we’re back for face-to-face training.

Our Zoom IMA Virtual Dojo will be open from about 4:30-8:30 Tuesdays through Fridays and 8:30-12:30 Saturdays. We will be testing the technology tomorrow with the competition team, regular Zoom IMA Virtual Dojo https://zoom.us/j/8044321773 classes will begin Tuesday.

A reminder of our regular class schedule:
Little Dragons 5:00-6:00 Tuesday through Friday
Youth Class 6:00-7:00 Tuesday through Friday
Adult Class 7:00-8:30 Wednesday, Friday; 12:00-1:00 Tuesday, Thursday
Black Belt Class 7:00-8:30 Tuesday, Thursday
Saturday Classes
All-Age Kids Class 10:00-11:00
Adult Class 11:00-12:15

Instructors: You must participate in the Zoom IMA Virtual Dojo during all of your regular classes!

More time on your hands? Review Taikyuku and Heian Shodan on our IMA YouTube site. We will add more kata this week. (https://www.youtube.com/user/imakarate)!

If the situation improves and there are no other restrictions, we will host the kyu testing on April 4th and will make some changes to the schedule, in part by providing a specific timeline for each group so we can maintain only a small number of people at a time in the dojo. If the situation doesn’t improve or if there are further restrictions, we will postpone the test. We will make a final decision closer to the testing date and will update everyone when we have more information.

As always, please feel free to talk to us about any concerns or questions that you might have. We will be asking you how we can serve you during this time. We love your feedback!

You are the lifeblood of our dojo and we strongly encourage you to join us face-to-face or virtually so we can keep our IMA karate family strong.

Wash hands, be kind, see you online!

Dojo remains open, On line training is on the way!

Posted on by Sensei Madani

Dear IMA Family,

Keeping you and our members safe is our top priority, so we wanted to share the steps we’re taking in response to coronavirus and school closure concerns. We’re keeping the dojo open and implementing measures to maintain a clean and healthy place to come and do your workout. We strongly believe that by continuing to provide a good workout in a clean environment, we help our community and help our members relieve stress and keep their bodies strong. Here’s what we’re doing:
• First, we’ve ramped up cleaning efforts. The dojo is cleaned daily, now with additional sanitizing solutions used in high-touch, high-traffic areas.
• Second, if you are sick-stay home. If you have a fever-stay home. This is critical.
• Finally, we want to remind everyone to wash hands for 20 seconds, cover your mouth by coughing into your sleeve.

We are working with senior instructors to plan for online training and learning opportunities, should some of our students need to stay at home.

As always, we’re grateful for the opportunity to serve you. Rest assured, we’re doing everything in our power to provide a safe exercising experience for our members and a healthy environment for everyone in our communities. Especially with large events being canceled and schools closed, we’d like to provide a safe and healthy place for our kids and adults to enjoy a friendly workout with others.

We still plan to host the kyu testing on April 4th and might make some small changes to the schedule, in part by providing a specific timeline for each group so we can maintain only a small number of people at a time in the dojo. We will keep you posted.

As always, please feel free to talk to us about any concerns or questions that you might have.