12th June 2003
Huntingdon Tang Soo Do classes start 17th of June.
London Testing/seminar date moved forward to 22nd June. (Sparring seminar and team selection)
1/ Seminar with Master McCann

Seminar with Master McCann at Milton Keynes...
Once again a really enjoyable self-defence session with Master Andy McCann and Mark from Cardiff. These guys really know their stuff and how to teach it. I now know what to do in the event of a serious attack... stand behind Master McCann and watch him tie the other guy up in knots! My sincere thanks to Andy and Mark for a very informative, well thought out training session. We learned how to cope under pressure against a wide variety of attacks, both standing and on the ground and were able to put our ideas into practice in serious combat conditions. Despite this pressure the session was safe and well controlled and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it..... when questions were invited at the end of the session the most important one asked was..'when are you coming again?'
see you soon Mark
cheers
pete
Tang Soo!
2/ Tang Soo Do Master Class

The next Master Class is Saturday 26th July.
The Hall is booked 9am - 3pm

Master McCann can attend.
Master Adlington can attend.
Master Robert Woodiwiss can attend.
Master Jacobsen can attend.
Master O'Tool can attend.
Master De-Vry can attend. (World events permitting)

Subjects:-
Self-protection - ju jitsu - pressure points - forms break down By Master McCann.
Ki Do - Syllabus presentation - practical energy applications for self-defence and health - Master Adlington and Jacobsen.
Chil Sang forms review- Master Woodiwiss.
IGTSDA - Official Weapons forms presentation - Master Jacobsen and Adlington.
Child education and the martial arts - Master De-Vry.

Any other offers?
3/ Shamans "hold key to natural diabetes treatment"

German scientists have discovered that medicinal plants used by Mexican shamans to treat diabetes are highly effective and have few side effects.

Researchers from the University of Bonn followed Mexican witch doctors and discovered that the secret of the plant's success is all to do with its preparation.

The World Health Organization estimates that by 2025 one in seven Mexicans will suffer from diabetes, and there are now plans for a new factory in the country to produce a plant-based anti-diabetes capsule, which could help save lives.

The scientists initially performed tests on diabetic rats, but the research did not yield any positive results. It was only when one of the researchers spent several months observing the shamans at work that they realised how the plants were used.

The shamans mixed the medicinal plant with maize, or other ingredients, and then allowed the mixture to stand for some time, explains Dr Helmut Wiedenfeld, lead researcher.

"Molecular scissors" in the maize cut up the component substances of the anti-diabetes plant into smaller fragments. "And one of these fragments is effective against diabetes," he said.

The shamans use the mixture to make a drink, and patients must consume half a litre every day.

The researchers have been able to manufacture capsules with the active powder ingredient inside. Three of these capsules contain enough for a day's dose.

Clinical trials are now underway and a company producing natural medicine has expressed interest in the product.

If the tests are successful, a factory in the Mexican highlands will be opened to produce the capsules. The farmers will be able to sell the plants and locals will benefit from the creation of new jobs, the researchers say.
4/ Call for tougher action on passive smoking

Two international non-government organisations (NGOs) are urging governments to take tougher action on passive smoking by setting up smoke-free areas.

The World Heart Federation and the International Union Against Cancer (IUAC) released a joint statement on the issue to mark World No Tobacco Day on Saturday (31/05/03). Between them the NGOs represent 460 member organisations in more than 100 countries.

The groups are calling on their members to lobby governments and employers to quickly introduce measures such as smoke-free workplaces and restaurants, and to train health professionals about the dangers of passive smoking.

They warn that people exposed to second-hand smoke in public places or at work are involuntarily suffering from tobacco-related diseases.

The organisations quote research, published in the British Medical Journal in 1997, which suggests that non-smokers who are regularly exposed to tobacco smoke have a 25 per cent higher risk of developing lung cancer and heart disease than those who are not.

In addition, they highlight figures that reveal the extent of exposure to second-hand smoke in the home and the workplace. For example, an estimated 3 million people in the UK are exposed to smoke at work.

Isabel Mortara, executive director of the IUAC, commented, "We recommend that all governments adopt policies to protect the rights of non-smokers and establish in law the right to smoke-free environments."

This is the first time the two NGOs have joined forces to encourage governments to prioritise new tobacco-control legislation.
5/ Subtle energy research.

a/ New rooting methods
b/ Energetic de-tox techniques
c/ Ki Kou (Breathing techniques)
d/ Energetics of a flu virus

6/ IGTSDA World Champs 2003

We have around 400 entries!

We have a Masters category! Master O'Toole, Master Kirk Landquist, Master Garth, Master Robert Woodiwiss, Master Jeffrey Galvin and Master De-Vry have entered.

Entries now in from USA, Holland, Greece, South Africa, Nepal, Milton Keynes, Inverness, Aberdeen, Alness, Bristol, Sawtry, Yaxley, Preston, St. Neots, Sweavsey, Kinloss, Tiger Gym, London, Spain, Rugby, London, Swindon, Waddington, Germany, Wales, (Times Up!)
7/ Dates for 2003

June 15th championship training day
June 29th London colour belt test & seminar
July 10th Weapons and Ki Do seminars London
July 10th - 12th World Championships London
July 18th - Tonfa Seminar - Alness
July 21st - 26th KIDO training week (Limited places)
August 3rd Colour belt test Sawtry
August 16th-17th Scotland TSD Boot Camp
September 9th instructors AMA insurance
September 11th Aberdeen seminar 6pm - 9pm
September 20th Master Adlington's Championships
September 28th London colour belt test & seminar
October 25th Scotland Championships
November 2nd Colour belt test Sawtry
November 9th Black belt test
December 7th Scotland Ki Do Seminar (Christmas party?)
December 14th London colour belt test &seminar
December 21st last class Sawtry