SKA, our national organization, holds semi-annual Special Training events, intensive training periods designed to allow participants to discover and overcome mental blocks and other perceived limitations. A week ago, Winter Special Training for the US East region was held in Washington, DC, and the Carolinas had a prominent and strong showing, with 5 members from the Chapel Hill dojo, 5 from the Charlotte dojo, and 2 from the Coastal Carolina dojo attending. A special shout-out goes to the 3 white belts from the Charlotte dojo. Well done!

The leaders and seniors of the Carolinas dojos (front semi-circle, and 1st from left in picture) provided strong leadership, including Jim Solazzo (left on front semi-circle), leader of Coastal Carolina, as the leader of this Special Training.

Special Training is also an event where karatekas from many SKA dojos get to meet and train together with a shared purpose. We renew bonds from earlier events and form new ones, and this time was no different.