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December 11, 2003 Expert in Japanese Culture Praises Last Samurai The history of the Far East is often misrepresented in American popular culture. Ugly stereotypes as well as simple ignorance often taint efforts to depict life in the Orient. The Last Samurai offers a refreshing change, with a deeply respectful and surprisingly accurate rendering of life in19th-century Japan. Jeffrey M. Miller, head of Warrior Concepts International in Sunbury and an expert on Japanese culture, says that this movie included many subtle details indicative of careful research. For example, the battle scenes demonstrated correctly the weaponry, armor, and tactics of 19th-century Japan. "What really drew me in," Miller says, "was the depiction of the warrior ideal and the samurai's devotion to doing what was best for Japan no matter what it cost him personally." Back to top of page |
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December 11, 2003 International Martial Artists have Peaceful Exchange What happens when martial-arts practitioners from three different countries and two different disciplines come together? The answer may seem surprising: gifts, friendly smiles, and autographs! On November 13, a group set out from Warrior Concepts International in Sunbury, Pennsylvania and traveled to Wilkes-Barre to see a demonstration of the ancient Chinese martial art of kung fu by the Shaolin Warrior Monks. The group from WCI included local students and instructors of the ancient Japanese martial art of ninjutsu, as well as visiting practitioners from Toronto, Canada. After the performance, the U.S. and Canadian ninjas met with the Chinese monks and presented them with gifts. The monks graciously chatted, signed autographs, and posed for photographs with their visitors.  Photo caption: left to right, back row: Scott Schaubel (student from Toronto, Canada), Jeffrey Miller, head of Warrior Concepts International; Pete Beck, WCI instructor; Shaolin Warrior monk; Wendy Roden, WCI student; Shaolin Warrior monk; Courtland Elliott (head instructor from Toronto, Canada). Front row: Chinese monk demonstrating Shaolin position. Back to top of page |
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November 14, 2003 WCI Offers Youth Day Camp for the Day after Thanksgiving What's even more difficult than fighting the crowds to get your shopping done the day after Thanksgiving? Trying to shop with a bored, cranky child in tow! Fortunately, Warrior Concepts International at 362 Market Street in Sunbury has the perfect solution. The school is hosting a day camp on November 28 for children ages 4 to 12. The camp is open to all children, not just WCI students. Your child will enjoy a day of safe, fun activities under adult supervision, including martial arts, fitness, arts & crafts, and a movie. The cost of $35 includes childcare from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., plus lunch and a light snack. If you sign up more than one child, you will receive a discount of 10% for each additional child in your family. Early drop-off and late pickup are available for a small extra fee. As a bonus, the first ten children registered will receive a free martial arts uniform. To register your child, or for more information, please call Mr. Jeffrey Miller at 988-2228. Back to top of page |
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October 29, 2003 Frankenstein's Haunted House too Scary for Kids Warrior Concepts International Life Mastery Academy would like to send a strange message to hundreds of potential haunted-house visitors under the age of twelve. Don't come! "Every year I tell parents, PLEASE don't bring the younger children," says Jeffrey Miller, head of Warrior Concepts International and mastermind of the academy's popular Frankenstein's Haunted House, now in its seventh terrifying year. "This haunted house is too frightening even for some adults. Every year we have at least one grown man lose bladder control." The house features 340 feet of terror and screams, forty feet more than the length of a football field. Visitors experience a disorienting journey through twisting passageways, including areas of the school not normally open to the public. Macabre tableaux [or: creepy scenes] lurk around every corner, while gruesome apparitions jump out at unexpected intervals to startle the unwary. The school takes great pride in the quality and effectiveness of its presentation. Students, staff, and family members pitch in weeks in advance to prepare the sets, props, and costumes and rehearse the action. If you go: Event: Frankenstein's Haunted House at Warrior Concepts International Life Mastery Academy Location: 362 Market Street, Sunbury PA Dates: October 31, November 1 Times: 6-10 p.m. For more information: 988-2228 Back to top of page |
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October 3, 2003 Instructor's Trip to Japan Benefits WCI The city of Sunbury can now boast of a very high-ranking martial artist in its midst: Jeffrey Miller, head instructor of Warrior Concepts International Life Mastery Academy in Sunbury, was promoted in September from a 5th dan (degree) to an 8th dan black belt in ninjutsu. Miller, an internationally-recognized expert on martial arts, received this promotion while visiting Japan for two weeks to train with ninja grandmaster Maasaki Hatsumi. In addition to increasing the prestige of the school, Miller's trip to Japan benefits WCI in other ways as well. Upon his return in mid-September, Miller held a weekend-long seminar for students at WCI. In each of four three-hour sessions, he shared new techniques and approaches from his recent studies in Japan. The weekend was highlighted by a dinner Saturday night at the Katana restaurant in Wilkes-Barre, where recently-promoted students received certificates signed by Grandmaster Hatsumi himself, while all attendees enjoyed authentic Japanese cuisine. In addition to sharing this material with the students, Miller also met recently with the WCI teaching staff to share new insights into the relationship between basic skills and complex techniques. Instructors will be improving the student experience by incorporating these new approaches into the classes they teach. While WCI's curriculum is complete as it stands, Miller emphasizes the importance of continually challenging and re-invigorating the program. Advancing in the discipline of ninjutsu, he says, "is similar to deep-sea diving. The deeper you go, the more there is to explore."  Jeffrey Miller, head of WCI, watches junior black belts Sean West (left) and Kelsi-Quinn Miller demonstrate a new technique. Back to top of page |
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September 5, 2003 Area Young People earn Black Belts at WCI Four students at Warrior Concepts International Life Mastery Academy (formerly Miller's Martial Arts) in Sunbury earned their black belts in ninpo taijutsu (the art of the ninja) this August. Kelsi-Quinn Miller, age 8, of Selinsgrove, Sean West, age 10, of Sunbury, and Joe Sulouff, age 13, of Sunbury, earned Junior Black Belts on August 9. Emrys Smith, age 17, of Selinsgrove, earned an Adult Black Belt on August 26. These students have really overcome the odds. National studies have shown that only about one out of one hundred students who begin martial arts training stay with it for a significant amount of time, and only one out of one hundred of those who stay with the training wind up earning a black belt. Each of these youngsters, then, is literally one in ten thousand! Clearly it takes a great deal of perseverance and commitment to attain a ninja black belt. In fact, the root "nin" can be translated from Japanese as "never give up." Mr. Jeffrey Miller, head of WCI, stresses the importance of personal motivation involved in earning the black belt, explaining, "My own black belt was the first goal I ever set and reached under my own power." Dr. Owen Smith, Emrys's father, explains that Emrys was enrolled in the program six years ago for a number of reasons. "We hoped it would improve his balance and coordination, and that it would help him to deal with bullies at school. We also wanted to help him develop discipline and self-mastery." These benefits have definitely been realized, Smith says. "Our expectations have been met--and exceeded." Students at WCI study martial arts only for the purpose of self-defense, never for starting fights or showing off. The school emphasizes peaceful conflict resolution and personal development. As they continue in their martial-arts studies, Kelsi-Quinn, Sean, Joe, and Emrys are great role models for their fellow students. WCI is very proud of their accomplishment.  From left to right: Sean West, Kelsi-Quinn Miller, Joe Sulouff at Warrior Concepts International Taken immediately after their black belt tests, August 9, 2003.  Emrys Smith (on right) demonstrates a technique during his black belt test with the help of Program Director Dwayne Gilbert while Jeffrey Miller (seated), head of the school, observes. Taken August 26, 2003 Back to top of page |
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August 4, 2003 WCI Holds Ninja Day Camp for Kids Warrior Concepts International Life Mastery Academy (formerly Miller's Martial Arts) at 362 Market Street in Sunbury, will be holding a week-long summer day camp for children ages 6-12. The camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from August 13 to 22nd. A number of exciting activities have been planned for this camp. In additional to daily martial arts classes, exercises, games, and arts & crafts activities, campers will learn some Japanese, visit a horse farm, take a nature hike, go swimming, and more. Children will be supervised at all times by responsible adults. In addition, participants will enjoy the benefits of a properly-structured, non-competitive martial arts program, such as increased confidence, discipline, and respect. Jeffrey M. Miller, head of Warrior Concepts International Life Mastery Academy, says that parents are often surprised by their child's newfound focus and attitude after experiencing this program. Moreover, the camp is perfectly timed for the child to apply this positive attitude and increased focus to schoolwork and learning. The cost of the camp is $169 and includes all fees and activities as well as a martial arts uniform. Deadline for registration is Friday, August 15th. To register, or for more information, please contact Mr. Miller at 988-2228. Back to top of page |
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August 2, 2003 Self-Defense for Women at Sunbury Community Hospital Sunbury Community Hospital & Outpatient Center, in partnership with Warrior Concepts International Life Mastery Academy (formerly Miller's Martial Arts) of Sunbury, is offering a women's self-defense class this month. Classes will be held from 7:30-9:00 p.m. for the next four Mondays: August 4, August 11, August 18, and August 25. Registration is $59 and includes a course workbook, certificate of training, self-defense key chain, Life Purpose Workbook, official Martial Arts uniform, course review, and white belt graduation. Free babysitting is available. This Community Outreach program is designed to help women in the community to feel safer and to be prepared in a situation where they might have to defend themselves. Participants will learn skills and techniques to handle attacks effectively; they will work on strikes, kicks, pins and restraints, multiple-attacker scenarios, and defenses against common weapons. Space is limited; registration is required. To register, or for more information, please call the Community Outreach office at 286-3430. Back to top of page |
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July 8, 2003 Harry Potter and the Order of the ... Ninja? It may come as no surprise that the new Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, incorporates many of the same themes as previous entries in the series. What may be surprising, however, is the extent to which these themes also echo important lessons taught in martial arts schools such as Warrior Concepts International. One of the subplots in this book concerns the importance of training realistically to learn to defend oneself. As in every Harry Potter book, there is a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher; this one believes that students can learn to defend themselves adequately simply by reading books about the subject. While the Harry Potter series never dismisses the importance of book learning, the events in the book make it clear that real-life experience, obtained by practicing under safe conditions, is crucial in order to use self-defense techniques correctly. Martial arts schools such as Warrior Concepts International also believe in training in a safe yet realistic manner. Practicing slowly and carefully, but with actual physical contact, gives students a sense of what it is really like to be in a fight, and gives them a good idea of how their techniques really work. Another idea that subtly permeates this book is the importance of self-confidence. Several characters, including Harry himself, have to deal with this obstacle, and when they overcome it, they learn that they are capable of more than they ever dreamed of. Building confidence is an integral part of programs such as "Strong Kids, Safe Kids" at WCI; many students have found that they can accomplish far more than they expected, once they overcome their self-doubts and come to believe in their own abilities. Finally, another theme of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix concerns knowledge. The backdrop of the tale is Harry's fifth year at Hogwart's, a place of advanced learning and a storehouse of timeless knowledge. This setting provides a close analogy to martial arts; just as the magical lore taught at Hogwart's is of ancient vintage, the art of ninjutsu is about nine hundred years old and has its roots in traditions that go back over 2500 years. Moreover, the most-valued skill of the ninja has always been the ability to gather information. In our modern society, constant awareness and attention to one's surroundings can prevent a person from having to be in a fight situation. Being able to recognize and avoid a fight before it happens is the safest and most pro-active form of self-defense of all. Back to top of page |
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June 23, 2003 Ninjas Reveal the Secret of The Matrix The Matrix movies are cool sci-fi flicks with razzle-dazzle action and mindbending special effects... right? Yes, but they are also more than that, according to Jeffrey Miller, head of Warrior Concepts International (formerly Miller's Martial Arts) in Sunbury. According to Miller, understanding the philosophical concepts embedded in these movies not only helps the viewer grasp the deeper levels of the movie, but can also provide powerful messages about the life we are leading here and now. Warrior Concepts International, at 362 Market Street in Sunbury, will be hosting an Interactive Movie Night for adults on Friday, June 27, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. The original Matrix movie will be shown, accompanied by an introduction to Japanese philosophy that will shine light on the world of the Matrix - and on our own world as well. Every participant will receive a beautiful full-color reproduction of the mandala (a kind of symbolic diagram) on which elements of the story were based. Pizza will also be provided. Jeffrey Miller, who will present the philosophical interpretation, is an expert in the esoteric teachings associated with Japanese and Tibetan Buddhism. The cost is $15 per person, $18.50 per couple. Registration is required. To preregister, or for further information, call Mr. Miller at (570) 988-2228. Back to top of page |
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May 28, 2003 KIWANIS MARTIAL ARTS FUNDRAISER IS A WIN-WIN-WIN SITUATION Sunbury -- Kids will soon be able to enjoy an exciting opportunity while contributing to charity. Warrior Concepts International (formerly Miller's Martial Arts), in cooperation with the Sunbury Kiwanis Club, is offering a five-week course to local students from kindergarten to 8th grade. Sessions will begin June 2, 2003 at Warrior Concepts International, 362 Market Street in Sunbury. The cost, which includes all lessons and a martial-arts uniform, is only $45 (for a $148.70 value!) and the entire fee goes to the Kiwanis Club of Sunbury for its charitable activities. Jeffrey Miller, head of Warrior Concepts International, emphasizes that the course is about safety awareness and youth development. Children will learn awareness skills to help them avoid potentially dangerous situations, and verbal skills to help them negotiate rather than fight whenever possible. They will also be taught age-appropriate self-defense techniques. Their parents will be glad that they are learning important lessons in respect, self-discipline, and confidence: the kids will be glad to be having so much fun! This is a situation in which everybody wins, according to Miller. The kids get to have a fun and exciting time at a low cost. WCI has the chance to give back to the community, as well as a chance to introduce more families to a great program. Finally, the Kiwanis Club will benefit from the additional funding, as will the charitable projects they support. For more information, please contact Jeffrey Miller of Warrior Concepts International at (570) 988-2228. Back to top of page |
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May 19, 2003 MARTIAL ARTS CAMP KEEPS MEMORIAL DAY IN MIND Sunbury -- Amidst all the picnicking and partying, it's easy to forget that Memorial Day is meant to commemorate the brave warriors who fought and died to protect our freedom. At Warrior Concepts International's Spring Camp this Memorial Day weekend, the memory of our veterans, from our country's earliest battles to the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, will always be kept in mind. The camp theme, "Ancient Warrior/Modern Man," will explore the application of ancient techniques and traditions to improve safety and security in today's dangerous world. Guest instructors from outside the area will join local participants for a weekend of learning, training, and enjoyment. Back to top of page |
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May 14, 2003 MARTIAL ARTS EXPERT LOOKS FORWARD TO MATRIX RELOADED Sunbury -- Jeffrey Miller, head of Warrior Concepts International (formerly Miller's Martial Arts), is definitely looking forward to the latest entry in the saga of The Matrix. Miller, who has a 5th degree black belt in ninjutsu, appreciated the way that martial arts action was used in the first movie. "It was integrated very smoothly into the storyline. The characters didn't fight unless they had to, but when they did, they were direct and effective." As for the authenticity of the martial artistry, he says, "Because of all the wirework, it was hard to tell how realistic it was, but it had a very different look from what you usually see in these movies. The fight scenes were similar to those seen in video games, which reminded the viewer that the world of the Matrix is very much like a video game." Indeed, what Miller truly admires about the Matrix series is its philosophical depth and richness. Issues such as perception vs. reality and humanity vs. artificial intelligence are presented in a many-layered way that can be viewed from multiple perspectives. Since the three Matrix movies were originally designed as a trilogy, the new movie will be not just a sequel, but part of an integrated whole, so viewers can expect this excellence to continue. Back to top of page |
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Anne Collins Smith, Public Relations Director All releases copyright 2003 Warrior Concepts International Back to main page |
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