There are some big changes happening at Spirit Karori. Mr D’arcy Mellsop, who opened the school in October 2006, has decided to finish with Taekwon-Do so that he can focus all his energy on his new business, Activate Self Defence. As all of us who have trained with Mr Mellsop know, his energy and passion are amazing, and I have no doubt that he will devote the same amount of intensity into his business as he has put into Karori School! (And a shameless plug here... if you’ve not experienced one of Mr Mellsop’s courses then you really really should!)
Mr Mellsop is being replaced by Mr Simon Lloyd-Evans. Mr Lloyd-Evans is a 2nd degree black belt who has been with Spirit Brooklyn for as long as I can remember! He’s been doing some instructing within Spirit already, taking the Beginners classes last year and helping out with the kids class too. He’s decided that it is something that he loves to do and is really looking forward to joining the Spirit Karori group. Mr Malcolm Doidge will also remain as an instructor at Karori, so the school is in great hands.
You may or may not be aware that the Taekwon-Do logo we all wear on the back of our doboks is called the “Taekwon-Do tree”, and of course the meanings of the yellow, green and blue belts also use this symbolism of a growing and maturing tree. When Mr Mellsop announced to the instructors and black belts that he was looking for a replacement he started by saying “Everything has a life cycle, and mine in Taekwon-Do is finishing”.
But we shouldn't see it as the end of a life-cycle, but as the beginning of a new one. A mighty oak tree will drop an acorn, from which another mighty tree will grow. This does not weaken the original tree, and is the beginning of life for the new young tree. And both will thrive.
To Mr Mellsop, all the best in your new adventure. And to Mr Lloyd-Evans and everyone at Karori... the same goes for you too!
