Master Kirkwood and Mrs Kirkwood recently flew to New York, USA for three days of sightseeing before flying onto Pittsburgh to spend time with Master Ameris and Mrs Ameris. 

The trip to New York was filled with major sightseeing to various key areas, such as Times Square, The Rockefeller Centre, Madison Gardens, Ground Zero, China Town, Little Italy, Grand Central Station and various other parts.

However the main event of the trip was the 10 days spent teaching, training and spending quality time with Master Ameris, Mrs Ameris, Master Darcy, Mr & Mrs Farrell, Mr Healy, Mr Power, Mr Gleeson and Ashling and Tess.

Master Kirkwood was very honoured to teach Master Ameris's students, as well as have Master Ameris and Mrs Ameris participate in his class.  Master Kirkwood taught within the dojang over 2 nights, firstly incorporating a point sparring and exercise class on the 1st night, followed by the application of kicking in patterns on the 2nd night. Both classes were outstanding and were not only informative but also pushed the students to their limit.

Master Kirkwood, Master Darcy and all the other Instructors took part in Master Ameris's 4 zones class and his self defence class. Other classes held were Mr Paul Healy's kickboxing class, which was awesome, and had students explode from one movement to another. Mr & Mrs Farrell had taken classes before Master Kirkwoods arrival, both had been exceptional and the students loved participating within these classes.

The Masters as well as students also trained during the day and had the opportunity to train in Master Ameris's personal gym at his place of work. The gym not only had every kind of weight machine within it, but also a professional ring.

Master Kirkwood and Mrs Kirkwood got to spend a lot of quality time with Master & Mrs Ameris in their home, and got to know Phillip and Jimmy Ameris more. They also got to meet family members as well as spend lots of time with Master Darcy, Mr & Mrs Farrell and Mr Healy.

One of the highlights was when Master Kirkwood, Master Darcy, Mr & Mrs Farrell, Mr Healy, Mr Power, Mr Gleeson, Tess and Aisling attended the Xmas party arranged for Master Ameris's students. All the Masters and Instructors where welcomed by all the Pittsburgh families and the students, and so many nice people extended a hand of friendship.

One of the highlights for Master Kirkwood and Mrs Kirkwood was to meets "Father Connelly" who is an 8th degree Grandmaster and is the head of Se-Jong Tae Kwon Do. Master Ameris has known father Connelly since he was a young boy.  Father Connelly is an exceptional Martial Artist as well as a priest. Master Kirkwood and Mrs Kirkwood where very honoured to meet him, as he was inspirational to talk to and listen too.

Master Kirkwood and Mrs Kirkwood would like to personally thank Master Ameris and Mrs Ameris for the hospitality shown and for welcoming both him and Isobel into their family home. The whole trip was exceptional and fun, and both Master Kirkwood and Mrs Kirkwood have many treasured memories of their time with the A.I.M.A.A Masters and Instructors in Pittsburgh. We look forward to our next trip to Pittsburgh, which we hope will be soon.

Many photos where taken during this trip and to view the photographs please select the galleries below.

Master & Mrs Kirkwood New York Trip - Click Here for Gallery.

Day 1 in Pittsburgh - Click Here for Gallery.

Master Ameris 4 Zones seminar - Click Here for Gallery.

Master Kirkwood Seminar 1 - Click Here for Gallery.

Master Kirkwood Seminar 2 - Click Here for Gallery.

Mr Paul Healy Seminar - Click Here for Gallery.

Master Ameris Xmas Party in Pittsburgh - Click Here for Gallery.