A Plus Martial Arts

Nobody ever said it was easy to raise children. They don’t come with guidelines or instructions, and they certainly don’t come with a pause button. What they do come with is a crucial set of physical and emotional needs that must be met. If parents fail to meet these specific needs, there can be wide-ranging and long-lasting negative effects. The following outline provides eight essential responsibilities parents must adhere to in order to foster their children’s physical and/or emotional well-being:

1. Provide a safe environment:

• Keep your children free from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
• Keep unsafe objects away or out of reach of your children.
• Get to know your children’s caregivers
• (get references or background checks).
• Correct any potential dangers around the house.
• Take safety precautions. Use smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, lock doors at night, always wear seatbelts, etc.

2. Provide their basic needs:

• Water
• Nutritious foods
• Shelter
• A bed with sheets, blankets, and a pillow
• Medical care as needed and medicine when ill
• Clothing that is appropriate for
  the weather conditions
• Space (a place where he or she
  can go to be alone)

3. Provide self-esteem needs:

• Accept your children’s uniqueness and respect their individuality.
• Encourage (don’t push) your children to participate in clubs, activities, or sports.
• Notice and acknowledge your children’s achievements and pro-
  social behavior.
• Encourage proper hygiene.
• Set realistic and age-appropriate expectations for your children.
• Use any misbehavior as a time to teach, not to criticize or ridicule.

4. Teach and display morals and values:

• Honesty
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Compassion
• Patience
• Forgiveness
• Generosity

5. Develop mutual respect:

• Use respectful language.
• Respect their feelings.
• Respect their opinions.
• Respect their privacy.
• Respect their individuality.

6. Provide effective and appropriate discipline:

• Structured
• Consistent
• Predictable
• Fair

7. Be involved in their education:

• Communicate regularly with your children’s teachers.
• Make sure your children are completing their homework each night.
• Assist your children with their homework, but don’t do it for them.
• Talk to your children each day about school.
• Ask open-ended questions about  their day.
• Recognize and acknowledge your children’s academic achievements.

8. Get to know your children:

• Spend quality time together.
• Be approachable.
• Ask questions.
• Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.

Now that you’ve seen the list of parental responsibilities, look at what are not parents’ responsibilities:

•  Supplying your children with the most expensive designer clothes or shoes.
• Picking up after your children and cleaning their rooms.
• Dropping everything you’re doing to give a child a ride somewhere.
• Providing your children with a telephone, television, computer, or game system.
• Bailing your child out of trouble every time he or she does something wrong.
• Maintaining an unlimited supply of treats, chips, sodas, or junk foods.
• Replacing toys or other items that your children have lost or misplaced.

When looking for an energizing workout, there’s no shortage of them, but how do you choose? There’s Zumba, Pilates, Cage Fitness, kickboxing, and even martial arts. Yes, martial arts is a well-balanced  workout that includes core and endurance training. Our martial arts facility boasts many opportunities that your typical workout may not offer. Although you train in a class setting, martial arts offers a special opportunity to work at your own pace and meet your own goals. This personal touch is often the difference between you staying motivated or quitting prematurely before achieving your workout goals. Our goal is simply to help you achieve your goals.

Why does this work better in a martial arts program than in other fitness programs? Because we are constantly setting and resetting goals with our members, so it’s easy to adjust to help you achieve your desired results. A lot of people shy away from martial arts because they think it’s for kids or about belts or breaking boards. That may be a part of martial arts training, but it can also be a great form of fitness. In addition to fitness, it offers so much more, including self-defense, stress relief, goal setting, socialization, feelings of accomplishment, and for those with kids, it’s a program the entire family can do together. So, instead of talking about all the reasons not to try a class, talk to an instructor today and try a free class to see if it’s something you will enjoy.

Steps to Start Classes

1) Talk to an instructor about your specific fitness goals.
2) Get to class a few minutes early so you are not rushed.
3) Ask questions if you are nervous.
4) Be willing to commit to regular classes for a certain amount of time.
5) Enjoy!

In the US, we celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth of July, and to the north, Canada celebrates Canada Day on July 1. On these days, we proudly fly our countries’ flags, but who started this tradition? Vexillology is the scientific study of flags. The first known flags were metal or wooden poles with carvings on top. About 2,000 years ago, pieces of fabric or material were added for decoration and these are the flags we are most familiar with today. Every country in the world has a flag and when a government changes, so does the flag.

Many organizations have their own flags, which use symbols to convey their messages. The five circles on the Olympic flag represent people from five continents coming together for friendly competition. Peace is represented by the olive branches cradling the world on the United Nations’ flag.

Flags may have stripes, quadrants, or borders, but they all have colors, which are important and can have special meanings. Here are some colors and what they can mean:

• Red – danger, courage, or power
• White – peace, surrender, or truce
• Orange – courage or sacrifice
• Green – safety, hope, or youth
• Yellow – caution or gold
• Black – mourning or death

Flags used to be designed by sketches, but today, flags are designed by computers. People who design flags must take into consideration the color, symbol, and pictures that are put on the flag to get a message across, all without using words.

Years ago, flags were made by hand sewing pieces of material together and using embroidery. Today, flags are made by machines, where long pieces of fabric have the imprint of the flag stamped on them then, each separate flag is cut from the material.

Summer is the perfect time to go outside because everything is more fun, whether you’re swimming, running, cycling, or doing martial arts. But depending on where you are, if you’re not careful, the summer heat can be a problem. In addition to staying hydrated, here are a few tips to safely work out during the summer months:

The time of day is important. Unless you are training for an event that takes place in the daytime heat, avoid exercising during the hottest part of the day, which is usually 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Generally, the early morning is the best time to work out, especially if it’s going to be a scorcher that day.

Wear loose-fitting, light colors. The lighter color will help reflect heat and cotton material will help evaporate the sweat. You may also want to try specially designed running shirts and shorts that are usually made from material that wicks the perspiration from you to keep you cooler.

Sunscreen is a must. It’s important to protect your skin, so use one with a high SPF to be safe. There are waterproof ones designed specifically for sports, too. Remember, you can get burned and suffer sun damage to your skin even on cloudy days.

Stay hydrated. Before you go out, drink a glass or two of water. Carry a bottle of water or even a hydration pack and take a drink every 15 minutes, even when you’re not thirsty. Have a few more glasses of water after your workout.

Choose shaded trails or pathways that keep you out of the sun when you have a choice.

Check the weather forecast before you start your workout. If there’s a heat advisory, meaning high ozone and air pollution, you might want to take your workout indoors. These pollutants can damage your lungs.

Listening to your body is the most important thing you can do to stay healthy. Stop immediately if you’re feeling dizzy, faint or nauseated.

Diabetes comes in a couple different shapes and forms; two, to be exact. They are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type one is usually diagnosed at a young age and is a result of the body not producing insulin. Type 2 is a more common form and is the result of too little insulin production, or your body, for some reason, is not using the insulin it is producing. Who is at risk for type 2 diabetes? Below is a brief checklist, but you should consult your doctor with any questions:

1)      Over 45
2)      Overweight
3)      Have a parent or brother or sister with type 2 diabetes
4)      Physically active less than 3 times per week
5)      A female who had gestational diabetes
6)      Family background is that of American Indian, African American, Hispanic, Asian American, or Pacific Islander descent.
7) Abnormal cholesterol
Blood pressure is 140/90 or higher (high blood pressure)
9) Have had a test that shows pre-diabetes

If you are at risk, what can you do?

1)      First and foremost, consult your doctor.
2)      Follow a balanced eating plan/diet.
3) Be active with 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
4) If you are overweight, lose weight. If you are overweight, shedding any amount of weight reduces your risk of diabetes.
5) Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control and in check.

Martial arts is a great form of exercise. There are no age limits and we have a class schedule to meet your needs. If you need exercise for fun or fitness, call or stop by today and give us a try. We may be the perfect solution to your fitness needs.

What should I do when my child doesn’t want to stay committed to an activity?

There are many schools of thought on whether or not to force a commitment from a child, or adult, for that matter. No matter which side of the fence you are on, there are some steps that should be taken to help reinforce commitment.

Prior to having challenges, there are a few things that can be done to help avoid this quitter situation in the first place. First, prior to starting any program, get the child’s buy-in. Make sure the child knows what the commitment is and have him or her verbalize it back to you. This will allow you to reflect back on the promise made at a later date. Second, have a regular schedule. This, too, will help reinforce any commitment challenges (i.e., “It’s our commitment to go to practice every Tuesday and Wednesday).

Always reward their commitment. For example, make sure you congratulate your son or daughter regularly for attending classes on a regular basis. Also, participate when possible. This should be done in more ways than one. If there are parent/child events, it’s important that you participate with your child. Not only will you build a bond with your child, but it will also help reinforce the importance of the commitment made.

The other way to participate is to take part in activities put on by the business or school. These help keep everyone interested. Encourage your child to make friends. The more a child is anchored to a program by having friends and family involved, the less likely he or she will quit.

Finally, don’t just give in. On occasions, it’s okay to take a break from a class or an event, but make sure there is a follow-up commitment and stick to it at all cost. For example, “If you take off from class on Tuesday, I expect you to go to class on Wednesday instead. Can we agree on that?” This is a great way to prepare your child for many of the commitments he or she will take on throughout life.

February is a great time to start a martial arts class with your partner or your child. If you made a New Year’s resolution to get in shape, meet that goal with martial arts classes. Working together, as a team, can keep each of you motivated and involved.

Having someone to work out with, and encourage and inspire you to keep going, is a great gift. Utilize your team for that very reason. In return, give your attention and praise to the people who are helping you. One of the greatest gifts you can give another is interest in what they are doing.

Think of giving your team a membership to the local martial arts school for Valentine’s Day. If they are already students, give them gift cards to purchase equipment they may need for their class, or a new uniform.

Regardless of how you express your love to the people who are closest to you, remember you are a member of a team that lives together, works together, plays together, and/or takes class together. Make them proud and earn their respect. Encourage them when they do something well and invite others to join you when they need some inspiration.

If you don’t have a team, join one or start one. A team can start with just another person who has the same goal or vision. Work towards your goals and measure the efforts, not the results.

“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”  
— Vince Lombardi

Often, February brings to mind pictures of young lovebirds and cupid flying through the sky. Keep in mind, Valentine’s Day may be based on partnerships and St. Valentine, but there’s a lot we should recognize about the fun, heart-filled holiday.
It offers an opportunity to do things with a partner, whether your partner is a child, spouse, significant other, or friend. That’s why, if you mention this article to our martial arts school, you’ll be entitled to a free trial class with no obligation when you sign up with a friend or family member.
You may be aware that martial arts training is great for kids and adults. You may even know adults benefit from exercise, stress relief, self-defense, and goal setting, while kids learn disciple, goal setting, self-defense, and respect building, enhance their motor skills and flexibility, and earn better grades.
Have you thought of doing martial arts with a partner? A partner doesn’t have to be in the same class, even though that may be possible. It means, at a minimum, being involved in the same activity so you both have a commonality and maybe even some common goals. Having a partner, in any activity, including martial arts will offer numerous benefits:
Accountability – Having a friend or child always looking to see if you are training is a huge motivation to stick with it.
Commitment and Motivation – There is nothing better than having a partner committed to the same goal as you to keep you involved and motivated.
Competition and Support – As long as the competition is healthy and friendly, having friends in the same workout routine acts as a support community. This may enhance your chances of sticking with it greater than any other motivation.
Variety – When working out with partners, you have the ability to keep it fresh. Even though you will have an instructor guiding the way, you and a partner can practice together outside of classes. This is not always the case in individual exercise programs

Did you ever sit down and think about your job description as a parent or guardian? If not, read this and see if it fits your job duties:

Position Available For a Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma,Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa

Job Description: Long-term team players needed for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work varied hours, which will include evenings, weekends, and frequent 24-hour shifts.

Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

Responsibilities: For the rest of your life: Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.

Must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.

Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets, and stuck zippers.

Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars, and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.

Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages.

Must be willing to be indispensable one minute and embarrassed the next.

Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half-million cheap, plastic toys and battery-operated devices.

Must always hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst.

Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.

Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

Possibility for Advancement & Promotion: None.

Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retaining and updating your skills so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

Previous Experience: None required, unfortunately.

On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

Wages and Compensation:

Get this! You pay them, offering frequent raises and bonuses!

A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent.

When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

Benefits: Does not include the following benefits: health or dental insurance, pension, tuition reimbursement, paid holidays, or stock options.

Does include: limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life, if you play your cards right.

If you are fortunate enough, you will become a grandparent and can then work an entire new job description.

We had a great testing on the 10th! A lot of great action and spirit! Everyone had a good time!

Remember: Your trip to Black Belt is not a sprint..It is a marathon!