We are really excited for next years After School Program here at MIMA. Please check out some information about the program, and some changes that we have made to it.
Pick up: One of our amazing, certified instructors will pick up your child from their elementary school (currently available for Lakeridge, West Mercer, Island Park, and Northwood elementary schools) in our vans. This way your child will start their day with us in a positive and structured environment.
During the short ride to
Thanksgiving and Veteran's Day are coming up this month which means it time to start thinking about the things that we are grateful for. Every year we challenge you to think about some of the things that you are thankful for. Here is the research behind gratefulness, as well as our challenge to you. We will be working on our Gratitude Challenge with the kids during our Veteran's Day Camp on Friday, November 10th. Adults and Teens we encourage you to do a gratitude challenge, as well.
Posi
We recently had the opportunity to have a woman by the name of Amy Scarfone come and film one of our family classes in a 360 degree video format. If you have never seen this technology it is a really great way to experience a class. When viewing it you will need to open it in Google Chrome or another web browser that supports 360 degree video formats. I was also able to watch it on my iPhone. As you press the button to look around you can see all of the different particptants in the class. T
This month in honor of Thanksgiving and Veteran's Day we are focusing on "Gratitude".
Mercer Island Martial Arts utilizes the latest research in areas such as positive psychology and exercise physiology to create a martial arts program that is both modern and mixed with martial arts traditions. Here is just one of the many activities that we are currently doing with our students along with a short description of what positive psychology is.
Positive Psychology
A refreshing change occurring in
Hey Everyone,
October is National Anti-bullying month and this month we will be talking with the students about the impacts of bullying, how to handle a bully, as well as, if the child is a bully. Here are some great resources and websites for your information
If your child is being bullied or you know someone who is being bullied please call us or email us. We can help
Please Join us this Friday, February 14 from 6-10pm for our Valentine's Day Party. Here's what the kids have to say about it
I have what can be a very exhausting job. I spend much of my time as a palliative medicine physician helping the sickest patients cope with their illnesses, support their families through their illness, and balance the delicate line between hope and reality. I see a lot of patients transition though the last days of their lives. I see reconciliations, lives well lived, peace; I also see mourning of lost time, regrets of things not done, and fear of the unknown. All of these things give me perspe
I love these fall months especially with Thanksgiving around the corner-- what a wonderful month. Everyone takes the time to be truly thankful for everyone and everything in their life. Although, in my opinion, it should be year round. On November 11th we have a full day camp and part of the camp is introducing our gratitude challenge to the kids, but it would be wonderful if all of our students got involved! So I'll start first, I am so grateful for of my family and friends, they are all so
My definition of being a black belt has evolved over the years. When I was a little boy, I wanted to be a ninja and/or a Power Ranger, that’s what being a black belt meant to me back then. Now, it means being Batman, fighting crime and taking names… Kidding! When I started doing martial arts, I thought being a black belt would be to become proficient at self defense techniques and sparring. As I progressed through Mercer Island Martial Arts, I found that being a black belt was so much more.
When
Most people don’t ask me this question outright, but I know they are thinking it: Does self-defense really work?
That’s like asking the Sham-Wow guy if his towel really holds 12 times its weight in liquid, right? Hey, I welcome the believers and doubters alike, and I have more to offer you than my belief in the
effectiveness of self-protection measures. But first, let’s figure out
why it’s so hard to believe a woman can fight back and win.
I believe that doubt over the effectiveness of self-def
Be aware of what you’re doing, beginning with your breathing.
“I am aware that I am breathing.”
“I am aware that I am listening.”
“I am aware that this too shall pass.”
This moment. Here. Now.
Nobody can make you sad, angry, happy, depressed, or grouchy; you don’t give anyone that much power over you. Only you can make yourself anything. Maintain control of your own emotions and thinking.
When someone wants to argue or fight or make you struggle, just tap out. It’s a lot better than getting hurt or causing someone else pain. Tap out and don’t worry, you’ll be able to come back soon enough.
Just the other day I ran into someone at one of our locally owned restaurants who was asking me about my business, Mercer Island Marital Arts. I was telling her all about what we do, and I happened to mention that I frequent this particular restaurant largely because it is locally owned and as a Mercer Island business owner myself I felt that it was important to support our community. The woman, to my surprise, “gaffawed” at me. So I asked her what she did. It turns out she also has a bus
When in a bad position, when under pressure, instead of struggling and wasting energy, embrace your opponent and relax. Your time will come.
Surprise your opponent by doing exactly the opposite of what’s expected. If someone expects you to be hurt, be honored. If they expect you to be angry and upset, surprise them with your calmness. Train yourself this way and you almost always have the advantage.
It takes a certain mindset to be offended by someones words or actions. Choose not to take offense, as once taken, your opponent already has the advantage. Instead of being offended, be “fascinated.” You cannot control others actions, but you can control how you choose to respond to those actions.
When someone pushes you, physically or emotionally, don’t push back. You lose nothing —and often gain a better position. Two wrongs don’t make a right —so resist less and think more.
