Hate, Nazis, and Curious kids
Today when I came in to the dojang, the first thing I was presented with was that some of the kids were talking about “nazi” things, playing at shooting each other, and calling each other nazis. What follows is a summary of what I discussed with the kids 3rd grade and older.
So, I sat down with the kids, 3rd grade and older to discuss this in terms of appropriate behavior, language, and subject matter for the dojang. With the bottom line, first and most import
We have recently had some questions about the sparring rules so I thought that I would quickly go over them.
Here’s the basic rules:
You can kick with any part of your foot below your ankle
Only punching with a clenched fist and kicking are allowed in sparring. No other techniques are allowed. That means no sweeps, no mixed martial arts etc.
You can kick to two places. Your opponent’s chest protector (hogu) or head
You can punch your opponent's chest protector only. No punches allowed to
"To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." Nelson Mandela 1918-2013
Find more videos like this on Mercer Island Martial Arts
For the upcoming Halloween party, I made this short video will show you most of the things you want to know about the party.
We could use some help with the food drive. Would you be able to take a collection box, like the one in the picture to your work, school, community activity? Would you invite kids to the awesome party (there are invitations at the school) -- for a fun day of bouncy house, costumes, demonstrations, cotton candy, and candy, and did I mention candy?? It is the 26th --- entry "fee" is a donation to the food bank.
If you would host, as it were, a donation box let us know and it will be d
We are holding try out for the 2013-2014 Demonstration Team on Thursday Sept 19th at 5:30pm.
Try out to have the opportunity to be part of a small group of dedicated, like minded, motivated students.
Demo teams build high levels of confidence because students are taught how to perform in public. There’s an awesome rush that comes from performing for your community and getting accolades!
Team members will have the opportunity to further your training faster while developing leadership skills even
With back to school coming up quickly, I believe it is a great time to refresh or address safety tips and plans with the kids. So, I am going to post about several of the things I try to cover with the kids I teach each year.
"In 2010, one-fifth (19%) of all children 5-9 who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians." Source: Traffic safety facts: Pedestrians, NHTSA 2012
Here are some ideas, and ... Click here for the original post I wrote on Mercer Island Patch
These five points have helped hundreds of people JUST LIKE YOU Discover issues with starting a After School that they NEVER would have considered – issues to be Excited about, WARY about, and everything in between!
1) Safety
The number one MOST important thing that should be stressed in an After School Program is safety. From the drills that are done in class, to the way the warm-up is presented, Safety has to be paramount through and through.
You would think that because it’s “Martial Art
What I have learned from practicing Tae Kwon Do and will be able to bring into my life and continue to use is perseverance, leadership and respect. I have been taking Martial arts for over nine years, and have kept going despite many challenges. At multiple points, I have had to change schools, and restart at the beginning. From this, I have persevered and continued practicing, and am now prepared to test for my Black Belt. I have also learned about how to teach others, and better communicate wi
You can play a role in changing the underlying norms and
culture that allows sexual violence.
Traditional gender roles, power imbalances, and
victim-blaming all contribute to sexual violence. Some ways you
can help:
• Model respectful behavior to those around you.
• Talk with your children about healthy sexual
development and personal boundaries.
• Intervene and speak up when you see inappropriate behavior. To better equip
yourself in these situations, practice what you might say or do
No one ever ‘gets’ a black belt. It’s not something that you wear, it’s something that you become.
Many people know that at our school children are not allowed to "get" their first uniform and white belt either. They earn it, by proving that they understand that martial arts is more than kicking and punching, and that at Mercer Island Martial Arts we teach, lesson one, that respect is the foundation, and the most important lesson of training. They prove it by practicing the idea at home, part
Over the years I have heard many ideas from parents regarding how to keep kids safe with their cell phone; and more often about how they keep the cell phone from becoming their child's teenage-invisible friend at the dinner table.
I think most agree that kids having a cell phone really helps in terms of safety, reaching their kids, and pick ups and drop offs. Below I pasted a "cell pone contract" for first time cell phone users. I thought it was a great way to get started on a conversation
Be Aware
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."
Nobody Can Make You Anything
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.
"Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. "
Viktor E. Frankl
Embrace and Relax
When in a bad position, when under pressure, instead of struggling and wasting energy, embrace your opponent and relax. Your time will come.
Tap Out, Return
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. (Note: this may be the best relationship advice you ever receive).
