What is self-discipline?  Self-discipline has been defined as the ability to make yourself do what you know you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like or not!  A disciplined person knows what has to be done and does it.  They don’t put it off until latter or allow themselves to be easily taken off track.  And, most importantly they prioritize and focus on being self-disciplined with activities that move them toward their goals.  There’s a big difference between having self-disci

Smiling is free, and it makes you feel good when you do it.

I love to smile! I love to smile at other people because I think it makes them feel good too.

Smiling is contagious... give it a shot. It can make you, and someone else feel good.

We recently received an email from one of the parents regarding their child's training and thought it might be nice to share some of the answers:

In regard to "forms"every 2 months the children work on a new form.  We call them poomse in Korean.   Right now we are working on "nooktipoomse"   here is a link to a video of the form  http://mercerislandmartialarts.ning.com/video/adult-formnook-te

The children who are yellow belt and above and are in one of our advanced teams work on the first 6 mo

Getting your child to absorb 100% of what you’re telling them is a challenge that many parents and teachers face. Did you ever wonder…”Boy I hope he listens in school better than he does at home!”

If your son or daughter could improve their listening comprehension just 10% it would have a pr

It was a tough week this week, I was getting into a grove then I got sick and my car broke down. Bummer.

 Other than that I am looking forward to more training and more learning. I will get through this challenge, and continue my journey. It really is about the journey, not the destination. I can hardly wait.

 I want to get my black belt this year.  

I am working on it, giving 100 percent in each class, and moment.

I have to tell you, I am really enjoying my black belt journey!

In the Black Belt classes, we have been working on new material...a Black Belt Poomse, and some Hapkeido wrist lock moves.  It's all super fun!  I've always looked forward to those classes in particular, but especially now.  Last week's classes were a little much.  Meaning I took A LOT of falls, which my low back and hips absolutely did not approve of.  It'll get better though.  My body just needs time to adapt.

Positive Psychology – A New Field with a Literary Past

A refreshing change occurring in this field is positive psychology. “Positive psychology is an umbrella term for the study of positive emotions, positive character traits, and enabling institutions” (Seligman et al., American Psychologist, 2005).

Six virtues established by positive psychology are: wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. These virtues are not new. In his utopian work The Republic, Plat

I know I have written about the importance of monitoring our thoughts.  We learned that we become what we think about most of the time.  The challenge is to control thoughts of past failures, present and future problems.  The goal… to replace those thoughts with thoughts of success and victory.

The best way I have found to help teach your child to control his thoughts is with a fun concept called visualization.  Positive visualization or mental rehearsal, as it’s sometimes referred to, is practi

There are some obvious benefits that young and old alike garner from studying the martial arts. The first one is in the exercise involved. Exercise, if it’s tailored for the age and ability of the participant, is good for the body, the mind, and, yes, often good for the spirit too.

A not-so-obvious benefit of studying the martial arts is the often unspoken requirement to “be present” in the practice. “When you’re dealing with kicks, punches, and arm-bars,” says veteran martial arts teacher Tom

We all think in pictures.  Many times what we see in our mind translates to what we end up with in reality.  The great challenge lies in being able to control what kind of pictures play in the theater of our mind!

What kind of thoughts do you habitually think?  What kind of thoughts does your child habitually think?  Although we would like to believe our thoughts are of success, accomplishment, and a bright future, they may not always be. If we took an inventory of our thoughts we might discover

This was a good week, my upper body strength is coming back. I did three days this week. I really like Koryo, I have been looking on youtube to study what it looks like. It has helped. There are so many things that I still need to learn. I can't wait for CGN Thorton Jack. A big person to study with. I know he will push me the way I need.

I think that is why so many of us do martial arts, it allows us to push ourselves in ways that we wouldn't do otherwise. Pushing limits is healthy for your body

Getting your child to absorb 100% of what you’re telling them is a challenge that many parents and teachers face. Did you ever wonder…”Boy I hope he listens in school better than he does at home!”

If your son or daughter could improve their listening comprehension just 10% it would have a pro

COURTESY

Taekwondo students should practice courtesy at all times in order to promote the spirit of mutual understanding, promote politeness to one another, avoid feeling superior, and encourage a sense of justice.

Courtesy may take many forms:

Politeness: when we say please, thank you, open or hold doors for others, allow another person to do something first, or ask instead of command.  

Distinction of Roles: the ways we speak or act with respect towards our seniors, elders, or teachers and with

College Counseling Resources Websites:

National Association of College Admission Counseling     http://www.nacacnet.org/Pages/default.aspx 

Pacific NW Assoc of College Admission Counseling      http://www.pnacac.org/ 

Mental Health Resources Websites:

ADD for women/girls website     http://www.addvance.com

ADHD     http://www.add.org

ADHD     http://www.adhdsupportcompany.com

ADHD ideas and support, national website.     http://www.chadd.org   

American Psychological Associati