New year, new goals. I think all of us have set goals in the past and maybe have reached them or are still working on them :) Sometimes as a parent, we get so involved in helping our children reach the goals we set for them, whether it's behavior or academically, that we lose focus on their goals. Over the many years of teaching, I've noticed that one of the hardest things to teach is consistency. Many parents come to our program looking for an activity that will help their c

As we are ending the year, some of you may have noticed our children are losing steam :) It's hard to self-motivate, even if the activity is fun! Here are some tips on how to help you get your kids moving when they lack motivation. Tip #1: Take notice of what your child is doing at the moment. If your child is engaged in an activity like playing or watching a video, most likely you will be in for a fight. Instead about 10-15 minutes before you need to leave, have your child p

Summertime is coming to an end, and with that comes all of the back to school anxiety and jitters that are common amongst children. Your child may experience common physical effects of anxiety associated with back to school time including symptoms from stomachaches to sleeping problems. They will also experience emotional stress from the fear of making new friends, meeting new teachers, fears of being bullied, the pressure of making good grades, and worries of being unpopular

Endorphins are natural chemicals produced in the body to reduce pain and boost happiness. They are most often associated with exercise since the release of these “feel-good” chemicals cause a state of euphoria and is usually known as a “runner’s high.” However, most any exercise will cause this state of happiness and it is also boosted through laughter and excitement. In recent years, studies involving endorphins have begun to focus on how this chemical contributes to learnin

School starts in just a few weeks and many parents are wondering how martial arts classes can help their child succeed. I read a great article at livestrong.com, written by Lisa Maloney titled, "What are the Benefits of Martial Arts for Kids". You can read the full article here: https://www.livestrong.com/article/338321-what-are-the-benefits-of-martial-arts-for-kids/ Here are some key points from her eye opening article: "Martial Arts Promote Resilience" Referencing the famo

Have you ever wondered why children and teens seem to be so addicted to their smartphones and other devices? Parents are frustrated with their children’s lack of attention and motivation but what do their devices have to do with this? The answer is found in science! Often referred to as the “motivator molecule,” dopamine is a “feel good” chemical that is released in the brain which helps us focus and feel motivated. When dopamine levels are low, it can result in symptoms such

We’ve all heard this term but have you ever stopped to really think about it? The other day I did :) maybe it was all those memes out there, but it got me thinking. Which comes first? Do you need to change your mindset first and then you will see changes in your body? Or should you start working out and then the endorphins and drop in cortisol levels start changing the way you think? Then it got me thinking about my martial arts practice and that of our students, adults a

Recently on Facebook there has been a post about human trafficking. The woman states as she was shopping at her local grocery, a man was following her down the aisles and recording her with his phone. He even followed her down the "women's aisle" which confirmed her fears. Luckily she was aware and had an employee from the store walk her to her car. Unfortunately, this type of story is becoming more common. Young children and females are usually the targets for predators. As

If a child has poor social skills, it can be difficult for him or her to succeed in academic, personal and professional arenas later in life. Many children are naturally shy, and have trouble building relationships. If early attempts to make friends and create a social circle are rocky or upsetting, many children find it hard to continue trying altogether. As a result, they fall out of practice and fail to develop the appropriate interpersonal skills needed to confidently nav

These three simple words are powerful. As a martial artist and school owner, these three words have made a difference not only in my life but in many of our students, young and old. In my journey to black belt, overcoming personal fears and doubts have made many things possible for me as a business owner and parent. I have seen this also happen for many of our students. The first time a student breaks a board or wins at a competition or being able to memorize their poomsae is

As a school, we do not require our students to compete at tournaments. However, we do encourage everyone to try.  Many students and parents have the assumption that tournaments are for those that spar and are turned off immediately. But tournaments are composed of not only sparring, but poomsae, weapons and breaking. Personally, I encourage my children to compete, not because I want them to win, but more for the experience. There are two main reasons why I do have them compet