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

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

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

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

Is your child obsessed with video games or watching TV? Would he rather play Minecraft than go for a swim with his friends? Many parents are in agreement: today’s kids are spending way too much time on their electronic gadgets. Instead of playing on the street, interacting with friends, and doing homework, kids choose to spend their waking hours glued to a screen. It’s no secret that parents have become increasingly worried about the amount of time their children spend playin

Occasionally I will be asked this question from a concerned parent that might have a child that is already showing rambunctious behavior. It is a legitimate question, especially since media will cater to fears. But a true martial artist and legitimate school will let you know that quite the opposite is true. Martial Arts is about SELF CONTROL. Children can be overwhelmed with emotions and often do not know what to do with this extra energy. In our classes we have the students

“The martial arts are ultimately self-knowledge. A punch or a kick is not to knock the hell out of the guy in front, but to knock the hell out of your ego, your fear, or your hang-ups.” - Bruce Lee #1: They (and You) Will Get More Active This is the obvious reason kids should do martial arts in this day and age - to get active and moving. In case you haven’t noticed, we have an epidemic when it comes to our nation’s obesity problem. We’re also increasingly unfit in addition t

Welcome to Red Tiger Martial Arts' Official Blog! Stay tuned for some great blogging! :) #taekwondo #fitness #kids #sarasota #martialarts