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

The Pokémon GO craze has become infectious in households across the world and if you have a child, the odds are you’ve become infected like me. It's a great way to get the family together and spend some time exploring your town and get lots of exercise! You can easily spend hours Pokémon hunting, walking in circles :) You see, Pokémon Go is not your typical “couch potato” video game: If played right, it becomes more like a fitness app disguised as a video game. And with the

“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

Did you know Red Tiger also offers Fitness classes to get you into the best shape of your life? Forget the boring gym and have fun as you learn something new! Join us starting January 11 for our Biggest Loser Challenge - begins on Monday! Prepare to kick some butt!!! What's included?-Taekwondo classes-Cize-PiYo-Kickboxing-FREE coaching-Accountability group-Amazing resultsDon't let YOU stop you! What have you got to lose, besides a few pounds? #weightloss #biggestloser #fitnes

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