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

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

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

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

Are you a martial artist or a fighter? I thought of this question after our team came back from USAT Nationals in Richmond, VA last week. To me the difference between a martial artist and a fighter is the philosophy. As a Taekwondo student, we repeat in every class our 5 tenets of Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit. RESPECT and HUMILITY are also embedded into our training at every class. At a Taekwondo competition, there is a code of conduc

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

Attending martial arts class is about more than getting a workout and learning self-defense tactics. Each student can get something different out of his or her experience, but training can be especially rewarding for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Martial arts teacher Rodger Pyle knows this firsthand as he was diagnosed with ADHD as a child, he told ADDitude magazine. Pyle struggled as a child because his public school didn’t know how to deal with his

Many of us spend our lives simply passing time from one day to the next, without ever feeling any sense of accomplishment. After a while, we start to wonder: what is life really all about? All of us are worthy of living full, exciting lives. As humans, we are built to face challenges, proving our worth through our actions. For martial artists, living life to the fullest is one of the greatest benefits of practicing martial arts. Not only does it encourage one to embrace any o

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