Tag: kids

karate kid smiling from her success with instructor

Karate Teaches Adults and Kids Success in Life .. Step-by-Step.

Posted on | by Tiger Rock Martial Arts

Success in martial arts is one thing, but success in life is where a black belt truly shines.  Kicking, punching, blocking, etc. are all great for learning self-defense, staying fit, etc., but life lessons are the most important things to be taught.  To any part of life, there is a 6-step process.  Tiger Rock Martial Arts in Lawrenceville trains students constantly about this step-by-step system to achieving success in any arena, whether it be martial arts, academics, business, relationships, or even video games!  Here is what Tiger Rock Martial Arts teaches:

Step 1 — Set a goal.  Be specific about what you are trying to achieve.  Don’t just say, “I want to make a lot of money.”  Define it.  One person could make $250,000/yr, and the other could make $250million/yr.  Both can say that they “make a lot of money,” but their goals are very different.

Step 2 — Start small.  Realize, just like starting off with a white belt in martial arts, you must begin every journey toward your goal at the beginning.  An entry level teacher doesn’t get paid the same as the superintendent, and athletes don’t start off in the NBA, NFL, MLB, etc. when it’s their first time ever playing the sport!

Step 3 — Make a move that counts.  At some point, you have to do something above the ordinary routine if you are going to get noticed and begin making a name for yourself.  In martial arts, this may be testing, or competing, etc.  In life, this may be taking on additional responsibilities, sending someone flowers, or volunteering to lead a company event.

Step 4 — Stop and analyze.  After you make a move that counts, it will give you a result.  Maybe that result is something you wanted, or maybe that result is something that you didn’t want.  Perhaps you impressed your boss, or perhaps your idea disappointed your boss.  Perhaps you did well in competition, or perhaps you were easily defeated.  Regardless of the result, learn from it.  If you don’t stop an analyze, then you won’t know if it is a good idea to repeat what you did, or to go in a different direction.

Step 5 — Don’t get lazy!  Honestly, I think this is where most people fail in their journeys.  Once they analyze and figure out what they need to do, their next thought is often, “And I will get to that later.”  It’s surprising how often people figure out the secret to achievement and accomplishment, and then think to themselves, “Now that I know what to do, I will get around to doing it later.”  People feel a sense of satusfaction when they discover something, or figure something out.  However, this feeling is not to be confused with accomplishment.  If I tell you right now what tomorrow’s lottery numbers will be, you may feel comfortable knowing what they are, but you still have to take action and go buy a lottery ticket if you want to gain from that knowledge.

Step 6 — Go for it!  Once all the other factors are in place, and you have done the other steps successfully, it is time to reach for that goal.  Ask for that raise, apply for that new position, ask the love of your life to marry you!!

This is the basic system for success, and can be applied anywhere.  In addition, the students at Tiger Rock Martial Arts are taught a bonus step to super-success, which will be shared later.

 

About Cliff Mostiler:  Cliff is a sixth-degree black belt and master instructor.  He has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, and Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.  In addition, Cliff has is Juris Doctorate of Law as an attorney, and is also a licensed realtor.  Cliff believes heavily in education, and the options and opportunities that education provides.  He has pursued teaching martial arts as his passion for over 20 years, and continues to serve his community every day.  If asked, Cliff will say, “I am a personal life coach for kids and adults.  I use martial arts as the tool to teach them, but this is far less about blocking, kicking, and punching, and far more about training for a successful life.” 

For more about Tiger Rock Martial Arts, go to www.tigerrockatlanta.com

Why it Is Important to Teach Manners at the Youngest of Ages

Posted on | by Jason

We have all heard and said simple phrases like “thank you” or “please” hundreds of times in our lives. Parents ensure that their children say these phrases at appropriate times to instill the habit, making courtesy a a natural approach and response. While kind language shows ‘good manners’ in people, few actually question what the use of ‘good manners’ actually do. The truth is that these words are not ’empty phrases’ we use in social interaction. The actual worth of speech and behavior that exhibit proper manners is much greater.

Manners Teach Respect

At the root of courteous speech lives a sense of respect, comprehension of the ‘golden rule’. Making a habit of saying and doing polite things that show humility and gratitude naturally helps build respect for and from the people around you – and for yourself as well. Basic respect begins with acknowledging and accepting differences between people and knowing yourself as part of a community. A deeper understanding of respect is needed for maximum benefit, but the concept can be quite difficult to isolate and teach. Some lessons can be taught very well to small groups in the classroom or training facility, but genuine respect is something that each child ultimately learns through his or her experiences.

A well-mannered child, adolescent, or teen automatically implies a good upbringing – a person raised with the blessing of caring, respectable parents, perhaps a person who is trustworthy. But the benefits of good manners actually go far beyond that. Developing good manners in a child can go a long way toward ensuring a secure future for them. Good manners can make or break an opportunity, whether in their educational and career pursuits or important interpersonal relationships throughout their lives. Manners help formulate a positive outlook in children and adults that is often admired and reciprocated.

Manners and Society

While manners are certainly important to a child, a well-mannered child can have a significant impact on the reputation of the parents and family as well. Whether we like it or not, building a good reputation among your co-workers, peer groups, and society in general is vital to enjoying a healthy lifestyle with economic and social growth.

At the end of the day, all parents have a duty to educate their children on the importance and value of courtesy. For a child to begin to learn the value of good manners, he or she has to understand ‘why’ he or she is being instructed and reminded to say and do the mannerly things. Courtesy and discipline are often practiced in age-appropriate karate classes, which many parents find helps instill this valuable trait, behavior, and outlook in their children. Raising well-
mannered children helps them to become successful, honorable, and valued members of society in the future.

Reality-Based Self-Defense for Kids

Posted on | by Jason

Protecting yourself and your children is not always an easy task in the world today. Since we can’t physically protect them 24/7, it is imperative that we teach them to defend themselves. Children face a wide variety of dangers in society today, from bullies to all kinds of predators. Teaching your children self-defense isn’t just about punching and kicking their way through deadly situations. It has more to do with being confident, alert, and aware in all kins of situations and surroundings.

Basic self-defense tips

  • The first step to teaching your children about self-defense is elevating their self- confidence and self-esteem. Studies have shown that children who exhibit confident body language tend to be bullied or picked on less than children who might seem shy or scared. Good posture, an assertive stance, and a positive outlook provide children with a certain sense of control.
  • Teach your children that it isn’t always necessary to use their fists. Talking in either a humorous or an assertive manner should always be the first approach, especially when dealing with bullies. The fights we win are the ones that never happen. In situations concerning predators or abductors, teach your children to identify safe spots where they can run to and to attract attention by shouting or screaming.
  • Though some might discourage this, there is no doubt that providing your child with a cellphone can be very helpful. Cellphones are convenient and can help your children get in touch with you immediately if they feel threatened.
  • An exit strategy is better than facing a situation head on. Because of their smaller and weaker statures, children are more vulnerable than adults. Theerefore teaching your children to avoid a dangerous situation is better than asking them to confront it. Some situations might be too overwhelming for children to do anything about, so it’s better for them learn how to escape those situations before they take a turn for the worse.

Karate as self-defense

One of the best ways to teach your children about self-defense is to enroll them for
martial arts training such as karate. Apart from teaching children to defend themselves, karate can help them become more confident and disciplined. Karate uses a reality-based defense approach where your children will not just learn to fight but will also learn conflict resolution, self-control, and patience. Karate is a good way to learn more defensive techniques rather than offensive ones so that your children can protect themselves without physically hurting anyone.

Martial Arts Help Keep Kids Safe

Posted on | by Jason

Their children’s safety remains for most parents a top level concern and consideration. We live in a perilous world where children are easy prey. Since we can’t be there for our children all the time, it is necessary we teach them everything they need to know about protecting themselves. Studies have indicated that children are at a higher risk from people they know than they are from strangers. Consequently, it is essential to have clear safety guidelines to help your children protect themselves from strangers and known people alike.

Communicate with children

Communication is a very important tool when it comes to the safety of children. Countless incidents have been ignored and missed in the past only because parents did not take the time engage and listen to their children. Children are young, naive, and unaware, which makes them susceptible to being lead astray. They often don’t understand what’s wrong and what’s right. Talk about feelings and events that a child experiences with him or her. There is much security to gained just knowing that you’re always available for them and they can trust you for everything.

Another important aspect of child safety is to not scare your children. Teaching your children to be suspicous about everyone and everything will only make them paranoid. The last thing you want is a scared, timid child with no self-confidence or interpersonal skills. Instead, teach them to differentiate between good and bad. Tell them that not all strangers are bad, not all friends are really good.

Teach them cues and signs that might indicate whether a peer, sibling, or adult is actually trying to harm or help them. Tell your children that it isn’t usually good if someone asks them to do things such as keep secrets or disobey their parents, especially when that person happens to be an adult. Point out safe places and safe people that they can run to in times of danger. Before you point out such places and people, check them out for yourselves first of course. Make sure that you too can trust them with your most valued blessings!

Karate keeps kids safe

Enrolling your children in a year-round, professionally structured activity that builds safety preparedness, awareness, self-defense ability, and self-confidence empowers them to survive and thrive in a competitive, unfriendly world. It also provides a healthy outlet for energy, stress relief, with diverse skill and character building benefits as well. Students and parents also tend to form a karate community, so kids interact with a peer group they can trust and rely on in times of trouble. The discipline involved in learning karate can train your child to be alert and observant at all times. And of course, the blocks, strikes, and kicks he or she learns to execute with power could really come in handy when it really matters!