SPRING!

Ok, so I am a little behind on blogging, I apologize. But with everything going on at the studio can you blame me? Black Belt Spectacular is just a few short Saturdays away, Promotion night is this week, and I am officially Mr. O for the week, along with my regular job. But I am not complaining! I love being busy, it keeps me focused, and I tend to stay more organized and on track when I barely have time to think. Sometimes when you are idle you tend to be lazy and un-motivated. It is hard to get up and start a project when you have been sitting on the couch for two hours. Keeping busy is a great way to push the "lazy" mindset out of the window. Then, when you do have down time, let's say on a Sunday afternoon, you enjoy it so much more because you have earned it!

The studio is hopping with moms taking class this month, and there is such a new level of energy in Adult class that it is contagious! (Mr. C is also loving all the attention). I am very proud of these women who decided to stop watching and start doing something. Being active is the key to not only a healthy body, but a healthy mind! Your kids will also thank you later, when you have the energy to help them with homework and chores! And when you put that bathing suit on this summer, you will appreciate the fact that you did get up off that chair and pushed yourself to do those Inside Crescent kicks.

These is still time to try class moms - it's free for the month of May! Dads - you are next!

ASAH!
Miss Anne
Action Karate Newtown
215-820-1082
www.actionnewtown.com

PAY IT FORWARD

Miss Anne's Blog for the April Shark Bites Newsletter at Action Karate Newtown 215-820-1082 www.actionnewtown.com

As part of our Black Belt test, each candidate is asked to do a Linked-In Project. The goal of this project is to have each candidate “Pay it Forward” by organizing a personal project to help promote the benefits of Martial Arts training to others. Martial Arts Black Belts have for centuries, passed down their knowledge to beginners as a way to extend the chain of Martial Artists.

Our Black Belt candidates are the FIRST ever from Action Karate Newtown. We are very excited and proud of all they have accomplished in the last three years. Our Junior candidates have learned nine self defense moves and seven katas. Our Adults have learned a whopping 81 moves, and 10 katas. Not to mention all the front kicks, spin kicks, side kicks, chicken kicks, tornado kicks, ax kicks, wheel kicks, roundhouse kicks, crescent kicks, rear kicks, and jump switch front kicks that they all have done. Oh, and the punches and blocks. Millions upon millions. And not only have they learned the art of Kenpo Karate, but they have also demonstrated Determination to make it this far. Focus to learn all the techniques and forms. Self-Discipline to put up with Mr. C’s tough workouts. And Respect for the martial arts and for others. That is a lot of information to “Pay it Forward”. 

Miss Julia has so far raised over $600.00 to sponsor a special needs student to take class here at Action Karate. Miss Jenna has had her Girl Scout troop here for class, and they had a blast! I am writing articles and blogs about my journey to Black Belt. The Howie family is spreading the word about us by attending events around the area. Miss Hope had Mr. C. teach her gym class at her school, Our Lady of Grace. Mr. Brian is having Mr. C teach gym class at his school, Quarry Hill Elementary. Miss Emily is writing an article to the local Mom’s Club Newsletter. Mr. Daniel is having the Demo Team perform at his school’s Hoop-Dee-Do. Mr. Larry is filming a commercial for a local television station. 

Now, I just need to say, that is totally AWESOME. I am so proud of the white belts that walked into our studio when we had blue carpet and gym equipment to move out of the way before class every night. The timid, shy and scared students who now perform in public, work hard and have an amazing amount of respect. Those same white belts work community events , visit nursing homes, help out in the younger classes as Leaders in Training or S.W.A.T. members, work birthday parties, sweep the floor, empty the trash cans, and make copies for us. Amazing families and even more amazing students. We would not be where we are today without hard work and dedication from these first Black Belt Candidates. 

Good luck to all on April 9th.... persistence is key, keep up the AWESOME work both at Action and at home, school, and work.

Promotion Night February 8 2011

Fitness: Promotion Week

Fitness: Promotion Week: "Promotion week is upon us again! It has been a crazy few months since our last promotion, we implemented a few new changes in the studio. We..."

PROMOTION WEEK

Promotion week is upon us again! It has been a crazy few months since our last promotion, we implemented a few new changes in the studio. We have a new place for all of our shoes and jackets, (thank you Green Street Construction) newly painted private lesson rooms and bathrooms. Our S.T.A.R. Projects are changing up to focus more on life lessons, and healthy goals. We have Zumba classes and Breakfast LIT meetings now also. A few new Instructors helping out in class. But the best change of all is how we have come full circle since the day we opened our doors three years ago.  


At our first Promotion we had seven students! Those original seven, plus twelve more are testing for their Black Belts in two months. I can name every single one without batting an eye. They have helped us to be who we are today. It has been an incredible journey, a lot of hard work, sweat, and tears. But most of all, it has all been extremely satisfying and fun. There were nights where we only had one student show up for class. (Thanks Danny). We never thought we would be where we are today.


We have grown so much and have been taught amazing lessons along the way. Some we stepped forward, some where we learned to take a step back. That is part of growing, and we never forget those challenges and trials. Along the way we met amazing children and adults who have become great martial artists even with the challenges and difficulties they have had to face. They teach us lessons every single day. Good lessons. How to keep going. How to move forward. How to laugh at yourself. How to be positive. And to NEVER give up.


So as we hand out the new belts this week, and shed a tear, or crack up at our Asah Sharks trying to tie their belts, the Ninjas who can't wait to do a million jumping jacks, just know that we are eternally grateful for the amazing journey the families at Action Karate Newtown have taken us on. Without you, we would never be where we are today.


"Whatever you are, be a good one".......Abraham Lincoln.


ASAH! 
Miss Anne

Motivate!

Best Ways to Motivate Your Child Toward a Life Time of Health and Fitness

As parents and potential grandparents, we have an investment in guarding our own health and fitness. We don't just want to watch from the sideline; we want to be able to keep up with the younger people in our lives. We have an even stronger urge to protect their health and fitness.

Here are six important facts to help you stay motivated to be physically active:

1. No matter what one's weight or gender, the biggest predictor of future exercise participation is past participation. Children who learn to enjoy physical activity or sports while they are young are much more likely to continue to do so as adults. Children will become intrinsically motivated to exercise when they are older if they experience it as being rewarding, fun, and relaxing when they are young.  These early experiences with health and fitness need to be very positive and enjoyable.

2. Character counts. People who are reliable, self-motivating, and disciplined are most likely continue with an exercise program. These traits are also best instilled at a young age and parents are the most influential models and teachers of these traits. If you want your child to be dependable then you must be dependable, too.

3. Level of self-control will influence if someone will participate in health and fitness programs. A person must believe that what they do matters when it comes to their health. Having access to and the latest information on health and fitness-related matters will increase a person's active participation. If they are unaware of how much control over their own health and fitness they actually have via diet, exercise, and other lifestyle choices they, will be less likely to do the things that are proven to enhance their health and fitness.

4. Perceived barriers such as a lack of time will discourage participation. Most health gains can be achieved in as little as two and a half hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, with additional moderate to vigorous muscle strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups two or more times a week.

5. Perceived barriers such as a lack of exercise facilities will also discourage participation. As it turns out, there is no place like home. Free weights and exercises with simple, inexpensive equipment can get the job done at home when people are given a well-designed, intelligent program to follow.

6. Social support from family and friends is an important predictor of whether someone will maintain an exercise program once they get started. Having someone to count on and someone counting on you to keep an exercise appointment can make all the difference. We can be key to each other's success.

Begin today to implement each of these six motivational tools. Exercising with your children in a playful way now will cause them to associate fitness with happiness. This is the key to their participation in healthy activities throughout their lives.

January is Fitness goals month at Action Karate Please call 1-888-99-SHARK to reserve your spot! or visit www.actionnewtown.com for more information.

Contributed by Solomon Brenner author of Black Belt Parenting and Master Instructor of Action Karate.