Planning extracurricular activities for your child

The beginning of the school year also means you will be enrolling your kids in extracurricular activities. If you want your child to be physically active, a sport is probably at the top of your list. But which ones do you choose? With so many out there, you and your child might be taking a stab in the dark. Instead of going with popular team sports, like baseball or soccer, consider martial arts. Here are just a few reasons why a martial sport can benefit your child:

Goal setting
Learning to set and work toward goals are important skills everyone needs. At a young age, your kids are probably just starting to learn how to do this, and discovering the ability can help them succeed in school. Martial arts can help your kids create and achieve goals. 

Martial arts feature belts, which students are awarded after learning certain skill sets. As such, they have goals built right into the curriculum. In addition to that, the instructor can help your student create his or her own goals, such as being able to reach his or her toes when stretching or being able to kick higher than his or her belly button.

Goals will become a normal part of your kids' lives, so they'll be able to create academic ones during the school year, too.

Year-round learning
Team sports only take place during certain seasons, meaning your kids will be busy and active during certain times and sedentary during others. Martial arts, on the other hand, are practiced year round. Your child can start this fall and continue as long as he or she wants. This ensures your children are fit and healthy constantly. What's more, it provides activity during holidays – in fact, many martial arts schools create summer camps so kids have something to do when they're out of school and their parents are at work.

Individual development
Team sports require kids to work together. This, of course, is an important skill to have, but it means that certain children struggle to keep up. Kids who may be new to a team sport might slow their team down. Experienced kids could get frustrated with less-seasoned ones. Martial arts, on the other hand, encourage individual development. Kids are competing against themselves, constantly striving to improve. Your child doesn't have to keep up with his or her peers and can just focus on individual goals. This has another byproduct: building self-confidence.

Self-awareness
Most martial arts classes have a mix of age groups, so your child might be paired with kids a few years older or younger than he or she is. This helps everyone in the class gain more self-awareness. Your kids will see that they can achieve difficult goals the way the older kids can. It'll also show that younger children can do great things. What's more, most classes are coed, allowing kids to gain respect for girls and boys alike.

Finally, by making mistakes and overcoming obstacles, your kids will learn what they're own strengths and weaknesses are – they'll learn to be reflective.

With so many positive benefits, it's easy to see why martial arts can be a great alternative to team sports.

Ready to enroll today?  Visit www.sulphurspringsata.com or call 903-243-8767 and get your first month for only $49 with a FREE uniform included and No Long-Term Contracts!

Originally published at https://kicksite.net/newsletters/value-of-martial-arts/planning-extracurricular-activities-for-your-child

Martial arts and anxiety

Martial arts and anxiety

Most people experience anxiety at some point or another. Whether it's planning a big event, preparing for an upcoming interview or simply going through a busy couple of weeks, we all find ourselves on edge once in a while. But what do you do if you or your children constantly experience stress? Talking to a doctor is a good first step, but martial arts can help from there.

Anxious adults
Not all adults with chronic anxiety issues realize they have a problem. Many people attribute their stress to outside circumstances or convince themselves they simply haven't had sufficient time to decompress. This may in fact be the case – however, if you find your stress levels are high no matter how much relaxation time you set aside, there may be a bigger issue.
Anxiety disorders can have more than just emotional affects. Poor sleep, twitching muscles, and frequent colds or viruses can also indicate you're overstressed. When these go on for weeks or months at a time, it's worth asking your doctor for advice.

What does child anxiety look like?
Because children haven't yet developed the tools to handle difficult emotions – or in some cases, the language to describe them – anxiety can be hard to spot. For kids, anxiety can look like poor impulse control, dropping grades or disruptive behavior. It can also easily be misread as normal shyness. This means that it can be difficult to even recognize a problem, much less work to address it.
If you're concerned your child might struggle with chronic anxiety, there are ways to help. Encourage your children to express their feelings in healthy, productive ways. One such activity that works well for children and adults is martial arts.

How martial arts helps
The simplest and most straightforward way martial arts practice can help those with anxiety is giving them a physical outlet. Chronic stress often results in a lot of pent-up energy and emotion, which can burst out in the form of panic attacks, breakdowns or even aggression. An activity like martial arts calls for big bursts of explosive energy, making it the perfect way to work out that lingering tension. Physical exercise also encourages endorphin production, which directly improves your mood, and the energy burnt while working out can make it easier to sleep come bedtime.

While martial arts' explosive aspects make it a particularly good workout for anxious people, its biggest benefits are psychological. No matter what kind of martial art you pursue, discipline and self-trust are going to be a huge focus. All martial arts philosophies are built on learning how to rely on your instincts and make quick, confident decisions. People who are constantly stressed about work, school or other parts of their lives can bring this practice with them outside of the classroom.
Anxiety can have a serious impact on one's mental and physical health. However, healthy outlets like martial arts can help chronically anxious children and adults work out their worries in a healthy, productive way.

See how we can help your family.  Visit www.sulphurspringsata.com or call 903-243-8767 to enroll today!

Originally published at KickSite Mat Chat https://kicksite.net/newsletters/value-of-martial-arts/martial-arts-and-anxiety

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Helping children with ADHD could be as easy as enrolling them in Tae Kwon Do classes

Some parents will try anything to help their child who is suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, looking for a cure for the condition that can affect the development of their son or daughter. One common method that is believed to treat ADHD is computer-based training programs that can stimulate cognitive functions. While these initiatives have been found to allow children to work on their short-term memory, psychology professor Mark Rapport and his team of researchers at University of Central Florida found that these computer-based training programs are not proven to treat kids with ADHD.

"Parents are desperate for help," said Rapport, who runs the Children's Learning Clinic IV at UCF. "If they can afford it, they are willing to spend the money, and some parents even enroll their children in private schools because they offer these cognitive training programs. But there is no empirical evidence to show those investments are worthwhile."

The programs don't improve working memory
One of the biggest problems faced by children with ADHD is their working memory suffers greatly. Kids with a strong working memory are usually solid performers in school, well-behaved and easy to get along with. After Rapport and his team analyzed data from 25 studies on the matter, they concluded that computer-based training programs do not create opportunities for long-term cognitive improvements.

Rapport doesn't discount the value of the learning systems, but he does imply that parents should save their money if they are hoping these computer-based training programs will help cure their son or daughter of ADHD. Perhaps enrolling children in Tae Kwon Do training classes is a better investment.

Turn extra energy into positive energy
Many children who suffer from ADHD are constantly bouncing off the walls, which is exactly why it may be a good idea for their parents to get them involved in Tae Kwon Do. Training and learning the techniques of the martial arts gives kids an opportunity to channel their extra energy into focus to quickly develop an understanding of the tenets of Tae Kwon Do.

Instructors often express to their students that they need to have a strong mind before a strong body. Children will have to learn how to train their minds to succeed in Tae Kwon Do and the development of their skills will begin to take care of itself. Considering Tae Kwon Do as a way to help children with ADHD can be a solid alternative to medicating them or making them complete computer-based training programs that don't have the same results.

See how we can help your child with ADHD.  Call 903-243-8767 or visit www.sulphurspringsata.com to start today!

Originally published at KickSite Mat Chat newslietter March 2013

Martial arts training aids children with ADHD

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 diagnosed with ADHD as a child, he told ADDitude magazine.

firsthand as he was

Pyle struggled as a child because his public school didn’t know how to deal with his condition, and it wasn’t until he found martial arts that he was able to overcome some of his mental hurdles. Now he uses his experience to help children with the disorder. After all, many studies show complex physical activity, like martial arts, helps students strengthen neural networks in the brain and learn how to control their impulses.

“My job is to look beyond a student’s diagnosis and find ways to motivate him while playing up his strengths,” Pyle told the magazine.

Martial arts helps children with ADHD find direction
Suffering through ADHD himself has allowed Pyle to feel rewarded as his students take steps to build their mental strength. Martial arts can be critical in the development of children as it helps them learn life lessons that they can carry with them after their time at the school is over. Here are some of the benefits that students with ADHD are able to take away from martial arts training:

• Improved ability to communicate: Not only does martial arts require students to work together on their craft, but it also teaches respect. This can be worthwhile for children with ADHD because they can often lack the patience necessary to get along with others. Learning how to work together in a team environment is a timeless skill.
• Higher self esteem: Children with knowledge of their disorder may feel embarrassed or have low self esteem. With martial arts training, students can get a sense of achievement as they move up the ranks. This will help with their self-confidence outside the school.
• Better self-discipline: Martial arts students must learn to control their brains before they can be successful in class. While this can be an especially difficult challenge for those with ADHD, learning self-discipline will help children start a path to coping with their disorder.

Learn how we can help support your child with ADD/ADHD.  Get your first month of martial arts classes for only $49 with a FREE uniform included.  Call 903-243-8767 or visit www.sulphurspringsata.com to register today!

The Control Contradiction in Martial Arts

A study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology revealed that martial arts training is effective at teaching self-control. It makes sense, given that martial arts practitioners have to perform moves carefully and in a certain way, and behave respectfully during class. They regulate their actions and the power behind their strikes, and many individuals feel more in control of their lives after studying a discipline. But the irony of martial arts is that you have to relinquish control before you find it.

Leave egos at the door
Starting a new martial art is a humbling experience: You don't know any of the techniques those around you seem to have no problem performing. Even students who have been studying for years get knocked down, mess up a form or forget a skill. Every time you enter the class, you have to leave your ego at the door, knowing you are not perfect – and that's OK. Eventually, your body will learn the techniques, and you will progress in your training.

However, if you try to control your training, you'll fail to learn. Instead of trying to control everything, let go. Focus on listening to your instructor and your peers and feeling the way your body is moving.

Letting your instructor lead the way
Some people also have a hard time trusting their instructors. This relative stranger is telling you to move your body in ways you may never have before, so the fear of letting go is understandable. However, the instructor is your ally, and he or she is asking you to do new things to help you grow.

There will be days in your training when you want to progress to new techniques, but your instructor is making you drill the basics. Or, you might be itching to test for the next belt. Your instructor knows what he or she is doing. Trust in the experts, and you'll become a better martial artist.

Once you give up control, you'll start mastering yourself and the discipline.

Start your path to discipline today with our FREE trial class and your first month for only $49 with FREE Uniform included.  Visit www.sulphurspringsata.com to register today!

article originally published at Kicksite MAT chat newsletter.  

Can martial arts help kids focus?

What characteristics define the ideal martial artist? Films like "Ip Man" and "Fearless" depict legendary masters as practitioners who are focused, calm, kind and disciplined. And while every martial artist may have his or her own view of what a true master is like, it's hard to argue against traits like self-regulation. In fact, to rise in rank, students have to motivate themselves, push past their comfort zones and internalize the skills they're taught. It's for this reason martial arts have a reputation for instilling focus.

If your child lacks focus in school, can martial arts help? Possibly.

How martial arts teach focus
Whether your child wants to learn a modern or traditional martial art, he or she will be exposed to a structured environment. Most instructors lay out codes of conduct for their classes, which include practices like bowing, reciting mottos and staying on task. Getting distracted is much more difficult if an instructor requires students to pay attention and calls out those who aren't following the rules.

Additionally, martial-arts moves can be complicated, as they combine both upper- and lower-body movement. Your child will have to focus to be able to not only perform new actions, but also commit them to muscle memory.

Finally, martial arts can be fun! If your child enjoys the training – and the sense of accomplishment and self-confidence that come with it – he or she will be motivated to remain focused during class. Practice makes perfect, and the more your child exercises concentration in the studio, the easier it will be for him or her to do so in school.

Studies in intervention
The structure of martial arts seems to support developing focus, but what does research say? According to a study published in the Journal of Pedagogical Development, the benefits of martial arts reach beyond self-defense and encompass the building of self-regulation. This basically means martial arts teach kids a variety of skills that help them avoid reacting impulsively.

Visit www.sulphurspringsata.com to see how we may be able to help your child learn to focus.  

Life lessons you can learn from martial arts

Training in martial arts teaches more than physical fitness. In fact, by training in martial arts, kids, adults and seniors can pick up on a plethora of life lessons. All those kicks, punches and times you've been knocked to the mat may just teach you a thing or two about making your way through life. With that in mind, here are some of the valuable lessons you can learn during training:

Perseverance is something you choose
No one masters martial arts in a day – that's why it's called an art. You have to pour in years of practice and dedication to get to a "master" level, and even then your work isn't done. During the time you study your chosen martial art, you will make mistakes. You'll be knocked down or feel like you don't have the energy to keep moving. This is when you can make a choice to either persevere or give up. Perseverance doesn't happen automatically. It is an intentional decision every individual must make, and martial arts will force you to choose. The good news is that your peers and teachers will be there with you, cheering you on.

Learning never ends
While you can earn a black belt or the rank of "master" in martial arts, you'll never stop learning. The most skilled fighters know that they can always improve, which motivates them to keep training and testing their limits. In fact, your instructor probably still takes classes and trains with others. The same is true of things you learn in other facets of life. Whether it's your job or a hobby, you can always improve your skills. Adopt this attitude in martial arts and in life, and you'll be more likely to grow in your abilities and as a person.

Challenging yourself will help you grow
As you train in martial arts, you'll quickly notice that who you practice with and how hard you work affects your growth. Pairing with students who have greater experience than you can help you learn new skills more quickly. What's more, working hard on your own time and going to tournaments will kick​-start improvement. Essentially, martial arts will teach you that challenging yourself and going outside of your comfort zone will pay off, no matter what you're doing.

Even small steps matter
You may not notice many of the improvements you make while you train in martial arts. But low and behold, after some training time has passed, you'll see just how far you've come. Martial arts can teach you that seemingly insignificant steps ultimately lead to a brighter future. In other words, change is slow, but it's happening constantly. The same is true in all areas of life. Saying "yes" to something small you would otherwise have passed up could lay the foundation for things to come.

You are stronger than you think
After persevering, challenging yourself and making small steps, you'll soon realize that you're stronger than you could have ever imagined. Those falls, mistakes and losses all helped you become who you are, and you ultimately succeeded. Even in work, home and personal life, you are strong. Martial arts merely shows you in what ways. 

While martial arts offers physical benefits, it can also help you see possibilities. Remember these life lessons you received while training and bring them with you through daily life.

Start your journey today for only $49 with a FREE Uniform included.  Visit www.sulphurspringsata.com or call 903-243-8767

Originally posted at KickSite Mat Chat Newsletter

Martial arts strengthen family bonds

It's important children learn values that will help guide them on their journeys through life. The most effective teachers of these values: family members. In fact, experts from the University of Illinois Family Works Extension maintain a child's home is the place he or she will learn important values.

Strong family bonding will help instill moral standards to children as they grow up. In 2007, researchers form Penn State University reached out to family members who trained in martial arts together. Researchers quickly discovered how much parents valued the time together as a family unit.

"In this world of busy schedules, family time gets more and more limited," replied a 40-year old wife and mother of four, who had been training in martial arts with her family for over a year when the survey was conducted. "Training together allows for one more time that we can be together as a family, not only on the deck, but even just the car ride to and from the dojo."

Although the survey was conducted years ago, her answer still holds true today. Here are some ways martial arts can help build a stronger family bond:

Time
One of the biggest obstacles when attempting to establish a strong family bond is trying to find time in every family member's schedule to spend with each other. Training together encourages every member of your family to make the time to practice at the studio at the same time.

Common ground
It doesn't just stop with time spent in the studio either. As parents, it can be difficult to relate to children due to a lack of common ground. By practicing the same martial art together, family members instantly have a hobby in common, and as a result, have even more to talk about.

Respect
Parents fight hard to earn the respect of their children. Martial arts instructors teach students to respect fellow instructors and peers, both inside and out of the studio. That sense of respect can be applied to other facets of life, including familial relations.

Discipline
Martial arts students are taught to stick to a practice schedule and attend classes regularly. The discipline to do so will be applied to other areas of a child's life, too.

Exercise
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children and adolescents should be physically active for 60 minutes per day. Practicing martial arts is a fun and safe way for family members of all ages to get the daily exercise they need.

The family that kicks together sticks together.  Start today and enjoy our great family discounts.  Visit www.sulphurspringsata.com or call 903-243-8767 to register.

Originally posted at KickSite.net MAT Chat Newsletter. 

4 tips for parenting children with ADHD

If your child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, know that you're not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 percent of children between the ages of 4 and 17 were diagnosed with ADHD in 2011. Parenting children with this disorder can definitely be challenging and – at times – overwhelming. Here are four tips for parenting children with ADHD:

1. Help your children get more rest
While proper sleep is important for all children, it is especially critical for those with ADHD. Adequate rest will help calm your kids down and increase their concentration during the day. To help your children get to sleep faster, eliminate caffeine from their diet and make sure they get plenty of exercise throughout the day. It is also helpful for your children to do a relaxing activity before bedtime, like taking a bath or meditating.

2. Enroll them in martial arts classes
It turns out that martial arts can do much more than keep children in good shape and improve their self-confidence. The sport can also help improve ADHD symptoms. According to ADDitude Magazine, martial arts is beneficial for those with ADHD because it helps improve neural networks in the brain and makes it easier to practice self-control. Sulphur Springs ATA has a great sign up special right now to help you begin this journey. 

3. Establish a routine
Because children with ADHD can easily get distracted and lose focus, it's important to establish a routine for them. This way, they can finish everything they're supposed to and not get flustered. Have your kids wake up, eat breakfast, do homework and play at the same times every day.

4. Feed them healthy snacks
According to Everyday Health, feeding children with ADHD nutritious snacks can keep them calm and prevent mood swings. Keep sugary treats to a minimum and fill your children up with foods that contain protein and healthy carbohydrates. For example, give your kids hummus as a snack before dinner. It's packed with fiber, protein and vitamins, so it will help your children stay calm and focused. Dried fruit and nuts are another great protein-packed snack to give your children. However, be careful not to give your children too much dried fruit and nuts as they can be high in calories.

Help your child by enrolling in Sulphur Springs ATA Martial Arts.  Visit www.sulphurspringsata.com, call 903-243-8767, or visit us on Facebook to start today.  

Originally published at KickSite Mat Chat Newsletter. 

Sparring Clinic with Master Hill

We had a great time this weekend working on sparring techniques with Master Dometrius Hill of Tyler TX.  Check out this video.  For more information, visit www.sulphurspringsata.com

Findint an outlet for ADD or ADHD Through Martial Arts

Kids who have attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder find focusing on a challenging task difficult. They're easily distracted and often fidget. While children with ADD or ADHD should seek medical attention and potentially take medication, learning martial arts can support the work their doctors do. 

The staff at Sulphur Springs ATA Martial Arts have advanced training in educating young people with ADD or ADHD. The owners are both Texas state certified teachers, who have worked in the classroom and at the martial arts school for over 10 years.  

The study of martial arts
Because martial arts training is steeped in thousands of years of tradition, it's often associated with certain rituals, like bowing, performing katas, counting in a foreign language or shouting when delivering an attack. From the outside, it may all seem very formal, but this structure can have benefits for kids with ADD or ADHD. 

In class, students have to participate in the formal rituals in addition to concentrating on learning new moves. Children must see how their instructor performed the move and try to mimic it, a task that requires precision, observation and practice. The same goes for sparring. Students will get knocked down if they aren't focused on the fight.

For this reason, many people with ADD or ADHD report improvements in their symptoms after training in martial arts for some time.

''I talk about this all the time because I think it's a huge intervention,'' Dr. John Ratey, an associate professor of clinical psychology at Harvard Medical School, told The New York Times. ''It's becoming very popular as a means of treatment.''

Helpful, but not a cure
It's important to note that while many people experience benefits from training in martial arts, attending classes is not a replacement for medical treatment for ADD and ADHD. Think of it this way: Therapy with a doctor and medicine treat the mental and chemical issues caused by these disorders. Martial arts provide an outlet for kids who have excess energy they don't know how to spend. They can channel their ADD and ADHD through martial arts techniques to learn to get a better handle on their disorders, a skill they'll need beyond the dojo.

''Conceptually it makes sense to me, and I've seen it work clinically, but the martial arts are not a substitute for behavioral therapy or medication,'' Dr. Peter Jaksa, the president of the National Attention Deficit Disorder Association, told The Times. 

Mastering a martial art requires intense concentration and discipline, and because classes are fun for kids, they are more motivated to put in the effort to learn those skills. For children with ADD or ADHD, that may mean developing methods for dealing with symptoms, getting out aggression and finding calm. And when kids combine those lessons with their normal, prescribed treatments, they could find balance.

For more information about how our Karate 4 Kids program can compliment your traditional ADD or ADHD therapy, please visit www.sulphurspringsata.com or call 903-243-8767. 

(originally published at kicksite.net Mat Chat Newsletter)