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.

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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!

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. 

Martial Arts and Fitness Part II

Many people sign up for martial arts because of the desire for a fun activity, or to learn self-control.  Many people, however, are not aware of the physical fitness benefits of martial arts like taekwondo and karate.  If you are looking to improve your fitness, or maintain an already healthy lifestyle, we may be just what you are looking for!

1. Improved Cardiovascular Health.

The running, workouts, kicking, punching, and technique drills used in our class get your heart rate moving.  Studies show that the more your heart works during exercise, the stronger that it gets.  Doctors recommend that adults get at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise every day.

2. Weight Loss

It takes a difference of 3500 calories to lose 1 pound.  By reducing the amount you eat, and exercising more, that goal is not as hard as it may seem.  According to Map My Fitness app, just one 45 minute ATA Martial Arts class burns over 600 calories!   A simple lifestyle change and attendance in class can help you lose weight!

3. Improved Reflexes.

Being a good martial artist takes practice and repetition.  Soon your body learns what we call "muscle memory." This is when your body has done the same moves so many times that you can defend yourself without thinking.  This improves the use of your joints. 

4. Stress Relief

Face it.. Many times adults feel like punching something/someone.  We keep this bottled up inside (since it's illegal in all states to punch someone).  This actually hurts the body, especially the heart.  The drills and sparring involved in martial arts actually give a positive way to release the stress from the body.  The endorphins released into your body during the workout have been shown in studies to stay in your body as long as four hours after class.  (Improving your mood when you get home.)

We have programs for all ages, and hope that we can help you on your road to fitness. Please visit our website at www.sulphurspringsata.com for more information and special offer to start you on the journey. Remember, as the saying goes, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."  Take the step toward health and call today.

Daron Bilyeu
Co-Owner and Instructor
Sulphur Springs ATA Martial Arts

Martial Arts and Fitness

One of the top questions I hear about martial arts and taekwondo training is "Do you think it would help me get in shape?" My answer is always a resounding yes.  Even though I am the dad, after our first child, I gained up to an unhealthy weight. 

And by the end of a year of solid training toward my belt testing, I dropped over 50 pounds to return to a weight I had not seen since before high school. 

Ready to start your journey?  Go to www.sulphurspringsata.com and enter your information to receive a special offer to start your journey to black belt and a healthier you!