November 2004 Newsletter

This Newsletter is published monthly on this website to offer information and motivation to our readers.

Give Thanks to Those Who
Help Us Learn & Grow

by Joseph Galea

Martial arts instruction has evolved incredibly over the last two decades and has become an international phenomenon. Before the popularity and growth of the martial arts, instructors set their own standards for how information would be passed along to their students. Today’s instructors, however, have a wealth of resources and education at their disposal to aid them in their field.

Our teachers are going to great lengths to become better educators for their students. From videos to seminars, this generation’s martial arts instructors are becoming smarter by the day! These resources help them consistently provide better services to their martial arts students, who benefit tremendously from our instructor’s desire to become the best educators possible.

Did you know that martial arts instructors travel around the world to attend continuing education seminars that are both physically and mentally demanding? They attend seminars and events designed to improve their martial arts skill level and their educational knowledge. Our instructors work just as hard behind the scenes as they do on the training deck.

This holiday season is the perfect time to give thanks to the ones who inspire us. Martial arts instructors are often the unsung heroes in our world. They remind us of our strengths and how to use them properly. They provide us with constant encouragement and support as we conquer our challenges. They help us fulfill our goals and dreams one by one, day after day, week after week, and year after year. They are hard working and genuinely care about people and the community. Our instructors work hard for us, most likely harder than what we imagine. Now is a great time to let them know how much we care about them and appreciate their desire to help us be the best we can be. Let us say thanks to our heroes, mentors, and friends, the martial arts instructors!

action PRINCIPLES

By Bill FitzPatrick

Give Generously

Selflessly share your time and money because it is right. You will set in motion a chain of positive actions and reactions. To be unselfish, sharing, generous, bountiful, magnanimous, noble-minded and gracious is much more about attitude than about money. As much as you give, much more will you receive.

by Jennifer G. Galea MS RD

The teenage years are often when it’s most difficult to achieve and maintain optimal health, both physically and mentally. Teens still have increased nutritional needs due to growth and maturation, and yet, due to predominantly social factors, they are less likely to meet their needs. This age span is a challenge, as adolescents are neither children whose actions and dietary intake can be controlled by their parents, nor adults who are likely to have the knowledge and experience to make appropriate decisions. To positively impact a teenagers’ lifestyle decisions, parents need to start early, constantly encouraging both physical activity and healthful diet choices.

For teenagers, who are heavily influenced by social atmosphere, martial arts is a perfect “athletic” choice. Participants engage in physical activity in a social and yet supportive “family” atmosphere. And according to recent studies, the mental health of this age group is dramatically affected by physical activity. So by participating in a martial arts program, teens can obtain all the physical benefits of exercise (improved caloric balance, heart and circulatory health, flexibility, balance, etc.) along with this important psychological benefit. And with martial arts, teens are more likely to “stick with it,” as there plenty of achievement incentives built in.

In terms of diet, the most difficult nutrients for this age group to consume appear to be those from dairy products. Although calcium needs remain high for teens, this age group tends to reduce their liquid milk intake. If there is one food that you should encourage your teen to consume, it is milk. Skim milk, even when flavored, is an excellent source of both calcium and vitamin D, not to mention protein. And studies show that with higher dairy intake, even adults do not have higher overall intakes of fat or cholesterol. So for a nutritionally sound diet, encourage milk and dairy product consumption from a very young age.

Because you may not be present for most of your teen’s meals and snacks, be sure to always offer a nutritious meal in the evening. Remember that being nutritionally balanced doesn’t have to mean a laborious meal. In addition, keep an ample stock of healthful snack choices available in your home to encourage healthy between-meal snacks.

Don’t forget that you are your child’s most important role model. If you are regularly physically active and make healthful food choices for yourself and your family, your child or teen is more likely to mimic these behaviors, and in fact, see them as “the usual.”

American Self-Defense & Fitness Center
464 Market Street Sadde Brook, NJ 07663

Also our new location at: 156C West Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662 Your Source for Expert Martial Arts, Self Defense, and Fitness Instruction