March 2003 Newsletter

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

 

Hey Kids, Why Are There So Many Rules?

by Joseph Galea

April 2003

Imagine if you woke up one morning and there were absolutely no rules to follow. What would life be like if you could sleep until 11:00 am and skip school? Imagine if you could drive a car anywhere you wanted without needing a driver’s license. What if you could eat your favorite snack food as your dinner? How about going to bed anytime you wanted? Although living with no rules might initially be appealing, life without rules would be very detrimental to your life.No school means no education.No minimum driving age results in more traffic accidents.Not eating well-balanced meals keeps you from being physically fit, strong and ultimately healthy. Ignoring sensible bedtimes deprives your body of much rest needed to restore your energy. Rules are actually essential to our overall well-being as individuals and as a society.

At our school,we have rules that we ask our students and parents to follow. Some rules are simple, such as coming to class prepared and on time.This allows classes to start punctually and therefore to be a benefit to all students. Students should arrive in proper clothing that is neat and clean.This shows respect for your school and for yourself.There should be no disruptive talking while classes are in session.This allows students to properly focus their attention on their training.These basic rules teach responsibility, respect, and courtesy for others.The rules are put in place for your benefit as well as the benefit of our school as a group.As students of the martial arts, it is important to embrace all school rules and allow them to guide you to becoming better martial artists.

It’s true that martial arts schools tend to be more strict than many other places or activities you may attend. But this is also why martial arts training has earned a positive reputation for helping children to develop better self-discipline. It is our goal that all students can take the rules of our school and apply them to their everyday lives at home, at their scholastic school, and eventually at their careers. So the next time you read or hear a rule, policy, or regulation, ask yourself how this will make you a better person and make the rule your own?

 

action principles Cause Change

By Bill FitzPatrick

The status quo may be comforting, but for there to be growth, there must be change. Since you seek growth, you must seek change.You must see yourself and your environment not only as it is, but also as it could and should be.You seek the changes necessary to reach the better you so that you can play your part in making a better world. First, you change yourself. Can you change your day and spend more time with your family? Can you change your standard lunch routine and take a walk? Can you change your drive home and stop at a nursing home for twenty minutes and see someone who may have few visitors? Can you change your office habits and find the time to make five more phone calls? What are the possible consequences of not changing? Realize that many people don’t make plans because they don’t want to risk any change. Doing little with your life is much easier and safer than taking risks, but then you will be a small person. Instead, seek the changes, which will allow you to be all that you can be.

 

Tips for Making “Easy Meals” Healthy

By Jennifer G.Galea MS RD

Probably all of us would love to eat healthy home-cooked foods for every meal every day. But who has the time to eat such meals, let alone prepare them each day? Many of us rely on prepared foods, takeout, or dining out. Here are a few suggestions for improving the healthfulness of “easy” meals, based on recommendations from the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Perking up Prepared Foods

You can eat healthfully while eating “easy,” it just takes a little bit more thought than choosing what sounds the tastiest to you at the time. Focus on cutting down on the fat and increasing the veggies while trying to maintain variety, and everything will fall into place.

The Martial Arts is my Life

By Peter Evans, Age 13

Mum enrolled me in the martial arts 7 years ago so I could defend myself! Now I realize just how much more I have gained from my training. My focus has improved not only during training but also at school. I recently received a class excellence award which proved to me that I was concentrating more at school too. I have already reached many of my goals. I am a proud Junior Black Belt, a member of the Leadership Team, Demonstration Team and a Class Assistant. Having the opportunity to help teach other junior students is rewarding for me and I love giving back some of my knowledge. I hope my dream to become an instructor becomes reality one day.

I train 3 times a week and have a study timetable to make sure I keep up with my school work. I find myself practicing often, physically and also going through moves in my mind. My training is great and also hard work!

I love my training so much - it’s my main passion. My little brother is following in my footsteps and because we practice together we get along well with each other. He is beginning to feel how I feel about training in the martial arts.

My training gives me confidence and I feel I can handle life’s challenges. I’ve tried most sports and the martial arts gives me all that I need.

Peter Evans is a student at Jonathon & Alyson Hourigan’s Defence Fit (Australia)

 

Want to See a Positive
Change in Your Child?
Give us Two Lessons!

In just two lessons we can create an impressive change in your child’s behavior. The martial arts teach respect, focus, concentration and the power of a positive mental attitude. Best of all, our professional instructors make it fun and safe! Call us now!