November 2003 Newsletter

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

Martial Arts Helps Make Parenting Easier

by Joseph Galea

Our goal as martial arts instructors is to develop strong self-defense skills in our students.However, creating an expert martial artist involves more than instilling physical skills.We are equally focused on developing the character of our students.That’s why so many parents bring their children to martial arts training and why it helps make parenting easier. In addition to teaching strong discipline and good manners in a positive social environment, martial arts training helps children channel aggression and energy, provides them with praise and positive reinforcement, and develops leadership skills.

It’s amazing how a person one third your size can have three times your energy! Sometimes this “extra”energy can be directed to the wrong areas.Martial arts training gives children an opportunity to channel energies, even aggressive ones, in a controlled environment where they learn what is and isn’t acceptable behavior.This is a martial arts benefit that is often the result of long-term reinforcement at home and in class. Don’t expect immediate results if your little martial artist is new to class.

We all know that praise can work wonders for a child’s self-esteem. However, too much praise can also work against them. In our class, children need a certain amount of correction so that they can develop their skills and form good technical habits.We understand that while making a correction, it is also good to point out something positive.This helps learning and builds real confidence.Think of praise like frosting on a cake: a little makes it taste better but too much will ruin everything.

If you had the choice,would you want your child to be a great leader or a great follower? As a leader, your child ultimately will make decisions based on his or her judgment (upon which you have had an influence) and not the judgment of others. Leadership is the ultimate defense against the forces of peer pressure. That’s why developing leadership skills are essential to our instruction. In martial arts, leadership responsibility is dictated in the form of rank.As rank is increased, responsibility in class and to fellow students is increased. Students learn how to deal with leadership challenges and are given more opportunities to develop this skill.

The adult your child becomes will be based on childhood experiences. We are proud to have the opportunity to help you prepare your child for lifelong success!

 

 

action PRINCIPLES

Improve Yourself

By Bill FitzPatrick

Every day think of small ways to become stronger, more self-disciplined and more self-reliant. Become aware.What are you doing at home, at work or at the gym? What are you doing to train your body and mind? How are your savings and investments doing? What are you doing to make your life more comfortable and peaceful? How are you filling your life with beauty? Don’t let your life pass in a succession of boring days. Small actions done consistently yield tremendous results!

by Jennifer G. Galea MS RD

Probably all people have been afflicted by food cravings or “the munchies” at some point in their lives.This tends to happen most during periods of stress and boredom. So what is the best way to combat this desire for “ comfort foods?”

First, try to resolve the conditions that cause these cravings. The best remedy for stress is exercise, especially martial arts training which also incorporates many other techniques for stress control. Besides being healthier than indulging in a food cravings, physical activity keeps you feeling better for longer.

And if your munchies are brought about by boredom, getting active is the best solution, as well.You can also try delaying your intake of the food, and maybe the craving will go away.

Second, accept that it is okay for you to seek comfort in the foods you eat.The keys to not letting your comfort foods ruin your chances of a healthy diet are twofold:

1. Beware of your portions. One chocolate chip cookie is not going to destroy your diet, but a whole box of them is going to be impossible to compensate for.

2.Make healthful substitutions for your favorite foods.Try sherbet topped with fresh fruit instead of ice cream with marshmallow topping. Pretzels dipped in mustard instead of potato chips and dip are another idea.You can substitute fruit puree (such as applesauce) for about half the fat in baked goods, such as coffeecakes.To control your portions of baked goods, after your craving has abated, give away the leftovers to co-workers or neighbors, or simply throw them out.

Deal with your emotions in a positive way. Exercise daily and attend your martial arts classes regularly. Recognize your personal comfort foods and indulge in them without compromising your overall healthful lifestyle.

 

By Tyler, Age 11

Martial arts has taught me some very important lessons like discipline, courage, work ethic, determination and confidence. The discipline that martial arts and kickboxing has given me has helped with my school work and competition. I have gained confidence and a greater work ethic through my six years of training. Martial arts has given me the courage to overcome fears that we kids never tell adults about. When I was five years old, just getting into the ring took a tremendous amount of courage and determination. The discipline I acquired through my training gave me the drive to conquer fear during my toughest battles. My motto from then on was to never give up. If I had any advice to give other young martial artists, it would be to always work harder and never give up.

Tyler currently trains under Ron Chewning, Jason Sorrell and Frank Price, his dad, at Sportsplex Health and Fitness owned by Jeff

 

 

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

Also our new location at:
156C West Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662

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