Archive for karate

What’s your drive?

By admin on June 9, 2011 No Comments

Who’s driving your care and where are they going?

 

“Being confident, driven and hopeful.”

 

That’s how the ATA’s leadership manual defines attitude.

 

Are you driven?

 

I stumbled upon this during our weekly Leadership class. I realized that being driven is a HUGE part of your attitude. It’s difficult to just put on a smile for no reason. It’s hard to show up and do a job you don’t want to do. It’s not easy getting up each day and disciplining your children. Life is hard! Especially if you don’t have any drive.

 

If you’re going to improve your attitude you’ve got to identify your drive. What’s driving you? What’s driving you to work each day? What’s driving you with your family life? What’s driving you with your hobbies?

 

I can guarantee that if you don’t have drive you won’t have a very positive attitude about what your doing.

 

Now, let me be clear. Drive doesn’t mean you have to love something. You don’t have to love your job to work hard and have a positive attitude because you could be driven by the goal of making money to enjoy time with your family. You could be driven by your goal to improve your life. Your drive could be anything, but if you don’t have any you’re just stuck in neutral

 

People should be able to tell through your actions and your attitude that you are a driven individual. So let me give you one final suggestion. Find something that drives you that’s outside of yourself. If you’re driven by something bigger then yourself, in the end you’ll be more fulfilled.

 

So, what drives you?

Categories : ATA
Tags : , , , , , ,

If you’re over the age of 30, should you consider studying the martial arts?

By admin on March 17, 2011 No Comments
Well, yes –and no.

You should consider a regular, daily, exercise program. A sensible one; one that starts slow and lets your fitness sneak up on you (rather than hitting you over the head with it).

A martial arts program certainly has the potential to be a wonderfully complete training program, as it includes stretching, strength training, aerobic exercise, and requires a kind of mental focus akin to deep meditation. That is, if the instructor you choose has the right kinds of experience. Instructors that are under the age of 30 are often spectacular athletes, but it’s important that they have an understanding of how to teach people of all ages.

But Oh, find a great teacher and the martial arts can become your best friend. The training can keep you supple, sharp, and clear thinking. A martial arts school, directed by a conscientious teacher, can be a centering, inspiring, refreshing place that you love going to –and leave thinking about your next session.

Yes, look to the martial arts for new perspective on your life, after the age of 30. It’s not too late, even at 40, 50, or 60. To choose a school take their trial course (which should be free or close to it). All the best school offer new students an opportunity to test drive “the car” before buying. I think you should try my school, of course, but I might be a wee bit prejudice.

If you’re thinking about taking classes, allow me to be the first to invite you in. Mention that you’re over 30 and I will offer you 2 weeks of lessons to try us out (no strings attached). Warning: It’s fun, affordable, and invigorating. It’s never to late to start working out. The most difficult aspect of exercise is taking that first step.

Reach me here: 866-858-2102 or mrhayden@haydensata.com

Categories : ATA
Tags : , , , , , ,

March Through the Ranks Newsletter – Use Shark Theory

By admin on March 4, 2011 No Comments

 

CLICK HERE to download the latest edition of our Through the Ranks Newsletter!

Categories : ATA, Newsletters
Tags : , , , , , ,

Self-Defense is Found in the Simple Things

By admin on March 3, 2011 No Comments

We teach self-defense –and self-defense is found in the simplest of things. Kindness, for example; kindness is a beautiful form of self-defense. Good food –and the appreciation of it; there’s a fine, fine kind of self-defense. Oh, and how about love of community? Participation in –and love for –one’s community is a kind of self-defense that’s impossible to put a value on. And my favorite kind of self-defense is found in a simple rule, The Golden Rule:

Treat others as you would want them to treat you.

Simply perfect.

We like Tom Callos’ (www.tomcallos.com) description of self-defense too: “Self-defense isn’t only about personal protection, it’s about taking care of the people around you and the place you live as well.”

And of course, self-defense training is all you already imagined it to be, but with this particular attitude about it, self-defense becomes about living a good life. What a great idea.

For information about our school and self-defense lessons for today’s world, contact us today 866-858-2102.

Categories : ATA
Tags : , , , ,

Children’s Classes in Martial Arts, What to Expect

By admin on February 14, 2011 No Comments
Expect there to be one or more experienced teachers on the floor in your child’s class. Expect the teacher to, at times, appear to have the patience of Job. Expect a bit more, Oh how shall we say it? ENERGY, every so often. Expect the teacher, whether gently guiding everyone along or cranking up the troops, to wear a smile (a happy one!).

Expect a lot of talk about respect, about leadership, about good manners, about anger, about a whole bunch of things just about any parent would love to hear some OTHER adult talking to them about. That’s the way we do it.

“I haven’t been a ‘karate kid’ for some time, like decades, but the experience is still in my mind like it happened yesterday. Parents, enroll your child in a good martial arts school. You’ll never regret it — and your children will never forget it.” — Tom Callos, www.tomcallos.com

Expect a lot of good-sleep-inducing exercise. And expect some special events, as one of our primary goals is to teach our students to take what they practice on the mat and apply it to other things (like school, like work, like fun, and — to the community).

Expect to look back on your son or daughters martial arts lessons with great pleasure and fond memories. Expect, genuinely, some very good times.

For a free trial program and mark my words here, there’s no “hook” or sales pitch in this offer. This is simply a way for you to test drive our school, before ever THINKING about enrollment. Give us a call today 866-858-2102!

Categories : ATA
Tags : , , , ,

February Through the Ranks Newsletter – Courtesy

By admin on February 8, 2011 No Comments

Click HERE to download the latest issue of our newsletter. This month we talk about having Black Belt Courtesy!

Categories : ATA, Newsletters
Tags : , , , ,

Stop Bullying Awareness Day – February 9th

By admin on February 4, 2011 No Comments

Kendallville, IN – On February 9th concerned parents and students are leading an effort to bring more awareness to the problem of bullying in Noble County. Local parent, Robyn Funk has partnered with the Noble Bully Project and Miss Limberlost, Vicki McKee, to bring awareness to this growing problem.

“I want to help our community understand the problem. I don’t want to be a parent that just sits and complains I want to help others.” says Funk.

Students and parents are encouraged to wear a blue shirt on February 9th to show support for the cause. You can even buy a special “The End of Bullying Begins with Me” shirt ($8.50) from Mr. B’s in Kendallville with profits from the shirts will go to the Noble Bully Project here in Noble County.

Not only are students encouraged to wear blue but they will also be encouraged to sign the PACER Center’s “The End of Bullying Begins with Me.” Some local schools will have copies at their school for students to sign. If you’d like to get a petition at your school please contact Robyn Funk (funkr@att.net). You can also sign the petition online at www.noblebullyproject.com.

Categories : ATA
Tags : , , , , , , ,

Advice for Men and Women over the age of 40, Thinking About Taking Martial Arts Classes

By admin on February 1, 2011 No Comments
First, take it slow. No, really. There’s no hurry, it’s not a competition, and you’re not 20 anymore (even though you look like it). Going too hard, too fast, is why a lot of people who would like to enjoy all the benefits of training, no longer practice the martial arts (or any number of activities). Go too fast, get injured; get injured, quit training.

Second, if the instructor is your age (or older), that’s a good thing. If he or she is younger, make sure they know who’s the boss (you!). You only do what your body says you can do. If and when a class moves into an area you, for sure, want to avoid, you can always find an alternative way to stay engaged. What you shouldn’t do is “100 reps” when your body is telling you the 50 would be wise. Trust me, your teacher will appreciate your input. Give yourself enough time and you will not only keep up with the group, you might be leading it!

Be consistent. Being inconsistent about class attendance can dampen the fire of your enthusiasm. Stay on course!

Try out the class you’re interested, first, before enrolling. There’s nothing wrong with trying a week or even two weeks of classes with an instructor you’re interested in studying with. Most all schools will provide you with an introductory or trial course, without a fee (if you like classes, they’re going to know you for a long, long time). If a school doesn’t offer an introductory, it’s a red flag to enrollment.

By the way, call Hayden’s ATA (866-858-2102) today to receive a free introductory course, good for you and up to 5 family and/or friends.

Tom Callos, 51 years of age and a 40 year veteran of martial arts practice (see his bio at www.tomcallos.com) offers the following advice:

“Don’t hesitate to enroll in martial arts classes,” says Callos. “It’s a wonderful, thorough, and engaging form of exercise. Just be mindful about the way you practice. Study some of the history of the art you engage in. Enjoy the process of improvement.”

Categories : ATA
Tags : , , , , , , ,

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Karate, Taekwondo, or Jiu-jitsu, which is Best?

By admin on January 27, 2011 No Comments
This is an article (written by Tom Callos) full  of shopping advice. If you’re shopping for a martial arts school, for training, then you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve been studying the martial arts for 40 years, I’m a 6th degree black belt in taekwondo, a 17 year practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and my students have include national taekwondo champions, karate point-fighters, and mixed martial arts legends. So, when it comes to martial arts training, in every — and any — realm, I know (exactly) what I’m talking about.

Here are three piece of advice for you, regardless of the kind of martial arts you might be interested in:

  • It’s the coach, the teacher, that makes the “style,” not the other way around. Look for a coach you respect, look for a teacher you feel you have rapport with. If a martial arts teacher treats you poorly, leave. If he or she treats you with respect, you might be in the right place.
  • Find a teacher that has a kind of training that speaks to the kind of training you like to do (or think you would like to do). If the class is too easy or too slow for you, say so. If it’s too hard core, consider finding another teacher (or at least address the issue with the instructor). Some teachers will use apparatus to train, some will only need mats or mirrors or a hardwood floor.  If you have the luxury of choices, then choose a kind of training that fits your fitness level and interests.
  • Every good school offers and introductory program that allows prospective students to try classes before they enroll. If a school does not offer a free trial class or classes, don’t enroll.

(Note: Call this phone number to get a one-week free trial program at our school 866-858-2102).

  • Don’t sign any sort of long term contract for lessons with an instructor until you know him or her very, very well. If you know the teacher, go ahead and support them. If you don’t know the teacher, simply wait until you do. If a school owner tries to pressure you into a long term or high ticket contract, find somewhere else to spend your money.

In the end, in today’s world, most martial arts teach many of the same things. Remember however, it’s not “the martial art” that teaches you, it’s the teacher. Look to his or her experience and demeanor before you look at the style.

Categories : ATA
Tags : , , , , , , ,

ATA Student Changes Lives

By admin on January 26, 2011 No Comments

Check out how this ATA student has taken her leadership skills and helped to change the world around here! My goal is to have a student that can make an impact this big someday!

Click here to check out the video!

Categories : ATA, Leadership
Tags : , , , , , , ,
Next Page »
Powered by WishList Member - Membership Site Software