As an instructor, I hear I know all the time, and most people say this without really understanding what it is they’re saying or why. I usually hear it from kids, but it also happens sometimes with adults; either way, it’s usually a response meant to appease me or another instructor when a correction is…
Boundaries All of us need boundaries: how we allow others to treat us, and how we talk to and treat others in any given situation. Boundaries are essentially rules or limits on behavior and form the basis of self-control and self-discipline. For kids especially, boundaries offer guidelines for developing strong impulse control and maintaining strong relationships.…
Self-Discipline I firmly believe you won’t achieve much in life if you don’t have self-discipline. Have you heard the saying choose your hard? Whichever path you take, there will be difficulties. Being lazy is hard, reaching goals is hard: choose your hard. Which choice is better for us in the long run? Which hard is…
The beginning or the end? Before World War II, colored belts were not a normal aspect of any traditional dojo. Martial arts students started with a white belt—not because of what it signified, but because it was made of the same material as the white uniforms. Many instructors and lead teachers even had white belts…
The American diet—or what professional nutritionists call the Western diet—is a horrible way to eat. We’re all out of whack in what and how much we consume, especially in our balance of foods. Many Americans wanting to eat better or improve their health seek out diets like Atkins or Keto (both limit carbohydrate intake) or…