Make sure your kids have a plan if they’re ever lost or separated – Just in case.

Summer is here and that might take your family to unfamiliar locations like amusement parks, fairs, and airports. The thought of getting lost can be scary. Most kids have been told not to talk to strangers and probably would not have any idea what to do if they were lost or separated from their family. It will probably never happen, but it is good to have a plan just in case, summer time or any time!

Make sure your child learns 2 things – How to swim and martial arts. Doctor's orders!

There is a reason why Oprah, Dr Phil, Dr Laura Schlesinger, Jillian Michaels (Biggest Loser), Tony Robbins, pediatricians, child physiologists, and educators the world over all have alluded to the fact that Martial Arts is one of the most valuable things you can involve your child in.

“Cross-training” involves engaging in two or more sports. Cross-training provides fitness, variety, academic, and psychosocial benefits and prevents injury to young athletes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids cross-train on a regular basis.

What is the best age to start martial arts?

Perhaps you’ve heard the line “The best time to plant a tree was 10 years ago. The second best time is now. “

For adults, the same concept applies. It would’ve been great if you started when you were younger. If you didn’t, starting now is also a great time to begin training in martial arts. In five years you’ll be glad you started when you did.

We see and hear many reasons and goals for parents enrolling their child into martial arts. Here are a few reasons why parents might enroll their children in our martial arts program:

Raising kids today is arguably harder than ever before. But, there are some ways to help ease the stress and strain of raising your little ones and prevent behavior problems through good parenting.

I'd like to talk about setting goals and address topics like what makes a goal different from a 'day-dream' or just 'wishing' for something to happen. We will talk about the steps to take to put an action plan and strategy in place to reach a goal.

Do any of these scenarios sound familiar to you? If so keep reading...

A parent spends countless hours trying to keep their active child from running into danger. Many children are overly energetic and have no place but home and school to let their energy loose. The parent is stressed out. Teachers are on edge and the child is still wreaking havoc each day.

The act of ‘giving’ and how it works with others can be tough to understand for a child. Sometimes the best way to explain something is through story and illustration. Here is a story we use for our group talk before class begins to help our younger martial arts students understand what giving means and how it might work.

Hanshi Dave Kovar talks about the importance of bringing value to each and every one of our relationships in this personal account of his interaction with a cashier in a busy store. It's a good reminder to let others know how much they mean to us and share our appreciation of them at every opportunity we have so they know we value them.