EXHIBITION AT SUNSHINE MEADOWS
American Karate students were invited to do an exhibition for the residents at Sunshine Meadows in Buhler on Friday November 13th. The Youth Intermediate Class took part and did a great job! We enjoyed visiting with the residents afterwards.
Mr. Williams
HOLIDAY GIFTS FROM CENTURY MARTIAL ARTS
The new Century Martial Arts Holiday Catalogs are in and there is still time to place an order for the holidays. There are a lot of new gift items this year. Pick up a catalog the next time you are at the Dojo. There is a bundle special on sparring gear. We will be taking pre-paid orders now through December 15th. There are special order forms in the catalogs. Shop the catalog and bring your order to the dojo. We will be placing orders on November 30th and December 15th. Any items that will take special engraving will need to be ordered in plenty of time to get here by Christmas.
BELT TESTS
Jake Winters Green Belt
Chance Barr Jr. Purple Belt
Elijah Bruch Jr. Purple Belt
Lo Xao Kitoukaysy Purple Belt
Everette Gould Purple Belt
TOURNAMENTS
Sam Price
End of Year Tournament
Saturday, December 5th, 2015
Hutch School of Karate-North
3201 North Lorraine
Hutchinson, Kansas
620-669-9051
3 BIG QUESTIONS
1. What is Work Ethic?
2. How does one teach “Motivation?”
3. Can Work Ethic and Motivation be learned?
Work Ethic:
As a teacher in our public education system, these three questions present a constant challenge. While some individual students try to get by doing as little work as possible, others possess a dedication that leads them to give it their all every day. Some kids seem to bring with them certain qualities that guide their work behavior, leading them to produce high-quality work consistently and without the prodding that other students require just to stay on task. Why is it that some children bring this “work ethic” to school while others do not?
One definition of a person with good work ethics is: a person who shows up on time with the willingness to do what it takes to get the job done without complaint. Can this be taught to our children, or is it innate? If it can be taught, then how?
Motivation:
One formula for creating motivation, according to Dr. Randy Sprick, current behaviorist guru and author of Safe and Civil Schools, is the following:
Expectation x Value = Motivation
Dr. Sprick contends that for Motivation to surface, realistic Expectations and a recognized Value must be present. If, for example, a student does not expect to do well at a particular task, then he/she will not be motivated to learn. Also, if a student sees no particular value in doing a task, he/she again will not have the motivation to put forth effort. BUT, if a student expects to do well, AND sees value in doing so, then the motivation to try is present.
What does this mean for our karate school? Do our students have Work Ethic and Motivation? If so, how can we continue to nurture that spirit? If not, how can we (as parents and as instructors) help to develop those attributes?
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Gaeddert Black Belt, 6th Dan American Karate
The following list is a subjective compilation of good Work Ethic characteristics: (In no particular order)
|
Reliability Dedication Productivity Cooperation Character Sense of Teamwork |
Integrity Sense of Responsibility Emphasis on Quality Discipline Optimism |
TO BREATH OR NOT TO BREATH??
What is the importance of proper breathing in your kata performances and fighting? Would it have anything to do with blood flow, oxygen, power, muscle contraction, muscle relaxation, faintness, relaxation, or blood pressure? Ponder that for a moment.
I have seen karate people, weight lifters, runners, people hyper-ventilating, by not properly breathing while executing their particular exercise. I want to focus on the karate people in my expression/this thought/this observation about breathing. It is very important to breathe and not hold your breath while performing your training routine, whatever the activity. By holding your breathe in the performance of kata, you could faint, and increase your blood pressure with the off and on of improper breathing sequences. Remember proper breathing does help your blood flow with the exchange of oxygen flowing in and out through your lungs and veins, which most of you are familiar with, but should you learn how to do ‘deep belly’ breathing, expect a completely new experience in your techniques, posture, stamina, executions.
Not breathing properly can cause injury to you. Proper breathing sync’d with the particular technique adds power and speed to your technique upon execution.
You have to determine the inhale/exhale sequence that works best for you. Remember, to thrust a punch/kick, you must contract the muscle and relax it to get the best action from it. However, adding good breathing to your techniques can accelerate and produce great power upon making contact to an imaginary opponent, actual attacking opponent, and tournament opponent (with control). Don’t forget to be in a good stance to compliment your technique while breathing correctly.
H. James Young, 6th Dan Youngsan Karate
Associate Instructor, American Karate & Martial Science
ADD/ADHD And The Martial Arts
Many children are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), but they don’t have to let it hold them back. “The public schools don’t always know how to channel their energy, but ADD/ADHD kids can learn. They just need direction. Many youth along with a few of our own can find and have found direction in martial arts. It can give them the confidence to work toward their goals. Studies show that a complex physical activity, like martial arts, strengthens neural networks in the brain, and enables ADD/ADHD kids to practice self-control. Movement helps them develop coordination while building strength. Martial arts, for example, teach mental discipline through structure and consistency. Children with ADHD thrive in structured and consistent environments.
