Martial Arts Blog

Testing is scheduled for December 16th with rank being awarded December 21st.  It will be a great way to celebrate Christmas with a new rank!!

Finding time to prep students for testing and still train them for life is always a balancing act. some days it feels like we are shaky

This week I am having my senior instructor take the class as part of her preparation to become a certified instructor.  Man is it hard to stand back and watch without saying anything.   I didn’t make it for the whole class and had to step in a couple of times or I would explode.

This week we will be preparing our students for the Paz tournament.  I will only have a few going but we still need to get them ready for both forms and sparring.  We don;t always do well against the extreme teams but have stayed true to our traditional roots.

Rick Rando’s article in this month’s MA Success on the Instructor’s Role As A Role Model is excellent reading!!

Working on instructors manual for my black belts

I believe that one of the things we need to do as school owners is to develop the leader within our students.  I try to do that by having students start teaching early-not difficult techniques or techniques they can’t perform well, but things that they have established a competency in.  Teaching others allows them a look at how they are doing their own techniques and what they need to work on as well as build confidence in their art.

Tell us about your art

One of the hardest things for many martial artists to do is to find time to practice.  Most are involved in an on going class that provides them with one to two hours a week to practice.  However, practice outside of regular class is essential to their continued development.  Here are some suggestions on how to “find” time in your schedule to work on your art.

1. Find a practice partner.  It is easier to find excuses to not practice if you are the only one working out.  If you make a commitment to work with someone, you will be more likely to keep that commitment.  Both of you will be less likely to let the other person down.
2. Find a specific place to practice.  If you have a specific place to practice (it could be a room in your house or in an unused space in a gym) it will make it seem more like a regular class.  You will have more incentive to stay with a schedule.  Also you will be less likely to be distracted by interruptions.  If you practice in your kitchen you may be tempted to stop and wash that plate or make yourself a cup of coffee.  Look for a place without built in distractions.
3. Set a specific time.  Schedule a date or an appointment with yourself and your practice partner to work out.  Write it into your schedule or on a calendar.  Jot it down in your planner.  Make it official and you will be more likely to stay with your routine.  Be sure to keep that appointment.  Not only will it improve your art, it will also help you stay in shape.

Remember that if you continue to do an activity for 90 days it will become a habit.  It works just as well for good habits as bad ones!

Tell us about your art