Martial Arts Will Develop Your Focus Focus is a skill just like any other, such as writing your name or solving arithmetic problems. Focus is a set of behaviors that you can improve with the right coaching and motivation. As a martial arts student, you’re able to participate in a process that will develop your focus. The biggest misunderstanding about focus is that it’s a “natural” skill, much like athletic or musical skills. The mistaken thinking is that if you weren’t born with it, you will never be a focused person. Millions of other martial arts students around the world have proven that to be a false assumption. The ability to focus in your academic and martial arts classrooms, on your homework, chores and martial arts practice can be developed. In other words, you can progress from poor focus to excellent focus skills. As you grow older, the average attention span for your age group changes. For example, seven minutes is the average attention span of most 6 and 7 year olds. Your martial arts classes are divided into small increments of time that match with your attention span, so you can learn how to focus on the skills specifically for your age group. Your instructor can then reward you and other students as your focus skills improve, one step at a time. As you become more excited and enthusiastic about your martial arts training and learn to focus on your instructor, using the four skills of concentration, you’ll develop a more positive attitude about the importance of being very focused on all your tasks and responsibilities. Concentrate on developing your focus skills and you’ll feel great about your progress as a student and a person. You’ll be able to face the biggest challenges and experience greater success today and when you grow to become an adult.
TeamWork
While we easily see the role teamwork plays in our professional lives, or in specifically identified “team sports,” or even in our social and family life, it is not always easy to see the teamwork involved in helping us grow as martial artists.Very often, the martial arts are viewed as an individual pursuit, with little emphasis on teamwork.
However, consider all of the people involved in helping you develop your martial arts skills.There is the owner of the martial arts school you attend.This person has taken all of the risks associated with being an entrepreneur in order to provide your martial arts training.There is also your specific instructor(s).These committed people give of their time to help you develop your skills.They offer you their knowledge and expertise, and work to ensure you grow in your understanding of your martial art.
In addition, there are your classmates.These students often serve as assistant instructors.Sometimes they directly help in providing instruction.Other times, they serve as role models, demonstrating everything from proper technique and posture to the appropriate attitude of a martial artist.Without these students, your training would not be as smooth and consistent as it should.
Finally, there are your friends, family, and training partners.Sometimes these are all the same individual.Other times, there are multiple individuals filling these roles.But they all have one thing in common – they support your effort to improve yourself through the martial arts.Family and friends encourage you in your training, and celebrate each step of progress with you.Your training partner(s) helps provide motivation and accountability, so you will be able to push through those rough times that challenge us all.
The next time you’re tempted to think your progress in the martial arts is due entirely to your own efforts, consider the “team” assembled around you that makes that progress possible.Without each of those teammates, what would your martial arts experience be like?How would your training and progress be affected?
In addition, consider how many teams you are a part of as well.The fact is, you fill some of these roles for others also.Are you a good team member?Do you take your responsibilities seriously?Can your teammates rely on you?
As Dr. John Maxwell writes in his book, The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, we are all a part of many different teams.The question is, “Will your involvement with others be successful?”Recognizing and understanding the importance of teamwork will help you answer that question with a resounding “Yes!”
New to the Martial Arts – Some Tips on Getting the Most from Your Experience Have you or your child recently started taking martial arts classes? There can be a lot to learn. Sometimes it can be very overwhelming. Here are some ideas on how to make sure you and/or your child gain the most from what the martial arts have to offer: ·Have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. For most martial arts schools, the black belt is the recognized symbol of excellence. It is the goal most students initially set their sites on. Unfortunately, few actually achieve it. This is often because they didn’t understand what their goal should have been. Are you there for exercise? Then make sure you are taking classes that are physically challenging and rewarding. Are you there to learn self-defense?Ensure that the instruction you are receiving meets those expectations. Perhaps you want to be competitive in that particular martial art (Taekwondo, Karate, or MMA). If so, make sure you are focusing on developing the skills necessary to becoming the best competitor you can be. If you are focused on your true goal, your progression through the ranks will come naturally. If you are focused only on progressing through the belt ranks, your training will be less satisfying, and your commitment to your training will be undermined.
Learn from more experienced students. Whenever you have the opportunity, strike up a conversation with a student who has been ·training for a lengthy period of time. Find out what was most beneficial to their training, and what didn’t work as well. Learn what challenges they faced to maintaining their commitment to the martial arts, and what helped them overcome those. More experienced students have a wealth of information to provide, and most are very willing to help. Practice, practice, practice! Similar to any other endeavor you attempt, the benefits you receive from the martial arts is directly tied to the amount of effort you put into them. Don’t just rely on your one-hour, two or three times per week to turn you into an expert martial artist. Practice at home, during breaks or lunch while at work, or anywhere else you can find a few minutes. It doesn’t take a lot of time, but the repetition outside of class will dramatically improve your performance in class. Your self-confidence and skill level will grow exponentially by just taking a few minutes out of each day to work on kata, a certain kick, or self-defense techniques. ·Learn and follow the expectations of your instructor.Your instructor is there to help you improve. While no one enjoys a drill sergeant mentality all the time, there are instances when your instructor needs to push you to the next level – physically or mentally. That’s their job. If they have been an instructor for several years, it probably is a good indication they are pretty good at it. Listen to what they have to offer, and work on meeting or exceeding those expectations.
All events, classes, seminars and special events are subject to change Please see or email your instructor with any questions.
Page 1 - Cover Sheet - To be completed by all students intending to promote
Page 2 - Adult Graduation Qualification Sheet - To be filled out by the adult students. Answer all questions even if it similar to a question from a previous Intent to Promote Sheet.
Page 3 - Child Graduation Qualification Sheet - Aside from the questions asked to parents, it is good practice to ask your child the questions and have them answer to the best of their abilities. If you would like, you may add your own side note to the questions after your childs answer. Answer all questions even if it similar to a question from a previous Intent to Promote Sheet.
Class schedules for Haverhill and Plaistow schools.
Each week Ocasio's has been printing your Weekly Events Sheets to keep you informed of current and future events in your school. As well as important information regarding belt promotions etc.
In an effort to reduce paper waste, we have been sending you our Weekly Events Sheets and Monthly News Letter via email.
Please help us cut the paper waste... See your instructor or a staff member today to verify your current email address on file. A huge Thank You to all of you that have been supporting our efforts to reduce waste by reading your emails. Together we can make a difference!
We are aware that there are some blended
families in our schools. So be sure to have all appropriate emails for
your family on file. Also be sure to add us to your address books and/or safe lists in your email.
Should you by chance receive multiple copies of the same email in the same mailbox, please contact Mrs. Marsh to correct the matter.
These emails are also 100% internal. Meaning that we generate these emails ourselves. Your information is private and is not available to any 3rd parties.
Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to a "greener" future.
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Dear students and families,
We are excited to offer you our monthly email newsletter!
This newsletter will be filled with valuable information to assist you in your current and future Martial Arts training. Also included will be information to keep you informed of current and recent events in our schools. On occasion we may even place special offers and invitations for you, your families and friends in our newsletter.
Don't miss out! See your instructor or a staff member today to verify your current email address on record.
If you have a
Celebration (such as honor roll student, job promotion, marriage, anniversary, birth, or a story that has demonstrated your leadership skills and successes, etc.) Please
email Sempai, Marsh with your information. Your news could be published
in our newsletter and/or website. Celebrating your success!
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