9 Ways Martial Arts Can Help with ADD and ADHD

Posted May 11, 2017 by Somnath Sikdar & filed under Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, kids martial arts, martial arts, Tae Kwon Do, training tips.

I'm came across a great article in understood.org which I've also found to be a useful parenting resource. At the Dragon Gym we've been teaching martial arts to kids with attention and learning issues like ADD and ADHD for years and years. While we aren't physicians or therapists, I've personally seen the advances these students make and their parents often credit their martial arts classes.

Here are the nine key points from the article:

What Martial Arts Can Offer Kids With Learning and Attention Issues

There are lots of reasons martial arts can be a good match for kids with learning and attention issues. Here are nine potential benefits:

They focus on individual growth, not on team competition. Many kids with learning and attention issues struggle with the pressure of having to compete with other kids. So traditional sports may not appeal to them. But in martial arts, the focus is on self-improvement. There’s no “letting down the team.”
They offer concrete, attainable goals. Some kids with learning and attention issues may feel like they never “win” at anything. In martial arts, kids work at their own pace. They’re awarded a different colored belt every time they reach a new skill level. This can boost self-esteem and keep them motivated.
Routines are broken down into manageable chunks. A technique or form in martial arts can have dozens of different movements. But kids learn gradually, repeating and adding steps as they go. They learn to anticipate which step comes next and eventually put everything together into fluid movements. All of this gives working memory a workout, but in a way that kids may find manageable.
They emphasize self-control and concentration. Attention is central to martial arts. Kids must stay focused to learn and to perform. When a child’s focus drifts, instructors will often ask them to take the “ready stance.” This position allows them to reset and ready themselves for what’s next.
They can help with coordination. The deliberate, repetitive movements of martial arts can help kids develop a better feel for their body in space, which can be useful to kids who struggle with motor skills. This may also help some kids understand the power of the mind over the body, which some find to be valuable for kids with ADHD.
They provide structure and clear expectations for behavior. Good martial arts instructors have clear rules and constantly reinforce them. They also emphasize good behavior in and out of class. Some even send kids home with behavior charts their parents must sign. (If you like this idea, here are printable behavior contracts you can try.)
They can provide a safe outlet for excess energy. Contrary to what some might expect, martial arts don’t encourage violent behavior. In fact, instructors often emphasize that fighting is a last resort. At the same time, kicking and karate chopping can allow kids to work out frustration or anger, while also practicing self-control.
The environment is accepting and communal. Respect is a core value in martial arts. Students are expected to show it for their instructor and their peers. Negativity is generally not tolerated in class, and students are encouraged to support each other.
They’re just plain cool! Kids with learning and attention issues can often feel awkward or socially out of the loop. But lots of kids think martial arts are cool. It’s hard not to feel special when you’re wearing martial arts gear and breaking boards in half.

Go HERE for the full article

If you're interested in learning more about martial arts for your child, give us a call at 610-363-7575 and we'd be happy to answer your questions and set you up with a free pre-evaluation and trial lesson if you like.

Sincerely,

Somnath Sikdar

Master Instructor

Dragon Gym

Protect Your Heart with Martial Arts

Posted April 6, 2017 by Somnath Sikdar & filed under Adult Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kettlebells, kickboxing, martial arts, Motivational, Muay Thai, nutrition, Tae Kwon Do, training tips.

Valentine’s Day has just passed, but February is still all about the heart. Every year, the American Heart Association celebrates Heart Month to raise awareness about heart disease and heart health.

What you may not know is that martial arts are great for the heart. In fact, the cardiac benefits of martial arts give a whole new meaning to the idea of cardiovascular fitness.

With that in mind, here are some ways that taking martial arts classes can protect and strengthen your heart.

Martial Arts Raise the Heart Rate

The first way that martial arts can help the heart is by raising your heart rate when you work out. The heart is a muscle and it needs to be worked. When you take a martial arts class, your heart rate is elevated.

The benefit of raising the heart rate is that it oxygenates the blood, and helps promote calorie burning even after you’re done working out. People of all ages need to keep their hearts pumping, and martial arts is a great way to do it.

Martial Arts Lower Blood Pressure

Did you know that a high-intensity martial arts workout can help lower your blood pressure? It’s true. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a leading contributor to heart disease.

When you work out, your heart becomes stronger – and that means that it can pump blood more efficiently than it can without exercise. The less effort your heart has to expend on pumping blood, the lower your blood pressure is.

Martial Arts Lower Cholesterol

LDL cholesterol – the so-called “bad” cholesterol” – is a contributing factor in heart disease. Regular participation in martial arts helps you lose weight and that decreases the amount of LDL cholesterol in your blood.

There’s evidence that working out also shrinks the proteins that carry cholesterol through the bloodstream, making them less dangerous to the heart.

On a related note, regular vigorous exercise – such as the kind you get in a martial arts workout – helps to increase HDL or “good” cholesterol.

Martial Arts Reduces Stress

One thing that separates martial arts from many other forms of exercise is that it requires mental stillness combined with physical exertion.

Mental stillness contributes to mindfulness, a practice that can significantly decrease stress and anxiety in both children and adults.

Considering that there is a direct link between stress and heart health (stress contributes to high blood pressure and related issues), the fact that participating in martial arts can reduce stress is a huge benefit for the heart.

Conclusion

In addition to the benefits already mentioned, martial arts training also helps to improve discipline, build muscle coordination, and increase self-confidence.

This month, why not give your heart a boost by adding martial arts to your workout routine? If you're interested in learning more about the Martial Arts and Fitness Programs that the Dragon Gym Offers, please visit our Main website: www.dragongym.com We're conveniently located in Exton, PA with quick and easy access from Downingtown, Malvern, and West Chester, PA.

Age-Specific Kids Martial Arts - The science and psychology behind SKILLZ | Exton, West Chester, Downingtown Martial Arts

Posted February 3, 2017 by Somnath Sikdar & filed under kids martial arts, Tae Kwon Do, training tips.

The science and psychology behind SKILLZ (Age Specific Martial Arts for Children)

By Master Melody Shuman

When I started martial arts in 1987 as an 11-year old, things were very different. Kids and adults trained side-by-side, and everyone tested on the same material for their belt regardless of age. Needless to say, kids usually didn’t make it very far before dropping out because the training became too challenging.

(Except for me, because my parents saw the many benefits of martial training as far as discipline goes, but that’s another story.)

I ultimately became a school owner when I was 19, and started to make changes to the way I taught martial arts compared to the way my instructors taught me. For starters, I pulled kids out of the adult classes. Then I took my experience from working at Disney, and added “entertainment” into my children’s classes. The results were incredible.

As my school continued to grow, I kept studying the way kids learn. What I discovered goes against what ALL martial arts schools were providing for their children’s programs. What I also discovered is that martial arts programs could be one of the most effective tools for helping children grow as a whole, more so than any other sport or activity. From that moment, SKILLZ was born…

Age-specific Training

Based on all of my research on children and learning, I discovered that children show development milestones based on specific age groups. These age groups, as they pertain to marital arts, are as follows: 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 to 9, and 10 to 14. This was a big discovery as most martial arts schools still only divide their children into two age groups: 6 and under and 7 and up. By sub-dividing my ages into more specific groups, I knew we would avoid common challenges such as “roller coaster classes” where almost EVERY drill was “too hard” for the younger students yet “too easy” for the older students.

At the same time, I also knew that within these age groups, their development could be sub-divided into four categories: physical, intellectual, emotional, and social. This enabled me to create age-specific curriculums that helped develop each student as a whole, or what I call 4-dimensional instruction, where most schools (and other sports and activities) still only focus on the physical and intellectual aspects of training. This breakthrough meant that we would target students’ stages of development with a curriculum that generates MAXIMUM results.

SKILLZ Curriculum

Once I understood students’ stages of development, I then preceded the meticulous task of creating curriculum through what I call a “reverse training concept.” What I mean by this is: instead of trying to pound martial arts training into each age group, I selected the top eight skills (or SKILLZ as I refer to them as) that children were prone to in their particular stage of development, and then built a martial arts curriculum within those skills. I also made sure that the progression was so significant that by the time the student’s graduate from each program, they fall into the top 10% of their age group!

Integrating Systems that MAXIMIZE Learning

Once I created the SKILLZ curriculum, my final step was to create a system in which instructors were able to maximize learning. For starters, we deliver a mat chat after the warm-up in each class that initiates ACTIVE LEARNING, which in a nutshell is getting the students’ neurons to start firing. Secondly, we use game-based learning drills that kids “play” so that their WORKING MEMORY is stimulated. This basically means that within each student’s brain, their neurons start to develop new connections within the brain, or as scientists refer to as “neural growth.” Once their brain is firing neural connections at top speed, the last major segment of class is when they test for their skill-stripe, which helps foster FLUID INTELLIGENCE. This process is described at the brains ability to retain and reference information more efficiently.

Not all schools are created equal

As you can see, SKILLZ takes training to a whole new level! In fact, kids can’t even join their first class without an age-specific pre-evaluation to identify where his or her strengths are and also how SKILLZ will help in his or her overall growth and development. This is all a product of several decades of ongoing research and development in how children learn and grow. The overall results are children that become better versions of themselves physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially!

If you're in the Exton, West Chester or Downingtown, PA area and are interested in Age-Specific martial arts programs for your children, check out our main Dragon Gym website: www.dragongym.com

What Children with ADD / ADHD really need: mini clip

Posted February 1, 2017 by Somnath Sikdar & filed under kids martial arts, Tae Kwon Do, training tips.

Hey there, if you are a parent or and educator you've likely struggled with an ADD or ADHD child. Check out this mini-clip from our friend and colleague Master Melody Shuman.

Master Shuman has over 30 years of martial arts experience and specializes in teaching kids AND martial arts instructors on how to teach kids in an age appropriate way that targets their Physical, Emotional, Social and intellectual stage of development.

It's only about a minute long, so it's a quick watch but there's still some great information about how martial arts for children and gamification can be a great choice for kids with ADD and / or ADHD.

If you're interested in the kids martial arts programs that Dragon Gym has to offer, fill out the form to the right for more information and a free trial lesson or visit our website: www.dragongym.com

5 Halloween Safety Tips

Posted October 27, 2016 by Somnath Sikdar & filed under kids martial arts, Tae Kwon Do.

Halloween is such a fun time of the year for children; but when children encounter tricks instead of treats, this holiday can become very scary – and not just because of the decorations and frightening costumes. Abductions, bullying, candy that has been compromised; these are all things that can make Halloween a dreadful holiday for children and parents alike.

In order to keep your kids safe this Halloween, educate them before they put on their costumes and start knocking on the neighbors doors. Here are 5 tips from Dragon Gym that can help keep those little ghosts and ghouls safe this – and every – Halloween.

Plan a Route. Before your kids hit the town to gather goodies, plan a route for them. It should be one that leads them through well-lit areas that are heavily populated. The lighter the area and the more people around, the less likely there will danger lurking. Make sure to discuss the route with your kids beforehand.
Give them a Cell Phone. You may not want your kids to have a cell phone on a regular basis, but on Halloween, you might want to make an exception. Pre-program the phone with emergency contact numbers so that if there is an emergency, your child will be able to easily call for help. Also, it will allow you to call and check up on your child at regular intervals. They’ll have the freedom to trick-or-treat by themselves, but you’ll still be able to keep a watchful eye, or ear, on them.
Talk to Your Child About Potential Dangers. Discuss possible scenarios that could occur that would be dangerous. For example, what they should do if someone tries to ask them to get into their car, or go into their house. Provide them with the right response so that they know how to react and so that they can avoid a potentially dangerous situation.
Light them Up. Give you children flashlights or have them wear glow bracelets or necklaces while they are trick-or-treating. Doing so will allow them to not only see what is around them, but will allow others to easily see them. Cars can be a particular danger while walking on dark streets; lighting up your kids will make them more visible to drivers.
Don’t Eat Candy! Of course, children are going to find it difficult to keep their goodies out of their mouths; however, you really need to stress the importance of waiting until they get home to eat their candy. Once they get home, you can inspect them to make sure they are safe. Spread the candy out and go through it together. Remove anything that is unwrapped or looks questionable. And while homemade treats may seem like a nice gesture, there is no telling what is inside of them, so nix them.

Your kids can have fun while being independent this Halloween. By following these 5 tips, you can ensure that they have plenty of treats and avoid any tricks.