Exton Parents! We are adding another EARLY SKILLZ (3-4 year olds) Class earlier in the afternoons. Mon & Wed...
Posted by Dragon Gym Martial Arts and Fitness on Tuesday, September 8, 2015
New Pre-School Martial Arts Class in Exton PA
Safety Tips for students (and their parents)
Dear Parents,
Now that school is upon us, it is a great time to review some safety pointers for the kids walking to school or taking the bus to school.
Here is a list of Safey Tips that has been provided by AAA and the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education.
For Students:
- Go directly to and from the bus stop or school
- Only cross the street in appropriate cross walks
- Be Courteous and cooperate with school safety patrols and crossing guards
- Search in all directions before crossing any street
- Obey all traffic lights and signs
- Walk across streets, all yourself plenty of time
- Watch for vehicles that might turn
- If you must walk on roads that don't have sidewalks, walk facing traffic and as far from the roadway surface as possible
- Be extra alert in bad weather. Drivers have trouble seeing and stopping in bad weather
- If you must walk after dark, wear something reflective and carry a flashlight.
For Parents
- Discuss the safest route to and from school or the bus stop
- Map out the route that you help your children select
- Talk about why it is safe to cross at some corners rather than others and to always use crosswalks
- Walk along with your children on the route so that they become familiar with it
- Discuss the meaning of the traffic lights and sign along the way
- Teach your children to stop, listen and look for approaching and turning vehicles, especially those turning right on red.
- Stress the importance of allowing enough time to cross the street safely
- If you children have a good understanding of left and right, teach them the concept of looking left-right-left before crossing.
For more tips about school, safety and more, please visit our FREE parents' discussion group:
It's a totally free facebook group. Just click the link to join:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1187045847988863/
Sincerely,
Somnath Sikdar
Master Instructor
The benefits that Martial Arts can provide for 7 to 9-year olds
Seven to nine-year olds are what most people in martial arts consider "the golden age." They are emotionally stable, yet they are not at the age where they want complete independence from adults. This makes the teacher-student relationship stronger than ever. The problem we discovered is they still lack core skills, and although they are highly proficient in their vocabulary and problem-solving skills, they struggle to keep up with pre-teens and teens in many areas, especially physically.
Below are milestones that martial arts can help accomplish:
Top PHYSICAL development milestones:
- Demonstrate TECHNIQUE in blocks, strikes, kicks, and stances while applying SPEED and power.
- Demonstrate AGILITY by applying proper motion to movements without looking sloppy.
- Demonstrate FLEXIBILITY by applying proper mechanics to stretching.
Top INTELLECTUAL development milestones:
- Demonstrate CONCENTRATION by focusing on the task at hand despite other distractions.
- Not give up on tasks that initially appear difficult.
- Retain simple information without trying to put excessive thought into it.
Top EMOTIONAL development milestones:
- Show INTENSITY in their efforts, even on basic tasks.
- PERSEVERE through challenges, especially when they initially feel like giving up.
- Show COURAGE by facing their fears when trying something new.
Top SOCIAL development milestones:
- Address problems and challenges properly without interfering on the overall flow of the class.
- Keep trying hard and control their emotions, especially when they do not get their way.
- Demonstrate the desire to be the best, not because they want to hurt others feelings, but because they want to improve as an individual.
By understanding the milestones of this age group, we can then provide drills and curriculum that properly target their stage of development to generate MAXIMUM results. At the same time, we can translate the benefits of your drills and curriculum to you the parents.
For example:
Skill: Technique
Drill: Cat and Mouse Board Break Challenge
Description: In this drill the students will build technique in their board breaking skills. The students will compete in a fun game of cat and mouse while breaking boards.
This is a fun way to teach the students how to PHYSICALLY develop technique in their strikes so that they break the boards in as few shots as possible.
This is a great way to improve INTELLECTUAL development because they need to concentrate on their breaks and not their opponent that is quickly chasing after him/ her.
This is great for their EMOTIONAL development as they gain the courage to hit boards.
This is great for their SOCIAL development to improve their abilities through healthy competition.
For more information about all of our age-specific kids martial arts programs please visit our main children's martial arts website:
http://www.kidsmartialartcenters.com/school/index.php?location=extonpa
If you're not in the Exton, West Chester or Downingtown area, check out the directory of SKILLZ schools that all offer a similar developmentally based martial arts curriculum:
http://www.kidsmartialartcenters.com
September 2015 Children's Belt Testing Info
Dear Parents,
Belt testing is right around the corner. Advanced registration for testing is no longer required, but the students must bring the completed test form with them on their assigned test day and time. The link to the test form and questions is below. You only need to print and bring in the first page. Questions should be answered on the back.
Dragon_Gym_Childrens_Program_Test_Form.pdf
TEST DAYS & TIMES:
EARLY
Students test during their regular class:
Monday, Wednesday, or Friday at 4:15p
After EARLY students test and receive their belt, they do not need to come to class for the rest of the week.
BASIC
Test Day - Wednesday 9/16 at 4:45 pm
No BASIC Class on Thursday 9/17
BELT CEREMONY - Friday 9/18 at 5PM
CORE
No Class on Wednesday 9/16
Test Day - Thursday 9/17 at 5PM
No Class on Friday 9/18
Belt Ceremony on Saturday 9/19 at 9:30 AM
EXTREME
No Class on Wednesday 9/16
Test Day - Thursday 9/17 at 5:45PM
No Class on Friday 9/18
Belt Ceremony on Saturday 9/19 at 9:30 AM
JUNIOR BLACK BELT
Test Day - Thursday 9/17 at 6:30 PM
Belt Ceremony on Saturday 9/19 at 9:30 AM
REVIEW DAYS / MAKEUP DAYS
September 8,9,10, 11, 12 will be review days / make up days. Students will have a chance to make up missed stripes on these days during their regular class times.
During the week of 9/14 these will be additional review days / make up days
BASIC
Review Days: Monday at 4:45 pm and Tuesday at 4:15 pm
CORE
Review Days: Monday at 5:30PM and Tuesday at 5pm
EXTREME
Review Days: Monday at 6:15 PM and Tuesday at 5:45pm
JUNIOR BLACK BELT
Review Day - Tuesday at 6:30pm
LABOR DAY
We'll be closed September 5, 6 & 7 in observance of labor day.
Sincerely,
Somnath Sikdar
Master Instructor
Dragon Gym
Martial Arts Near Me - Exton, West Chester, Downingtown
The Dragon Gym is a martial arts and fitness studio that was founded in Exton, pa (very near West Chester and Downingtown, PA).
You may be thinking:
"What school has the best Martial Arts near me?"
While distance is important, it should not be the only factor that you consider when trying and eventually choosing a martial arts program for you and your family. There are many factors to consider: price, style, quality, etc.
A great way to find out more about a martial arts studio is to know what others are saying. Check it out:
When I started my girls at Dragon Gym I was very skeptical. We had been at another karate studio and not had a good experience. However, I was completely wrong about Dragon Gym. From the moment my girls started in Instructor Chris Taylor's class I was impressed. This was not just a karate class. He was teaching them how to be successful not just in karate but in life. He huddles them up and talks to them about looking someone in the eye when talking to them, doing your best every time because you don't always get second chances in life and respect. Quickly, I signed up my younger son. Under Master Lonnie Beck and Instructor Chris Taylor's teaching, my son's attention issues have improved and his ability to focus and concentrate have significantly improved. However, our story does not stop here. While sitting in the balcony watching the kids classes I realized this was not just a kids karate studio but much more. I saw a group of adults in the next gym swinging these weighed balls with handles. I, after much deliberation, signed up for an intro class. I can honestly say that decision has changed my life. I signed up for kettlebells and began attending two classes a week. I found classes that worked with my children's class schedule so we could train at the same time. Christa Callahan taught the class and encouraged and pushed me during those workouts. The classes were intense but she always made modifications to tailor the exercise to my ability level, so that I never felt like a failure. Since then I have become more fit and stronger than I have ever been in my life (even high school). In fact, I FINISHED a Spartan Super race this summer. Again our story continues because once my husband saw my success he signed both himself and my oldest daughter up for adult Tae Kwon Do classes. Under Master Som and the other great instructors at Dragon Gym they have become more fit and stronger in fun, physically demanding yet important self defense classes. I eventually joined them in class. Today our family is at Dragon Gym most week nights. We are training together, becoming more fit and the kids are learning important lessons in life. Dragon Gym is not just a karate studio, my family has proven it is so much more. Thank you to everyone at Dragon Gym!
Here's another:
Six months ago, I registered my 8-year old son for the CORE Taekowndo class. He's hyper-active and is easily distracted. We've been searching for ways to help him focus his energy and his attention in healthy ways. We have tried soccer, rock climbing, tennis and swimming. In each of these sports, he became bored within a few weeks. None of those sports "stuck" with him. Enter Dragon Gym. He has been attending classes a few times each week for SIX MONTHS! Instructor Chris Taylor has a unique way of handling the elementary school aged children. He speaks to them with respect and expects (and earns) respect in return. He drills into them the values of discipline, hard work and dedication to family and friends. He also doles out praise in huge measure so the children receive positive reinforcement as they learn new skills and consistently display the values mentioned. Five months ago, I joined the Dragon Gym's Adult Taekwondo program. I loved watching my son train and decided I also wanted to be part of this community. I trained in Taekowndo over 25 years ago and have always regretted giving it up. The first few months were tough as my mind thinks I'm in my early 20s but my body likes to remind me that I'm not! Through this whole process, Master Som Sikdar has been truly amazing. He explains and demonstrates techniques, offers examples how and why we'd use different techniques and helps us modify movements based upon our physical abilities and then holds us to higher standards as we progress. He celebrates our wins and helps us work through areas where we struggle. I have recently begun training with kettle bells with Master Som and Pat Flynn to improve my strength and endurance and that has been truly amazing! I'm stronger and more focused now than I was even one month ago. The staff and instructors at Dragon Gym are truly amazing and simply among the best of the best when it comes to providing fitness programs the whole family will love.
One more:
Dragon Gym (DG) is unlike any other gym, martial arts and/or fitness center. There is an amazing variety of classes for adults to join. All fitness and age levels are welcome! Whether you want to get in shape, lose a few or many pounds, study a specific art, or a combination of all of the above you will find what you are looking for here. I have only been a member of the DG family for a few months, but have thoroughly enjoyed the Tae Kwon Do (TKD), Kettle Bells for TKD, and Cardio Kickboxing classes. The combination of the passion and depth of knowledge of the instructors is rarely seen in similar facilities. They have embraced the mind, body, and spiritual aspects of marital arts and fitness and yearn to share that knowledge with others. Learning is not just limited to the physical component of the art or fitness. Students will have opportunities to attend seminars about a variety of topics.. Informative communication is received via email about muscle recovery, stretching, how to motivate yourself, applications of martial arts in your life, and a host of other topics. For the ladies looking for TKD inspiration, Master Kim, a fourth degree black belt, will continually help you discover that your limit is always just a tad bit further than you thought. Overall, there is nothing I could write that would be more valuable than you just stopping by for a visit to verify for yourself what all the positive reviews here say; which is exactly how I ended up at Dragon Gym.
And a slide show of them all:
