Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes in Exton PA - Gracie Jiu Jitsu Seminar with Phil Migliarese

Posted by & filed under Adult Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, martial arts.

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On 11/14 the Founder of Balance Studios visited the Dragon Gym in Exton, PA to conduct a Gracie Jiu Jitsu Seminar and Belt Promotion.

The brazilian jiu jitsu students at the Dragon Gym are Coached by Chris Taylor and are part of the Balance network of Gracie Jiu Jitsu Schools.

During the course, Phil Migliarese went over a few takedowns and several submissions from mount position and guard position.

Check out some pics from the seminar below!

After, the seminar, the students were required to spar 10 rounds for Phil Migliarese to observe their technique and ensure they proficient enough to be promoted.

If you are interested in Learning Gracie Jiu Jitsu / Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Please visit our Main Website:

http://www.dragongym.com/brazilian-jiu-jitsu/

Patience With Kids -- Don't pull your hair out...yet

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Patience with Kids

A few years back Master Som did an interview and was asked what he thought was the most important quality of an instructor was and his response was patience. After reflecting on that answer when considering patience with kids, I couldn’t agree more. Let’s take a look at what patience really means.

Defined by the dictionary it goes as follows

Martial Arts Classes for kids 4-5Patience is an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay.

For a teacher, the delay in this case is that of a slow learner. But what is the definition of a slow learner and what are we comparing it to in order to reach that conclusion? It is compared to our ability as teachers or do we equate it to that of the kids in that particular group?

I can tell you as an instructor and teacher myself for the past thirteen years I often found my patience being tested when I compared the student to my own level of intelligence. I would make connections to the way I learned and could not understand why my five year old student couldn’t grasp a particular technique or learn a segment of movements in order, even when I explained it in the simplest of ways.

Martial Arts Classes for Children ages 4-5I think a lot of adults, teachers or not, have experienced this frustration at some point.

I began to read about the differences in development of kids between the ages of three and six and this started me on the road to understanding and gave my patience the medicine it needed.

Once I understood some of the things I will tell you later, I began to be able to speak to my students in a way that was clearer to them even if it was not the way I though it should have been done. I surrendered to the science and placed my trust in those who did the “foot-to-pavement” research.

Here are some of the things I found when I combined the reading and research and also formulated some of my own ideas and finding over the years. Don’t get too excited, I’m not giving away too many of my secrets!

Kids ages 3-4

Still developing GROSS motor patterns (big movement patterns) therefore should not be expected to perform fine motor pattern movements with any proficiency yet

Limited vocabulary- speaking to them as an adult will get you nowhere. Using the most rudimentary language will get your point to their brain fast!

Intellectually kids in this age group can only hear, process and perform about two commands so telling a child in this age group to be quite, sit still, color and remember to eat a peanut and jelly sandwich when he/she is done is futile.

This last point has helped me immensely in my teaching because it has enabled me to communicate to the kids what I want from them in a way they clearly understand. Here is an example for you

Karate Classes for KidsThe lesson of the day is front kick for my 3-4 year olds. Anyone who knows how to perform a front kick (or teep) knows that there are many moving parts. Knee up, extend leg, knee back, hands up, say HIYA!, among many other intricacies.

Now, if you were to explain this to a 3-4 year old in that format the only thing they will remember is the last thing they hear so here is how I break it down.

“Ok kids! Now we are going to do front kick, ok? ONE, lift your leg like this. Two, kick your leg like this. Ready? ONE, TWO.

Notice I didn’t even address keeping the hands up, saying HIYA or anything else for that matter. Some people may watch this and wonder why I am not showing all the different important parts within a properly performed front kick. For this, some things are better left unsaid.

Once the student has a proper grasp of the first two commands I then introduce another two then repeat the process until all the facets of a front kick are completed. Patience, YEAH!

This process continues to grow as does the child. A five and six year old will be able to hold onto about two to four commands at once and a seven to nine year old possibly up to five commands at once.

Try this the next time you are instructing, teaching, or even parenting.

Experimentation with each age group is a great way for you to collect your own data and build a great blueprint for clear instructions for any child you may be helping.

Sincerely,

Lonnie Beck

Master Instructor

Dragon Gym Martial Arts & Fitness

Master Lonnie Beck is the head instructor of Dragon Gym's Pee Wee Program.  This program is specifically designed with a class structure and curriculum ideal for the student ranging from 4-6 years old.

If you are interested in classes, please email changeyourlife@dragongym.com or fill out the form to the top right.  Thank You!

 

Who influences you and your children?

Posted by & filed under kids martial arts, martial arts, Motivational.

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Martial Arts Classes for Children in West Chester PaWho influences the person who teaches your children martial arts?

Well, let me tell you...

When I teach children martial arts I draw my philosophy from a few different sources that have inspired me over the years. I know as an instructor I cannot simply impose my will along with a single-sided approach to instruction and I have learned over the years how to use those who have inspired me to help mold and inspire children.

Most of you know that children involved in martial arts usually meet about twice to three times per week and that our time we share together is limited. It is this reason that I attempt to make the biggest impact I can in that time we share together because, to me, the children's martial arts program is more to me than kicking, punching, armbars and push ups. To me, it is about helping a lost child find their way, a weak child to realize their strength, a shy child to recognize their confidence or a special needs child to understand that they are just like everyone else. It is in that that I have found my purpose.

Here are the people who have guided me and have helped me to become the instructor I am today. Some I have been personally guided by and others have influenced me heavily through their music, speeches or lifestyle.

Mom- Encourage kids to be their best and let them know when they are making you proud. My Mom has been one of my biggest supporters. She has always encouraged me to find what I am passionate about and with her help I made the leap to make the martial arts my full-time career.

Dad- Teach a child how to stand up for themselves and protect what and who they love. My Dad grew up fighting with purpose and reason. He’s a real “man’s man” and always told me to protect the ones I love and to always fight for what is right. Stand up for yourself because not many people will stand up for you when the cards hit the table. Today I use the same message to the children I teach.

Bob Marley- Never lie to the children. Always be honest and break through banter and PC that clouds their lives. "Tell the children the truth", he said. I am always honest with kids in response to their always entertaining questions-with discretion, of course.

Gabi Brandt- Take chances. Don’t stay in your comfort zone because while you’re there you’ll be missing out on the world. My girl, my lady. She took a chance seven years ago and left her family and home country of Brazil to come to the US in search of a better education and life. She spoke no English and had zero connection to the area. She has made herself quite the life and in a few short months she will marry her Americano! ME!

Master Melody Shuman- Always have a plan and another one behind that one. Organization and consistency are key to success in teaching children. For years I have followed Master Melody and recently I had an opportunity to meet and work with her at her school in St. Pete, Florida. She is an industry leader and innovator when it comes to teaching children and I hold her in the highest regard as an instructor and a person.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.- Equality and Understanding. “ We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools”. Today there is still sentiment of racism, sexism and hate towards others of different religions and cultures. When I have a class that is mixed with kids of different faith, skin color, culture and gender it makes me proud to prove to the world that it CAN work.

My Grandmom- Faith. Never give up on what you believe in. Have faith that what you believe in will guide you in both good times and the darkest moments. My Grandmom grew up with immigrant parents during the Great Depression. She never lost her faith and went on to beat the odds. She was the matriarch of a big, connected and loving family for the simple reason that she never doubted her belief.

Grandmaster Chae Goh- Technique will beat strength ten out of ten times. Paying attention to the way things are done and practicing them with relentless discipline and intent will ensure that the technique will do its duty when summoned. Grandmaster Goh was the greatest martial artist I have ever seen.

Brian Petty- Education and enlightenment. Know what the hell you’re talking about before you open your mouth. Each time i enlist my wisdom for a lesson I make sure it is backed up properly with good information. Kids find ways to cut through b.s. They are clever and sneaky like that. Brian taught me the importance of reading, researching and growing my own personal knowledge regarding the martial arts beyond what I have been taught on the mats.

Each one of these people quietly yell at me when I am faced with challenges in my teaching and in life, for that matter. I think that I have gotten to where I am today because each of them has giving me tidbits of info that has in some way shaped me into the instructor that i am today and will help me to grow as the years go by.

Have you ever written about the people who have influenced you?

Sincerely,

Lonnie Beck
Master Instructor
Dragon Gym Martial Arts & Fitness

Can a Child be Hyperactive AND a Good Learner?

Posted by & filed under kids martial arts, Motivational, Tae Kwon Do.

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 Here's why martial arts classes may have the answer...

Here, take this and calm down?

instructorlonnie_adhd

That's me, coaching one of my pee wee students

I can remember being a student in elementary school years ago. I couldn’t sit still or focus on anything the teacher was pontificating on in their monotone voices. I started school at a strict Catholic school and my only fond memories are of recess and gym class mainly because it was then that my mind opened and let the learning do its thing.

Don’t get me wrong, I remember some other things like Suzanne (my first girlfriend), getting into trouble for throwing snowballs at the bus and my third grade teacher Mrs. McDermott but any academic is completely wiped from my mental hard drive. I attest this to the way I learn--both then and now.

Chris Rock had a bit years ago about the way we perceived kids twenty years back and earlier as compared to now. Today, if a child cannot sit still during class he or she has AD/HD and is often medicated while back then the kid was just excited. He goes into much more detail with some colorful language but you see the point. In todays world if a child cannot sit still and focus then he or she must suffer some ailment and needs medical attention and or therapy

gillianLynne_adhd

Gillian Lynne

I read once a great story about a lady named Gillian Lynne and her struggle with learning in school that really struck a chord.

Gillian’s mother was called by the principal of the school and asked to meet with him about her behavior because he thought she may have had a learning disability. See, the problem was, little Gillian was not able to stay in her seat. She was fidgety. Today she would be diagnosed with AD/HD but Gillian was in school in the 1930’s and AD/HD had not been invented yet. Yes, I said invented.

Gillian’s mother took her to a doctor to see if they could findout what was wrong with her. She sat in a room for twenty minutes while her mother and the doctor spoke about what Gillian was doing and what her challenges were. Towards the end of the meeting the doctor asked her mother to speak in private so he turned the radio on for Gillian and walked out with her mom and said “watch this”.

As the music played Gillian began to dance with brilliant passion. The doctor turned to her Mom and said “Mrs. Lynne, Gillian doesn’t have a learning disability, she’s a dancer.” So, Gillian’s mother took her to a dance school where she flourished.

She later went on to dance as a soloist for the Royal Ballet in England, started her own dance school called the Gillian Lynne Dance Company and choreograph theatrical works like ‘Cats’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’.

Many children need to move to think. They are unable to sit, listen, recite and retain like others. Back then Gillian was encouraged to dance and move and follow her passion. She has created some of the most remarkable and successful musical theater productions in history, has touched countless lives through dance and is a multi-millionaire. Today, I find it hard to believe that someone wouldn’t put her on medication and tell her to calm down.

Here is my point, our children are being diagnosed with ailments and conditions that are based upon their learning styles in an education system that was created over a century ago. Getting kids moving, enabling them to learn the way they learn is the way for true success for each individual.

Let’s get these kids moving and find or create environments that cater to learning needs rather than a system that has the end goal of putting numbers on the standardized testing scoreboard.

Let’s encourage our children to learn about things that are useful to them and their environment and stop forcing them to sit still and regurgitate information only to forget the majority of what they once held in their minds.

Let’s give each child the attention they need to become who they really are inside. They will one day be taking care of all of us when we’re in wheelchairs and hospital beds. Better be nice to them now.

And let’s stop unnecessarily medicating certain children because they don’t conform to a particular education system.

Sincerely,

Lonnie Beck

Co-Owner, Dragon Gym Martial Arts & Fitness

Should Ask Questions when looking for a Kids Martial Arts Program

Posted by & filed under kids martial arts, martial arts, Tae Kwon Do.

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So, you’ve decided that Martial Arts are a good activity option for your child(ren). Maybe you heard about some of the benefits of a kids martial arts program, or maybe your son just saw teenage mutant ninja turtles and has express an interest in learning “karate”.

dragon gym kids martial artsBoth scenarios are great news!

The fact is, martial arts training is a lot more than learning how to kick and punch.

Are you familiar with the marshmallow test? The marshmallow test was a psychological experiment performed by Dr. Walter Mischel in the 1960s on preschool children. It was pretty simple. They made the children an offer. You can have one marshmallow now, or, if you can wait you can have two marshmallows later. That was it. Of course some of the children decided to take the marshmallow immediately and some decided to wait. The scientists observed their behavior and made some conclusions on why and how certain kids were able to “resist” and why some weren’t.

But, that’s not the important part…

Dr. Mischel tracked those kids for the next 50 years!

He jus wrote a book about it. You can pick it up here: The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control

(It’s worth the read)

One thing became apparent.

The kids that were able to wait, that were able to show self control did better in almost every aspect of their life.

In later school years, they performed better, getting good grades and higher SAT scores.

They had better professional outcomes

They had lower BMI (body mass index). Meaning they were less likely to be obese/overweight and will likely live longer.

Now, you might be thinking, some kids are just born with better self-control than others.

Well, that might be true, but the story doesn’t end there. Dr. Mischel emphasizes that self-control is not hard-wired. It is like a any other muscle, it needs to be exercised in order to be improved and developed.

Exton Kids Martial ArtsNow, ask yourself, when choosing a martial arts school, what are the questions you should be asking about the school?

Martial Arts training has a proven track record of improving the self-control and self-discipline in children. However, martial arts education needs to be done right.

Here are some examples to get your thought process going:

1. Do they use class planners? Does that plan cover the class, the entire year, or several years?

2. Do they have an objective and systematic evaluation process in order to place your child into an appropriate and age specific program?

3. Do they use age specific programs? Why is that important? Do they account for the physician intellectual, emotional and social stages of development for your child?

4. What are the credentials of the instructors? What is it about those credentials that are important to you?

5. Do they have a comprehensive curriculum to keep you child engaged through out childhood (until they goto college)

6. Do they require your child to attend at least an average of 2x per week?

If you would like more information about martial arts programs, please feel free to email us: ChangeYourLife@dragongym.com or visit the link below to return to the Dragon Gym Website.

www.dragongym.com

Sincerely,

Somnath Sikdar
Master Instructor
Dragon Gym Martial Arts & Fitness