PDK Dojo Martial Arts School

4 Reasons Why Mums Should Also Learn Martial Arts

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:00:04 +0000

Whether you’re a new or seasoned mum, training martial arts is the perfect activity. You’ll relieve stress, gain confidence, improve your physical conditioning, and learn how to defend yourself and your family. Here’s why it works:
Stress Relief: If you have kids, you probably have stress. You also probably already know that physical exercise can reduce your stress. What you probably don’t know is that physical activity only reduces one part of stress – its physical effects. Martial arts go a step further and work to decrease not only your physical stress, but also your emotional stress. Since most exercise activities allow you to zone out and not concentrate on what you are doing, you’re not allowing your mind to de-stress as much as it could. Activities that require you to concentrate on your movements and core strength give you full stress relief in one activity.
Confidence: You probably know as much as you possibly can about your kids from their clothing and shoe sizes to their exact height and weight. You can even recall exact details of their birth, every birthday and every milestone in between. What you probably don’t have is the self-awareness created by training martial arts. In order to successfully train martial arts, you need to get and keep your mind and body in tune with one another. This helps you become very aware of your body and your abilities. This awareness also gives you added confidence to control and defend yourself. What’s great for you as a mom is that you will be able to be calm and collected when your children challenge you because you’ll have the confidence to handle the situation without losing your temper.
Physical Conditioning: When you train martial arts, you use your entire body – it’s impossible to just use one muscle set at a time. You don’t have to plan workouts to alternate between upper and lower body conditioning. You will get the maximum out of each training session because the exercises are always changing. Even better, regular physical activity will increase your energy to allow you to play with your kids. It also reduces your chances of suffering from heart disease, diabetes and obesity so that you’ll be around for your children for a long, long time.
Self Defense: Finally, you won’t be training for combat and fighting in martial arts, but you will have the ability to do so if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to defend yourself or your children. This self-defense isn’t always physical, either. The focus, concentration, awareness and confidence you’ll gain from training martial arts will give you the skills you need to handle most situations whether you feel like your child is being treated unfairly by a teacher or disagree with some of the school board members. Best of all, you won’t get bored with martial arts because the only way to be successful in martial arts is to constantly change your exercise. It’s better than following an exercise video three times a week or jogging on the treadmill as you mindlessly watch television. Plus, you’ll often have to use different muscle groups to master new moves, so you’re mind is always working while you exercise. Martial arts can give you everything you need to be a great mom and a great person. Why not give it a try today?!

sing Martial Arts and Sports Psychology Skills in Everyday Life

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:00:30 +0000

Here are some of the key concepts and ideas from sports psychology and martial arts mental training. These can be applied to athletics, business, and other day-to-day situations.

Determination- this represents the strength of your intent. It consists of your motivation or the inner drive that propels you toward a goal. Commitment to your mission. Your will to succeed- strength of your inner resolve. Be rigid in your commitment to your goal, but flexible in the strategy you rely on to reach it.

Courage- is the ability to act despite fear. You must have the ability to risk, to be proactive and have a seize-the-initiative attitude. Your ability to risk success measures how eagerly you embrace the undesirable consequences that come with success. You acknowledge possible failure and act anyway.

Athletic poise- the ability to recognize and maintain a particular state of psychological readiness (such as relaxed, confident, focused on the present, energized, in control).

Responding to failure- never carry failure forward- see the performance as a learned experience not to be repeated unless positive. Your self talk after a performance confirms or denies the self image you brought into it. Accept the mistake and avoid wasting time in denial. Focus on the here and now and realize that you can’t fix the mistake. Relax the muscles you reflexively tighten in response to making a mistake.

Relaxation- the next time you are stressed, try the five breath relaxation technique: Breath one- relax face and neck as you breathe out. Two- relax the shoulders and arms. Three- relax the chest, stomach and back. Four- relax the legs and feet. Five- focus on relaxing the whole body. Assume that your body is carrying around excess tension. Gateways to relaxation include the forehead, eyes, jaw, lips, back of the neck, shoulders, fingers and stomach. Also- try to breathe in a continuous and soothing flow. This is also known as the scuba or circular breath with no beginning or ending instead of a series of starts and stops.

Centering- focus all your attention internally on the area immediately behind your navel. Breathe normally, feeling very controlled, heavy and calm. feel rooted, grounded & stabilized. Put on a relaxation mask. Centering is also shifting from words and instructions to images and sensations.

Concentration- controlling the direction, width and selectivity of attention. Be in the endless series of present moments. Concentrate on fending off the adrenaline rush.

Poise- this is how we describe those who perform with ease under fire. They are able to make critical decisions, negotiating, presentations, multitasking. The right brain has the ability to pull away and apply some perspective. It sees how all the bits of information come together.

Resilience- the ability to hang tough through adversity and persevere despite mistakes, setbacks or failure is vital for success. Resilience consists of the ability to recover from a mistake, the ability to fight & stand your ground, and mental toughness to control your emotions and prevail regardless of what assault or setback you have suffered..
The ability to move on, to put a poor judgement, a wrong answer, a weak moment or a physical lapse behind you instantly. No matter what comes between you and your goal, you continue to move forward.

Precision- Avoid worrying too much about precision- obsession with precision often causes feelings of nervousness. Putting such a negative value on mistakes reduces enjoyment of the process. Focus more on continuous correction and staying in the moment. An ultimate performance is more about passion and correction than it is about perfection. The ultimate performer doesn’t fear or obsess about being off because she knows how to take specific actions that will enable her to recover. Have the ability to feel, accept, regroup and recommit during rough and devastating times. The more specific, vibrant, and positive the pictures, colors, odors, tastes and textures, the more powerful the visionary process will become.

Goals- once your dreams and goals develop into nonnegotiable agreements, your debilitating feelings, low-energy states, internal conversations, feelings of insanity, and addictive throbbing will have less control over your destiny.

Performing in the moment- trust your skills and stay focused in the moment, rather than trying to remember what you are supposed to do. Use sensory actions to bring yourself back to the moment. Examples- taking a deep breath, focusing your eyes on an object, touching an object and feel the texture.

Act as if- 1. Form a picture in your mind of who you’d most like to be in terms of confidence- a better teacher, communicator, etc. Get a feel for how this person looks, sounds and behaves. Imagine you were a professional actor auditioning for this role: what speech mannerism? Facial expressions? Body language? Clothes, accessories for this character? Go out on stage- step into your role and act accordingly.

Focus- use an imaginary boundary that no distracting sound can penetrate such as a ‘cone of silence’ that you zip yourself in. Try a circle and dot. Your breathing is the dot and the present is the circle. If your thoughts wander out of the circle gently settle them back.

Intensity- refers to the amount of energy you are able to train on the object of your focus. Duration- is a measure of how long you can sustain that intensity.

Anger- allowing your energy to turn negative in the face of problems. Try to use anger to focus past distraction. Direct the anger at an obstacle or circumstance standing between you and your goal. Plant the anger in your center and use it to trigger the most appropriate and effective solution.

Visualization- Imagine that you have stepped inside the person per-forming the perfect routine and imagine that you are watching yourself on the screen. Act as if. Use physiology to model a master in the area where you want to achieve success. Set up blueprints through repetitious practice, performing the movement over and over until in becomes an automatic or conditioned reflex.

Balance- never being put off center, no matter how hard we are squeezed. Relaxing and letting life flow through us not standing apart an analyzing it. Because he believes in himself, he doesn’t try to convince others. Because he is content with himself, he doesn’t need others’ approval. Because he accepts himself, the whole world accepts him.

Going with the flow- this concept involves the concept of relaxed concentration that opens the way for peak performance. There is a feeling of total immersion in the present activity, with the body, mind and spirit united on the one experience. Peak performance can only happen when an exerciser stays in the present mentally by setting aside any concerns or worries during the exercise session. When a person is totally focused on the activity, all doubt about performing well is pushed away and he or she excels.

Stress- When a powerful stressor hits, ask yourself- What is the most intelligent response that is consistent with my deepest values and beliefs? Then summon your courage and warrior spirit to bring the response to life. it is not the exposure to stress that causes the undesirable changes in brain chemistry. It is the perception of helplessness. Best response- Never give up or surrender your spirit emotionally. Resist blaming others or exaggerating the hopelessness of the situation. Practice some of the other techniques mentioned here, such as the 5 breath relaxation technique.

Head cases- these people are at the mercy of their emotions. They simply follow the emotions of the moment without much discipline. This is where you can end up if you don’t learn and practice mental discipline.

Koroko- this is a martial arts term for indomitable spirit. Simply refusing to accept defeat. It goes beyond simply enduring a situation, to throwing your entire spirit into the effort of defeating the challenge. Make never giving up a habit that you practice daily.

Sensei Ricky, instructor and owner of PDK Dojo Martial Arts School has been training Karate for over 16 years and is eager to share his experiences and successes in Karate. He also helped students be the best person they can be by providing the best facility for learning Karate and life skills in a safe and fun way.
If you are interested in joining the warm and friendly PDK Dojo Martial Arts School please contact us or fill out our information form and we will organise a trial session for your child.

Quote for the day – Confidence

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:24:44 +0000

“It’s impossible to overemphasise how important a sense of confidence and belief in yourself is…. If they lack confidence and belief in themselves, it’s a real impediment to them realising their potential.” James Strong – Chairman, Woolworths.

Are you too old for Martial Arts?

admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:32:36 +0000

Who hasn’t asked this at one time or another? On vacation last week I overheard a friend saying just those words as she talked about her failed attempt at surfing. Thinking that the fact that she was pushing 40 had everything to do with why she wound up in a pile of limbs and sand after a brief but agonizing moment on top of her son’s board.

Listening to her I heard the echoes of dojo and the same lament from a lot of you. Sure your body wears out and reflexes slow, but it’s not nearly as bad as you think.

Think back to my friend, what did she expect the most “athletic” activities she has done in the past 22 years are jog and play kickball. Though these are noble endeavors, they are a far cry from skimming along the surface on a piece of wood.

How much of a chance did she give herself? I mean, really.

When you are young, everything is new. You are used to learning new skills and being challenged ALL of the time. You have too. As an animal, your very survival depends on your ability to adapt and think. When you are young, you can’t be afraid to try new things because EVERYTHING is new!

Now as you age, you become more sedentary. Being good at kickball is not as important to you when your 30 as it is when your 10, unless you’re me of course.

The problem is:
1. We expect too much from ourselves
2. You don’t give yourself a chance to learn

The solution is:
1. Set the bar a little lower
2. Be patient with yourself

We all want to be perfect, we all want to succeed. But no one can be and no one ever is. All you have to do is be a little better than the last time. And before you know it, you’ll be waking up those nerve endings and reflexes again.

Worry about the little victories, making it through warm ups, trying to do perfect push-ups; just take care of the little details and the big details will take care of themselves.

Is Stress Making You Fat? Find Out How Martial Arts Can Help

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 05:00:31 +0000

It’s true, stress can make you fat. The hormone responsible for this is called cortisol. This hormone is always present in your body and your body produces it at higher levels when it’s under stress. Cortisol has positive effects when it is produced in small amounts such as gusts of energy, increased memory and lowers pain sensitivity. However, when produced in large amounts, Cortisol can have negative effects on your body especially your health. It is a must for us to reduce our stress level to keep cortisol levels under control. The problem is we live in such a high-stress culture that some people’s production of cortisol doesn’t slow down and they live in a state of what is called chronic stress.
People who suffer from Chronic Stress end up having many negative side effects because of the high levels of cortisol in their systems. The effects include blood sugar imbalances, high blood pressure and increased abdominal fat. This is caused partially by the fact the people who produce high levels of cortisol tend to eat more in general, and more specifically carbohydrates, than their counterparts who produce less cortisol during stressful situations. This excess abdominal fat alone can be harmful to your health because it increases your risks of heart attacks, strokes, and bad cholesterol.
The best way to combat the negative effects of high levels of cortisol is to give yourself opportunities to reduce your stress and “kick-in” your body’s relaxation mechanisms. Most people do know that physical exercise is a great stress reliever. But what they don’t know is that most traditional forms of exercise such as running, walking and jogging and aerobics classes only serve to help reduce the body’s physical effects of stress. To get the full benefits of physical and mental stress reduction, people need to find activities that work their bodies and minds.
Training in Martial Arts does this. It’s impossible to train in martial arts without fully concentrating on what you are doing. This concentration helps your mind relieve its stress as well. Activities like martial arts that require you to concentrate on your movements and core strength give you a well-rounded stress relief; not just on your body, but on your mind as well.
At PDK Dojo Martial Arts School we use breathing methods effectively accomplishing this goal of combating everyday stress. These breathing methods (which have been refined over 1500 years) include physical movements which relieve the physical symptoms of stress, and breathing patterns which clear the mind and relieve mental stress. Training in these methods will help to bring down your levels of cortisol, which can help relieve another stressor in your life…needing to lose those few extra pounds.
So if your diet isn’t working it might be your stress. Combat your stress and get in better shape by training the mind and the body with martial arts. Combined with a healthy diet and a positive life style you can’t beat it!
Sensei Ricky, instructor and owner of PDK Dojo Martial Arts School has been training Karate for over 16 years and is eager to share his experiences and successes in Karate. He also helped students be the best person they can be by providing the best facility for learning Karate and life skills in a safe and fun way.
If you are interested in joining the warm and friendly PDK Dojo Martial Arts School please contact us or fill out our information form and we will organise a trial session for your child.

6 Most common uncertainties that most students of Martial Arts experience

admin — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:00:55 +0000

Martial arts offer a very valuable expedition of self-discovery. Different phases can be found within this journey from beginner to black belt and beyond. At each phase there are different challenges and obstacles. This article will look at the common uncertainties that most students of the martial arts experience on their journey.

1. Should I really need to study Martial Arts?

This is a big question which is usually found at the beginner and intermediate stage. Often times this question needs to be answered all the way up to black belt stage and maybe even then too!

Self-doubt or insecurity to undergo Martial Arts training is not a bad thing. Instead, it is a way for you to take a step back from your training and rationally ask yourself if karate is still for you. Only you can answer this question but to make sure that you continue to give karate a chance I suggest that you focus on three important things:
Why did you get started in the first place;
What has karate done for you so far; and
What do you still hope to get out of your karate practice?

If you still feel that karate has a lot to offer then your answer to question #1 should be a resounding “yes”!

2. Is there a possibility for me to become a black belt?

Yes! Yes! Yes! Everybody has the potential to do anything they want. The question you should ask yourself is, “Will I allow myself to reach my potential of becoming a black belt?”

3. Can I really use karate in defending myself?

The answer to this question is yes and no. After three months of undergoing training, chances are that you will not be able to defend yourself unless you are enrolled in a specific and intensive self-defense course that is exclusively dedicated on street survival. Right now, you are probably taking a mainstream martial arts class in which case you should expect to gradually develop self-defense skills over a significantly longer period of time. If your main objective is self-defense then take a course that deals with that specifically and also try to read and learn more about basic alertness strategies for going about your everyday life.

4. Are the ethics and spiritual values really true in Karate?

Initially, it seems as if punching and kicking don’t really match the values of discipline and respect and I can’t blame you for thinking that especially after picking up your daily newspaper and reading about the latest local violence. Nevertheless, self-awareness leads to a grander understanding of truth in your life and what it means to you. By learning martial arts you get to know about your own strengths and weaknesses and through its hard physical training you learn how to break through own previous boundaries and bring yourself to the next level in your growth and self-discovery.

This is often times transformed into higher moral and spiritual values which eventually lead to greater self-discipline and respect for your fellow citizens. I believe that all of this is right but it evidently takes time, effort and commitment to make any kind of lasting behavioural change.

5. Will I be able to learn all the techniques and drills?

The more you practice the more possible you are to get the techniques and drills right. Your final success in karate is in direct relation to all the effort, focus and persistence you possess. The more you focus on not getting the drills right, the more you will become frustrated. Change your focus, keep it positive, and eventually you will get the techniques right.

6. Does sparring have to hurt?

Everybody experiences minor bumps and bruises in sparring even when you are wearing protective gear. This is part of martial arts training. Don’t believe anybody who tells you differently. However, very few students experience serious injuries while training at a reputable school that takes every essential safety measure for the well-being of its members. The use of safety gear is one reason for this, but a more important reason is the care and knowledge of a competent instructor who knows how to progressively introduce sparring drills that are both age-appropriate and rank-specific. A competent and caring instructor is the most important than any piece of safety gear.

These are some of the common uncertainties in the early stages of martial arts training and there are obviously many more.

Good luck on your journey in karate.

The Five Fundamental Values of Karate

admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 06:00:25 +0000

Martial Arts schools around the world advocate a viewpoint of self-enhancement as well as a predicted standard of technical skill. Analysing closely, it is the values rather than the technical skill that should inspire every martial artist’s daily life.

The martial arts philosophy, or at least the traditional karate way of life, is called the Dojo-Kun. The Dojo-Kun is simply a five point ethical basis for training in the martial arts and for behaviour in your everyday life which is sometimes called the “Student Creed” in English. The traditional karate ethics are often translated as:

• To aim for the perfection of character
• To follow the paths of truth
• To nurture a spirit of effort
• To honour the principles of etiquette
• To guard against impulsive courage

A lot of old-fashioned karate schools these teachings are repeated at the beginning and end of each lesson in Japanese, and in other schools in English. In some schools there is no repetition at all, just a posting of the principles on the dojo wall and other schools invent their own “Student Creed.”

I’m not here to tell you which way is right or wrong, but what you should do when choosing a martial arts school. Ask yourself whether the fundamental values of that school echos with your view of life and your moral ethics. After all you are exposing yourself and your family to a very sensitive venture by beginning your karate journey. A conflict of moral values is likely to “Dim Mak” (deliver a Death Touch to) your involvement in the martial arts from the very beginning.

The Dojo-Kun’s teachings can offer a very simple pattern for following a virtuous path and for reaching your full potential in everything you do and for being a good citizen. It’s up to you to decide how this philosophy fits in with your own ideals and ethics.

Most people find these five fundamental values to be something that they can relate to on a friendly basis; some people don’t place much value on the philosophy of the martial arts and are in your karate class alongside you for very different reasons such as self-defense or basic health and fitness. So with many things in life, we have to find our own way given our own set of criteria and backgrounds.

In essence there are many other paths to self-realization and understanding of the greater world around you. The martial arts simply provides a valuable pattern for beginning to understand yourself and others through understanding movement, power, speed, timing, energy, tension, relaxation and harmony. It is a beginning in what can be a long and extremely fruitful and rewarding journey.

Effectiveness of Karate in Self-Defence

admin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 06:00:41 +0000

Most of the people who venture into Martial Arts systems and styles claim that their system delivers realistic self-defense techniques. The advent of mixed martial arts as a fighting system has led to debate on whether it is indeed the best system for self-defense.
With respect to the methods in Mixed Martial Arts and the characteristics that are develop in the drilling and sparring, it is the closest that you can get the training and sparring at a safe contact level with approaches that will be effective in a real street fight.
Nevertheless with most structure of martial arts it is still the training for a controlled fight setting that the combatants have agreed to and prepared for. There are strategies that are prohibited in using the most effective weapons against the most weakening targets, and a referee to enforce them. In addition, it is a surefire one on one fight between opponents who are closely matched in weight and experience with no weapons involved.
Learning Martial Arts will absolutely give you the techniques that can increase your chances of being dominant in a street self-defense situation since we are exposed to a variety of possible attacks both in stand-up and ground situations. However, you must compliment this with mechanisms that address the areas that happen in the self-defense circumstances but are not appropriately prepared for when learning martial arts.
Martial arts provides you with a very effective method and fighting characteristic for self-defense but you must compliment your training with ‘self-defense specific’ striking tools and a fear controlling psychological mind set.

Why Patience go Hand in Hand with Martial Arts

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 06:46:44 +0000

A virtue and principle of life, patience is a commitment and the sacrifice of the fulfillment of our immediate desires or needs. Patience reflects a calm and settled spirit. Patience is an acceptance of the responsibility to do now what is necessary to produce a desired outcome in the future. It is a principle that embodies sacrifice, confidence and an acceptance that the only impact we can have on the future occurs right now.
This same virtue is also important in learning Martial Arts. Patience is applied to one’s relationship to the teacher, to oneself, and to one’s parents. Most successful people embrace this virtue. They endure with peace and patience in their undertakings. A lot of talented martial arts master also do the same.
If after learning from the teacher one does not practice with persistence or one does not practice each movement to make it a habit, one will fail to learn the principle as well as forget the movements learned beforehand. It will likewise affect the classmates in the same class. If one does not exercise, it is very difficult to improve and this will eventually dissatisfies the teacher and the parents. It is also disrespectful to oneself.
Some young students are sent by their parents to learn martial arts. The parents longed to assist their children to be healthy, to be strong, to have the righteous aura of a respected martial artist, to have high aspirations, and to develop good martial art skills. Nonetheless, many young people are very spoiled. They do not lack material things but they are not hard-working or sincere. When their parents are there, they practice and when their parents are not there, they slack off. They are, in fact, disrespectful of their parents and the art.
There is no short path for martial arts. One should always practice diligently. There is a saying in the martial arts world: “There are thousands and millions of people practicing, but only one or two will become accomplished.” This saying tells us that, if we want to be close to success, it depends on our own hard work, so as not to disappoint our teachers. Thus the saying, “Practice without guidelines creates martial art illnesses, and learning without practice disappoints the teacher”.
For that reason I hope all of you will respect your teachers, and practice with patience and hard-work. If you do not understand, ask the teacher. Practice will take a long time. Life is limited. Martial Arts is a profound knowledge. If one wants to learn, one has to be serious and be firm in his resolve, and practice without end to improve.

Choosing the Right Martial Arts School

admin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:12:40 +0000

The kids today have all seen the battle cries, flying kicks, and mighty chops of their favorite TV characters, as they beat the bad guys – but, you may ask, how on earth can these acts of forcefulness teach my child anything valuable?

First, you must note that what you see on television is far from what real Martial Arts are all about. The fact is Martial Arts training is based on non-violence.

Originating in Asia (mainly Japan, China and Korea, although Thailand and Vietnam have their own practices as well), Martial Arts range from a variety of types and styles, all of which are based on well-rounded, moral teachings. The beauty of learning Martial Arts is that it incorporates not just the physical aspect of the “sport”, but mental and emotional lessons as well. Envision your child actually learning valuable life lessons, skills that he will take throughout life, laying the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted and fulfilled adult life.

Prior to signing up your child for the first Martial Arts class, take some time to check out the different approaches available then equate it with what you know would suit your child best. This is the best way to avoid any issues that may arise from a conflict of your child’s personality and the training techniques.

Is your child sensitive? Probably a class that doesn’t focus on sparring (full-on kicks and punches training) but rather, gentler defensive exercises would be better for him. However, kids with an aggressive trait may prefer the more forceful moves and will flourish in competitive sparring.

If you now have an idea of the type of Martial Arts class you would like your child to join in, the next step would be to find the right school for him. Finding the right class that not only matches your child’s and your needs but also in terms of the instructors you feel comfortable with, the price, facilities and equipment s are all important factors.

1. Good Instructors

Check out their qualifications, teaching methods and take note on how they interact with the other children. It should be a fun learning experience for your child.

2. Space and Safety

Obviously you would want to entrust your child in an establishment that is safe, well-maintained, and clean with enough space as well as decent facilities and equipment.

3. School Values

Different Martial Arts schools certainly go by different values, for example, one karate class may handle aggression in one way, while a judo class would have a different method. Try to observe which school’s ideals match your family’s principles.

4. Prices and Schedules

Prices for Martial Arts training can vary according to school and location, so make sure the class you choose represents fair value. Finding the most effective way to fit Martial Arts training into your family’s lifestyle is also important, knowing what works best with your schedule and the activities of other family members.

If you are interested in joining the warm and friendly PDK Dojo Martial Arts School please contact us or fill out our information form and we will organise a trial session for your child.