Blog
Shocking Experience
Everybody experiences a ‘wakeup call’ in some form or another at some stage of their life. Although, it can be a shock to the system the outcome can be quite positive because this enables us to take action before it might ever happen again. Wakeup calls are a warning to prepare, otherwise, be prepared to face the same consequences again.
Wakeup calls can be a catalyst for improvement in our martial arts training. Our first tournament match can be a shock to anybody’s system but it is what we do after that to be able to handle the same situation again in a positive manner. The same goes for that street encounter that might not go so well. With the homework all done, the second and third time round, those situations don't turn to be as much of a shock.
In BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), there comes a time when you come up against an opponent who throws you in all sorts of disarray. My attitude is ‘many thanks for that. You have prompted me to do something about it.’ The lesson here, SHOCK, DISCOVER, LEARN & FIX.
They say adrenaline is good for performance in these situations but too much of this medication will work have the opposite effect; besides you cannot control the right amount of dose for maximum performance but you can attain knowledge which can eliminate those shocking experiences.
So remember, if you are feeling down one day, you will feel that 'high' the next day when you take action and do something about it. I hope I haven't shocked anybody.
GA
Time to Act (children)
I know it’s a long time between blogs but, nevertheless, I have enjoyed the break.
Let me start off with the problems with some of the parents might be having with their children in the 
martial arts at any school. It’s a known fact that children can get bored with just about anything and I wonder how much this would concern a parent of the amount of time and money they have spent on their child. A child can get bored with school but there would not be any decent parent on earth who would allow that child to quit. Why? Because the parents know what’s best for them. The martial arts is also good for them; physically strengthening their bodies and minds, boosting self esteem and confidence, providing some security in their life that they may be able to protect themselves and others are just some of these benefits. These are the same benefits for adults. But sometimes parents forget these are the reasons they enrolled their in the martial arts in the first place.
Parents always talk about how young persons, in society, stand up to them so what chance do their kids have? Maybe, it’s time the parents take a stance with their own children because this education is also an investment for the future. We as parents are usually over protective so it does not make sense why any of us would ignore opportunity for our kids to develop important skills. Sometimes children have to be treated as children because they cannot make decisions what’s best for them. The kids I have taught long term have cedrtainly developed into great adults which is really pleasing for me. Time to act.
GA
No Bully Zone
The thing about bullying is there is no one solution to ending the problem. There are a lot of resources of how to deal with it (as shown on our website) which may be of some help but the truth is the victim has to build confidence and self esteem because I don’t believe written material is enough. It is a world known fact the martial arts have been making a positive impact on youngsters out there crying for help. Most young people will not admit to their friends, teachers or parents of being bullied because they believe it to be a sign of weakness or may even fear reprisals from thugs. Most parents, including me, choose to believe it does not happen to their children but the stats say 1 in 3 Australian children will experience bullying.
What makes me an expert on this subject is I, too, was a victim of bullying at school wh
ich went on for years and this is why I took up the martial arts. I had to work out different routes from class to class to avoid confronting bullies but they would always catch up with me eventually. I would be fighting in the stairwell, classroom, school playground and en route home. There was no end to it. I never told my parents and I never told the teachers or my friends.
There was very little known about the martial arts at the time but it sounded a good idea at the time. Training, especially those days, was a lot of hard work and my main motivation, at the time, was to get back at these thugs. By the time I got good enough I was happy to take the thugs on but they shied away, to my disappointment.
Bullying causes scarring which never seems to go away. How many times do adults look at people and say in jest, ‘that guy must’ve been belted up at school’ but what they are really saying is that person must've been bulliled atg school hence their behaviour.
The martial arts builds confidence and self esteem the fun way. One thing for sure, the martial arts school is a 'no bully zone' where they can talk and make friends in a non-hostile environment.
GA