Stepping up, Stepping out, Empower Martial Arts

Teaching kids about self-defense isn’t just teaching them how to block punches, kicks, and thwart aggressive bullies. It’s instructing them  on the importance of proper attitude, perspective and self-talk.

Tom Callos, team coach for a program called The Ultimate Black Belt Test, promotes the idea that self-defense is far more about what a child thinks—than it is about some techniques of martial arts (this goes for adults as well).

What do you mean? This simply means don’t give someone else the power to decide how YOU feel! Don’t let others influence whether you are sad, happy, angry, or scared. I have to agree this is much easier said than done. So how do I go about this? The same way you eat an elephant, one bite at a time. One incident where you, or I, don’t blame someone else for how we feel.  Then that adds up to 2 incidents, then three, and from there habits begin to form.

This is much the way classes work at EMA. If you’re always dwelling on what lies ahead, you will become frustrated.  Instead, learn one move at a time and we will help you track your progress!

This thinking process can be just as useful as actual self-defense, and can also be practiced everywhere you go. For more questions on this lesson contact Mr. Holgerson at tj_holgerson@hotmail.com.