Perseverance

               

Each month we talk about a "Character Counts" word. Reminding the students that who they are matters more than any belt they can achieve. 

We are switching gears to- PERSEVERANCE - "never give up." 

It's easy to say: 

"I CAN'T do it" 

"I'll NEVER be able to do that"

"I'm not good at that"

But, just watch this video and check out what happens when you never give up.  

                                         

Student Highlight- Mr. Myles Murphy

Mr. Myles Murphy is a white belt at KiCK Martial Arts. Our school is going to Haiti to train with the children at the KiCK school there. In doing so, we have started gathering together items that the orphaned and abandoned children need. Things like: toothpaste, underwear, socks, clothes. All things that we may take for granted on a daily basis. 

Mr. Myles had his birthday party on Monday, February 23rd and instead of receiving gifts, he asked everyone to bring items to donate to Haiti. Here's why: because they needed things more than him. A 10 year old boy, gave up his birthday presents and put others first. Myles is a perfect example of a leader, but more than that, a humble leader. 

KiCK Martial Arts 

(816) 746-1417

kickint@gmail.com 

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Creating Leaders Locally and Globally

Kids Martial Arts Birthday Party

KiCK MARTIAL ARTS

So you're planning a birthday party and struggling to find an affordable venue? We hear you. 

That's why we are offering to do the party for you, for only $75!

 Here's why- We want to help you & we understand that providing fun for tons of kids isn't easy. This way the kids have fun and learn self-defense, something they can use the rest of their lives. 

Here's what you would get:

-45 minute self defense class

-Your child as an honorary black belt!

-KiCK Martial Arts for an hour and a half

-Up to 25 children at the party

-Break REAL BOARDS

-Be a NINJA & cut the cake with a sword

ALL FOR JUST $75.00

CALL US TO SCHEDULE YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY AT KiCK MARTIAL ARTS! 

(816) 746-1417

Weight Loss Resolution Fulfilled by KiCK Boxing

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2015 is going to be KiCK'n AWESOME!

2015 is here and so is that New Years Resolution to get in shape. There are many different ways to doing that. If you're anything like me, doing it alongside other people makes it more fun and easier. One way to do that is through KiCK Boxing. Not only do you get to kick and punch things, but you also get to meet new people through partner drills. Through the release of endorphins, you will walk out of class feeling happy and drained all at the same time.

With cardio and strength training it will increase your metabolism, helping you lose weight. BOOM. It doesn't get better than that..... except it does! You get to do it with other people that have the same goal as you do!

Let's kick each others butts into gear for the new year and start KiCK Boxing together. 

Don't put off your resolution this year and give us a call (816) 746-1417 

KiCK Martial Arts Meets Needs in Kansas City, MO

Please listen to this video about Restore Community Church's BIG GIVE

Mr. TJ and Ms. Tiffany attend Restore Community Church and are participating in 2014's BIG GIVE through KiCK Martial Arts. We have prayed about who God thinks needs this money, and the answer is very clear. We need to provide one of KiCK's families with a huge surprise just 3 days before Christmas.

Here's why:

This family of 6 has been through a lot- with dad being active duty in the army, it's pretty normal for mom to take control of the house. However, the mom just getting diagnosed with breast cancer. Her surgery will be done 2 weeks before Christmas. This great family serves our country and community. We would like to give this service back to them, by providing their family with some extra cash before the holidays.

So far, after just ONE DAY of asking for help with the BIG GIVE, KiCK has raised $110 to give this family. We still have until December 22nd to raise money. If you would like to donate, call
816-746-1417 and ask how!

KiCK Martial Arts - Our Testimony

OUR TESTIMONY

It all started in August 2014 in Port Au Prince, Haiti. Tiffany McGaugh boarded a plane in Kansas City, MO with The Global Orphan Project to go to Haiti and teach children martial arts. Tiffany thought she was going to change their lives and show them really cool moves. WRONG. They changed her through their unconditional love and rich faith. Actually, her faith in Jesus came to light through this trip, which flipped her whole world as she knew it upside down. Jesus changed her from the inside, out.

On the plane ride home, she thought, prayed, and talked with Joe Knittig about what God's plan was for her future. For some reason, it kept leading back to Haiti and martial arts. She had it in her mind that she would never own a martial arts school, instead just teach at one. This way her heart could stay on the kids and not the business. WRONG AGAIN. The battle started inside, telling her to pursue God's calling for her- open a school with a focus on missions and martial arts- where Kids Change Kids.

Once back in Kansas City, the idea got lost while teaching, college, and training took a front seat. Not for long though. She met TJ Holgerson at a Taekwondo tournament in Springfield, MO. Afterward, they started training and going to church together. Come to find out, he had a heart for children, missions, and martial arts. This brought the school idea back to life, but with a twist - a partnership. Once this came into play, Joe Knittig, the CEO of The Global Orphan Project, called Tiffany to tell her the Haitian Olympic Committee wanted to meet with her on her next trip. God was throwing curve balls in every direction.

Tiffany scheduled a trip to Haiti in April 2014 to meet with the Haitian Olympic Committee. Once there she taught the kids again, and had a meeting with the chairman of the Taekwondo division- who wanted to start a partnership to serve hurting children. So, they concluded that his olympic athletes would travel to the an orphanage in Port Au Prince, Haiti and continue to teach them. After her school was open, then they would financially support the athletes to continue teaching. This moved the idea of the school to even more of an international approach, where Kids internationally Change Kids (KiCK).

Tiffany was so excited, she came home and asked TJ to be her partner at KiCK. Once he agreed, the ball started rolling. They looked at what it would look like to be inside the organization they were already in. Lots of calls, heartaches, and months later, it didn't work. Instead, they took a different approach. Teaching the same forms and moves the olympic athletes would be teaching in Haiti, focusing on each individual child. They are flipping things "upside down" in the martial arts world- this is why their logo is a child doing an inverted kick.

From there, they both decided to start on the business plan and figure out how to fund this new endeavor. They planned on opening KiCK in March of 2015, although God had a different plan. They tried going to the bank for a loan and got approved for the next step. At that same time, Lisa McNearney called and said that her family wanted to invest all the money needed for their mission! The McNearney's are a big supporter of Tiffany and TJ and helped them open the doors on November 3, 2014.

KiCK stands for Tiffany and TJ's dream come true and are always pursuing their purpose through God.

Missions for Children

KiCK Martial Arts - The GAME CHANGERS. 

We believe that children have the capacity to change the world. They just need some help and some guiding principles. We get these principles (self-control, compassion, integrity, humility, and perserverance) from God himself through the Bible. This promotes children to better themselves through character. Strong character development is a game changer in this world.

A huge part of character development happens through service. Serving others and putting them before yourself is a game changer in itself. KiCK is all about Kids (internationally) Changing Kids, but also helping through local missions. We like to do small missions on "Service Saturday's." The first Saturday of every month we take the kids to serve other people. This is eye opening for children and shows them different ways they can CHANGE THE WORLD.

Our first Service Saturday is- Saturday, December 6th, 2014. 

We're taking our class to a local church off 29th and Troost in Kansas City, MO. Our students at KiCK will be training alongside other children who have had struggling lives since they were born. Teaching kids to serve one another through their martial arts training.

Each month we take our service to different places. Stay tuned for January's Service location!

WE ARE......KiCK Martial Arts...... THE GAME CHANGERS 

Interacting With Children

                       

                     INTERACTING WITH CHILDREN

KiCK Martial Arts is involving children in big idea topics with a chalkboard wall! 

The kids love to write stuff before and after classes and we love seeing what they respond with! 

SO FUN!  

We've seen tons of answers to this question:

 HOW WOULD YOU CHANGE THE WORLD?

"Loving each other more" 

"Be Kind"

"Kid president"

"Help people who have cancer"

"Spread KiCK around the world"

"Help all others"

Children have great minds that are BIG. They have the capacity to change the world and love being involved. Finding little ways to let children explain their point of view makes them feel important. That's huge. We want all children to feel comfortable enough to talk to us, right? But maybe, adults have to spark the conversation first. It can happen through our...

 DAILY BEAD CEREMONY

At the end of our classes parents have the opportunity to honor their child in front of the whole class. A bead may be a small thing, but the bead is not the importance. They get your heart, mind, and honor - a life changing feeling for a child. 

BEAD COLORS:

Orange- displaying self- control (controlling my actions) 

Blue- displaying compassion (caring for others) 

White- Having integrity (doing the right thing when no one is watching)

Grey- Showing humility (putting others first)  

Black- Having perseverance (never giving up) 

Parents and kids are having meaningful conversations in front of everyone. This isn't something you have to do in front of everyone though, it can even be at home! 

You can drop off a message for us in our prayer jar. It's where you can tell us anything, good or bad. Explain how we can pray for you, or even how class was. We want to get to know our families and that sometimes means getting in the messy with you. We are okay with that! :)

Our next trip from Kansas City to Haiti is March 13th, 2014 

Call to reserve your spot! 816-746-1417

You have the opportunity to train with OLYMPIC athletes across the world! 

What was formerly Empower Martial Arts has been reborn with a brand new and exciting mission that is the first of its kind, We are now known as.....

KiCK leads out of a position of love, not fear and believe that children have the capacity to change the world. The instructors, Miss Tiffany and Mr. TJ have created relationships with the Haitian Olympic Committee and Pastor Jay Jay in Uganda through The Global Orphan Project. With this being said, KiCK has 2 sister schools- one in Haiti and the other in Uganda. These schools are located inside orphanages in Haiti and Uganda. This gives children and adults in Kansas City the opportunity to take eye opening world vision trips with us, while helping orphaned and abandoned children.

Our next trip is scheduled for March 13,2015-March 18,2015 to Port Au Prince, Haiti

If you would like to take this trip with us and get the opportunity to train with Haitian Olympic Athletes, and change the lives of abandoned children, contact us at kickint@gmail.com or kickma.com

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We are blessed to say that our classes in Kansas City start November 3rd. Spots are filling up quickly, so call 816-746-1417 to reserve your spot in class! We would love to have YOU be apart of what God is doing through KiCK Martial Arts!

Building Self-Esteem

Many children and youth are unfamiliar with the word “self-esteem”. As the popularity of bully prevention continues to grow and generate awareness in school systems and communities, now is the time to educate children and remind adults of the importance of having high self-esteem!

Self-esteem is simple. It is how you feel about yourself and is generalized in two types of people: those with poor self-esteem, and those with good self-esteem. The CMHC at Texas University states “Your self-esteem, however, is something more fundamental than the normal ups and downs associated with situational changes. For people with good self-esteem, normal ups and downs may lead to temporary fluctuations in how they feel about themselves, but only to a limited extent. In contrast, for people with poor self-esteem, these ups and downs drastically impact the way they see themselves.”

It’s important to work towards maintaining good self-esteem in order to stand up to bullies and be confident enough in yourself to not let others’ words and actions dictate how you feel about yourself. At EMA we work hard to build a positive and challenging atmosphere that instills good self-esteem into students by showing them they can reach their goals and accomplish new things!

Here is another great article about self-esteem and more ways to improve self-esteem! http://cmhc.utexas.edu/selfesteem.html. For more information or questions contact empowermartialarts@gmail.com or (913)-754-6570.

 

September is Respect month

What comes to mind when you think of Tae Kwon Do or Martial Arts? For some it’s fighting, or self-defense, and for others it’s discipline, confidence, and respect. But how can kicking and punching teach you respect? And is it expected or actually taught during class?

Throughout each Tae Kwon Do class at Empower Martial Arts, respect is of the upmost importance. It is expected of each student to demonstrate respect by bowing correctly onto the workout floor, shaking hands correctly, saying “yes sir or ma’am” to higher ranks and instructors, bowing at the correct moments, and many more. EMA uses the simple phrase “treating others right” very similar to Courtesy. Many other sports require respect, but never teach it or reward it.

EMA takes a simple character development trait such as respect, and incorporates it into all types of drills and exercises throughout each class. The mission is for the student to develop respect for everyone, not just higher ranks and instructors, and to make an impact on the community. “Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.” Laurence Sterne.

 

August’s Character Development Trait is Attitude

After asking several children and adults what the first thing that comes to their mind is when they think of “attitude,” their response normally sounds something like, “being sad or happy, holding back your anger, and realizing how your actions affect others.” These are great answers, but the hard question is how do we change our attitude, and how can we use our attitude to influence and affect others?

Empower Martial Arts uses several tactics throughout each class to build a positive, challenging, and fun atmosphere. The number one direct influence children and adults pick up on is the attitude of others. Which is why modeling the correct attitude, especially in the face of diversity, is easily one of the biggest challenges life will throw at you. For even the Bible says “be angry, and do not sin,” (easier said than done!). Unfortunately there is no magic tool that will keep you in a good mood 24/7, but combining the lessons taught in Tae Kwon Do with school, work, and everyday activities, can help push you in the right direction.

One simple way of displaying our attitude is our posture. If you notice in each class, students have several different specific postures that are put in place to build confidence, strength of character, discipline, and several other traits. The real challenge however is not how confident and assertive you can look in class, but keeping that look and attitude when challenges arise. “For the measure of a man’s character cannot be measured in a time of peace, but rather how he responds when times get hard.”-Unknown.

This month we will continue to work on being assertive and how to keep calm when others make us angry. For further questions or comments contact empowermartialarts@gmail.com .

“Character may be manifested in the GREAT moments, but is made in the small ones.”-Unknown

Kick Every Day!

4 Ways Tae Kwon Do Will Empower Your Every-day Life

For those who are looking to lose a few pounds, to those who simply need a stress outlet, Empower Martial Arts Tae Kwon Do classes offer numerous benefits for your health, and physical and mental condition.

1) Movement: Tae Kwon Do focuses on functional and dynamic movements to enhance your cardio, flexibility, mobility, strength, and balance. With simple exercises such as moving from one stance to another, you will begin to strengthen the muscles and ligaments in your legs and joints, giving you more energy to move throughout the day.

2) Concentration: At Empower Martial Arts we do not practice meditation, but rather simple breathing techniques throughout each class to enhance the control and Focus of each movement. Knowing when to relax and how to generate power, come from lots of practice both physically and mentally.

3) Structure: Tae Kwon Do involves many rules to emphasize respect, discipline, and self-control. These principles are enforced and praised when done correctly to build up students’ self-esteem and confidence. Structure and repetition build confident and successful individuals.

4) Goal setting: This is the best way to maximize every class and training session to empower your life! It’s important to set short-term goals and long-term goals and track them regularly. Using this skill in martial arts and all other areas of your life will not only help you reach success, but reach it quickly!

For more information on how you can benefit from Empower Martial Arts contact empowermartialarts@gmail.com or check out our website at www.empowermartialarts.org.

July is The Month of Honor

Each month Empower Martial Arts focuses on a different character development trait and life skill. For the month of July we will be focusing on honor. What does it mean to honor someone and how can we honor ourselves?

“To hold in high esteem and respect,” is a simple definition of honor. It is a very strong word and is rarely used unless you have an ample amount of respect towards someone or something. At EMA we remind, encourage, and praise students when they demonstrate this life skill to reinforce not only good behavior but strong morals as well!

Make the effort to honor your promises, values, and rules that will lead you to success and don’t pass up any opportunity to gain respect by honoring others first.

Check out Empower Martial Arts today at www.empowermartialarts.org and our facebook page at facebook.com/Empower Martial Arts.

 

June Life Skill is Self-Control

 Self-control is one of the simplest concepts and yet is easily one of the biggest obstacles we will ever face. Self-control plays different roles in everyone’s lives from standing still to knowing when to put the fork down. Still, nothing will change unless you make a diligent change in your everyday life.

During Tae Kwon Do class we use a simple phrase to communicate self-control to our students. Clearly stated self-control means “controlling my actions.” For children to have a better understanding of what it means to have self-control, start by reinforcing this phrase and begin an ongoing dialog with your children at home about what their actions are and where they struggle with self-control. This will give them more confidence when they get to answer similar questions during class!

For adults and older kids, having a tangible way to track the areas in which they lack self-control and an accountability partner to hold them accountable are two of the most effective ways to finally making the simple changes in your lifestyle that you have always wanted to take control of. Don’t be ashamed to work on even the smallest areas of self-control from taking the trash out when it’s full to making your bed every morning. These small things speak volumes to others on how you respect yourself.

Take the steps toward achieving self-control today and celebrate the small victories every step of the way! For more information contact empowermartialarts@gmail.com or call (913)-754-6570.  If you can control your tongue, you can control your entire body.

Memorial Day

Empower Martial Arts would like to take a minute to thank all of our military families for the sacrifices, commitment, and service they give to this great country. Memorial Day is a big day for the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg community as we celebrate All American week and spend time in memory and prayer for our Gold Star families, friends, and loved ones who have sacrificed their lives for freedom.

Memorial Day is much harder for some, thankful for many, and a constant reminder that freedom has a price. So spend time with your family, forgive those who have wronged you, and love on those close to you.

Fun Facts: Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day, a day set aside to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers in the civil war. In 1971 the name was switched to Memorial Day, and was placed on the last Monday in May so the flowers would be in full bloom. It is also the second most popular day of the year for grilling.

EMA always wanting more

The easiest health tips you will ever receive

As you jump from diet to diet, meal plan to meal plan, workout to workout you will always discover new concepts, ideas, and regiments that seemingly work better for you. This post isn’t about finding the right model of eating or working out that fits you perfectly, but rather very simple ways to help your body feel better and even lose weight with regular exercise.

> do not “chug” down beverages: When finishing a workout many tend to inhale a large amount of water, Gatorade, etc…. This can easily cause cramps, muscle tightness, fatigue, and of course that bloated feeling. Sipping on water during your workouts, after your workouts, at home, at work, and all throughout the day is the best way to help your body digest food, regulate blood flow with proper breathing, and fight off hunger for longer periods of time.

> Listen to your body: For some people, listening to your body is hard. Ingredients such as sugar, caffeine, high fructose corn syrup, and high amounts of sodium trick our brain into thinking that we are getting what our body wants. If you are feeling pain in your kidneys, bladder, liver, etc… change what you are eating before it’s too late.

> Daily dose of Tae Kwon Do: Practicing your kicks, stances, blocks, and hand techniques on a regular basis are not just a great way to improve your balance, flexibility, and power, but also an excellent way to stay strong, in shape, and in tune with your body when done correctly.

For more health tips or questions from Empower Martial Arts, e-mail empowermartialarts@gmail.com or call (913)-754-6570.

Empower Martial Arts visits the Library for Tae Kwon Do and Tricking demonstration!

Mr. Holgerson of Empower Martial Arts works with the boys and girls at the Bordeaux Public Library in a demonstration and presentation of Tae Kwon Do and Martial Arts Tricking. For more information, contact empowermartialarts@gmail.com or (913)-754-6570 for more information.