Positive Attitude through Karate: 5 Ways
Recently, we have been looking at some of the unwritten dojo rules at East Valley Martial Arts. One of these expectations is having a good attitude. We explain to our kids that a positive attitude means that even if you have a bad day, you do your best to put a smile on your face…
Read MoreKarate Builds Character: 5 Ways
Kids have their own reasons for liking karate. This neat 50-second video gives several. One thing parents like is that karate builds character. I started as an adult and I have seen my own character strengthen through martial arts. Merriam-Webster defines character as “moral excellence and firmness.” Larry Roach says, “Our character is who we really are, even when…
Read More5 Ways Traditional Karate Builds Confidence
Our program of traditional karate builds confidence in many ways that have been passed down. Our teacher directly gave some of these to us, but most come from many generations of karate masters even going back to the first instructors as they trained the first practitioners. Traditional karate builds confidence in both adult classes and…
Read MoreChuckle Moments in Little Dragons Class
In my nearly 20 years of involvement at our dojo and in the Alliance I have witnessed plenty of funny chuckle moments that are martial arts related. We practice an art that encourages discipline, so many times I have to keep a straight face while on the inside I’m laughing giddily. Here I would like…
Read MoreKarate Kid Fun: Glimpse into Dojo Hilarity
One of the perks I have as a martial arts instructor is seeing karate kid fun first-hand. Kids say and do the some of the funniest things. We run a tight, disciplined ship in class, but we have fun too. Your perk today? You don’t have to put in the hard work, sweat, concern, tears…
Read MoreThere’s No Crying in Karate
The Tom Hanks quote, “There’s no crying in baseball,” came out in the 1992 movie, A League of Their Own. Since then, this phrase has gained popularity. We even use it to frame other phrases about sucking it up in other activities and places. That generated the proclamation, there’s no crying in karate! THERE’S NO…
Read MoreMartial Arts Humor in Memes
I like to divide martial arts humor into two categories. Category One is humor that can be understood by the general public with a bit of kung fu movie viewing. Category Two includes jokes that are mainly appreciated by people after they have started training. Memes revolve around humor. For people around my age and…
Read MoreKids in Karate: What Parents Love
Chuck Norris is quoted as saying, “Karate is one of the best things you can do for your child.” And there are many reasons to enroll your kids in karate ASAP. But maybe it’s one of those things that you can’t truly appreciate until you’ve experienced it. Here are my favorite things about being a…
Read MoreKarate Spouse Benefits
When I say karate spouse, I mean the wife or husband of a karate practitioner. I am looking at the benefits of being the spouse of a karateka. And admittedly, I am biased, looking through the eyes of someone who trains. But I have met many karate wives, and some husbands too, who appreciate the…
Read MoreKarate Training: Why I Love It
I began karate as an adult in March of 1999, and loved karate training from day one. Like me, adult students appreciate a lot about being active in a dojo. Now I am a co-head-instructor at our medium-sized, traditional Okinawan dojo. My title is Renshi, and so is my husband’s. With that title we are also…
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