Posts Tagged ‘encouragement’

There’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…

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Karate 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…

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Bully Prevention Smarts

I believe that there is no better bully prevention for kids than being a part of a dedicated, supportive traditional Okinawan karate dojo, such as East Valley Martial Arts. Over many years, I have seen our child students successfully put on the armor of confidence, respect, humbleness and pride. Not to mention fighting spirit. These…

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Holidays are Here

It is fitting that we have cheerful, bright, loud holidays to finish out December. And even more suitable that they encourage us to be together with friends and family. The longest, darkest weeks of the year are upon us, with the longest night of winter equinox, being around December 21st. We need the holidays as…

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WORKING HARD OR HARDLY WORKING

Young children may refer to class as “playing karate.”  However they will also play at cleaning house, going to the office, and building things.  Karate requires hard work; all martial arts do, when done right. HOW KARATE REQUIRES HARD WORK Karate physically challenges us, not just in endurance or strength, but also in balance, coordination…

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Generic American Martial Arts

By Jenifer Tull-Gauger A thoughtful friend posed this on our Facebook page: I would like someone like the Tull-Gaugers to develop an “American Martial Arts” – a generic Kung Fu or Karate that all Americans could know and practice at school or home. My response: I agree that people need to take responsibility in learning…

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Follow What?

By Jenifer Tull-Gauger “Follow what you love, and it will take you where you need to go.”  -Natalie Goldberg Then there’s the quote attributed to David Gerrold, “Life is hard and then you die.” Following what you love will not take away the hard times and difficult things in your life.  Following your bliss is…

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An Attitude of Gratitude

By Jenifer Tull-Gauger I was “in a funk.”  The year had been hard on me.  Way too busy.  Most of the busyness was good—we had non-stop visits from family and friends, and enriching events to attend.  But our finances were severely strained and I saw no solution.  My own schedule was pulled in so many…

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POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS

By Jenifer Tull-Gauger The SNL self-help parody goes something like, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me.”  The comedian Emo Phillips said, “What you see is what you get.”  There is truth in comedy. As we go through childhood, we hear at some point that we are bad.  Whether…

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My Country & My Dojo

By Jenifer Tull-Gauger, September 2001. I watched footage of the September 11th terrorist attack on our country without shedding a tear.  I was shocked, scared, sorrowful, angry, and confused, but my eyes were dry as I watched from a distance. I cried just a few tears while watching the Prayer Service at the State Capitol…

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