Tony's Blog

2011-09-22T04:05:00.000-07:00

When the mind is focused the task is completed.
Funny isn't it that when we truly focus on something we seem to receive it or achieve it.At our academy www.yarmmartialarts.co.uk we emphasis the importance of focus and concentration and get the students to understand that we have to do this to achieve anything. It surprises me time and again by just directing the student to be aware of this the improvement can sometimes be dramatic.
We have students whose parents brought them to the academy, not so much to learn martial arts but to understand focus and concentration. When the same parents come up to you and thank you and the team for the change in their childs focus it makes the job worth while.
So what do you do, basically keep going back to the point that their actions create their results, using a never give up attitude creates a successful person in whatever they choose to do.By just explaining in a calm way when they enjoy something how focused they become compared to not enjoying a task when their mind wanders.
We all do this and that's why sometimes to focus and concentrate is difficult and must always be watched and nurtured to develop a mindset of focus and achievement.
The only way to get this is by helping the child or student to be aware at all times of their awareness and focus, in practising like in the martial arts as much as possible and then to build up to a focused and understanding mind.

2011-09-14T03:08:00.000-07:00

Well it all happened last week for the Middlesbrough Member Of Parliament been allegedly been the laziest MP in the country, unfortunate
But this is not the first time where someone in a position to lead who may have lost focus and direction on something from when they first started. So many people of influence let themselves down or can't maintain the focus and self discipline that is required when in the public eye or when people look up to someone.
Even on a small scale like in an academies like ours there are students who look up to higher graded students
how they move, their attitude,their drive, but sometimes that is dampened a little, when that student looking up joins the same class and gets to know that person.
They realise that the person they looked up to is not really all that different to them,WHY IS THIS?
Simply put we all think that there are people out there better then us, yes they maybe but only in certain areas of life we all have something we can improve on, and we forget that maybe just maybe someone looks up too you, and you don't realise this.
We don't have to shout or scream about who we are but just simple lead by example at the best of our abilities
by trying this and been mindful of it we do start to improve who we are and reach for our goals with a bit more drive and ambition so we create a life we would like.
So the next time you feel you are looking up to some one remember they are only human like you and you can just be has influencing yourself just simple show your light and don't hide in the dark.

2011-09-07T02:41:00.000-07:00

It's certainly been a long while since my last post, but been busy trying to get the academy right and other projects of the ground. But now we are back so follow us as I will post once a week.
This weeks post is about sparring.
So what about sparring, a part from the obvious trying to strike or score a point on your opponent, trying to keep your distance using good combinations, keeping your guard up, we know the basics in anything tends to be the best. But what about timeline in sparring, feinting, double feinting, not going back in a straight line, defensive sparring, bobbing and weaving, moving your head when to and when not to.
These are all part of the sparring process and many more.
So how do we improve these skills, like all martial arts training, by doing it!! A lot of students train but with all the aspects in their training , Patterns, forms, combinations, self defence drills, shield drills, focus pads drills, fitness drills, weapon skills, as you can see it all takes up time so how do we get round this.
One answer is to do workshops specific to one area of the students training. Why this format? simply it is purely more focused on that area so it makes more of an impact on the learning time, the skills practised need to be kept up so follow up workshops are great, but the beauty of this type of way of training is not all attend a specific workshop, and it tells on the dojo floor in normal lesson time the people who go to workshops and those that don't, The difference can be dramatic in some cases.
Without realising it students who do workshops on parts of their training like sparring, learn and adapt into their style and get great benefits from it. They gain confidence therefore relax more and efficiency of movement starts coming into play for example, students new to sparring will bounce around on nervous energy while experienced students will glide around with an ease that can only be learnt by doing the skill in a focused environment ie like workshops and seminars.
Sparring is great fun when done right, and it builds great confidence in students, so go to our face book page
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002850375303
Become friends and watch out for future videos about workshops,improving your training, how to do certain techniques etc all to do with martial arts training.

Ladies in Martial Arts

2010-11-08T03:14:00.000-08:00

When working in our academy Yarm Martial Arts Academy we find new students getting over their fear of coming into classes, one of the big problems. People have a miss conception about martial arts due to the publicity it receives. Like the movies, bad press and that you have to be a fighter to do the martial arts, also people going around shouting at each other.
For people to take such a an idea an not have an open mind means they are losing out.
Why can I say this? simple we have a lot of lady students who just love their martial arts training. They love the fun and friendly classes, the training can be a bit tough but not what they wouldn't expect, they are always smiling after class, feeling energised and learning new skills in their training. What motivates them is receiving their next belt when tested from time to time to encourage their development.
"I don't want to do belts," That's what we all the time from new adult students, "I just want to get fit," we agree say nothing and within three to four weeks of training that same person starts asking about belt tests, once people start something they want to see improvement and also hearing other adult students doing belt tests they want to join in.
We have no one student who comes just to get fit , they all want to learn and understand what the martial arts as to offer them personally.
So what can the martial arts offer?
Stamina, strength ,endurance, confidence,Flexibility,core building,stress busting,well being, energised for life.
So why don't more people take up martial arts because of the miss information they receive or see, it's about education and doing a kickboxing fitness programme just simple gets ladies doing the martial arts in some form an a chance to educate why people like you love the martial arts.
Go to www.yarmmartialarts.co.uk to see what we are all about and look at at our ladies only classes.

Halloween safety

2010-10-28T03:18:00.000-07:00

With Halloween soon upon us I was thinking about safety of children when trick or treating, not the younger ones but the children aged between 7 years old and 12 years old. The reason for this as a parent myself I know at this age children want to start doing things on their own.
Halloween is a great time for the kids and some of us adults as well, but we all need to be aware that there are still bullies who want to prey on the younger children at this age group. Demanding the goodies collected by the younger children on their own or just in twos.
While this is not common it is become apparent it is getting more each year listening to some of our karate kids between the ages of 7 to 12 years old.
Some tips we are giving children and parents are as follows

Don't talk to strangers
Always be aware who is on the street
Go around in small groups
Have your mobile handy
Tell your parents of anything your not to sure about
Have your child go out with a group of friends not just in twos
Tell your child to have the courage to shout stop if the bully tries to get their Halloween gifts
If the bully seems he may get physical to run away or shout fire ( people always look for a fire)
To tell you the parents immediately
Have the number of your local street warden or police support officer.
Always be aware of people on the street
Tell your child never to go into strangers houses if invited always wait on the doorstep. If approach by strangers or bullies tell some one immediately.

Remember it is all fun but we still need to be aware.
Here are some articles for you to read, just click on them.

www.ezinearticles.com/?Halloween-Safety-Guides---Last-Minute-Tips&id=5214521
www.ezinearticles.com/?Keep-Your-Kids-Safe-This-Halloween&id=1525098

self doubt when training

2010-09-21T11:06:00.000-07:00

In the last few weeks in teaching at the academy, I have noticed more and more of the new students getting frustrated in their training. This could be on a techinque or missing the focus pad on a combination.
Now we all get frustrated from time to time, whether it be in training or in life,but what we are actually doing is putting the first seed of doubt in our minds.
Like a plant seed this doubt seed will slowly grow then in time will grow faster to the point we give ourselves the excuses to stop training.
Even the expereince students still have to stop this self doubt process, it is a constant battle with ourselves and this is the beauty of the martial arts, the battle within ourselves, to improve our internal thinking and to see when we plant the seeds of self doubt we correct it.
One way to combat self doubt is to stop in that moment and say it's just a mistake and that's how we learn by mistakes. Congratulating yourself on recognising this process, like ying and yang always look for the opposite, ie negative counter is positive like sparring if your opponent expands you contract.
In sparring you learn a lot about yourself, do you defend more then attacking or do you attack more then you defend,our characters come to the fore when we are put into sparring mode without warning.
To all the adult students at the academy there is a sparring workshop on Saturday 9Th October see in the academy for times and check the website.
Self doubt remember is the start of excuses think about the cold nights when you have to leave the comfort of your home to go training, need to think about it? That's when self doubt takes control if you let it grow.
It's LEAVES ARE EXCUSES.

What children can achieve

2010-07-28T02:21:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys,

Been a while since I had a chance to get to my blog ,but it as been really hectic in the academy with demos we have been performing all over the tees area.

If you want to see what the our demo looks like check it out on http://www.yarmmartialarts.co.uk/ and look to the right hand side for demo video.

This demo was at our local cinema promoting the new karate kid movie,so the demo was only small. But what got me thinking, when watching the video is how the martial arts as helped these kids in the video.

How? you may ask,Well they all came to the academy for one reason mainly to build confidence, what you see is a group of kids who are so confident in their abilties, and willingness to help others that these guys on our all day demos get members of the public to try out the martial arts ie punching pads etc.

What is really great about the development of these students is when a 16 year old boy will listen to a 10 year old boy in how to punch a pad correctly.

Now this might not grab your attention, but when this follows through into their everyday lifes it can be amazing. For instances this story illustrates what I mean.

Oliver one our younger demo members only seven, was at school when a young Spanish boy new to the country and area was introduced to the class.

Oliver's teacher asked our young member to help the new classmate, Now with the different cultures and school systems,the new arrival didn't know how to read and spoke very little English.

The new classmate as you can imagine must have been a little uncomfortable to say the least. However with Oliver by his side, the new class mate was made welcome,and overtime learnt what he had to.

But Oliver's parents were over the moon with their son, as the teacher told them the new class mates progress was with Oliver helping at every opportunity teaching English helping his class mate learn to read.

Now this Oliver's parents said would not have happened if he had come to the martial arts and learnt about doing your best and helping others, but also having the confidence to help others.

So before you see children or your child doing something wrong don't cirticse discuss and encourage them, because they are young and learning.
Go see the demo http://www.yarmmartialarts.co.uk and see how confident the kids look,it is all time and patience.

Times flies by

2010-05-20T03:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys,
It's been over a month since my last blog but things have been going such a pace at the academy, I have found it hard to get to the computer to get this blog down,
While I have been busy I got thinking how we in the west seem to rush from one thing to another, it seems we don't want to slow down either, time just gets quicker and quicker.
What I have done is try to get some me time back, not to go out and do my thing, but to sit quiet for 30 minutes or so just reflecting of where I am in my life, what I have achieved and what needs to be done.
Two things I am doing here is to appreciate my life and what I have , secondly to re asses what I want to do in the near future, to reach my personal goals.
And the main thing to take time out of the rush, I do this probably ever other day it seems to work and I can readjust any negative feelings I may have,on any issues.
So give it ago have some you time to reflect and think you are going in life, even if this is not you at least you have sat down for a break. speak soon

2010-04-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

With the Easter break now over and the warm weather coming, this is the time where people start wishing they had begun doing that new fitness programme they wanted to start when the new year began.

We all have good intentions, but life seems to get in the way, now summer is round the corner some people start worrying what they might look like on the beach on their summer holidays.

Now my experience as a martial arts instructor is this, at this time of year people try to cram a year or six months worth of training into about 12 weeks or less.

What happens?

Pulled muscles, sore muscles, injury that takes six weeks to recover and then summer is upon them.

Then the negative thoughts of why didn't I start training sooner, to lose that weight, to lose that stomach. This process happens so often that some people actually start wishing they weren't going on holiday, why you may ask.

Confidence in how they feel, because they didn't get that weight off, they don't feel comfortable in their bodies, and this leads to this feeling of not wanting to be on holiday.

A negative thought like this can seed in our minds then grow. In some cases to the effect that it could upset their lives dramatically. Leading to depression, lack off self worth, and so on .

We are all different in our believes and thoughts that this simple thought process leads to this.

One thing I have learnt from the martial arts is no matter what, there is always a new starting point.Time is always giving us a chance to start that fitness programme, but we must realise that there are no buttons to fast track our bodies to fitness.

You have to be patient and persevere to achieve that level of fitness you require,people can get hung up about someone Else's abilities or level of fitness this is the wrong way to look at this subject.
In one form or other we are all at different levels of fitness not the same old I am not fit attitude but look at a top athlete ,to a good club athlete a different fitness level why?
Because of time and length in training ie years as to months.
This applies to everyone even you,so never think it is to late to start getting fit,never compare yourself to some else use this idea as a guide to what you want to achieve,and last remember you can always start at anytime not just the new year.

Easter break

2010-04-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, with the Easter break upon us, and a time with family and friends. In my last blog I wrote about how important relationships with friends and family are.

Question is what about you?

Your relationship with yourself.

In training terms I tend to take a breath and let the body recuperate, but this year I am going to be doing some training over the break, due to the fact all last year I was just maintaining my level.

The most important part for this time of year is to reflect where I am in my life ie relationships, my personal goals, whats the plans for the near future.

Most people tend to do this at the start of a new year, which is great but I personally like to take stock now, why you may ask.

Winter is so called offically over, the clocks have gone back, the days are longer and the sun gets a lot warmer basically a good spring clean.

Now if you made plans at the start of the new year maybe this is a good time to reflect how you are doing, or maybe to pick up your new resolutions up again if you did drop them.

Why not tell people what you are going to do, this will hold you accountable so you have to follow through with those promises to yourself.

But like I said use the break for you and rest, spend time with the family and think about you!

Have a great easter

2010-03-30T03:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys sorry for the long time between my first blog and this one, thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday recently,asked how old I felt by one friend,my reply "like I was twenty". It's not your age in my opinion its your outlook on life that makes the difference.
Reason I haven't posted a new blog recently it has been a busy time at our academy www.yarmmartialarts.co.uk and having a break with family.
With been away it is interesting how you quickly recharge the batteries for life, the interaction on my family members was different then when we are all working and rushing around.
Been relaxed and not needing to be anywhere important, we all seemed so happy to be there with no care in the world.None of us complaining about work or life in general, this got me thinking how with the pace of life so fast, getting to that next meeting, making that phone call, getting ready to teach,dealing with companies not delivering on their promise,time soon passes,so does your life.
In this race we do forget to take that time out to think about people who are important to us, and how we interact with them.
I have a friend who lives on his own, and has just a few close family and friends,when I asked him once was he happy this way he replied" you can have a lot of people around you but to have real quality time with these people would be hard,a few friends like you I can call anytime, rely on, and know if I had a problem you would be there to support me. So when I am at home, on my own, I don't feel alone"."This you can not have if you have loads of acquaintances, it's just hello goodbye relationships nice but overall mean less". ( my friend can be deep thinking)
So when all the people who wished me a happy birthday, family, friends, students,and fellow instructors,I suddenly realised that I have a lot of friends who are not hello goodbye relationships but have developed from the many people I meet on a weekly basis.
For that I am grateful, and know that if I do Have a problem I will have plenty of support, but to appreciate this you do need to take time out relax and ponder on your own relationships with people. It goes back to your outlook on life, things never seem so important then friendship and interaction with others that makes us feel, confident and happy with ourselves.
Always remember what goes out comes back, EVENTUALLY.

Welcome

2010-02-05T01:45:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new blog site, for those students who train at the academy, there will be plenty of my thoughts and advice on a host of topics. For new people to this site hope you like our website, please join in the forum, but please keep the forum informative and useful discussion, no stupid tries on idiot stuff guys( you know what I mean) it is monitored and you will be banned.
We are trying to give martial arts thoughts on the forum and sometimes in this blog.
Hope to have you visiting this blog regularly.
Thanks for looking take care and as we say watch this space.