Ah . . . the art of listening. Even though you claim to be listening and you respond at the right moment with the typical ahs, uh-huhs, and yups, you may still find yourself in a daze. Just because the auditory process is working and the sound is going into your ears it doesn’t mean you have clear understanding.

Maybe even right now you’ve scanned this article up to this point and really haven’t given it your 100% undivided attention. Let’s stop and start again, this time with 100% intent. Okay, are you with me? I hope you went back to the drawing board and started from the top and now you are intent on getting everything possible out of this.

I have some rules for listening and they can apply to you. The very lessons I am speaking of can help you in your Martial Arts, with relationships, at school and at work.  If you become a better listener you will become a better person.

Four Tips for Better Listening!

1. Make sure you are not distracted. Eliminate any outside factors that may take away your concentration.

2. When you listen, really listen. Do not let anything interfere, such as background noise, music etc. Stay focused on the topic at hand.

3. Look directly at the person you are listening to; do not shuffle through papers and do not engage in any other activity: eye contact or at least face contact is important.

4. Feed back what you have heard. “So this is what I understand that you’re saying. Is this correct?” Make sure you are on the same page.

Becoming an effective listener takes practice. I notice in my classes that only a portion of what goes into a person’s head is retained. And especially when I’m teaching young students, only a part of the information is learned. Even parents don’t always give their undivided attention to their children when they are talking.  But it doesn’t need to be this way.  Although this may be the case now, the best place to start to fix the problem is with you. Follow rules one through four and you will be well on your way to becoming a better listener.  I assure you that this is something that will improve your relationships and communication with others making you a better Martial Artist, student, and friend. Just listen!

What are the benefits of martial arts? This is a great question parents often ask when they enroll their children in martial arts. Of course, there are many obvious benefits such as stress relief, self-defense, and social and sports aspects, but did you know martial arts training is also a great form of fitness?

Martial arts training is not only great for toning your body, but it also offers a great cardio workout. The best part is you get all the other values while getting into shape.

Another benefit over the typical gym, is we have professional instructors to motivate you and keep you on track to meet your fitness goals. Keep in mind, results don’t happen overnight but you will start feeling the benefits right away. Combine martial arts with a balanced diet and you will be on your way to a healthy lifestyle.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to work out and get in shape, then give martial arts classes a try. If you aren’t enrolled in classes, or you know someone looking for a place to get in shape, talk to an instructor today to meet and exceed one of the most common and difficult resolutions. This is your year!

p.s. Check out our FREE Friday Night Bag Workouts for the month of January 2011 at Progressive Martial Arts - pmaoakridge.eventbrite.com.

By David Corrigan

Laughter is an instant vacation.  ~Milton Berle

Most of the hours of our day are spent working and even when not working, as adults we tend to worry, stress and take everything seriously. Why? Because it is important that things get done. It is important that we meet our deadlines and expectations. We don't have time to let go of the stress and worry of every day life because we feel like we will get behind and not catch up in the rat race.

Wait a minute. Rat race? This is a common term used to describe going to work, but take a second to really think about what a "rat race" is. The term rat race on Wikipedia is described as:

an endless, self-defeating or pointless pursuit. It conjures up the image of the futile efforts of a lab rat trying to escape while running around a maze or in a wheel. In an analogy to the modern city, many rats in a single maze expend a lot of effort running around, but ultimately achieve nothing (meaningful) either collectively or individually.

The rat race is a term often used to describe work, particularly excessive work; in general terms, if one works too much, one is in the rat race.

Take a minute and analyze the "work" that you are allowing to sneak into the rest of your life. Is there any benefit to letting this stress and worry into our lives. How much difference does it make if we leave work and let work weigh us down. Will you not be more productive and positive if you let yourself go when you leave work and come back each and every day refreshed and feeling good?

Here are 3 tips to feel good this fall:

1. Laugh

I read a recent article in "Knoxville" magazine by Leslie Wylie in which she mentions, "when life gets you down, a good belly laugh can help get the good times flowing again." Find something that you really enjoy, to the point of laughter. For many, it is playing with their kids, for others it is a healthy, competitive game of basketball with a group of friends.

For me, it is my wife, my two dogs and training with my friends and family. I enjoy these three things so much that they bring me laughter!

2. Live

Find something that you really love to do that will take your mind away from the world for a while. Martial arts is a perfect example. When you train martial arts you will find an enjoyable exercise that is an escape from the world.

I was on the mat with one of my purple belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu last night that told me one of the things they love most about training is that it is a healthy, competitive sport that he can do for the rest of his life. At twenty six years old, there are many other activities that he could be doing but he commits himself to training 2-3 times per week because of the way it makes him feel.

Indulge yourself in a good book, a good training session, or maybe a good meal! Just don't get too comfortable with those good meals, or at least follow them up with a good training session.

3. Love

Spend time with your friends and family. Leslie Wylie advises couples to head to the corn maze, jump on a hay-wagon or roast some pumpkin seeds with your family this fall. Do not let the hustle of the day keep you away from the ones that you love.

If you let work and laziness into your daily life, you will not be happy. Let yourself go this fall with the 3 tips listed above and I guarantee you will feel good. Check out this quote from the author of the new movie, Eat Pray Love.

Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. - Elizabeth Gilbert

We all tend to fall off track from time to time.  But when we make it a habit to pick ourselves up and get right back on track, then we increase our chances of success in everything we do.

It is not easy to be the best we can be on a day-to-day basis; it takes intense focus. Our problem is that we do not coach ourselves enough on how to stay focused. The solution is to make it a habit to coach ourselves, especially when we make mistakes.

Here are good habits that you can develop and practice every day:

1. Take responsibility for yourself. Responsibility is the recognition that in order to succeed you must make appropriate decisions about your priorities, your time, and your resources.
2. Center yourself around your values and principles. Don’t let your friends dictate what you should consider important.
3. Put first things first. Follow up on the priorities you set for yourself.  Don’t let others, or others’ interests, distract you from your goals.
4. Discover your key productivity periods and places. Utilize the times and places where you feel the most motivated to be productive with studying, creativity, and work.
5. Consider yourself in a win-win situation. You win by doing your best in your class, at school, at work, and even at home. Whether you’re working at your peak performance for yourself, your fellow students, teachers, or family, if you put your best effort forward then everyone involved becomes a winner.
6. First understand others, and then attempt to be understood. Put yourself in the other person’s place when you disagree. How would you feel if you were on the other side? Then ask yourself how you can make the situation better.
7. Look continually to challenge yourself. Challenges are what make us grow, and open up new opportunities. If you make it a habit to keep yourself challenged, whether by learning a new instrument, taking up a new hobby, or even starting a new job, you will accomplish more than you would have believed possible.

We need to develop the habit of coaching ourselves every day so that we can be the best that we can be.  By doing so we will enrich our lives, and will eventually reach the point where self-development comes naturally. Wanting to have good habits is the first step; taking action is the vital second step. You can accomplish more than you ever imagined as you consciously focus on building good habits.

If you’re looking for something new in the realm of health and fitness, consider engaging in martial arts. It’s a fantastic way to build strength, improve flexibility and release mental tension. Plus, it isn’t gender sensitive, men and women both benefit, and it has no age limitations, anyone from a child to a senior can get involved.

The toughest part of martial arts is knowing what to look for in a studio. Competition is fierce, but not all facilities or instructors are created equally. Here are a few guidelines to help propel you in the right direction during your decision making process.

1.  Consider Your Objectives

There are many different styles and forms of martial arts and each has a different technique and approach. Do some research or ask around to determine what type of martial arts is best for you and what you’d like to accomplish. Whether it’s weight loss, toning or something else, you’re certain to find a dojo that will meet your needs.

2.  Research Your Instructor

Just because someone claims to be a black belt doesn’t mean that they’re qualified to train or teach. Martial arts instructors need to have good communication skills and leadership abilities, as well as motivational aptitude and empathetic tendencies. All of these characteristics are what build a connection between an instructor and the student. Additionally, they should have a relevant degree, related background and expertise, belong to a credible martial arts organization and be trained as an instructor.

3.  Individual Or Group

Decide if you prefer to train and learn with others or if you’d like one-on-one instruction. Depending on your comfort level and goals, you’ll want to see if either option is available through your martial arts studio.

4.  Programs Offered

As previously mentioned, martial arts facilities are competing for students and often times they’ll employmarketingstrategies to claim why they’re better over someone else. Keep anopen mind and remember that despite good marketing it’s important to understand what the curriculum is the dojo. Are studies more wrestling and kickboxing based? Or, do they offer more kicking and stances? Ask students and do your homework.

5.  Facility And Services

Martial arts training is expensive. If you’re going to invest in your health and fitness make sure to evaluate the cleanliness, receptiveness and willingness that the martial arts team has to help you attain your goals. Fancy equipment doesn’t always mean better, but chaos and disarray isn’t a good choice either. Use your instincts.

At Progressive Martial Arts Academy we teach martial arts as a "Way of Life." When choosing a martial arts teacher, you should always look for someone who will be able to teach you more than how to fight. A martial arts teacher is a pointer of the way. You follow out of faith, honor, and respect - NOT because they are going to teach you to be a better fighter (although that may be a side benefit) but because they may help you polish the mirror of your self.

They teach you how to learn about yourself. They have been where you want to go - along the same path you seek (a new you). A teacher is not perfect, or may not have all the answers, but, they do know more of the "Way of Life" than a student does. Once personal security issues are less of a concern one begins to see that Traditional Method has a rhyme and reason.

A Dojo, as well as the Martial Arts, is a microcosm of life. What we learn on the physical we apply on the mental/emotional and vice versa. A traditional way, taught by a well qualified instructor (by any name i.e. Sifu, Sempai, Professor, Sensei, Shihan, Shidoshi, Tuhan, Guro, Guru, Pendaker, etc, etc) is about learning how to live and learn. Find a martial arts instructor that can teach you the way through traditional roots and modern adaptations in technique to stay with the times.

If you’re in a situation where self-defense is needed, how do you know the best defensive measure to exercise? The type of self-defense strategy that you use is really based on your circumstances. Not all self-defense techniques can or should be used because they’re not all guaranteed to work. Taking a self-defense course is the best way to understand what strategies to utilize and when you should implement them. In the mean time, here’s a quick list on some moves that you should practice.

1.  Groin Kick

Not only one of the best moves, but also one that’s thought of first is a simple, swift kick to the groin. Abrupt and sudden contact to the groin can render an attacker defenseless, at least for a minute or two, and that’s all the time you need to make a quick get-away.

2.  Eye Jab

The eyes are soft and easy targets. Using your fingers and thrusting them into the eyes is effective because it’s usually not expected. Keep in mind that an eye jab is used to disarm an attacker, not blind them. A well-delivered eye jab will cause pain, blurry vision and eye watering and that can buy you a few seconds to escape.

3.  Foot Stomp

Assailants need to be in close proximity to you in order to attack and this can be advantageous for this next move. Using all your might, stomp down on the top of the foot with your heel. Not the toes, but the long metacarpal bones that connect to them. With enough force you have the potential to break the bones and certainly delay the attack. This window of opportunity is all you need to flee the scene to safety.

4.  Headbutt

If you’re arms and hands are being restrained, use what you’ve got - your noggin. Your head can be used as a battering ram to slam into an attacker’s nose, face and mouth. Use your skull to slam into vulnerable and accessible facial areas with full force. Again, the goal is to create a diversion so that you can run for help.

As with any technique, practice makes perfect. If you haven’t used self-defense techniques before or in quite awhile, consider enrolling in a course to get freshened up. Choosing to be prepared is planning for survival.

Participating in physical activity is much more beneficial than a sedentary lifestyle. And as we age, it becomes even more important to incorporate some form of fitness into our daily routine. Exercise has been shown to improve your mood, combat chronic diseases and manage your weight. Regardless of your age, sex or physical ability, experiencing the outstanding health benefits that martial arts has to offer is a great way to improve your well-being.

Here’s a quick run down on some of the wonderful advantages that martial arts provides in the world of fitness.

1. Mentally Refreshing

Seeped in ancient traditions, the martial arts have significant mental and spiritual elements that work toward enhancing mental focus and cultivating better self-control. Filtering energy and cleansing the mind from stress and tension enables martial arts practitioners to feel a sense of balance and tranquility that transcends into their daily lives. If you’re feeling the pressure from work, family and life, exploring martial arts is an excellent way to release some of the tenseness.

2. Sense of Accomplishment

Unlike running on a treadmill or pedaling in a spin class, martial arts involves a series of progressions that define advancement and skill level. Through practice and commitment, martial arts enthusiasts are able to see themselves advance from novice to expert. Measurement through recognition builds confidence and creates a rewarding environment.

3. Increase Strength

Pop culture and Hollywood have misled many people into believing that martial arts is strictly about training and fighting. In truth, martial arts is more about cardiovascular fitness and toning the muscular system. Various techniques are employed that develop strength through calisthenics, which make martial arts a great way to become stronger without getting bulky.

4. Overall Stamina

Research shows that the combination of exercise and energy found in martial arts considerably bolsters stamina. Chemicals released in the brain make you feel better, stimulate the immune system and have even demonstrated anti-aging capabilities.

5. Flexibility

The soft style routines found in some forms of martial arts dramatically increase flexibility. Training and study of martial arts requires an entire range of motion from the body and that helps with coordination and balance.

There are many forms of martial arts to choose from. Find one that’s right for you and discover the benefits first hand.

There are hundreds of different types of martial arts in existence. Although most have share a common point of origin, they are unique in terms of philosophy, technique and instruction. So how do you decide what’s the best type of martial arts for you? Fortunately, it’s not as tough as you might think. By following some of the suggestions below you’ll be on your way to discovering a whole new style of fitness and activity that meets your needs.

What’s Most Important to You?

Take the time to think about what you want to accomplish in terms of fitness. There’s a lot to consider so making a list of what you want to accomplish is a good place to start. Do you want to reduce stress? Are you interested in increasing overall strength? Have you seen a movie that inspired you to want to learn more? The more you know about yourself and what your motivations are, the easier it will be to focus your martial arts interests.

What Style is Right For Me?

Here’s the part where the questions that you just answered come into play. Whether you’re seeking self-defense training or looking at enhancing your dexterity and flexibility, there are a number of martial arts to choose from. In fact, too many for a simple blog post to cover. Instead, read up on some of the various methods and styles and then determine whether you’d like training that’s more formal or informal or kicking and punching or weapon-based. Narrowing down the aspects that appeal most to you, coupled with your objectives is a sure fire way to find precisely what you want.

How Do I Find a School?

Hit the web and start looking for studios in your local area. Don’t let yourself feel overwhelmed by the number of choices available. Martial arts are intensely popular, but like all businesses there are both good and bad ones. If you’ve experienced sub-par interactions with one studio, don’t let it influence your opinion of martial arts in general.

Visit the studio in person and speak with an instructor face-to-face. They’re there to answer questions and provide you with solid information to make informed decisions. Make sure that students are practicing in a safe and clean environment and read-up on the credentials and background of your instructors. Inquire about a free trial class to see if the training is a good fit for you. The more you know the easier it will be to choose a martial arts studio that meets your needs.

In the last few months, there have been three news items that represent typical America today.  The first item is a story about a 15 year old girl in South Hadley Massachusetts that was bullied so much at school that she committed suicide.  The second story was about a girl who was beaten up so badly at her high school by a boy six times her size that she was in a coma for weeks, and is still in the hospital.  Finally, the third story is about a young boy who was set on fire by another group of teens.  He will be recovering from his injuries for the next year or so.

Like I said in the first line, these incidents now represent typical America.  Long gone are the old days where two boys scrapped it out after school until one cried uncle.  Education and young life in America has become a very real urban war zone, and the ultimate price is being paid.

This morning, I saw a news item on some of these incidents.  Specifically, it showed very angry parents lashing out at school officials.  As a matter of fact, some of the parents were so angry that they were beginning to become violent and had to be escorted out of meetings with school officials.

Now, I have to agree that school officials have to be aware of bullying, and have to enforce policies relative to such; however, bully prevention begins at home.  If parents want to be mad, then they should be mad at themselves.  Why?  Well, let me ask this question:  What have you done as a parent to teach your kids how to take care of themselves?

• Do your kids sit around playing videos more than 1 or 2 hours a week?  If so, they are not learning about reality.  In video games they can be as ominous as their thumbs let them.
• Do your kids spend most of their communications time texting?  If so, they are losing the ability to verbally defend themselves and confront their assailants.  Texting is okay WITH LIMITS.
• Remember, all of the basketball, baseball, or tennis skills in the world won’t work.  Want them involved in a school sport?  Choose wrestling.
• Do your kids train in Martial Arts?  Martial arts training teaches sportsmanship, confidence.  It creates a team environment. No one – absolutely no one- is ever bullied in the Martial Arts Gym.  If anything, fellow students bolster each other’s self confidence and self worth.
• Have you ever taken your child to a bully prevention class?  I have offered three in the past 18 months.  Total attendance was 2.  Can you imagine that; only two sets of parents willing to give up the time to see to it that their kid had an advantage!
• Do you keep your kids fit through promotion of exercise, and good diet?  Many kids who are bullied are victims because of their physical appearance.

If you need help with the bullying problem – give one of the instructors a call at 865-481-8901.

PS.  Bullying doesn’t stop in school……just ask any adult if they have encountered a bully as an adult!