Martial Arts Life

August 30,2019 I know that black belt trainings are important but school comes before martial arts. Schools have events like field trips, concerts, shows, and more that happen within the span of the school year. I just got from my band teacher the schedule through October and there was only one event that interferes with special trainings. The special training on October 19th I will not be able to attend due to a Band team-building field trip that goes through that weekend. This is one example of when school would come before martial arts. School comes before martial arts because school should be the primary focus for students. There are classes like band, choir, drama, that sometimes require performances that happen outside of normal school hours. School should be one of the most important things to a student even if they think it is a waste of time but it is helping them even if they don't realize it. Nathan Minor 2nd Degree Black Belt Candidate 2019

Last night I was talking with Nick about how stressed out I was feeling.  We're nearing the end of the test, and there's a lot to focus on, and some days I still feel like I can barely keep up.  When we get to the end of the day, and the kids are finally in bed, I know I should be working on things for the test, but my brain just kind of shuts down.  Last night, I was feeling so completely unmotivated and defeated. However, this morning I came up with a plan that will help me make more time for the things I need to focus on through the end of this test.  By making a slight adjustment in my schedule (staying home to work out instead of going to CrossFit Cimmeria), I have now picked up 1.5 hours 3 times per week to work on forms, my open form, other techniques, etc.  4.5 hours total...that's huge!  I was spending a ton of time driving/socializing after the workout, when I could have been working on other things.  I am so much more excited and motivated...

Last week I was able to volunteer some time at SBN Samantha's camp. And to start out, it was amazing, the camp was organized and planned out to the minute, to what activity was being done, to materials for storytelling, coloring sheets and books, and even the superhero theme. Though I was only able to help out for the morning shift, it was so heartwarming to be the with kids, playing, coloring, writing, creating our own story and even our own superhero. When do you ever get to create your own superhero and how their story plays out? I wish there was a camp like this one when I was younger, I would have totally loved every minute of it. Helping out SBN Samantha with her camp reassured and grew my passion for my School Supply Drive; which is something I've wanted to do but not like most other school supply drives. Some of the more common school supply drives give back to elementary schools, which is amazing, being able to share with such young kids and show what it's like to ...

August 25, 2019 My Black Belt first test was nothing like this one. My first black belt test I decided to take part in it about 2 months before the test happened. With some help, I realized that if I didn’t test now that I would have to wait another year before I could test for my Black Belt. Also when I ended up testing I tested with both my brother Ryan, who was a 2nd dan testing for 3rd dan and sister Ami who was a 1st dan testing for 2nd dan. I was rushed to learn Koreo, memorize the terminology, and learn all the one steps. Ryan worked with me constantly on Koreo until I got it good enough. This test is a full year of testing whereas my previous test was only one day. At the beginning of the year, it was all systems go, working on whatever I was told. In the middle of the year, it was more relaxed, I think this is most likely because it was starting to feel like this test was just dragging on. Now that we are in the final stretch of the test I feel like it's playing ...

       Last week I had the opportunity to help with a one week kids camp created and organized by Samantha as her community service project.  Her theme was Superheros!  She did an amazing job of creating, organizing, teaching, ensuring everyone's safety, and scheduling help. Her gift of time, her love for kids, the knowledge she shared and the cool activities she taught gave the kids the opportunity to experience something they may have never had the chance to experience.  It definitely made her a superhero!        When we think of superheroes we often think of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, The Hulk etc.  A Superhero has extraordinary abilities and powers, they are courageous, have strong moral codes, tolerant to pain, they have a great sense of responsibility, a fighting spirit, mental stability, and when faced with challenges they have the will to overcome. When I think of a superh...

    Have you ever came across someone who could complete a rubiks cube, ride a unicycle, do a back tuck, or juggle?  If you are like me you are in awe of people who can do things like that because it's not something most people can do.  As part of one of our Black Belt trainings Master Nick handed us each 3 small colorful balls.  Our mission...with his guidance learn to juggle!  WHAT??!!! JUGGLE?  We all looked at eachother with bewilderment, excitement and some doubt.  He took us step by step.  When we were able to do the first step he added in the second step and once we practiced that then he add in the third step and so on.  Eventually some of us were...JUGGLING and some of us (like me) needed to keep practicing. With time, practice and determination we might go onto juggle 4, 5 or 6 balls or maybe juggle something more challenging. It was so much fun but learning how to juggle took us down a path of frustration, times of wanting to...

Last week's camp was awesome, and exhausting!  I am so lucky to have had awesome volunteers to help me make the camp fun for the kiddos.  I have to admit, I was extremely nervous about running the camp, as it has been YEARS since I ran my last camp at Aim High.  Part of the anxiety stemmed from wanting to make sure the kiddos got something out of the week.  I tend to get anxious about wanting to make sure the activities I plan are at the right level, have the right message, etc., and for this group of kiddos, I was extra sensitive to ensuring that everything we did was positive. The kids were great, and while there were some ups and downs with focus (to be expected when teaching younger kids), they melted my heart with their genuine love of superheroes and how much they enjoyed using their imagination.  I loved watching them think and create as they were challenged with various activities, each in their own individual ways.  I also saw the spark in some o...

We have reached a point in the test where most of us have pushed ourselves so far past that we have sustained an injury of some sorts. If there is one thing that we each need to take time doing, it's self-care. We are all capable of pushing ourselves and we know that but we also need to be capable and know when enough is enough for now and focus on self-care. Being the group that we are, self-care can be put on the back burner and often be 'forgotten' about until it's greatly needed. This past weekend as a team we competed and complete a Terrain Race. This was an amazing event to be able to get out of the studio and into the world. Through this, we had travel time in which we got to chat and get to know each other on another level and build up those relationships outside of kicking and punching each other. For me, it was nice just to be able to have a 'normal' get to know you conversation with those I was with. For most of us, we only see each other in class or ...