Kids martial art and Focus

Posted by admin on Mar 22, 2013 in Kids martial arts classes | 0 comments

Kids martial arts and focus

It’s incredible sometimes to see the capacity children have to learn. They are sponges. They see and absorb things around them in their environment. They can repeat back to us things we have said and model behaviors we ourselves have demonstrated. The hardest part for all of this is figuring out how to get them to pay attention, to stay focused. Kids are easily distracted and easily re-directed. They don’t always seem to follow things and their attention span is akin to a stream of consciousness narrative in a James Joyce novel.

Working with kids in sports and seeing my child in her kids martial arts class I know how difficult it is to keep a group of kids on task. The skill comes in recognizing when you have to let the kids release their “wiggles” and when they can listen to you with intent. The other art to teaching is keeping the information concise. When you’re coaching something like a kids martial arts class-an art that involves thinking, recognizing, and reacting accordingly it’s difficult to get all the things they need to know in a small package.

I also believe that focusing is learning in 2 different ways-it’s paying attention to what is being taught but also, when practicing, being aware of what is happening in the moment. I think many of think of it as being a singular goal and working towards that goal but another part is being aware and being flexible to work around obstacles while keeping the goal (your focus) in sight. This is difficult enough as an adult that understands the concept and reasoning, how do you you express it to a child who is experiencing it for the first time…?

Kids martial arts classes are FUN.

Kids are fascinated with things that are fun. Parents know that if you want a child to clean up their room you can make a game out of it, make a race when walking home from school and all of the sudden the legs aren’t tired anymore. I’m sure some of the parents understand. The more the kids see something as playing the more they will invest in it.

My daughter loves the Jiu-Jitsu “virus” game that is played in her kids martial arts class and it’s great because she runs around avoiding “contamination” from the coaches who start chasing the kids while crab-walking. She also loves the lessons she learns in her kids martial arts class-she’s always asking for permission to climb my back and then explain that she’s putting her “hooks” in and what a “seat belt” hold is.

The coaches in her kids martial arts class are great at working with them, giving them the space they need, and coaching them through the matches. One can see that the kids are paying attention, focusing on what the coaches are saying. The coaches are great about asking the kids questions about what they just learned to keep them focused. In a kids martial arts class it’s important to keep the kids engaged and on their toes-both figuratively and literally.

The real fun for me as a parent is watching how my child is learning and listening to the coaches in her kids martial arts class. Sometimes she doesn’t pay attention-kids won’t be riveted every moment. When she does focus, when I see the other kids feed off of each other’s learning, rooting for each other, helping each other, and coaching each other I can’t help but feel that sense of wonder, that sense of being in the here and now…it’s a lot of fun.

 Kids Martial Arts Class Jiu Jitsu “Virus” Game:

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SBGi’s Kids Martial Arts Coach’s profile: Amanda Loewen

Posted by admin on Mar 12, 2013 in Kids martial arts classes | 0 comments

Get to know the Head Coach of the SBGi’s Kids Martial Arts program: Coach Amanda!

What did you do before you started BJJ/SBGi for fun or as an activity (sport, hobby)? Do you still do it?
Before I started doing jiu jitsu I rode my bike; and I still ride my bike.

How long have you been training?
I’ve been training for 3 ½ years. I started in August 20th of 2009.

What other disciplines do you study, if any?
Besides doing jiu jitsu I on occasion will practice boxing/MMA. (I don’t do enough of it)

How has studying this discipline helped you?
Practicing all around has helped me win two MMA fights (2-0)

What about SBGi is different than other places you may have trained?
I haven’t trained anywhere else, but I do know that SBG’s coaches and the way that we train is undeniably the best. I wouldn’t want it other way.

What’s your day job?
Coaching is my day job, training is my night job.

Name something you’ve never done that you want to do?
Three things: 1) Win Pan Ams 2013. 2) Win Mundials 2013. 3) Obtain the 135lb bantamweight belt for the FCFF: Full Contact Fighting Federation 2013.

What are some practical/daily applications to learning martial arts that you’ve learned besides self defense? Have you ever had to use it for self defense?
Doing jiu jitsu has helped me problem solve outside of the gym. I think about it when I wake up, while I’m doing the dishes, when I go to bed. Luckily, I have not had the opportunity to use martial arts to defend myself. I would feel really sorry for the person if they ever decide to attack me.

How has learning and training at SBGi affected you in your daily life?
It’s a constant positive force.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
I don’t really like ice cream.

What’s your favorite food and why?
I’m a sucker for pizza, the vegan kind, because its radical.

What kind of experience do you have working with kids besides kids class at SBG (could be babysitting, volunteering, mentoring, nieces, nephews)?
I helped take care of/raise my two brothers and sister. I had an absent father and my mom needed the help. Being the oldest it taught me to be responsible even when I didn’t want to be. I babysat a ton before I got ‘real jobs’. I was a nanny for a couple years when I first moved to Portland as well.

What’s your favorite part of teaching/working with kids?
They are completely honest (well at least most of the time) They tend to say whatever is on their mind, I admire that, most adults want to sugar coat everything. When they apply themselves to what myself and the other coaches are teaching, its inspiring and amazing as to what they can accomplish.

Did you study any martial arts as a kid?
Nope.

What qualities do you admire most in children?
Sincerity. Comedy.

What is your favorite martial arts movie?
I don’t really have a favorite martial arts movie. I really like Charles Bronson Death Wish 3.

What is your guilty indulgence pop song that you’d be embarrassed to admit you like?
As a kid I listened to a lot of Taking back Sunday. Its bad pop punk but I still dig it.

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SBGi’s Kids Martial Arts Coach’s Profile: Craig Leto

Posted by admin on Mar 1, 2013 in Kids martial arts classes | 0 comments

Kids martial arts coach’s Profile: Craig Leto

In this series we are profiling the kids martial arts class coaches. This week we will learn a little bit about coach Craig Leto.

What did you do before you started BJJ/SBGi for fun or as an activity (sport, hobby)? Do you still do it?
– Before I found BJJ I was into Kickboxing and Biking. I still bike but I don’t spend much time doing striking stuff.

How long have you been training?
-3 years

What other disciplines do you study, if any?
-MMA

How has studying this discipline helped you?
-It really makes you appreciate how timing and proper technique can overcome strength and size.

What about SBGi is different than other places you may have trained?
-The coaching style; SBGi is the only gym I’ve trained at where you feel really involved in the learning process. There is more of a collaborative feel to how we train.

What’s your day job?
-Computer technician

Name something you’ve never done that you want to do?
-I would like to climb Mt. Hood.

What are some practical/daily applications to learning martial arts that you’ve learned besides self defense? Have you ever had to use it for self defense?
-Balance and coordination. I haven’t had to use BJJ in a serious self-defense situation but training in any “alive” combat sport will give you the confidence needed to stay focused and safe if the time comes.

How has learning and training at SBGi affected you in your daily life?
-I have traveled to great places to train, met interesting people and have some good friends because of SBGi.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
-Coffee!

What’s your favorite food and why?
-Thai food. The spice; It must flow.

If you could describe yourself in a haiku what would it say (use of three lines of up to 17 syllables;[1] most commonly, 5, 7, 5)?
– I want to ride my bicycle
Do I have all my gear?
Pajama Party

What kind of experience do you have working with kids besides kids class at SBG (could be babysitting, volunteering, mentoring, nieces, nephews)?
– I was a camp counselor in high school and did my share of babysitting younger cousins.

What’s your favorite part of teaching/working with kids?
– The sense of intrigue they have is amazing to me. Somewhere along the line of becoming an adult most people just start accepting things and stop asking “Why?”

Did you study any martial arts as a kid?
– I did Soo Bahk Do A.K.A Tang Soo Do for about 5 years.

What qualities do you admire most in children?
-Their endless supply of energy and cheeky shenanigans always makes me smile.

What is your favorite martial arts movie?
-Return of the Dragon

What is your guilty indulgence pop song that you’d be embarrassed to admit you like?
–Call me maybe. ( As performed by Jimmy Fallon and The Roots.)

 

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SBGi Kids Martial Arts Coach’s Profile: Trent Shadduck

Posted by admin on Feb 20, 2013 in Kids martial arts classes | 0 comments

Kids Martial Arts Coach’s Profile: Coach Trent

This is the first in a short series to profile the kids martial arts coaches at Straight Blast Gym in Portland, OR. I sent all the coaches the same list of questions. Here are the answers for inquiring minds that want to know…

What did you do before you started BJJ/SBGi for fun or as an activity (sport, hobby)? Do you still do it?

*Before SBG, I played baseball mostly as an outfielder. I wrestled for a little while and also did some climbing.

How long have you been training?

*I have been training at SBG since November 2011.

How has studying this discipline helped you?

*Learning jiu jitsu has taught me to set realistic goals and has humbled me as a person.

What about SBGi is different than other places you may have trained?

*SBG is a very relaxed and laid back atmosphere making it a great place for me to train.

What’s your day job?

*I am currently a full time student at PCC.

Name something you’ve never done that you want to do?

Something I want to do that I’ve never done is jump out of an airplane (with a parachute of course).

What are some practical/daily applications to learning martial arts that you’ve learned besides self defense? How has learning and training at SBGi affected you in your daily life?

*The biggest benefit I’ve seen in learning BJJ besides self defense, is the effective way it can be used as a relaxation technique. Rolling with higher belts has taught me to not get caught up in winning, but rather focus on what you can get better at.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

*My favorite ice cream is the cold and frozen kind.

What’s your favorite food and why?

*My favorite food is bacon. Mmmm.

What’s your favorite part of teaching/working with kids?

*My favorite part of working with kids is how funny they can be without knowing it. I did not study martial arts as a kid for any significant amount of time. Overall, kids are great students who can give you new perspectives once you get past the short attention span.

What is your favorite martial arts movie?

*Favorite martial arts movie is Kung Fu Hustle.

What is your guilty indulgence pop song that you’d be embarrassed to admit you like?

*I hate pop music.

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Kids Martial Arts and Character

Posted by admin on Feb 13, 2013 in Kids martial arts classes | 0 comments

Kids martial arts classes developing character

This is the definition of character as described by dictionary.com:

char·ac·ter [kar-ik-ter] noun
1.the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing.
2.one such feature or trait; characteristic.
3.moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character.
4.qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity: It takes character to face up to a bully.
5.reputation: a stain on one’s character.

Bullying has been a growing concern for many parents in the last few years. There have been many instances of kids being bullied into hurting themselves and generally making things difficult for families and schools. Another reason having kids in martial arts classes is a good idea is that they can build character to know how to handle situations where bullying can be a problem. Some of the things that many people have a concern about is whether teaching martial arts will give the tools of Brazilian jiu jitsu, or whatever art they study, to bullies. It’s true that there are many kids martial arts schools that promote the “might is right” ethos but there are just as many kids martial arts schools teaching respect for others and respect for the art the children are learning.

“Dad, he’s too small!”

My daughter is 6 years old and she has a 2 year old brother who is a bit of a bull in a china shop. There have been times he is aggressive and I’ve mentioned that she can lightly practice her jiu jitsu with him to help protect herself. She has the presence of mind and the respect for the martial art, thanks to her coaches, to know that it’s still too rough for her to practice with her 2 year old brother. To me that shows the acumen with which the coaches are working to teach the children respect for the art and respect for each other.

Building character in kids martial arts classes

This is the definition of character I am using:qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity: It takes character to face up to a bully. I think that more often than not the children model these qualities form other kids in class and from their coaches as well. In my daughter’s kids martial arts class she is learning it’s essential to understand and critically think about what you’re doing in the moment. She’s in a safe environment to learn and can look at things with coaching and with experience. It’s important for her to have the feedback from her partners and her coaches because it builds character and respect for those in her kids martial arts class. When she doesn’t do well it’s a learning opportunity to get feedback and hopefully she will someday reach a stage where she can help coach others. I certainly try to encourage her at home to teach it to me because teaching someone else something helps build that character. I may not be in her kids martial arts class but I can tell she enjoys it because she remembers and tells me about what she learned. I also ask purposefully to reinforce what she has learned and have her recall the days lesson.

 

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