Personal Development Reader – Apr 6, 2011

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi
Originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

Here’s a round-up of the best blog posts and articles on personal development we came across this week.

Inspiration and the Art of Nonconformity
How do you take your life from ordinary to extraordinary? How can you live a life of passion and enthusiasm, instead of just doing what everyone else is doing? In this post, coach and blogger Jonathan Wells shares his tips on how to find inspiration and break from the pack.

8 Stupid Mistakes Smart People Make
From confusing being busy with being productive, to obsessing over perfection, even the smartest people can end up spinning their wheels. In this post, productivity blogger Marc shows us how to avoid these mistakes.

5 Simple Ways to Reboot Your Family
Are you and your family living day to day in survival mode? Or are you living your best life and thriving? There’s no reset button in real life, but the tips in this post from blogger Sherri Kruger should help your family get out of your rut.

20 Ways to Overcome Doubts
If you find it hard to move ahead with something, often it’s because you’re doubting yourself and you’re scared of making the wrong choice. But as blogger Lori Deschene explains, the only wrong choice is not making one at all. See if any of these tips help you overcome whatever doubts you may be feeling.

15 Ways to Get Unstuck and Change Your Life for the Better
If you want to change your life, you have to change your behavior. If you keep doing what you’ve done so far, you’re only going to get the same results. In this post, blogger Nea Joy shows you how to get unstuck so you can start the process.

First Karate Tournament – For Mom, That Is

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi
Originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

As a martial arts student, your first karate tournament can be nerve-wracking.

But what’s it like for the parent of that student to watch their child step into the ring?

Check out this hilarious blog post by Stephanie Berman, mother to one of our students, in which she shares how she felt watching her son compete at the recent Long Island Open:

I pointed my tiny little baby (OK, OK, quite tough 8-year old) in the direction of his ring, and climbed on shaky legs to the top of the bleachers.

I managed to remain tolerably calm, until the first punch was thrown.

It took every ounce of self-control I possess not to throw myself into the ring, grab the other kid by the pants and hurl him to the mat in an unexpected Mama B Smackdown.

Instead I took a breath.

My son goes to a great karate school, run by wonderful people, who place a real emphasis on encouraging positive character development. He has to complete homework assignments about confidence, perseverence, self-control. He is fit and strong. He is not afraid. And, best of all, he gets to do really cool-looking karate moves that he practices day after day.

So I sat on my hands. Shut my mouth. And tried really, really hard not to pee my pants.

What happened next?

We won’t give away the ending to this story here! Instead, go read the rest of Stephanie’s blog post.

While you’re there, check out the rest of her posts! Her blog is called Money vs. Mommy and is a smart, funny look at the everyday life of being a working mom.

Just $179 for 6 Weeks of Classes!

KarateKidsKickingGet 6 weeks of karate classes, plus a free karate uniform and T-shirt ($60 value) for just $179! Enter your email address below to see schedule and details.

The Power of Respect

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi
Originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

It’s the beginning of a new month, and that means it’s time for a new Powerful Word!

Throughout April 2011, we’ll be working on the concept of “respect.” All our discussions and activities will aim to help our students understand what it means to show care, consideration, concern and courtesy for those in their family, at school, among their friends and out in the community.

Powerful Words is the character development curriculum at Urban Martial Arts. It’s designed by one of the nation’s leading childhood development experts, Dr. Robyn Silverman. Every month, we focus on a different Powerful Word, or concept around character development.

Here’s a video from Dr. Robyn Silverman in which she introduces some of the concepts we’ll be covering this month:

Respect is at the foundation of every healthy relationship, interaction, and communication. It’s reflected in the way we speak and act. It’s in the way we treat our family, friends, environment and community. It’s also in the way we regard the rights, ideas, and property of others. Respect, after all, is all about following the Golden Rule– treating others the way you want to be treated.

It’s also vital that we have respect for ourselves and teach our children to do the same. These days there are so many messages in the media and in the world that tell us to be unhappy with who we are — to buy products that will make us appear “younger,” “thinner” and “better” and to do unhealthy things to our bodies to fit an “acceptable” mold. When we have respect for ourselves, we celebrate our own strengths and values. When we can do that, it’s easier for others to respect the value in us.

A recent study published in the Current Directions in Psychological Science (June, 2010) tells us that relationships get better with age, partly due to respect. Researchers found that as people age, they are more likely to show forgiveness and respect as well as care, concern, and cherishing of the moments they have. How can we harness that attitude of respect in our children while they are still young? We will be bringing respect to the forefront as we discuss it in class this month.

As always, one of the best ways to teach and reinforce Powerful Words is by modeling strength of character ourselves. Share with your children how you show respect to others in your everyday lives. How do you show care, consideration, concern and courtesy for those in your family, at school, at work, among your friends and out in the community? This type of question can serve as a great jumping off point at your dinner tables.

Free Download: Special Report on Respect

Fill out the form below to request a free PDF download of our special report:
“The Power of Respect: A Guide for Parents and Educators”

This special report is an excellent resource, whether you’re a parent who wants to instill greater respect in your children, or you’re a teacher looking for character development lesson ideas in the classroom.

By filling out the form above, you’ll also receive a complimentary subscription to Black Belt Success, the email newsletter from Urban Martial Arts.

Martial Arts Round-Up – Apr 2, 2011

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi
Originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

Here’s a round-up of the best martial arts-related news stories and blog posts that we came across this week.

Martial Artist: Work in Progress
Martial arts blogger Matthew Apsokardu pays homage to the black on yellow “Work In Progress” symbol, asking “could anything be more aptly descriptive of the process of following a martial way?” Inspired by the post, some of his creative readers send in their martial arts-themed versions of the symbol. Nice stuff.

10 Best American Martial Arts Movies
See if your favorite martial arts movie made this list from entertainment blog Screen Junkies. Many of their selections — “Enter the Dragon,” “Karate Kid” — aren’t all that surprising. But among those expected films, they threw in a few picks that raised an eyebrow. “Shanghai Noon” anyone?

Shotokan’s Secret
Martial arts blogger Bob Patterson gives a glowing review to the new book “Shotokan’s Secret” by Bruce D. Clayton because it provides an “excellent overview of the historical events that took place mainly in Okinawa, and how all this influenced the development of karate.”

Returning To Karate Training After A Long Break
Chances are, at some point in your martial arts training career, you’re going to take an extended break. In this post, martial arts student and blogger Michele shares some great advice on how to get back into your training groove if you’ve been away for awhile.

The Disadvantages of Having a Friendly Dojo
It’s a good thing for your martial arts school to have a warm, friendly culture. But as martial arts school owner and blogger Lori O’Connell explains in this post, there are three areas “when this jovial, friendliness can interfere with the actual learning process on the mats.”

Personal Development Reader – Mar 31, 2011

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi
Originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

Here’s a round-up of the best blog posts and articles on personal development we came across this week.

Think something is impossible? Gather your body of evidence
A hilarious post from our friend Pamela Slim recounting her first Zumba class. (No, that’s not her in the photo.) It’s an important reminder that just because something feels impossible right now, doesn’t mean it is. Don’t let your beliefs hold you back!

3 Simple Tips to Push Yourself to Try Something New
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut. We fall into a comfortable routine and don’t push ourselves to try new experiences. In this post, blogger Lori Deschene shows us three ways we can move towards living “a life free of second guessing and regret.”

A Tale of Two Flaws
Coach and blogger Tia Singh tells an old folk tale about an elderly water bearer who had two pots. One was perfect; the other had a crack in it. It’s a wonderful story that reminds us that what we perceive to be our flaws could be the very things that are making the greatest impact on the world around us.

How to Start
How often have you procrastinated on something because you just weren’t sure how to start? In this post, blogger Leo Babauta shares his tips on overcoming this paralysis, whether you want to start a task, start a habit, or start a new venture.

10 Tips to Overcome Shyness
Do you feel nervous or awkward around new people? As coach and blogger Evelyn Lim writes in this post, “being shy can pose tremendous social challenges that impede on success.” Lim believes that shyness is a symptom of deeper fears related to rejection and insecurity, and shares 10 ways you can overcome your shyness.

Urban Martial Arts Wins Big at Long Island Open!

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi, originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

Congratulations to everyone who competed at the Long Island Open karate tournament in Freeport, NY this weekend!

The Urban Martial Arts karate point sparring competition team took home 4 first place trophies, 7 second place trophies, 3 third place trophies, and 1 fourth place trophy in karate point sparring!

1st Place Winners:
Jason, Kashani, Kiara, Jovenel

2nd Place Winners:
Carla, Jason, Janee, Jordan, Ryan, Kimberly, Christopher

3rd Place Winners:
Cameron, Daniel, Aaron

4th Place Winner:
Ted

We also want to send a special shout-out to our finalists: Michael, Soren, Ayelen, Alfred, Sim, Kerwin, Niko, and Marquise.

For many of them, this was their first-ever tournament and as you’ll see in the video above, they showed a lot of heart!

Great job, everybody! We look forward to seeing how you’ll do in the next tournament!

Just $179 for 6 Weeks of Classes!

KarateKidsKickingGet 6 weeks of karate classes, plus a free karate uniform and T-shirt ($60 value) for just $179! Enter your email address below to see schedule and details.

Video from March 2011 Karate Belt Promotion

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi
Originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

Congratulations to everyone who earned their new belts on Saturday! You’ve put in a lot of hard work, and we’re so proud of you.

Here’s a video with some highlights from the belt promotion:

Just $179 for 6 Weeks of Classes!

KarateKidsKickingGet 6 weeks of karate classes, plus a free karate uniform and T-shirt ($60 value) for just $179! Enter your email address below to see schedule and details.

Martial Arts Round-Up – Mar 25, 2011

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi
Originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

Here’s a round-up of the best martial arts-related news stories and blog posts that we came across this week.

Tools of the Sensei
School teachers and karate Senseis are both educators, but that’s where the similarities end. In this post, martial arts blogger Matthew Apsokardu breaks down what the differences are: “The ‘Sensei’ is a unique figure in modern culture, as he/she is not a school teacher, nor a coach, nor a guidance counselor. The Sensei is somewhere different, with an intriguing mixture of tools and responsibilities.”

Push-Ups for Martial Arts
Push-ups are a staple of martial arts class warm-ups. You’ve likely seen many different variations of the basic push-up: with your arms out wide, with your hands forming a diamond, tapping your shoulders, and so on. In this post, martial arts blogger John Vesia introduces us to a new and particularly intense type: the Muay Thai push-up.

The Freedom of Discipline
Many parents bring their children to martial arts classes because they want their kids to “learn discipline.” In reality, what martial arts instructors do is not so much develop discipline, but teach students to discipline themselves. And in that lies freedom, believes aikido and judo instructor Patrick Parker: “The same way that a person that is super-diligent on their diet and exercise is free to go to a special meal occasionally and eat whatever they want without worry about consequences.”

The Jab in MMA
The jab is a staple of boxing, but how does it carry over to MMA? In this post, MMA strength and conditioning coach Rob DeCillis shares a video from top boxing trainer Wilson Pitts, in which he shows how a jab “will help you slow down an opponent that likes to shoot and help you keep your distance to prevent it.”

Bruce Lee’s One Inch Punch
Is the one inch punch just a neat party trick? Or is this actually a useful technique worth learning for martial artists? In this post, martial arts school owner and blogger Jon Law examines how to apply the short range power of this punch to other types of movements.

Personal Development Reader – Mar 23, 2011

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi
Originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

Here’s a round-up of the best blog posts and articles on personal development we came across this week.

How to Meditate for Beginners: 10 Essential Tips
You’ve undoubtedly heard of the many benefits of meditation. It helps you calm your mind, relax, and let go of stress. But if you haven’t tried it before, it can be intimidating. In this post, blogger Evelyn Lim shares 10 tips that will help you, even if you’re a beginner.

The Productivity Tricks and Daily Habits of Famous People
Did you know that Victor Hugo, author of “Les Miserables,” would have his valet hide his clothes so he wouldn’t be tempted to leave the house without meeting his writing goal? In this post, blogger Tucker Cummings shares this and other daily rituals famous people use that help them to be at their most productive and prolific.

10 Steps to Simplify Your Work Life
Sometimes when you feel overwhelmed, it has less to do with the actual amount of work you have to do, and more to do with how you’re thinking about it. In this post, blogger Lori Deschene gives you 10 ways to simplify by changing your mindset.

Inspirational Thoughts – Take Care of Yourself
Sometimes we can get so focused on working, taking care of others, helping our friends and family, that we forget how to take care of ourselves. In this post, blogger Nea Joy reminds us to take a moment to love and cherish yourself.

8 Ways To Get Smarter Every Week
“Getting smarter involves a combination of learning new information, retaining that information, and maintaining the health of your brain,” writes blogger Tucker Cummings. In this post, she shares 8 ways to keep your brain sharp as a tack.

4 Ways to Conquer Your Child’s Low Self-Esteem

By Dr. Robyn Silverman
Originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

This month’s “Dear Dr. Robyn” column is all about helping kids overcome low self-esteem.

Dr. Robyn Silverman is the child development expert who created Powerful Words, our brand-new character development curriculum here at Urban Martial Arts.

Dear Dr. Robyn,
I’ve heard you talk about “assets” and that, the more our children have, the better they do in life. My daughter tends to suffer from low self esteem and I’d like to do whatever I can to help her. Can you recommend some ways that I can help her see she is amazing just as she is?
—Steve S, Tuscaloosa AL

Dear Steve,

It can be both heartbreaking and frustrating to see the children we love feel badly about themselves. We see that they’re special in so many ways…why can’t they?

We live in a world where there is a lot of competition. We are inundated with images that have been retouched to look perfect. We are told that to be worthwhile, we must be extraordinary in every way. Even if what we see isn’t real, studies show that these images can have a profound effect. Read the full article →