Getting into great shape comes with a large number of benefits. Not only will you establish a healthier lifestyle, but there’s also psychological proof that looking good improves your mental state. When beginning your fitness journey, it can be difficult to choose between personal training and group classes. The good news, though, is that it’s not as […]
Sneak Yourself More Vegetables You know you should eat more veggies. They’re full of good-for-you fiber and vitamins. But the average person eats only about half the amount they should. So how can you get more in? Swap out pasta for strands of zucchini that you shred with a julienne peeler. Or pulse cauliflower in […]
Summer time and vacations go hand-in-hand, but its always best to plan ahead when traveling to leave all the stress behind and just be ready to relax. . Travel safety begins before you even leave the house. From making sure your home is secure to brushing up on current coronavirus restrictions wherever you’re going, planning […]
Am I having a near mid-life crisis? Is that what this is? Is this the equivalent of (*gulp!) buying a Harley or red sports car and dating a hot blonde? All of this and more (MUCH more) is what went on in my busy brain when I decided to take up martial arts in my […]
On any other day of the year, would you hand your child matches or a flaming candle to play with? Probably, a hard no. You work so hard all year long to keep your child safe…. Don’t let the 4th of July mess with your common sense. Lighting fireworks in the backyard or nearby field might […]
A parent’s first instinct about activities that include kicking, punching, breaking things and yelling is probably that they aren’t really the best things for their child. Martial arts is different systems and practices, many of which originated in Asia, including boxing, karate, taekwondo, muay thai and capoeira. And while kicking, punching, breaking things and yelling […]
The kids are out of school, the sun is shining, and the pool is sparkling. Summer is a great time for family, fun, and physical activity. Unfortunately, it can also be a high time for injuries. Before you head out for some fun in the sun, here are four tips to keep your kids safe: […]
Every kid needs exercise and time to play, but kids who learn and think differently can have a hard time finding sports that fit. them well. Unlike most sports, Martial Arts is focused around an individual’s personal growth, rather than comparison to others. This makes Martial Arts a great outlet for children in general. Particularly […]
Bullying is all too real. Did you know that 25% of public schools report that bullying among kids happens on a daily or weekly basis? And that 1 in 5 high school students report being bullied in the past year? The good news is that because bullying has made national headlines, schools and communities (and […]
1. Aerobic Activity Aerobic activity should make up most of your child’s 60 or more minutes of physical activity each day. This can include either moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, or vigorous-intensity activity, such as running. Be sure to include vigorous-intensity aerobic activity on at least 3 days per week. 2. Muscle Strengthening […]
Attention deficit disorder is a very common occurrence among children. For those who are hyperactive it’s always best to get involved with sports, as they offer many benefits including physical exercise, development of social skills and development of self worth. However not all sports are equal. To give you a glimpse at how many […]
It drove my mother crazy when I went barefoot as a kid. Still does – because I’m in socked feet in the fall and winter and barefoot the rest of the time! I can’t stand the confinement of shoes and I’ve long been an advocate for children to go without them. As I wrote […]
60 Seconds of Vigorous Exercise Offsets 14 Minutes of Sedentary Behavior Thumbnail for 60 Seconds of Vigorous Exercise Offsets 14 Minutes of Sedentary Behavior If you’re struggling to find the time to move your body, a new study suggests that just a minute of exercise counterbalances up to 14 minutes of inactivity. That means you […]
Martial Arts: The Effective After School Program A parent’s work schedule never really syncs up perfectly with his/her child’s school schedule. As school lets out for the day, parents are usually wondering what options are in place for them to place their children in until they are out of work. Plus, they want to be […]
Benefits of Martial Arts for All Ages Martial Arts has many social, physical and psychological benefits for all ages. This discipline requires perseverance, teaches core values and provides great advantages in return. Contrary to popular belief, this sport is not violent nor does it encourage aggression. It doesn’t even require great strength to practice. Like […]
Stranger Danger “Don’t talk to strangers” used to be the cure all to protect your child, but there are two sides to this. If you child wants to make friends or is lost…they need to talk to a stranger. Instead of creating an encompassing rule of “Don’t talk to strangers”. Teach your children to learn who is […]
Do you believe that a positive attitude can give you a better and successful life? I believe they are directly related and having a positive, encouraging attitude will help boost your business and make you more successful in all areas of life. Successful entrepreneurs have many qualities, but one of the most important […]
The Benefits of Martial Arts for Kids Who Learn and Think Differently Every kid needs exercise and time to play, but kids who learn and think differently can have a hard time finding sports that fits them well. Unlike most sports, Martial Arts is focused around an individual’s personal growth, rather than comparison to others. […]
Martial Arts Is More Than Just A Physical Workout When you think of martial arts, one of the first things that probably comes to mind is self-defense. Yes, martial arts is great for the body, but also for the mind. There are undeniable benefits from hitting the gym everyday, but the monotony of the […]
How to Set Family Goals to Build a Happy Family (With Examples) The demands and pressures of work and the desire to be successful in life may overshadow the need to take care of the home front. If this happens, it can take its toll on your family if you do not set family […]
My 4 year old loves to make up “exercises” and goes full on trainer mode when she wants my husband and I to follow along (and then corrects us when we “do it wrong,” of course). While her wobbly backwards walk or the one-leg pirate dance may not produce the same results as P90X or […]
How to Enjoy Thanksgiving (without Forgoing Fitness) Thanksgiving is this coming Thursday. While many Americans look forward to Thanksgiving Day as an opportunity to eat whatever they want without counting calories, it’s important not to lose sight of fitness – even as you face down a plate of turkey with all the fixings. Here are […]
How Martial Arts can improve discipline in Children and Adults Discipline. This word means many things to different people. Whether it’s procrastinating, cheating on a diet, or just being an unruly kid, lack of discipline can be a detriment on your life. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the ways that better discipline can […]
Positive Push vs. Negative Pull Teaching children is an art form and at MartialArts of West End we consider ourselves experts in this area. Today I’d like to share a powerful parenting tip with you… A concept you can start using to immediately improve your child’s behavior. While teaching we use the idea of […]
Are your kids getting cabin fever with everything going on? Looking for some safe springtime fun for your family? You and your kids can celebrate spring, no matter what the weather is or other things that are going on. March 19th is the first day of spring this year and we all look forward to […]
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you’re hearing about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) right now. It’s also understandable if your children are feeling anxious, too. Children might find it difficult to understand what they are seeing online or on TV – or hearing from other people – so they can be particularly vulnerable to […]
The month of March is National Reading Month. This month is designated to motivate Americans of all ages to read every day. Reading regularly has been linked to development of positive mental health throughout our lives. It is never too early to help children develop reading skills. In fact, the National Early Literacy Panel produced […]
Does focus escape you? Do you have a difficult time sitting down and concentrating on one task, before the thought of the next creeps in? Are you constantly multi-tasking? Is it a struggle to complete a task? If you can answer yes to any, or all, of these questions, practicing martial arts can help, as […]
Kids are known for being moody, and behaving as their mind commands. But this could be preventable (to a certain extent). Parents intuitively know that food can impact their child’s behavior and mood. We know that sweets, for example, can cause bouts of hyperactivity. But mood-altering food isn’t limited to sugar – there are other […]
Make Valentine’s Day extra special this year by treating your loved ones to an eco-friendly date night! Here are some environmentally friendly ideas you can enjoy on February 14th. 1. Make a Home-Cooked Meal From the Farmers Market Preparing a home cooked meal is romantic, and something you can feel good about! All your locally […]
February is American Heart Month. Hospitals and health systems around the country celebrate American Hearth Month by helping to raise awareness in their communities about heart disease. Staff wear red and volunteers knit or crochet pint-sized red hats for newborns. They hold free screenings and heart health awareness events. It’s a great time for the […]
Want more gratitude and fun to come your way in the new year? Feel like you never do enough with your weekends and time off? Why not try writing a list of 100 things to do in 2020? Making your life better can come in many shapes and forms, but in the end, it is […]
Giving loved ones the attention they deserve is difficult in the best of times, and it gets even harder in the whirl of work and social demands during the winter holidays. But be of good cheer. It’s still possible to make sure your loved ones receive the gift they treasure most: Your presence. For me, […]
Martial arts offers brain-boosting benefits for all ages, research finds As well as increasing physical fitness and mental health, martial arts can boost brain cognition as well. We are all aware that exercise generally has many benefits, such as improving physical fitness and strength. What do we know about the effects of specific types of […]
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year. You spend time with family and friends, eat delicious food, and you can get some great deals on gifts for the holidays! There are many things to be thankful for during Thanksgiving, but there are also some safety tips to consider so your holiday can be relaxing […]
15 Minutes Of Walking On A Daily Basis Can Change Your Body Drastically People are aware of the numerous benefits of regular exercise, and its amazing effects on our emotional, physical and mental health, but very often, they simply lack time to hit the gym and do the workout. Yet, you no longer have excuses, […]
Think of yourself less. To be interesting you need to be interested in others. C.S. Lewis said “Don’t think less of yourself as a person, but think of yourself less, focusing more on the betterment of yourself for the sake of those around you, rather than for your own ego. Move beyond […]