If you have any friends or associates that you feel may benefit from our program, please introduce them via email and we can team up to influence them. As you plant the seed we will do all the rest to grow the possibilities. Thank You for your support.
Email: masteranderson@americanhapkidomma.com
Transported After School Program - Updates & News
No Service - Monday Sept. 6th Labor Day
Pupil Free Day - Thursday Sept. 9th
$25 Fee - Includes 8am to 6pm Care
Available to All Members and Non-Members
Bring Uniform as Martial Classes are in session
Non-Members may purchase a uniform at our pro shop.
24 Hour Notice Required
American Hapkido Mixed Martial Arts is enrolling now for the 2010 - 2011 school year. At American Hapkido MMA we are sensitive to the needs of our clients and are announcing all new lower prices for our After School Program. We want to give back to our community during these tough economic times as well as remaining economically viable with our competition in our area.
We are not Childcare or Babysitting: We are alternative resource of education. During the day, the children get their academic education from their elementary school. In the after-noon, they have a chance to get a character building education in the martial arts.
We consider ourselves part of the "Village” that educates and empowers your children. We nurture an inner awareness and focus. We increase attention spans, fitness, powers of observation and safety consciousness, and we nurture cultural individuality while teaching life-skills that last a lifetime. Like you we want our students to live extraordinary lives full of health, com-passion, clarity, and resilience. In a single semester of our classes for young people, your child will explore concepts such as non-violent conflict resolution, respect for self and others, goal setting, and healthy eating. For children from 4-years and up, we craft a special kind of education.
In traditional Japanese and Okinawan martial arts they talk about Karate-Do and Karate-Jitsu. The emphasis of Karate-Do is that it is all about developing character, honor and integrity of the participant, the old “it doesn’t matter if you win or loose, it’s how you play the game that counts”.
Karate-Jitsu on the other hand, is all about the effectiveness of the technique or the ultimate purpose of a warrior’s art is to destroy his or her enemy. These techniques are designed to be used in defense of yourself, your family or your country, and are too serious to play with.
Over the last 20 plus years that I have been teaching I find that different aspects of the martial arts appeal to different people and at different time. For example, I find that kids love to play and seem to like competing in sport karate at tournaments while many older people could care less about competing for a medal or trophy. Individuals that are in law enforcement or serving in the military tend to really focus on what really works and less on sport type training.
I also think that for each one of us has different needs depending on the circumstances. On a day to day basis, learning to be a better citizen and using the art to relieve stress, staying focused on the positive and keeping our body healthy may indeed be the best focus in our training. However, if we find ourselves in the street and all of a sudden are attacked, then the use of our training takes an immediate turn towards effectiveness of technique. In traditional thinking, karate training is for the surprise attack on the street, not for escalation of conflict or mutually agreed upon combat.
As instructors, it is important that we always see our student’s training for what they want to get out of it, and not the training that we love for ourselves. Like the double edged sword, the usefulness of the training can be used for good or evil. A sharp knife in the hands of a madman can kill, while in the hands of a skilled surgeon it can save lives. The ability of martial art training can save and enhance the practitioner in many ways. Some it’s the Self Discipline, for another it is the Self Defense. Teaching a classical system that emphasizes Life Skills is desperately needed in today’s society.
As the leader there is another side of the double edged sword concept and that is exploring the other side. We don’t always look at one side or the other, but need to explore the other side for true understanding. For example, you encounter a failure in your life and you quickly feel despair because you make a bad decision. Well, you need to explore the good as well. What did you learn from the experience, what changes will I implement next time this situation happens, etc. Once you learn this concept, you begin to understand the old statement, “When you pick up one end of the stick, you also pick up the other end.” Knowing all the ripples that are caused by our thoughts and actions, and then making decisions based on those future consequences, is what separates the warrior form the average person that simply goes through life reacting to events.
Team Karate Centers - Black Belt Spectacular
Our Black Belt Test is an exercise in personal development. It lasts over an extended period and includes tasks and challenges that seek to transcend the purely physical practice of the martial arts. The Test is about teamwork, about leadership, about “walking the talk.” It is about obstacles, challenges, problems, difficulties –and how they are dealt with by men and women who have made the practice of the martial arts an integral (if not inseparable) part of their lives. The Test seeks to make every day a “black belt test” day.
At first glance, our Test seems like the martial arts equivalent to the “Ironman” triathlon. However, the participant soon discovers that the Test’s physical demands are not the most difficult part of the program. It is the mental, emotional, and spiritual expectations that end up being the challenging components of the test.
The tester must be a member of the “team.” For some, this is an insurmountable obstacle. To genuinely bond with others, to demonstrate compassion and interest in others, to find a way to add something to the experience of his or her fellow teammates is harder than it sounds. Testers must endure a daily training regime that asks them to meditate, to perform and log acts of kindness, to write in a journal, and to read. They are asked to support fellow classmates. For some, along with the physical training requirements, this stretches their ability to persevere. Despite the fact that the practice of the martial arts is supposed to develop integrity, focus, concentration, perseverance, and self-discipline, the mental hardship of the rigorous daily training requirements causes some participants to give up and drop out. Our Test is nothing more than a “new” and, I believe, more genuine and authentic way to approach the study and practice of the martial arts. If taken seriously, it requires participants to act with the utmost integrity. It requires them to stretch their boundaries, to make strangers into friends, to participate in community projects, and to tackle ideas and concepts that few, if any, of their peers ever engage in.
One of the best things about the program is its simplicity. There are no “bells and whistles” in our Black Belt Test. People join the program, are connected to their classmates, and the rest is up to them. It is all about one’s personal commitment to his or her word, and to the simple practice of skills that make the promises of the martial arts into reality.
You know you are in the Test, truly “in”, when you absolutely refuse to give up. You are in the Test when you dedicate each day to the spirit of being a part of something bigger than you are; when you demonstrate that you are willing to put everything on the line in pursuit of the spirit of being a “master” in training.
The Test only lasts one year at a time. It is made up of twelve months that will come and go with astonishing speed. In that time, it is your job to make the program something special, to make the participants your classmates, to invest in the ideas, and to give to the process what you might ask your own “students” to give to your “process.” What you give to your own Test is what the martial arts are for you–no more, no less. Make your journey something to write home about. Overcome all obstacles and live the game to the maximum. Show your teammates that there is, indeed, something special about the martial arts. Don’t give in to disorganization, to disconnection, to despair, excuses, and non-participation. Do what you said you would, no matter how difficult. Find a way to turn every bad thought into one that serves you in your journey. The Test is nothing. YOU are the deciding factor. If you make the Test important, then it is. If you make it a farce, that is what it is.
P90X® is a revolutionary system of 12 sweat-inducing, muscle-pumping workouts, designed to transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days. You'll also receive a comprehensive 3-phase nutrition plan, specially designed supplement options, a detailed fitness guide, a calendar to track your progress, online peer support, and much more. Your personal trainer, Tony Horton, will keep you engaged every step of the way, and you won't believe your results!
Why is P90X so effective?
The secret behind the P90X system is an advanced training technique called Muscle Confusion™, which accelerates the results process by constantly introducing new moves and routines so your body never plateaus, and you never get bored! Whether you want to get lean, bulk up, or just plain get ripped, there's an endless variety of ways to mix and match the routines to keep you motivated the full 90 days and beyond!
First Class is Free
$25 per. Mos. Un-Limited Classes
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Nights
8:00pm to 9:00pm 1 Hour
All are Welcome
Must Sign Liability Waiver !
No Uniforms, No Belts, Just effort and discipline required
My Morning Run
This is incredible, watching these guys go from building to building makes you realize that the human body has almost limitless qualities.
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." -The Dalai Lama
What does "True Abundance" mean to you?
According to Wikipedia, the definition of abundance is "the opposite of scarcity." I believe true abundance is not measured by what you have; rather, it is measured by what you give.
In our culture, it seems that most people are caught up in their "need for greed." Perhaps this is why so many people struggle to find their happiness, and why over 25% of the people in our country suffer from anxiety. We live in a culture where we are taught to judge a person based on what they have, rather than on who they are and what they contribute to society.
I was very fortunate to have met a professor that changed my whole way of thinking. I was one of those people with a, "What's in it for me" attitude when I started his class. By the end of the semester though, my philosophy and my attitude had changed. Forever! This is what I learned:
"You can have anything you want in life, if you will just help enough other people get what they want." -Zig Ziglar
I challenge you to focus on this philosophy for an entire month! Here are some action steps that will help you stay focused on this incredible gift:
ACTION STEPS
Gratitude. Every night before you go to sleep, recite aloud at least ten things for which you are grateful.
Forgive. Let go of the past. Forgive those who have hurt or angered you. Stop carrying this poison around with you every day.
Love. Be sure to tell those people in your life who mean so much to you that you love them and appreciate them.
Donate. Go through your closets. Anything you haven't worn or used in the past year, box it or bag it and take it to a place where those who are less fortunate will benefit from your donation. Get your children involved!
Praise. Make time to praise. Look for and recognize the good in others.
Practice Boldness and Audacity
Have you ever noticed who gets the most respect and the most rewards? Look closely and notice that it’s not the wallflowers; it’s not the people that sit back and wait for others to do things for them. Those who have accomplished much have been men and women with a spirit of boldness and adventure. They recognize that boldness is both a fundamental right as well as a pragmatic reality. Because of that they are willing to challenge and constantly question even the existence of the comfort zone, they try new ideas, and are willing to attempt the seemingly impossible.
The men and women that reach the upper echelon of success are the ones that act boldly. They thrive under pressure and take the risks and actions that lesser people are just too afraid to attempt. What do I mean by boldness? Boldness is the act of responding to a situation in a manner that may be viewed as daring to some, but is essential to effectively address the issue at hand. Boldness is a strategic tactical approach to a given situation. It requires good situational awareness, strong nerves and craftiness. Boldness involves taking risks and when you decide upon a course of action, boldness demands that you execute it aggressively.
Boldness, does not mean being rude, reckless, insensitive, arrogant, or a bully. None of these attributes are acceptable to any of us … ever! Boldness is a spirited word that eloquently describes bravery. It takes a great deal of boldness to confront and tackle the issues in today’s society with a straightforward approach. Boldness isn’t inherited, It’s a characteristic that will blossom with the determination you have to live an uncommon life of bravery. Boldness comes when you begin to make valued decisions and move forward for what you believe in.
By challenging individual growth and creating goals you are bringing clarity to your dreams and energy that will revitalize your mind, body, and spirit.
When will your finest hour come, and how will it arrive? Do you really think it will materialize without an act of supreme confidence, audacity or boldness? What bold initiatives are you planning for?
Your challenge this month "August 2010" is to act with boldness in every situation. Speak up, act with complete confidence and expect that things will go your way. When you consistently display bold behavior, you will far out-perform others who do not. A behavior of boldness will help propel you today and everyday beyond what you might imagine and otherwise achieve. Everything Counts!
Attitude is Everything
by Vicki Hitzges
I used to worry. A lot. The more I fretted, the more proficient I became at it. Anxiety begets anxiety. I even worried that I worried too much! Ulcers might develop. My health could fail. My finances could deplete to pay the hospital bills.
A comedian once said, "I tried to drown my worries with gin, but my worries are equipped with flotation devices." While not a drinker, I certainly could identify! My worries could swim, jump and pole vault!
To get some perspective, I visited a well known, Dallas businessman, Fred Smith. Fred mentored such luminaries as motivational whiz Zig Ziglar, business guru Ken Blanchard and leadership expert John Maxwell. Fred listened as I poured out my concerns and then said, "Vicki, you need to learn to wait to worry."
As the words sank in, I asked Fred if he ever spent time fretting. (I was quite certain he wouldn't admit it if he did. He was pretty full of testosterone-even at age 90.) To my surprise, he confessed that in years gone by he had been a top-notch worrier!
"I decided that I would wait to worry!" he explained. "I decided that I'd wait until I actually had a reason to worry-something that was happening, not just something that might happen-before I worried.
"When I'm tempted to get alarmed," he confided, "I tell myself, 'Fred, you've got to wait to worry! Until you know differently, don't worry.' And I don't. Waiting to worry helps me develop the habit of not worrying and that helps me not be tempted to worry."
Fred possessed a quick mind and a gift for gab. As such, he became a captivating public speaker. "I frequently ask audiences what they were worried about this time last year. I get a lot of laughs," he said, "because most people can't remember. Then I ask if they have a current worry - you see nods from everybody. Then I remind them that the average worrier is 92% inefficient - only 8% of what we worry about ever comes true."
Charles Spurgeon said it best. "Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength."
Most of us want to be positive. It's advantageous to possess a sunny outlook. Doors open to optimists. They make friends, earn respect, close sales, produce loyal clients, and others enjoy and want to be like them. The question is how can we do that consistently?
You Would Never Have Guessed - For the Older Crowd
Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 at age 76, which is odd, because he always looked like he was 76. (DOB: 6/27/27 ) His death reminded me of the following story.
Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried in a grave alongside 3-and 4-star generals at Arlington National Cemetery . His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else. Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer:
I always liked Lee Marvin, but didn't know the extent of his Corps experiences..
In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces, often in rear echelon posts where they were carefully protected, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima . There is only one higher Naval award ... The Medal Of Honor!
If that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery.
Dialog from 'The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson': His guest was Lee Marvin. Johnny said,
'Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima ..and that during the course of that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded.
'Yeah, yeah... I got shot square in the bottom and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi. Bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys getting' shot hauling you down. But, Johnny, at Iwo I served under the bravest man I ever knew... We both got the Cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison.. That dumb guy actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main target of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He did this on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his own life.
That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me, lying on my belly on the litter and said, 'Where'd they get you Lee?' 'Well Bob... If you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!' Johnny. I'm not lying; Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew. The Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo.'
On another note, there was this wimpy little man (who just passed away) on PBS, gentle and quiet. Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he now portrays to our youth. But Mr. Rogers was a U.S. Navy Seal, combat-proven in Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long-sleeved sweater on TV, to cover the many tattoos on his forearm and biceps. He was a master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat
After the war Mr. Rogers became an ordained Presbyterian minister and, therefore, a pacifist. Vowing to never harm another human, and also dedicating the rest of his life to trying to help lead children on the right path in life, he hid away the tattoos and his past life and won our hearts with his quiet wit and charm. America's real heroes don't flaunt what they did; they quietly go about their day-to-day lives, doing what they do best. They earned our respect and the freedoms that we all enjoy. Look around and see if you can find one of those heroes in your midst. Often, they are the ones you'd least suspect, but would most like to have on your side if anything ever happened. Take the time to thank anyone that has fought for our freedom. With encouragement they could be the next Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers.
Little Dragons News & Events
Martial Arts Improves Kids’ Focus and Self-Discipline
The mental focus that is required to execute martial arts moves can spill over into a child’s everyday life and eventually improve his study habits, school performance, listening abilities, and his ability to follow directions.
Kids who are focused have an easier time setting and achieving goals because they’re not intimidated by the hard work, and stick-to-it-ness required to live their dreams. The practice of martial arts can also improve the concentration of kids who suffer from attention disorders.
Young kids are impulsive by nature, so they often make decisions based solely on their emotions. Over time, the disciplined teachings of Martial Arts will enable kids to make clear and appropriate choices throughout life.
Martial Arts Teaches Kids Self-Defense
Parents never want to think about it, but there may come a time when a child is forced to defend himself against someone trying to do them harm. While it is unrealistic to expect a child to go toe-to-toe with an adult three times their size, a kid who knows martial arts techniques has a better chance of catching an attacker off guard and escaping to safety.
Martial Arts are a wonderful way to reiterate the positive values taught in the home -- but martial arts instructors only spend one to two hours a week with your child, so be patient. Self-esteem, discipline, focus, and optimum levels of physical fitness take time to achieve.
As they learn more here, expect more at home
Here at our school “Yeah” is not part of our vocabulary. The correct response is “yes sir” or “yes maim”. Many parents have told me how much they love the level of respect their child demonstrates while here at our school. Often, when I ask, “do you re-enforce the same response at home?” They say something like “well I don’t want people to think I raised my child like some kind of military drill sergeant. When I meet a kid on the street and he or she says “yes sir” to me, I think, what a well-mannered and respectful child, his or her parents did a fine job raising this one. Don’t you?
Master Anderson’s board breaking seminars are always a big hit, especially with the kids. There’s nothing like the immediate boost in self confidence a child feels when breaking a piece of wood with their bare hands and feet. Don’t miss it! (See sign up sheet for details.) Lil Dragons may bring their friends. See your instructor for a “Buddy Board Breaking Permission Slip” which includes a FREE PASS good for two weeks of Lil Dragons classes. In order to purchase and cut the lumber in time. Permission Slips must be turned in with non-refundable fee no later than one week before scheduled event
American Hapkido MMA uses are Electronic Bulletin Board on a monthly basis to keep our students up to date on special events and specialized training opportunities. Use this tool to keep yourself up to speed and right on track with all of your AMHMMA needs.
August 2010
August 9th to 13th Last Week Camp
August 25th School Starts
August 28th Belt Exam promotion
August 31st Board Breaking Seminar
Remember if you have any questions or additional information you can email masteranderson@americanhapkidomma.com and he will get back to you as soon as possible thank you.
