Category: Lessons Beyond The Belt

Confidence is one of the most common things parents say they want for their child. “I just want them to be more confident.”“I wish they would speak up more.”“They’re capable, but they’re so quiet.” What most parents are really expressing is a desire to see their child feel secure in themselves. To believe they can […]

We are thrilled to announce that this month, our focus during classes at Freedom Martial Arts is a truly empowering concept – ATTITUDE! ? Attitude is a crucial life skill, a compass that guides us through life’s adventures. As we set sail into this exciting journey, here’s a glimpse of the transformative content we’ll be […]

As parents, our constant endeavor is to help our children build essential life skills. We often seek to combine learning, fun, and social development in one package, and Freedom Martial Arts delivers just that. By immersing children in an environment that fosters teamwork, respect, and cooperation, martial arts offers a unique platform that helps children […]

In an era where Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is becoming increasingly recognized and understood, it’s more important than ever to explore effective and engaging solutions for children affected by this condition. One surprising yet proven method is training in martial arts. If you’re wondering how martial arts could help a child with ADHD, prepare […]

Children at this age are at a very unique growth period in their lives. They are growing at a rapid rate in all areas of development and are discovering new things daily, while also learning how to cope with new challenges. Additionally, they are in pursuit of autonomy, which can lead to behavioral issues that […]

Grade school can be quite the experience for any child. It is a place where a child not only learns academically but one where a child must learn to socialize and function in the world. Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative experiences that a child may have when going through school. Whatever those experiences […]

In today’s world competition is everywhere and it often starts at a very young age. It begins as a fun, skill-developing event but can quickly become time-consuming and competitive. While some parents want their children pushed to help them learn the hard lessons of life, others want to protect their children from the disappointment that […]

Kids come in all shapes and sizes. Some kids seem to come out of the womb with natural grace and athletic ability. They run before they can walk! Other kids struggle with physical coordination and athletics. Anything they achieve in terms of physical fitness comes at a cost. They must work hard to improve. Because […]

Maybe you’re still not sure that studying martial arts is right for your child. That’s okay. I understand. There are lots of activities to choose from, and you want to pick the best. Of course, I’m biased. I started studying martial arts when I was very young, and I know first hand that martial arts […]

All parents want the same thing…for their child to be a positive member of society and experience success. And while these are important things, they often come through a push to achieve and be the best in everything. Unfortunately, this is frequently done through comparing their children to others. This, however, often leads to stress […]

As they say, kids will be kids. And yes, children and teens can be unkind to their peers and feelings get hurt. The problem is when these behaviors become common and target the same person repeatedly. This is when kids being kids begins to cross the line to bullying. And while bullying is a very […]

Most people can think of a friend or relative who gives advice that’s meant to inspire (and often does). However, that advice sometimes lacks any real substance on which to act. Should you be patient? Absolutely! You can divide patience into two categories: ●  Situations that relate to you and only you. ●  Situations which […]

What can you say about patience? They say it’s a “virtue”, right? Platitudes and fairy tale tortoises aside, there’s some real power behind a word which can save (yes, “save”) you time and effort in the real world. It may even keep your kids out of the principal’s office. Let’s have a look. Patience is […]

Let’s talk about TEAMWORK! Does the word make you think of an inspirational phrase? Maybe it reminds you of a historical event, like the final game of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team? Teamwork helps people achieve what couldn’t be achieved as an individual. It’s a powerful and often underrated word but, how does affect […]

Since charisma is important to people in leadership roles, it makes sense to start there. But, before we continue, there is one important point to be made. In part 1 and 2 we discussed how charisma can be used to help or control people. The examples we celebrate are those of leadership, not authority… “I […]

In our first article on Charisma, we explored the origin of the word (and how ancient Greece is awesome) and delved into what it means to have this very useful trait. More specifically, we looked at how it can help you reach your objectives. Since Freedom Martial Arts is serious about its role in child […]

Since Freedom Martial Arts is serious about its role in child development and self defense, you can expect our focus to include charisma as a useful characteristic! Since the word can take on several interpretations, let’s be clear on what we mean by “charisma”, especially when it comes to kids. Let’s dispense with myths suggesting […]

In parts 1 and 2 we talked about the characteristics of optimism and how it affects people. We also discussed how it can help you cope with uncertainty and enhance other characteristics like confidence, courage, and resilience. The only thing missing are some real world examples of how self-proclaimed optimists have had a positive effect […]

Continuing on our January theme, optimism is essential to a positive mindset and aids emotions that are essential for a healthy and happy life. To use a metaphor, it’s like a sprinkle of salt on a tasty meal. It enhances what you already have in front of you. Like salt, optimism brings out confidence, courage, […]

January is about “Optimism”! If you’re hopeful and confident about the successful outcome of anything you do, it means you’re “optimistic”. It also means that you’ll appreciate our theme for January! Optimism isn’t just necessary for pursuing your career ambitions. It’s actually a healthy trait which staves off illness, boosts your immune system, and even […]

When you Google terms like “skills of martial arts” or “things martial arts teaches children”, you’ll almost always find three traits in the mix. 1. Discipline: Classes follow a strict code of conduct which espouses a way of life that empowers the student to remain more focused on their ambitions. 2. Confidence: The ability to […]