KICKIN' IT! BLOG

Trying to learn a new skill?

There’s a funny thing that happens when you’re trying to learn a new skill. I’ve experienced it a million times. I’ve seen it happen in class a million times. This week it happened again and it got me really thinking.

What happens when you’re learning a new skill is that you’ll have it one day and the next day you won’t. One day it looks like you’ve been doing it for your entire life and the next week it’s like you’ve never done it before. Sometimes, it’s really funny to see. Other times, it’s really hard to wrap your head around and incredibly frustrating.

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When will we start sparring?

As a member of WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations), we are a part of a sports organization that is recognized by the Province of Ontario (PSO – Provincial Sports Organization). As a member of a PSO, we are now allowed to start making contact during our training.

We will begin reintroducing some drills that involve contact during the next few weeks, including self-defence, bags drills, partner work, and sparring. Initially, all these drills will be of low intensity as we reacquaint ourselves with working with a partner.

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Are you looking at the wrong things?

A couple of weeks ago, a great opportunity came up for a friend of mine. It’s amazing, but then they said something that made me think they didn’t believe they had earned the opportunity. When they said this, I immediately thought that they were looking at the wrong things. That’s what this week’s message is all about.

So, this great opportunity comes up and all they can focus on are the reasons why they DON’T deserve it. Despite the fact that they’re a hard worker, great person and more, they couldn’t believe they had the chance to do something so cool.

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How FAST can I get in shape?

Every year, around this time, people start looking in the mirror and thinking “I need to get in shape”. Inevitably, the next question that I get asked is, “How fast can I get in shape?” and “What’s going to get me in shape the fastest?”

What I believe is that it doesn’t acutally matter what you do to get in shape. What will get you in shape the fastest, is the activity that you enjoy the most and will do CONSISTENTLY. If you can find an activity that you enjoy doing and will do reguarly, that it what will get you in shape the fastest.

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I don’t think I can do it.

We’ve all hit an obstacle at one point in our lives where we think “I can’t overcome this! I don’t think I can do it!”

A friend of mine owns a school and it’s amazing. The school is so full of positive vibes that it’s impossible not to feel amazing when you’re there. One day she told me a story about an experience that she had with one of her competitors and the advice she gave them and I knew that I had to share it with you.

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Look for the Learning Opportunity

Martial arts are great at providing learning opportunities. If someone is looking to become a better version of themselves, the martial arts provides PLENTY of chance. Let me explain.

A friend of mine runs a really great school. There is nothing but positive vibes there. On top of that, she produces really great competitors. One time one of her competitors was facing another person and her competitor said “I don’t know if I can beat this person. I think they’re better than me.” My friend responded with what is now this week’s message of the week…

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Know to pick your battles!

Are you picking the right ones?

My wife often says to me “Pick your battles”. Last week my daughter and I were clashing heads. This tends to happen because we’re similar personalities. If you’re a parent, you can certainly relate to this. If you’re not a parent, you still can because I don’t know anyone who has gone through life and not disagreed with someone. Eventually, my wife gave me the signal to drop the fight and move on. When she did that, that got me thinking about my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training and a basic principle that we have in it. That’s what this week’s message of the week is all about.

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Heather’s Competing at Worlds!

Just a warning…we’re going to ask for some help.

If you’ve been with us for any length of time, you know what a big part of the dojo Heather is. She’s taught here forever, coached the Demo Team, Tournament Team, run Power Weekend and, MUCH MORE. Certainly, without her, the dojo and all of us would be a little less.

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Ask yourself “Why not?”

Ask yourself “Why not?” This is the one question that every beginner martial artist should ask themselves.

I think if more beginners asked themselves this question, it would make their experience so much more enjoyable. They’d have more fun while training, and if they do that, I can almost guarantee that one day, they’ll be a Black Belt.

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Why is earning a Black Belt so hard?

Inevitably, every martial artist at one point asks…Why is this so hard? Why is training so hard? Why am I not getting better? Why is earning a Black Belt so hard?

One of the things that I think holds most martial artists back is trying to work on too many things at once. They’re trying to learn too many skills, practicing too many drills and running in too many different directions at once and because of that their training becomes muddled. When that happens, they don’t get better…just more confused.

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