KICKIN' IT! BLOG

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.

The Power of Being a Good Finder in Karate and in Life.

I want to share an important message with all of you about being a good finder. A little while ago, a close friend of mine was presented with an incredible opportunity. It was something truly amazing, but instead of embracing it wholeheartedly, they doubted whether they deserved it. This got me thinking about how often we tend to focus on our flaws and overlook our achievements. That’s why I want to emphasize the concept of being a good finder and how it can positively impact our training and our lives.

Inevitably, as we progress in our karate journey, we will encounter obstacles and challenges along the way. When faced with such roadblocks, we are faced with a choice: to see them as either positive or negative experiences. The beauty of this choice is that it lies solely within our control.

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.

I don’t think I can do it.

Feeling overwhelmed or defeated in your karate journey? Don’t worry, it’s all part of the process! In this blog post, we’ll explore the empowering mantra, “When you can’t, you MUST,” and how it can transform your mindset, ignite your determination, and help you achieve greatness. Ready to tap into your inner strength? Let’s dive in!

Crushing Your Limits:
Struggling with your roundhouse kick? Don’t give up! Embrace the “When you can’t, you MUST” mindset. Practice relentlessly, seek guidance, and conquer that kick with determination.

Look for the Learning Opportunity

“When you can’t, you must.”

This is a powerful statement that emphasizes the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of challenges. It implies that when we encounter obstacles, we should not give up but instead, we should push ourselves harder to overcome them.

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.

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.

“Why Not Me?” – Unleashing the Black Belt Within

Karate is not just a physical art form; it’s a journey of self-discovery, perseverance, and personal growth. As beginners, we often find ourselves in awe of the Black Belts, viewing them as extraordinary beings who have accomplished the impossible. But what if we asked ourselves a simple question:

“Why not me?”

By embracing this mindset, we can transform our martial arts experience into an enjoyable and fulfilling endeavour, paving the way towards becoming Black Belts ourselves.

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.

All Sports One Day Event

Ever wanted to try a new sport?

“All Sport One Day” is a new multi-sport event that lets people of all ages and skill levels try a new sports in a ‘playful’ environment with trained instructors from different Sport Aurora organizations.