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‘Congratulations to all Sunshine Coast Karate students challenging for new grades over the weekend and thank you to all our parents/family members who continue to support all students on their journey to black belt and beyond’

For those students who graded on the weekend, be sure to take some time to celebrate your achievements with your family and friends.  And most importantly please set yourself some new goals and target dates (completion/celebration dates) to make sure you keep up your momentum as you progress to the higher levels. Even have some check-in points prior to your completion/celebration date of your next main goal so you can adjust and keep yourself going straight to your goal and not somewhere else.

For those students not grading in June, I would like to challenge all of you to take the time to gain some perspective on your progress to your achieving your next goal – maybe some of you are focusing on challenging for new grades in August.  Are you on track, do you need to make some minor changes to get yourself back on track or are you almost there and you just need to accelerate as the August grading closes in on us.  Wherever you may be at in your journey make sure that you continually align yourself with your goals.  This will keep you on your toes and keep you progressing each and every day.

On your journey to achieving your next belt you are going to be confronted with some ‘challenges’.  Here are some thoughts on challenges which I hope helps you continue to stay focused on your goals.

CHALLENGES

1.  Perspective - Challenges are what you make them.  They are as big as you want or as little as you want.  They can be painful, they can be fun.  You have the power to choose your perspective.

1.  Your Next Challenge Has Arrived - celebrate!  This is a good thing.  This means that you are on the path.  It is completely normal and it is a part of the cycle to achieving your goals.  Just keep on going!  …..Remember, it is normal.  It is OK.  Please don’t think everyone hates you, or things don’t work out for you.  A challenge is a ‘gift’.  A friendly reminder to let you know that you are on track.  So next time you receive a challenge (a gift)…. be grateful and say thank you and just keep on moving forward.

2.  Accountability Is Magic – Have your support team in place and be held accountable to keeping your eyes on your goals and be accountable for putting the runs on the board to achieve your goals.  There will be things that come up to distract you from putting effort into achieving your goals.  Your support team will keep your honest.

3.  Enough is Enough - When it is all getting too hard – and you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Kind of like you have hit the worlds biggest and meanest challenge of all on this path to achieving your goal.  Take a breathe and get real excited – you are almost there.  You think I am crazy don’t you. :>)   Well it is all a matter of perspective and I know that whenever I have come to this point although I couldn’t see the finish line…. I could certainly feel it and I knew it and I believed I was already there but no one else could see it yet.  Just keep on running towards that finish line.  Focus on your goal, and you will soon see that finish line getting closer and closer.

‘Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. ‘ ~Newt Gingrich

And remember that we are always here for you.  All you need to do is ask for help.

And here is what you have been waiting for – The complete listing of all 38 Sunshine Coast Karate students who all stood up to their challenges on their path to gain their new belts over the weekend.  Many of these students approached us personally over the last few months to help them refocus, others were able to keep themselves focused.  Either way everyone on this list is an inspiration and an example of overcoming challenges and achieving their goals.  Well done everyone!

12th Kyu (Yellow Belt)
Brock Bowyer, Edward Allan, Savannah Kemp, Jack Graham, Bart Carmody, Matt Doecke, Kodey Tonner Jones, Samuel Doecke, Cameron Hannah, Jennifer Hannah.

11th Kyu (Orange Belt White Stripe)
Emily Shera, Heath Nicholson, Zoe Stielow, John Boman

10th Kyu (Orange Belt)
Lesley Richards, Wayne Marriott, PJ Doughty, Mika Fenwick

9th Kyu (Green Belt White Stripe)
Raphael Borleis, Adam Amos, Jade Glare, Jodie Marriott, Zac Neasmith, Wendy Boman, Lachlan Whale

8th Kyu (Green Belt)
Adam Gray

7th Kyu (Blue Belt White Stripe)
Renae Saunders, Adam Popescu, Euan Gray, Selina Strazzari, Jake Davis

5th Kyu (Purple Belt White Stripe)
Matthew Thomson, Jessica Strazzari

4th Kyu (Purple Belt)
George Britchford, Donell Cook

3rd Kyu (Brown Belt White Stripe)
James O’Grady

2nd Kyu (Brown Belt)
Aidan Leask, Tom Hurley

Here is a short story written by one of our students at Sunshine Coast Karate for a school assignment.  Thank you to Klaudia for letting us share this piece with everyone.

My Inspirations

Sweat dripping pain as I am struggling to succeed;  a challenge like 50 push up’s in a row, with perfect position from head to toe.

Hearts beating rapidly, fatigue in my arms, pressure on my mind, a tonne of weight on my back, feels like I’m about to collapse flat on the floor and fail every time.

As I do this my Sensei Martin and Sensei Sandra tells me that, no matter what it is or how hard it is; just believe that you can do it and you can accomplish anything in life.  So every time I face a new challenge I think of waht they say and it gets me through the day, and it’s not just in the dojo it’s everywhere I go.

On tournament day the pressure is on.  Nerves going through my veins ad I walk on stage watching the judges watch every move; as I perform the kata that I choose.

Before my turn is up my sensei’s say to me;  you will do well Klaudia, just keep your head up and stay focused.  Remember your strength, and that you can do anything you put your mind too.  After I perform, I walk away with a trophy in my hand and a proud smile on my face, and it’s all thanks to them.

It is a big step up from white belt to purple belt, where I am now.  There is so much you have to concentrate on all at the same time.  To grade you have to concentrate on things like; your target, posture, eye focus, stance, positioning, balance, speed, strength and sequence.  Thanks to my sensei’s I am where I am now and they have helped me achieve all my goals.

My sensei’s are very great;  they inspire me from week to week.  They pick me up when I am down.  They talk me through a clouded mind.  They give me strength whan I am weak.  My sensei’s are the best!

By Klaudia

Klaudia continues her training at Sunshine Coast Karate every week.  Not only does she stretch herself to greater heights she always seems to find a way to challenge her training partners to be the best they can be and she knows how to have FUN.    Klaudia has never complained of being bored or things being too hard or too easy, she understands the power of continual refinement of her basics and continues to accelerate her growth.  Big thank you to Klaudia and her family for their positive contributions to our entire Sunshine Coast Karate family.

Parents; Have you ever found yourself wishing that your son or daughter listened better? Do you feel that just a slight improvement in their listening skills would make a huge difference in their potential?

Getting your child to absorb 100% of what you’re telling them is a challenge that many parents and teachers face. Did you ever wonder…”Boy I hope he listens in school better than he does at home!” If your son or daughter could improve their listening comprehension just 10% it would have a profound impact on them don’t you agree?

So here’s what you can do… First understand that your child is forced to deal with dozens of external distractions during the course of the day; TV, radio, classmates, computers, and the list goes on. These external distractions combined with your child’s internal distractions, (the inability to control one’s thought process) cause most listening problems.

Make your child aware of these two distractions, (internal and external) teach him the difference between each, then get him to give you examples of when each one affected his ability to listen. Just this knowledge will make him a better listener. Teach your child the importance of focusing his eyes, ears, mind, and body. Focusing all four will engage him totally in the listening process.

Make sure your child knows that when it comes time to listen the first thing he has to do is look at the person talking in the eyes. When his eyes are focused he could then tune in his ears to the message and process it in his mind. Now you’re getting somewhere! Finally, teach him about standing or sitting up straight when listening, if the body is out of focus or slouched the message will not be clearly understood.

Maybe you could hold off on delivering your message until his body is focused and up-right. Becoming aware of these simple but effective concepts will go a long way toward helping your child be a more focused listener. Try them out and see how they work!

Dave Turpin
www.deskjockeyfitness.com

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Good posture is a fundamental requirement for good health.  Poor posture results in muscle tension.  Muscles under tension have reduced blood flow and can not be properly nourished.  This chain of events will eventually lead to seemingly unrelated health issues such as headaches, pain in other parts of the body and dis-ease.

A person with poor posture is usually the result of several variables gone awry… not just one.  Poor eyesight, stress, depression, muscle imbalances, repetitive movements and soft tissue injuries could all contribute to the situation.  This article will address how breathing impacts your posture.

If you’ve ever watched a baby breath they will always breathe diaphragmatically.  It doesn’t matter if they are sitting, lying down or being held up in a standing position.  When they breathe in their belly expands outward.  When they breathe out their belly draws inward.

Babies instinctively breathe through their nose.  If their nasal cavities become blocked an “emergency” alarm goes off.  The baby will cry which allows breathing through the mouth.  When their nasals are cleared they will return to breathing through their nose.

A baby’s breathing pattern is unlearned and optimal for health and posture.  The trials of life in adolescence and adulthood shifts us from being optimal “baby breathers” to stress induced mouth and chest breathers.  Breathing through the mouth and chest is referred to as an inverted breathing pattern and is a contraindication for optimal health and fitness.

Many of the mind-body-spirit disciplines such as martial arts, yoga, and Pilates recognize the importance of proper breathing.  Voice instructors are also excellent sources for learning optimal breathing patterns.

Nasal Breathing vs. Mouth Breathing. The anatomy of the nasal passage has several unique features that conditions incoming air before it reaches the lungs.  The nasal passage has a series of ridges in it that causes incoming air to be swirled around as it passes through.  This swirling air then hits hairs and obstructions in the nasal passage.  Foreign particles such as dust and air pollution larger than the gas molecules of the air are captured and prevented from reaching the lungs.  This natural filter is very efficient at removing even the smallest foreign objects.

The swirling process of the air as it bounces around the mucus membranes also allows the air to be warmed to an optimal temperature before entering the lungs.  The mucus membranes also serve to moisten the incoming air and ward off infection.

When breathing through the mouth the features and benefits of nasal breathing are bypassed.  Dry, contaminated air is allowed to reach the lungs directly resulting in reduced respiration capacity and increased risk of infection.

Mouth breathing may interpreted by the brain as a fight or flight reaction.  In a sense, the body is in a constant state of stress when can alter chemical and hormonal states.  Increased heart rate, compromised digestive processes, blood pressure changes and increased brain activity have all been linked to sympathetic responses to mouth breathing.

Diaphramatic vs. Chest Breathing. External respiration occurs when gases are exchanged between the atmosphere and the lungs.  Internal respiration occurs when gases are exchanged between the blood and the cells.  Both are necessary to maintain life.

Respiration occurs when the volume of the chest cavity changes.  When the volume of the chest cavity increases the pressure of the air in the lungs is less than the atmospheric pressure.  This difference in pressure between the chest cavity and the atmosphere forces atmospheric air to enter the lungs.  In a sense, when we breathe in our chest is drawing air in.  Our nose and mouth has nothing to do with the process.

When the volume of the chest cavity decreases the air in the lungs is compressed created a pressure in the lungs that is greater than the atmospheric pressure.  This pressure difference forces the compressed air in the lungs to be expelled to the atmosphere just like letting air escape from a blown up balloon.

There are only two ways to change the volume of the chest cavity:  By using the PRIMARY respiratory muscle or SECONDARY respiratory muscles.  The primary respiratory muscle should provide for sufficient respiration when in a relaxed or rested state, such as sitting at your desk.  The secondary respiratory muscles should only kick in when additional respiration is required, such as walking at a brisk pace.

The primary respiratory muscle is the diaphragm.  The diaphragm allows the volume in the chest cavity to change.  When the diaphragm moves downward it increases the volume of the chest cavity allowing air to enter the lungs.  It also forces the viscera (internal organs) downward which creates the illusion that the stomach is expanding.  Of course, no air is actually going into the stomach.

When the diaphragm moves upward it decreases the volume of the chest cavity forcing air to be expelled from the lungs.   The viscera that was forced down when breathing in is now allowed to return to its resting position creating the illusion that the stomach is smaller.

Secondary respiratory muscles include muscles between the ribs (intercostals) and muscles of the neck, specifically the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and scalenes.

The intercostals change the volume in the chest cavity by increasing or decreasing the space between the ribs.

The SCM, which is that large muscle that attaches behind the ear and attaches to the sternum (top of center of the chest) and clavicle (collar bone) changes the volume of the chest by lifting the chest cavity up.  Likewise, the scalene muscles, which connect from the cervical (neck) spine and the first rib (top of the rib cage just below the clavicle) also raise and lower the rib cage.  The hyoid bone, in the neck, also has ligamentous attachments to the top of the lungs which help to raise the lungs up.

The secondary respiratory muscles are designed to be activated for short durations when increased respiratory capacity is needed.  Chest breathers are essentially using their secondary respiratory muscles all the time and often lose the ability to use their diaphragm at all.  The constant use of the secondary respiratory muscles and lack of the use of the diaphragm is called a faulty motor program.

The constant contraction of the secondary respiratory muscles, to the tune of 26,000 breaths a day alters the length and tension of these neck muscles.  These muscles will tend to become tighter (hypertonic) and shortened as a result of overuse.  Tight, short neck muscles will tend to pull the head forward into a forward head posture.  Have you ever seen a person with their head sticking out in front of them?

Forward head posture not only alters the aesthetics of the individual, but also leads to headaches, migraines, muscle tension, reduced respiratory capacity, limited range of motion of the neck, increased likelihood of bursitis in the shoulder joint and shoulder impingement syndrome.

In order to maintain good posture and optimal health you must make it a habit to diaphragmatically breathe through your nose.  It is also a more calming breathing pattern.  Try it the next time you’re late for an appointment and the traffic congested.

Breathe like a baby!

Here is an excerpt of an article I thought that many of you would enjoy.

Read the entire article at fightingmaster.com By Richard Hackworth, Ph.D., Lac.

Positive Body Changes

After about three weeks of true martial arts training, a wide range of physiological changes take place. Practitioners will exhibit improvements in blood sugar, blood pressures, blood lipids, brain neurotransmitter balance, blood supply to muscles, and capacity of somatic muscles and the liver to store carbohydrate in the form of glycogen, calcium metabolism and other basic parameters. The changes are not mutually exclusive; interactions among systems and their functions are the rule.

These changes translate into better functioning of the body and brain, and overall risk reduction for such diseases as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, osteoporosis, obesity, anxiety states, mild to moderate mental depression, chronic fatigue, and breast and colon cancers. An increase in breathing exercises and forms training helped me recover from type 2 diabetes and I am no longer insulin dependent because of it.

The Brain and Nervous System

Martial arts training brings about remarkable changes in brain chemistry. The concentrations of various neurotransmitters that are responsible for facilitation or inhibition of nerve impulse transmission in the central nervous system — acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid, endorphins and others — are changed so that a new balance is attained. The clinical signs and symptoms that ensue are easier to record than the actual neurotransmitter levels, and many studies are in agreement on the emotional, behavioral and physiological changes that accompany martial arts training. A few recent investigations, however, have pinned down the neurochemical changes, as well. Eighty-nine year old Grand Master Yong Woo Lee, founder of JungDoKwan Taekwondo credits his years of martial arts training for his good health and mental sharpness at his age.

Among the early changes seen when individuals engage in a martial arts training program are mood elevation, heightened energy levels, enhanced self-confidence and self-esteem, lower anxiety levels, resistance to depression and improved coping ability. Changes in blood pressure and heart rate, which are, to a large extent, mediated by the central nervous system, occur soon afterward. Heart rate is slowed, and hypertensive blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) is reduced toward normal. Hapkido Grand Master Gary Pointer says: “Martial arts training keeps me going strong with a smile on my face! It is the ultimate mental and physical health program.”

These physiological changes are a function of the rebalancing of the sympathetic (fight and flight) and parasympathetic (rest and repair) halves of the autonomic nervous system. Studies by the Inchon Sports College of Korea have found increased parasympathetic tone in martial arts trained subjects, and ascribe the slowing of heart rate and reduction in blood pressure to this increased tone. Others have recorded lower plasma catecholamine levels associated with lower blood pressure following martial arts training. Resting heart rate is largely controlled by the parasympathetic fibers of the tenth cranial nerve (vagus) to the heart’s pacemaker (SA node). But blood pressure is much more complex, and more body chemistry, especially hormonal chemistry, is involved. The bottom line is that martial arts training reduces hypertensive blood pressure, and that the response is distance/intensity-graded.

Returning to the neurotransmitter connections with training, higher levels of serotonin and dopamine have been recorded following intense martial arts training. These would account for the mood elevation and antidepressant effects equal to those of regular aerobic exercise. Keep in mind that changes in GABA, endorphins and other neurotransmitters may well contribute to these psychological effects. There have been improvements in the physical capabilities of Parkinson’s disease patients following six to eight weeks of martial arts training. (Dopamine levels are commonly low in people with Parkinson’s disease.) In one patient, a 69-year-old Korean female, Soo Yong Kim of Shi-Hung City, anti-Parkinson medication was discontinued after martial arts training greatly improved her aerobic capacity while training at the JaeIl JaeYook Kwan school owned by ChungDoKwan Grand Master Jong Song Kim.

Also related to dopamine changes, some cigarette smokers can quit with few, if any, signs and symptoms of withdrawal. Ordinarily, nicotine addiction is difficult to break because high dopamine levels drop precipitously upon smoking cessation. Rigorous martial arts training can greatly elevate dopamine levels, and cases of smokers who quit easily may be taken as initial evidence that optimal levels of martial arts training can prevent a drop in dopamine with smoking cessation.

Continuing in the realm of psychological effects, a number of cognitive improvements have been documented in older adults who train rigorously. These include quicker mental reaction time and improved fluid intelligence quotients. Incredibly, Jae Son Myung (101 years old) of Inchon, Korea credits his sharp mental focus and quick reaction ability to his 90 years of classical Yudo training. It has been proposed that such changes may be the result of improved acetylcholine levels. Acetylcholine is a universal nerve transmission chemical in both the brain and somatic nerves. If acetylcholine is responsible, martial arts exercise should also benefit Alzheimer’s disease, which exhibits chronic acetylcholine depletion.

At the base of the brain is the small pineal gland, which releases melatonin, a hormone that influences such widely diverse functions as sleep/wake cycles and immune system integrity. The production of melatonin, related chemically to serotonin, is upset when people travel across several time zones. A marked reduction in jet lag can be achieved when a martial artist’s training schedule is optimal for frequency, distance and intensity.

Read the entire article at fightingmaster.com By Richard Hackworth, Ph.D., Lac.

Here is another success story from one of our valued Sunshine Coast Karate members.  Kimberley has picked up her martial arts training program at Sunshine Coast Karate and ‘run’.  In a very short amount of time Kimberley has progressed quite quickly through the beginner levels of Chito-Ryu Karate at Sunshine Coast Karate and continues to inspire many of us to push ourselves that bit more and to see what we can really get out of ourselves.

“I started martial arts training at the Maroochydore dojo about 4 weeks ago and have really enjoyed every moment of it. I have always been an active person but have found myself doing mostly solitary fitness until now. I found that some days running alone or cycling became a chore and I began to feel the need for a more social sport with more challenges. My partner had been a member at this dojo for a few months and suggested I come for a few trial sessions to see if it was for me. I was immediately impressed by the friendly warm welcome I received and was further enthused by the level of discipline, respect and professionalism displayed not only by the teachers but by each of the students.

I feel very comfortable when training at the Maroochydore dojo. It is very interactive and all participants are treated equally with respect. The training sessions cater for all levels at once so you can see at hand the standard that is required for each grade. It seems that everyone is willing to help guide and encourage each others progress.

My fitness has already improved by a mile. In my previous exercise regime of running, swimming, hiking and cycling I found that my body was well conditioned for those sports in particular but there were certain areas that I just wasn’t working on such as flexibility and anaerobic fitness. Karate seems to challenge every aspect of fitness completely. I have always been reasonably inflexible which I believe has been a contributing factor to a chronic pain problem in my lower back. Since starting karate I have become more relaxed and flexible in certain areas which have helped with my back problems.

Above all else, my mind is clearer and I generally feel more peaceful and mentally intact since being introduced to karate at this dojo. Whilst I am training I am focusing on just that, which allows me to take my mind off my sometimes stressful job. I have been taught that the important mental components of karate such as focus, determination, relaxation, reflection and confidence can all be applied to everyday life and make a big difference to how I approach life’s challenges. Since my partner Rob started karate I have noticed a huge positive change in his demeanour. In the past his job left him stressed and sometimes unhappy but now he has another focus and is much happier and has a more positive outlook. Karate also gives us a chance to spend more time together (which is usually hard because we are both shift workers) and we both have a lot of fun whilst training together.

Overall, I am very happy that I made the choice to be a part of this dojo. In the 4 weeks that I have been involved I have already noticed a big improvement in my fitness, my mind and my personal relationships.

Thanks to everyone at the dojo!”

Thank you to Kimberley for taking the time to share her experiences at Sunshine Coast Karate.

For more information about Sunshine Coast Karate please contact Martin & Sandra on (07) 5448 5274.

Here is another success story from one of our valued Sunshine Coast Karate members.  Rob has made an impressive start to his training.  Not only does Rob take part in classes regularly he also works at his home dojo to further develop his technique.   At Sunshine Coast Karate there are fewer adults than children training yet those adults that are training are inspirational.  No matter what they just keep on going and stepping up to new challenges to ensure they reach greater heights

Anyway here are a few words from Rob on his experiences so far at Sunshine Coast Karate.

“I took up martial arts because I was looking for an activity that not just exercises my body but also my mind. I want to maintain my physical fitness but running and cycling became too mono tone for me.  I thought about working out at a gym but again this would leave the mental side of things alone.

My job is stressful at times and very often I have taken work home with me. During exercising I have been thinking about work on many occasions and therefore did not get the full benefit out of the exercise. I wanted to find an activity which would require my full attention to take me away from the day to day stresses of life.

The offer of trial sessions was a great opportunity to see and feel whether martial arts was the type of recreational activity I wanted to participate in. I received a friendly and inviting welcome not only from the staff but also from other participants. I felt that Sunshine Coast Karate is operating in a very positive environment. Smiling faces everywhere.

I believe that martial arts has changed my personality since I am happier in life in general.  Even though my job is not monotonous at all I have become frustrated and negative and somehow disappointed with humanity through the things that I have seen in my occupation.

The focus required during training takes me away for the time of the session but the experience as a whole and the motivation for progression remains inside me for hours and days until the next time.  Even though I am a shift worker and my sleep patterns are somehow disturbed, since I have started martial arts the quality of my sleep has improved. In general I am a happier person and have a more positive outlook compared with my past.

I really enjoy the environment here at the Maroochydore dojo. The members of training team are very approachable and helpful all the time. People arrive with all sorts of facial expressions but everyone leaves with a smile on their faces. Personal goals and wishes are accommodated and all age groups are thought of. The training times really suit me as I am a shift worker. The location is close from where I live but there is easy access from all directions. The instructors really know what they are talking and teaching about, they have been doing Karate at a high level and standard for a while.

Training at Maroochydore is fun, energetic, motivating. It is a great workout and a positive environment to be in!  My physical fitness, balance and flexibility have improved. I am a happier person with a fun focus in mind that is in balance with my working life.”

Thank you to Rob for taking the time to share his personal experiences at Sunshine Coast Karate.  We are very fortunate that many of our students are open to share their experiences in order to help others who are just starting out in their martial arts studies at Sunshine Coast Karate.

If you can relate to Rob’s message and are experiencing similar circumstances please feel free to contact the team at Sunshine Coast Karate to see what we may be able to do for you and your family.

To learn more about the Sunshine Coast Karate please contact Sandra & Martin on (07) 5448 5274.

We all think in pictures. Many times what we see in our mind translates to what we end up with in reality. The great challenge lies in being able to control what kind of pictures play in the theater of our mind!

What kind of thoughts do you habitually think? What kind of thoughts does your child habitually think? Although we would like to believe our thoughts are of success, accomplishment, and a bright future, they may not always be. If we took an inventory of our thoughts we might discover from this audit that we dwell on past failures, present problems, and future anxiety too much. No matter how good you or your child’s current situation we can all benefit from tighter control of our own thoughts.

Why is this so important? Because many of the psychological breakthroughs of the last century had to do with the fact that “we become what we think about most of the time.” Just that one sentence should awake you to how important this topic is to you and your child’s future success. This is mainly due to the power of the subconscious mind which processes every thought and experience we have. The subconscious actually doesn’t know the difference between a real event and one that is vividly imagined. I encourage you to do your own research on the subconscious.

Your assignment is to catch yourself thinking thoughts of fear and failure and then quickly change them to positive successful thoughts. Just being aware of your thoughts and this fact will have a huge impact on your success. The challenge is to control thoughts of past failures, present and future problems. The goal… To replace those thoughts with thoughts of success and victory.

The best way to help teach your child to control his/her thoughts is with a fun concept called visualization. Positive visualization or mental rehearsal, as it’s sometimes referred to, is practiced by top performing men and women in all kinds of situations. Athletes, entertainers, public speakers are just a few of the professions where the champions rely heavily on this discipline. We have a theater in our mind and it’s open 24 hours a day! Positive visualization is how we make sure that good movies are playing. So how can this
help you and your child?

We’re going to pick this up next time. But in the mean time please take a few minutes and think a little harder about controlling your thoughts! Focus on what you want, not what you don’t want! Focus on success, Not Failure. This is the greatest discovery in the field of personal achievement. If you can begin to master this concept you’ll be on your way to great success!

This short article is brought to you by the Sunshine Coast Karate Team.  For more information on getting started at Sunshine Coast Karate please call (07) 5448 5274.

Bullying has always been a part of growing up. But how a child deals with it and the repercussions of dealing with bullying have changed dramatically.

Incidences of bullying vary in severity. One thing that’s certain is repeated attacks whether verbal, physical, written, or on the internet erode your child’s fragile self-esteem. The CDC linked bullying to isolation, drug use, violence, and suicide! But your child does not have to be a victim. Follow these tips…

1.   Use The Secret Word to Stop Bullying Before it Starts
The assault can be verbal or physical, either way the first line of defense remains the same. It’s one word… Confidence! Here’s why; Bullies choose their victims much like a criminal would choose a victim. They go for the easy and obvious target. So if your child looks like a kid who will get bullied, guess what, they’re going to get bullied. On the other hand if your child radiates self-confidence they are less likely to be a victim, it’s almost that simple!

2.  Body Language is Key
Your child needs to walk with their head up; their shoulders square, and make eye contact with people. Just doing so, even if your child needs work on their self-esteem, will keep bullies away from them. This is easier said than done, but it can be learned. So having them change their body language (what they are saying non-verbally) will have a huge impact. Teaching this can serve as a quick fix. However, going to work on their self-confidence will have a greater long-term affect on keeping bullies away.

3.  Embrace Your Role
Children get their first layer of self-confidence from parents. The love you show your child and the time you spend with them gives them their feelings of self-worth. It has been said that the number one role of parenting is to develop a self-confident individual.

4.  Speaking Up
Teach your child how to speak up clearly when they first meet someone. Teach them the importance of making eye-contact when they talk to you. Get them out of their comfort zone and have them explore new things. The more you have them confront fear and discomfort the more confident they will become.

The first few tips are meant to stop bullying before it starts. Now here’s what your child can do if the bully chooses them…

5.  Create A Boundary When Confronted By A Bully
The next layer of defense is to create a boundary. Children can protect themselves with an assertive body posture: Feet apart a little, one foot in front, shoulders square, chin up, eye contact, and most importantly, hands up as if making a “Stop” Gesture! We call this our self-defense stance. Its purpose is to communicate neutrality, awareness and, assertiveness. This stance is designed to get them out of trouble.

6.  Using Words Properly
Finally, your child will have to use their words. Simple phrases and commands said in an assertive voice will tell the bully that they will not be a victim. Simple commands like; “Stop, Back Off, Back Away!” Said in the right tone will stop the bully in his tracks!

7.  Safe Self-Defense
Of course if none of the above works (and the truth is nothing works every time) then your child will have to defend themselves. But only if and when their safety is threatened.

8.  Defeating the Cyber-Bully – Don’t Give Cyber-Bullies Ammunition
Text messaging and social network sites open up a whole new avenue for bullies. Sit down with your child and be sure they understand not to give the bullies any ammunition. Make them aware the minute they text someone or send an email those words can be taken out of context or used against them. Absolutely under no circumstances should your child ever send inappropriate photos of themselves or allow anyone else to take photos that go against good judgment.

Cyber-bullying can be stopped with confidence and respect just like physical bullying.

As you can see dealing with a bully has its challenges. There is no one way that works every time. However, when your child develops high levels of self-esteem and self-confidence a bully’s words or actions will role off them like water off a duck’s back.

For additional resources to assist with dealing with bullying, our Sunshine Coast Karate team recommend the following website.

Bullying.  No Way!

http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au

An Australian website promoting safe and supportive school environments.

If you have any resources which cover this topic please leave a comment to share bullying resources with other readers.