Olson's Martial Arts - August 2019

MARTIAL ARTS

AGENDA

AUGUST 2019

A READING PROGRAM

ENCOURAGING OUR STUDENTS TO READ

At Olson’s Martial Arts Academy, Glen and I set up a reading program that aims to encourage all of our students to read more. With school just around the corner, I think it’s important for our students to continue their reading until the new school year starts, and I want to encourage kids to read outside of school, as well. Our reading program runs all year long and is very easy to participate in. Students can pick out any book they want to read for at least 30 minutes a day and log their time on the reading sheets we give them. After 10 weeks, they hand in their sheets and, during our award ceremony, can earn the reading award for their dedication and love of reading. To get the award, our students don’t have to follow the full 10 weeks if they don’t want to, but I ask that they meet the minimum requirements, which is reading every day for four weeks. At the beginning of the summer, I told my students I wanted them all to participate and gave them each a reading sheet to fill out. Around the beginning of June, about 25% of my classes were participating. While that’s a big gulf from the total I was hoping for, I’m determined that all of my students will learn how fun and rewarding reading is. The idea for the program sparked as I was looking at how the discipline we learn in martial arts transfers to other aspects of our lives. In taekwondo, when we tie our belts, we ensure they’re even to show the balance of the mind and body, as my students know. I believe that reading certainly enhances the mind, much like martial arts training enhances the body.

Since the program started, I’ve had students tell me how much they’ve enjoyed reading, and I’ve also seen them go above and beyond the minimum requirements. It’s very exciting to see how much they get involved! The students who are reading are also achieving more in other areas too; they’re focusing more in their studies and doing well in school. For kids who are just starting out with reading for fun, I have a few tips. Starting with a series, such as “Nancy Drew” or “The Hardy Boys,” can help the reader get to know the characters and get excited to see what they’ll do next. Taking your child to a bookstore to let them pick something that interests them is also a great way to get them excited about reading. Parents can read with or to their child, which is greatly beneficial and a great way to spend time together. If your child is resistant to reading, try something simple like a comic book or make sure to break up the time, like reading 10 minutes in the morning and 10 at night.

The best part of getting into reading is getting so caught up in the story that it’s difficult to put the book down. I love to read, and it’s actually a personal goal of mine to read two books a week. When I was younger, my mother was going to college in a night school program, and on the weekends she would take me to the school library where she’d study or prepare for her classes on Monday. I would walk around the library, pull books off shelves, find a cozy bean bag to sit on, and read.

This experience with my mother helped me fall in love with reading, and, while it wasn’t a reading program, I hope the program our martial arts school offers will bring the same enthusiasm to my students.

– Amanda Olson

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YOU’RE GETTING VERY SLEEPY ...

ESTABLISHING A BEDTIME ROUTINE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR

MAKE IT EASY Though the days may be getting shorter, it’s still relatively light out at night, making it nearly impossible for your kids to doze off when they should. Sleep experts recommend creating a sleeping space that mimics a cave: dark, cool, and quiet. This means sunlight shouldn’t sneak into the room, and the home should be a quiet zone after bedtime. No one wants to sleep while everyone else is having fun, so it’s important that everyone in the home is quiet at bedtime. JUST RELAX This is a rule your family should follow year-round, not just when you want to reestablish a routine. At a certain time each night, begin the nightly wind-down. For example, at 8 p.m. shut off your screens, put on pajamas, and engage in a relaxing activity, like reading a book or doing some yoga. Signaling to your body and your family that it’s time for bed will help your kiddos, and you, fall asleep at an appropriate time.

Between vacations, bonfires, and sporting tournaments, your children’s sleep schedule probably went on break when they did this summer. With school fast approaching, it’s vital to get your kids back on a proper sleep schedule. In fact, according to the National Sleep Foundation, getting enough sleep can significantly improve a child’s growth and cognitive function. But getting a restful night’s sleep is easier said than done when kids have had almost complete freedom for three months. Try these tips to get your kids snoozing through August and prepared for school. START EARLY AND GO SLOWLY When practicing this tip, think of the old adage: “It takes 21 days to break a habit.” If your kids have been going to bed late this summer, set a time when they must go to bed, but don’t make it too far off the time they have been regularly hitting the hay. If they shuffle off to bed around 10 p.m., push their bedtime to 9:45 p.m., and then push it back to 9:30 p.m. one week later. Slowly work your way back to an appropriate time, and bedtime will be easier when school starts. BRUCE LEE THE WORLD-FAMOUS ACTOR AND MARTIAL ARTIST In the year and hour of the dragon, Lee Jun Fan was born in San Francisco, California, during his parents’ tour with a Chinese opera. He was given the name “Bruce” at the hospital and later went by the name that became famous worldwide: Bruce Lee. THE BEGINNINGS OF THE MASTER Even at a young age, Lee was a natural in front of the camera. He starred in his first film at 3 months old, and throughout his childhood, he appeared in 20 other films. At age 13, Lee began to focus on his passion for kung fu under Master Yip Man, with whom he trained in the wing chung style. When he turned 18, Lee left to live in the States, where he supported himself as a dance instructor. Later, he opened his own martial arts school in Seattle, where he trained his students in his own unique style he called jeet kune do or “the way of the intercepting fist.” ACTOR AND MARTIAL ARTIST One of his most notorious acting roles was Kato in “The Green Hornet,” which aired from 1966–67 with 26 episodes. After it was canceled, Lee returned to Hong Kong to continue his career in the film industry. His next three films broke box office records: “The Big Boss” in 1971, “Fist of Fury” in 1972, and later that year, “The Way of the Dragon,” which Lee wrote, directed, and produced himself.

AN UNTIMELY DEATH The next movie Lee started filming, “The Game of Death,” was put on hold for another film called “Enter the Dragon,” which was the first Hong Kong/American co-production film. However, Lee never had the opportunity to watch the film, as he passed away one month before its premiere. On July 20, 1973, Lee was suffering from a minor headache and was offered a pain killer, which he took and went to lay down. Soon afterward, Lee fell into a coma and was unable to be revived. It was officially reported that the cause of death was due to a reaction caused by the pain medication he took. Although he may be gone, the legacy Lee left behind continues to this very day. He inspired thousands of people to pursue martial arts, encouraged other Asian Americans to pursue acting careers, and helped mold the success of fellow actors and martial artists like Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris, and Cynthia Rothrock.

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ASK MASTER MOM

STRENGTHENING YOUR QI TAI CHI “Tai Chi Chuan, the great ultimate, strengthens the weak, raises the sick, invigorates the debilitated, and encourages the timid.” There are multiple types of martial arts across the world. Many of the techniques and forms we see today are ancient methods that have adapted as they’ve entered new cultures. However, although their forms or styles may change, the principles they were built on remain steadfast. Tai chi, which has been around for hundreds of years, has taken on distinct traits over the years, but its true purpose has remained the same. THE ORIGINS OF TAI CHI Tai chi originated in ancient China, but its creation is shrouded in mystery. Many records date the art form back over 2,500 years and claim it is descended from the martial art qi gong, which is an ancient Chinese discipline involving traditional medicine and healing. It’s argued that Zhang San Feng is the founder of tai chi,though its true origins are unknown. Some stories say that Feng created a new martial arts technique of soft motion by watching a snake fight off a bird with stillness and precision. Originally, tai chi was used for self-defense and to retain inner peace. Today, it is used as a form of exercise and meditation, which has proven to increase a person’s focus, balance, and relaxation and even treat or prevent health problems. THE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF TAI CHI Five of the more popular forms of tai chi are yang, chen, sun, wu, and wu (two distinct words in Chinese). Although these forms are interwoven with other martial arts techniques, their core principles remain the same. These essential principles are movement and breathing control; integrating the mind with the body; and increasing internal components, song (loosening), and jing (serenity). These elements come together to form the purpose of tai chi, which is to pursue and nurture the qi, or life force, that is inside all living things by strengthening the body and mind. Olson’s Martial Arts Academy tai chi instructor, Master Henry, has been teaching for over 16 years and has seen the positive impact this technique has given each one of his students. Tai chi is a martial art that anyone can do, and we want to invite anyone interested to call our school today! –Master Cheng Man-ch’ing

SUMMER READING AWARDS! Hey, everyone! Don’t forget! We want 100% reading awards for the August Graduation. I know you can do it, so write down how much you read each day and turn it in for an award!

MASTER MOM - AMANDA OLSON

ROASTED CORN SALSA

INGREDIENTS

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1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped

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2 medium ears of corn, shucked 1 jalapeño or Fresno chile, seeded and thinly sliced

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1/4 bunch cilantro leaves, sliced

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Juice of 1 lime

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1/2 red onion, diced

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Kosher salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat a cast-iron skillet to high. Char corn, turning occasionally, for 10–14 minutes until kernels begin to blacken in spots. 2. Using a sharp knife, remove corn kernels from cobs and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. With a wooden spoon or potato masher, gently crush corn to release starch and juices. 4. Add jalapeño, onion, tomato, and cilantro. Mix to combine.

5. Top with lime juice and season with salt. 6. Serve alongside your favorite tortilla chips

Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND “ We have two kids who have trained with Master Olson. Along with God-centered rearing and our watchful guidance taught in our home, “growing” with the Olson’s environment of teamwork, respect of one’s self and others, perseverance, and healthy attitudes/habits has taught our kids to be confident but respectful, strong but not bullies, successful but not arrogant, and a young man and a little lady. I would definitely recommend involvement in Master Olson’s program. Thanks for all you do!” –Israel and Carmina

SHYNESS “I used to be a big introvert with not a lot of friends. Now, I have a lot of friends. I like talking, and I am more of an extrovert now.” –M.F., preteen

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INSIDE

READING MAKES THE MIND STRONGER

GET YOUR KIDS BACK ON A SLEEP SCHEDULE IN THE YEAR AND HOUR OF THE DRAGON ...

SELF-DEFENSE TURNED SELF-CARE

ROASTED CORN SALSA

HOWTHESE RATS SAVE LIVES

HEROISM FROM AN UNEXPECTED SOURCE MEET THE RATS THAT SNIFF OUT LAND MINES

to detecting land mines. While they are bigger than your average pet rat — some can be as large as a cat — they’re still light enough that they won’t detonate a land mine if they stand on one. Though they have poor eyesight, they make up for that deficiency with an incredible sense of smell. A fully trained rat can sniff amounts of TNT as small as 29 grams and distinguish it from other industrial substances like motor oil and battery acid. Along with these innate qualities, pouched rats are easy and cheap to train. While a dog can only bond with and work for one master, rats will sniff out land mines under any person’s direction, so long as they get a tasty treat afterward. They can search a 2,000 square foot area in 20 minutes, saving humans from days of dangerous, meticulous work. Between 1995 and 2015, APOPO’s rats found about 13,200 mines in Africa and Southeast Asia. Today, their programs are still going strong, proving that heroism can be found in even the most unlikely of animals.

When you think of animals that could be considered heroic, giant rats probably aren’t the first creatures that pop into your head. Many people still think of them as filthy, disease-ridden little thieves that deserve eradication rather than a medal. But one nongovernmental organization (NGO) has proven just how heroic rats can be by training them to detect land mines and, in turn, save lives. Over 60 countries worldwide still feel the effects of wars past every time someone steps on an unactivated land mine. Dogs and metal detectors have traditionally been used to find and safely detonate land mines in these countries, but both methods are costly and time-consuming. A human with a metal detector could take up to four days to clear a 2,000 square foot area of any land mines, and people knew there had to be a faster, safer way. Tanzania-based NGO APOPO found the answer: African giant pouched rats. These rats have several advantages over dogs and humans when it comes

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