Olson's Martial Arts - October 2019

MARTIAL ARTS

AGENDA

OCTOBER 2019

MARTIAL ARTS CAN PROTECTYOURSELF AND OTHERS

I’ve heard a number of stories over the years about how martial arts training saved not only someone’s life but also the lives of others. One of the many reasons I appreciate my own training in martial arts so much is the ability and knowledge I have to teach people what I know so their lives can change for the better. One such story I’ve heard is of a woman — I’ll call her Jane — who was running through a park. Jane had been taking a few courses in self-defense, and it was through this training that she recognized a woman in trouble. Jane immediately jumped in and knew enough to get the woman and herself away and to safety. Although she hadn’t been in the class for very long, what Jane had learned gave her the “tools” she needed to react accordingly and get a total stranger to safety. This is just one of the many examples that shows how any amount of training in self-defense or martial arts can be significant to a person’s life. You don’t need to spend years learning how to read a bad situation and take measures to help or defuse it. Self-defense courses focus on training a person to be aware of their surroundings and of the correct way to respond. It only takes a couple of weeks to learn a lot in that area. Now, as far as training things to become an automatic reflex or instinct, that takes years of practice. If you want to seriously and confidently defend yourself against someone choking you or if you want to knock someone to the ground, you’ll need a lot of consistent training. What we do in our self-defense classes at Olson’s Martial Arts Academy is focus on a nonmartial arts technique that people can implement right away. We teach our students a very simple wrist release and choking defense. Our main goal is to ensure anyone can escape an attacker and get to safety; we’re not trying to teach anyone to “Chuck Norris” an opponent. Our secondary goal is to teach people the correct way to respond in certain situations. For instance, if someone tells you to get into their car or they’ll harm you, it’s essential that you don’t get in the car. When we pose this question to our classes, a lot of people give the wrong answer due to the

assumption that if they comply, they won’t get hurt. But the opposite is true. A person should always fight or run with the intent of getting to safety as quickly as possible. This is also what we teach our younger students. Another crucial lesson we teach them is that adults do not ask children for help. Strangers may try several methods to lure children because most are going to say yes. It’s the goal of every teacher at our academy to teach kids that’s not the proper

behavior of an adult and that if someone should approach them, they should get somewhere safe as soon as possible. I often think that I could write a book on how martial arts impacted my life and those of others. With every story I hear, I’m reminded that every chance we get to share these stories is an essential part of being teachers.

– Amanda Olson

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WHERE SHOULD I GET A DOG?

3 REASONS TO ADOPT FROM YOUR LOCAL SHELTER

find one near you. Even if you don’t find the breed you’re looking for, you may find an indispensable companion in a breed you weren’t looking for — and you never would have found them if you didn’t check the shelters. GREAT FOR YOUR KIDS Having a dog can be great for your kids, and getting it from a shelter can be even better for them. Dogs encourage kids to play outside and be more active, and kids gain a friend who loves them unconditionally. Plus, if you adopt, the act of giving an unwanted animal a new home can teach your kids empathy. If you still haven’t checked your local shelter for the newest member of your family, what are you waiting for? Find a furry friend you and your kids will love today!

So, you’ve decided to get a dog. Maybe you think your kids could use a new playmate, or maybe you and your spouse want someone to join you on morning walks. Whatever the reason, the next question is where to get them. Instead of paying exorbitant amounts of money to a breeder for a purebred puppy, why not check the local shelter or humane society? October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and, if you’re looking to get a dog, here are a few reasons to check the shelters first. IT’S CHEAPER TO ADOPT Adoption prices include the upfront expenses, such as spaying, neutering, and vaccinations, that you wouldn’t get from a breeder or pet store. Some shelters even include the cost of microchipping in their fee. If you adopt from a shelter, you’re ensured a healthy, happy dog. With some shelter dogs, you may also save on housebreaking and training costs. LOTS OF CHOICES Is there a specific breed you’re looking for? Chances are you will find it at the shelter. Shelter dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Some organizations rescue specific breeds, and with a little research, you may SELF-DEFENSE COURSES AND THEIR SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS In this month’s cover article, Master Amanda Olson explains how the self-defense courses at Olson’s Martial Arts Academy help our students recognize dangerous situations and react accordingly to protect themselves and others. The team at our academy wants to go over the other benefits a self-defense course can give individuals of any age. DEVELOP FIGHTERS’ REFLEXES If you’re ever caught in a situation where you need to act quickly, fighters’ reflexes are essential. If you’re being attacked, you don’t have time to wonder where to place your foot or where to strike. Training your body in self-defense gives you the capability to know exactly how to respond to a high-stress situation. Fighters’ reflexes allow you to react without conscious thought. You’ll be prepared for any fight, physically and mentally. BECOME AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS This is one of the biggest lessons the teachers at Olson’s Martial Arts Academy impress on our students. When you’re aware of what’s around you, you can minimize the chances of being attacked. Recognizing places a dangerous person could be hiding and avoiding areas where attacks are likely to happen will help prevent grim situations. You’re also giving yourself the tools you need to make yourself less of a target.

BUILD SELF-IMAGE Taking self-defense courses can increase someone’s self-esteem, self- respect, and confidence. Training will increase your body image, which, in turn, can increase self-confidence, but it also shapes the way you perceive yourself. You can be confident, knowing you can defend yourself and others should a situation call for it. By giving yourself these skills, you’ll feel good about yourself and what you can do. Our academy welcomes any person interested in learning self-defense. Whether you’re looking to enroll in a class for intensive training or want to give yourself a fundamental understanding of defending yourself, our courses can help. Call us at 423-926-9161 to sign up today.

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MARTIAL ARTS AND ADHD

HOWTHE TWO FIT TOGETHER

MONEY ADVICE FOR KIDS: 40/30/20/10 RULE To help kids learn to manage money, teach them to use this rule when they receive money. 40% for expenses; 30% for fun; 20% for savings; 10% for giving Set clear jars on their dresser so they can see how they are doing or open a bank account so they can watch their savings grow! MASTER MOM - AMANDA OLSON

A child diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can have a hard time focusing and sitting still. It can be difficult for them to pay attention in class and find activities they can fully participate in without getting bored or distracted. This is why many parents choose to enroll their children in martial arts. CONCENTRATION Martial arts courses can help students improve their attention and concentration. Focus is essential when it comes to martial arts, which is why martial arts teachers put such emphasis on ensuring their students learn it. With any martial arts form, students will need to concentrate on where they place their feet, the movement of their hands and bodies, and how they shift their weight. COORDINATION Going hand-in-hand with concentration, coordination is another pillar of martial arts. Each form of martial arts requires repetitive and deliberate movements, which prompts students to pour all their attention into each martial arts stance. This also gives students a chance to understand how their body movement is connected with their mind. INDIVIDUAL GROWTH Sports are combative in nature and often pit kids against one another, which can be overwhelming for someone with ADHD. However, martial arts doesn’t operate this way. Students won’t fight each other unless they decide to compete in a martial arts tournament. In their courses, students will hone in on their personal development and be encouraged to set goals for themselves. ENERGETIC OUTLET Many children with ADHD have an extensive amount of energy, and martial arts encourages them to focus that energy in a singular direction. No matter which form of martial arts a child decides to pursue, they will expend their energy kicking, punching, and chopping. When deciding to enroll your child in a martial arts class, it’s important to research which academy you want them to attend. Once you’ve decided on the best fit, talk to the teachers and communicate your goals for your child. They will work with your child to reach those targets.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED FRUIT This super easy and fun way to create homemade treats provides your kids with a healthier and more delicious alternative to packaged industrial candy. As a bonus, making it is an awesome Halloween activity for your family to enjoy.

INGREDIENTS

•

1 package melting chocolate

• Assorted dried fruit, including apricots and mangoes

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large saucepan, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. 2. Place a large, heatproof mixing bowl on top of saucepan so that no steam can escape. Place melting chocolate in mixing bowl and double boil until melted. 3. Dip half of each piece of fruit in chocolate before transferring to a parchment-lined baking sheet to rest. 4. Let cool for 10 minutes until chocolate solidifies. 5. Place in school lunches, serve at parties, and indulge in a few for yourself.

Inspired by Food Network

FALL SPECIAL

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4WEEKS FOR $69 INCLUDES A FREE UNIFORM

423-926-9161

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INSIDE

THANKFUL FOR MARTIAL ARTS

REASONS TO ADOPT DOGS FROM SHELTERS

PROTECTING YOURSELF AND OTHERS

GIVE YOUR CHILD AN ACTIVITY TO FOCUS ON

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED FRUIT

AVOID GETTING YOUR HANDS DIRTY THIS HALLOWEEN

NO-CARVE PUMPKIN DESIGNS!

JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN Jack-o’-lanterns go hand-in-hand with Halloween, but digging through the inside of a pumpkin is not something everyone enjoys. If you aren’t keen on cutting open a pumpkin, here are a few no-carve ideas you can try this Halloween!

desired — just make sure the design of the stockings will stand out. Once the paint is dry, cut the legs off the stockings, slide the pumpkin inside, remove the extra fabric around the stem, and use hot glue to secure it. COLORFUL PAINT Painting your Halloween pumpkins gives everyone a chance to participate. Be creative by using different designs, cutouts for silhouettes, drip paint to create a marble design, or nail polish and water to give white pumpkins a unique and vibrant look. A SPOOKY MONSTER By adding a witch hat, wrapping a pumpkin in cheesecloth, attaching spider legs, or tying on a vampire cape, you can create a pumpkin version of the most popular Halloween monsters. Along with these accessories, you can also use paint, construction paper, and other craft materials to add the details that will make your creation pop!

HAUNTED HOUSE Take a few pumpkins, stack them on top of each other, and create a spooky pumpkin haunted house! Then, use paint, balsa wood sheets, and hot glue to create silhouettes, ghosts, windows, and doors for a haunting effect! CREATIVE WITH STRING Use cotton twine and hot glue to create a web-like design on the surface of your pumpkin. Don’t forget to add a few plastic spiders! You can also use string art to create ghostly words or images. Lay our your design with small pegs or nails and wrap the string around them to reach your desired effect. NOTHING BUT NET You can create eerie pumpkins using fishnet stockings. Spray-paint your pumpkin if

For more detailed directions for these pumpkin designs and more ideas, visit WomansDay.com.

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