MARTIAL ARTS
AGENDA
APRIL 2020
CELEBRATING OUR STUDENT-ATHLETES
YOUR HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT DO NOT GO UNNOTICED
utilizing time management strategies are beneficial and apply to academics, family, relationships, and future careers. I see this especially in my high school students, who have clear goals of where they want to go in life and are already planning their future after they graduate. Having the skill and ability to say, “I know how to get things done,” is not something everyone has, but each one of my students does have that ability. In the 35 years I’ve spent teaching, I’ve found that student-athletes not only perform better in school but are also well-rounded individuals with many interests and skills. Often, they have musical abilities and are either involved in their school choir or band or are studying an instrument. It’s almost like they need an artistic outlet once they’ve found that perfect physical one. I can relate to all of this within my own life. As a kid, I was constantly balancing school, martial arts, and my musical interests. I remember knowing that if I had a paper due or a test to study for, I had to plan and put aside time in the day dedicated to working on it. I would give myself a set amount of time each day for schoolwork, training, and teaching my martial arts class. When I had time between teaching classes, you’d find me doing my homework somewhere around my parent’s school. That was pretty much how four nights of my week went, but I also dedicated one night to music. Having that time to break up my routine allowed me to do something different from martial arts and school and helped me stay faithful to my schedule. It was a lot of work, but I loved every minute of it. I see that same resolve reflected in the student-athletes I have the chance to work with at our academy today. They have a schedule that they stick with, and they make it seem easy. But I know how much work goes into doing what they do. It’s very exciting to see how hard my students work, and it’s humbling to have a part in helping them reach their goals, whether they’re still in our school or have moved on. I hope I can continue supporting my students, their dreams, and their goals for as long as I can.
When I think of our student-athletes, I can’t help but feel so proud of how much time they dedicate to training. Not only are they in school with grades to worry about, but they also have other life obligations to juggle. In honor of National Student-Athlete Day on April 6, I want to take this time to recognize all the hard work and organizational skills of our student-athletes. Time and time again, I’ve noticed how committed our students are to time management. The students I train with, which includes many teenagers and high schoolers, faithfully come to the academy 2–3 times a week and are doing exceptionally well in school. My student-athletes are very goal-oriented, and they care about what they’re doing; you can’t accidentally be a good athlete, especially if you’re part of a team training for a competition. I’ve seen them plan their workouts with those goals in mind, and to do that while still having good grades, they have to think about what their day is going to be like.
– Glenn and Amanda Olson
That ability to focus on what needs to be done as an athlete carries over to other areas of their life too. Setting concrete goals and
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THE AGE OF STRESS It’s hard to imagine kids as anything but carefree, happy, and eager to explore the world around them. However, children experience stress just like adults do, which can severely impact their typically cheerful dispositions. Since April is National Stress Awareness Month, now is an opportune time to familiarize yourself with tools and information that can help you alleviate your child’s stress. WHAT ARE THEIR STRESSORS? Any number of everyday factors can lead to stress, and stress can plague anyone who feels overwhelmed. Toddlers and young children going to day care or school for the first time may experience separation anxiety due to being apart from their parents. Older kids and teenagers may feel mounting social and academic pressure. Even something as simple as overhearing loved ones arguing or seeing a sad news report can add to a child’s stress levels. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD IS STRESSED? When a kid is stressed, they will exhibit odd behavior and even undergo physical changes. Depending on your child’s age, watch for mood swings, changes in sleep patterns, headaches, trouble focusing, or withdrawal WANT TO RECEIVE YOUR BLACK BELT? Many of our students here at Olson’s Martial Arts Academy are constantly surrounded by other students wearing their black belts. While it might seem like a lot of people have earned their black belt, only a small percentage of individuals actually have. Around 2% of the population has practiced martial arts, and of that number, far fewer have trained for and obtained a black belt. Receiving a black belt might seem like a normal step, especially when you’re constantly training and talking with the handful of students who have them. But reaching this status is admirable and something to be very proud of. Training for a black belt requires a lot of time, energy, and diligence at least twice a week, month after month, for years. This journey often takes between 3–5 years of hard work via increasingly challenging steps. The higher you go, the more difficult forms you have to memorize and perform. However, there might be other difficulties to face along the way too. Over that length of time, some things can get in the way, which might deter motivation. An injury or life-changing circumstance might pull someone away from martial arts. But when a student continues past those obstacles with the determination to press on, they realize they can overcome whatever is in front of them, and that builds confidence.
HELPING YOUR CHILD OVERCOME ANXIETY
from the people around them. According to KidsHealth.org, younger children may also pick up habits like twirling their hair or sucking their thumb, while older kids may start to bully others, lie, or rebel. CAN I HELP REDUCE THEIR STRESS? According to KidsHealth.org, good nutrition, proper rest, and healthy attention are great ways to help kids manage their stress. Set time aside each day to talk and spend time with your children; talking about worries will reduce or relieve anxieties. If you know about an upcoming stressful situation, like a school exam or a health checkup, prepare your child by studying with them or talking to them about what to expect.
Don’t stop here. For more tools and information regarding stress reduction in children, visit KidsHealth.org or contact your doctor.
Amanda Olson, our founder and an eighth-degree black belt, is incredibly proud every time a student receives their first black belt. “I have some people who put on their black belt for the first time and start to cry. This is an incredible moment for them, and we want to make sure it’s special for them and celebrate with them as much as we can,” Amanda says. When we think of our black belt students, we think of someone who is disciplined, hardworking, and willing to overcome whatever life throws at them to reach their goals. Our teachers are so proud to have watched our students grow, and we are all here to help anyone achieve a black belt of their own.
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DO YOU HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN MARTIAL ARTS COMPETITIONS?
THE CHOICE IS UP TO YOU!
TIME MANAGEMENT A calendar can go a long way in helping our children learn about how to most wisely use their time. There are so many options, from apps to whiteboards and more. If the child gets to pick the time management tool that appeals to them, they are most likely to really use it. Look online for options together and talk about the benefits of each one and how it might help them keep track of their activities, school work, and social time. Good time management skills can also aid in decreasing stress for the whole family.
Remember, if you have any questions, please reach out to AMANDA@ASKMASTERMOM.COM.
Nearly every day, someone calls our school because they’re interested in martial arts. Many of the calls we receive are from people who want to take classes but not compete, so they wonder if they’re required to compete when joining one of our classes. The simple answer is no, but our teachers at Olson’s Martial Arts Academy do encourage it. You gain so many benefits just from joining and participating in a martial arts class. Not only does it improve your physical health and strength, but it also benefits your mental health. Martial arts can boost your self-confidence and self-esteem, and you’re able to connect with other individuals who share the same interests. So we understand if that’s all you want, but even those who initially join our academy with no intention of competing can’t help but feel a little curious. In our experience, nearly 80% of all students who start training are not interested in competing. In fact, only a small segment of our students join and actually want to compete. Some change their minds even before they sign up for a competition, while others realize just how much they like it after participating in their first. It makes us happy to see how many of our students find themselves in at least one tournament during their martial arts training — only to discover that they genuinely enjoy it! Masters Greg and Amanda Olson encourage every student to try competing. We believe that it’s good to get out there and test yourself at least once against an opponent in a safe, competitive environment. Many of our students thrive on it, but we also understand that others don’t. It depends entirely on the student, their goals, and their comfort level. If you ever want to test yourself or learn more about competing on behalf of our academy, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.
SESAME ZUCCHINI NOODLES INGREDIENTS
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3 tbsp pure sesame oil
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4 medium zucchini
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3/4 tsp fresh ginger, grated
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Salt, to taste
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2 cloves garlic, chopped
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3 medjool dates, pitted and softened in warm water for 5 minutes 3 1/2 tbsp creamy, unsweetened almond butter
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2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
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3 scallions, thinly sliced
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1/4 cup chopped almonds
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3 tbsp coconut aminos
DIRECTIONS
1. If you have a spiralizer, use it to cut zucchini into noodles. Otherwise, use a peeler. Salt zucchini. Allow zucchini to “sweat” out water for 1 hour, wrap in a paper towel, and squeeze the water out. 2. In a food processor, blend dates with almond butter and aminos until smooth. 3. Add sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and vinegar and pulse until sauce is smooth. 4. In a pan, sauté zucchini noodles until heated and slightly softened. 5. Toss zucchini noodles with prepared sauce and top with scallions and almonds.
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INSIDE
CELEBRATING OUR STUDENT- ATHLETES
HELPING YOUR CHILD MANAGE STRESS WHAT IT MEANS TO RECEIVE A BLACK BELT
ARE YOUWONDERING IF YOU HAVE TO COMPETE?
SESAME ZUCCHINI NOODLES
CLASSIC COMEDIES FOR TWEENS AND TEENS
LAUGH IT UPWITH YOUR LOVED ONES CLASSIC COMEDIES FOR TWEENS AND TEENS For parents, movie selection can sometimes seem pretty limited. When your kids are young, you may feel shackled to the latest Disney animated features. But as they get a little older, you might want to introduce them to some real classic comedies. After all, who doesn’t like to have a laugh with their loved ones? Here’s a look at just a few side- splitting films that still hold up. tweens. Besides brief strong language and a few scenes with adults consuming alcohol, this Jack Black movie is surprisingly tame for being about rock ‘n’ roll. Beyond the endearing characters, Black’s hilarious antics, and an amped-up soundtrack, the movie lands its message of self-acceptance so well that you’ll be clamoring for an encore.
‘MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL’
‘THE PRINCESS BRIDE’ Endlessly quotable and full of heart, this 1987 irreverent fantasy story is perfect for kids looking to graduate from fairy tales. While the dialogue contains a handful of swears and enough mild innuendo to earn a PG rating, most of the violence is played up for comedy rather than appearing gritty and real. Be prepared for your kids to repeat Inigo Montoya’s lines again and again. ‘SCHOOL OF ROCK’ According to Common Sense Media, many parents choose to ignore the PG-13 rating on this 2003 comedy and show it to their
There’s nothing quite like the comedy of Monty Python. Surreal, witty, and unabashedly ridiculous, “Holy Grail” defies nearly every convention of storytelling and revels in doing so. That said, this film is recommended for teens since it has some strong elements of innuendo in one particular scene. Another scene contains over-the-top violence that is intentionally made to look fake, but it may still scare younger viewers. If you’re looking to show your teens a whole new world of comedy, then this 1975 classic will make their imaginations run wild.
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