That one forbidden word that every parent dreads...
If you’re trying to instill more patience, discipline and respect in your kids I can’t recommend martial arts enough.
Sifu Tony Child
Total Martial Arts
Are you unconsciously competent?
I regularly hear students say things like:
“I’ll never be able to do this”
“I’m not good enough”
“It’s too hard!”
The truth is, if that’s your attitude you probably wont be able learn it, or at the very least it will take you a lot longer than necessary.
Most people view making mistakes or failure with negative emotions. It appears to be particularly common in martial arts.
Everyone expects to be able to perform a technique first time perfectly.
Unfortunately, this is simply not the case.
After all I bet you weren’t driving like Ayrton Senna after you first lesson.
Ironically, mistakes are a vital step in learning a new skill.
Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, famously said “I have not failed 10,000 times – I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.”
Like Edison, you should view mistakes as stepping stones to mastery.
Understanding the process of learning can be of great help in maintaining the correct mindset and help you stay focused on developing the new skill.
The Conscious Competence Learning Model defines four psychological stages in the process of learning a new skill through to mastery.
Stage 1: Unconscious incompetence.
Basically, you don’t know that you don’t know how to do something.
To progress from this stage of learning you must recognise your own incompetence and accept the value of the new skill.
The length of time an you stay in this stage will depend on the strength of the stimulus and motivation to learn a new skill.
So if you have no plans on training you’ll probably remain unconsciously incompetent.
Stage 2: Conscious incompetence.
In this stage you know that you don’t know how to do something.
To escape this stage you’ll need to practice and refine a new skill,
Making mistakes at this stage are an integral part of the learning process, but with time and a little effort you can progress to stage 3.
Stage 3: Conscious Competence.
You know how to do something but it takes effort and.
In this stage you know how to do something and can perform the skill, but it requires concentration and effort.
A definite plan or process can be very useful at this stage to develop the skill.
Eventually, you will reach Stage 4
Stage 4: Unconscious Competence.
You know how to so something instinctively.
This is the final stage of learning a new skill and you reach it when your new skill has become second nature and you can perform it with ease.
Whether you’re learning martial arts or any new skill you should make unconscious competence your ultimate goal.
This is achievable for anyone through sustained practice and the correct tuition.
So next time you step on the mat or attempt to earn a new skill do not become frustrated by making mistakes, or failing at your first attempt.
Instead view it as a step on your way to mastery.
See you on the mats.
Sifu Tony Child
Total Martial Arts
So your kid has a sweet tooth...
In this day and age, where diet & weight related problems are so common in kids…
… I thought you’d like to know of a little “trick” that satisfies a kid’s sweet tooth…
… while keeping them healthy.
After all, diabetes, and being overweight, are mostly due to refined sugar and simple carbs like white bread.
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So, here are TWO EASY CHANGES you can make to keep your kid healthy and sound.
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1. Agave nectar.
The agave plant is seriously a gift from nature. It’s super-sweet, but DOESN’T make your blood sugar go crazy like refined sugar does (this is the major cause of weight gain and diabetes).
You can cook with it… use it instead of syrup on pancakes and French toast…
… and even make cookies and such with it.
2. Stevia
The stevia plant is a no-calorie plant that also acts as a sugar substitute. It’s completely natural, and very healthy.
Like agave, it doesn’t impact your blood sugar levels either. And it’s not like Equal or Splenda – which are both processed and full of crazy chemicals.
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Many people completely replace sugar with these products.
Or, they use these products to greatly REDUCE the amount of sugar their families use.
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Hope you enjoyed this tip
Sifu Tony Child
Total Martial Arts
Advanced Adult Testing
We are always proud of students who’s dedication and consistent training gets them to the advanced levels. This testing session was particularly special as we had 3 black belt candidates.
In addition to the testing on the day the black belt candidates had to produce an essay on the history and development of kickboxing. Sifu Dan was also given a special challenge of completing a 15 mile run.
When they advanced grading candidates arrived on the testing day they immediately go stuck into the fitness test; 9 exercises each done for 2 minutes including squats, press ups and everyone’s favorite burpees. All the candidates put in a great effort and recorded some impressive scores.
The next phase of the testing was a technical assessment including pad work striking drills, trapping and wing chun dummy. TMA instructors worked through the syllabus with the candidates and provided a written assessment of the students strengths and weaknesses.
After a short break for the students to catch their breath and refuel we moved on to the final challenge which was a grueling 50 rounds of sparring. At this point we would like to thank everyone who came and volunteered to take part in the sparring.
We were pleased with the technical skills and mutual respect shown by all participants. Keep in mind that the 50 rounds of sparring takes around 2 hours with no breaks allowed so this is a challenge of endurance and willpower.
Congratulations to everyone who passed the test and earned a new belt.
- Serous Mazaheri green belt kickboxing
- John Kuchar green belt kickboxing
- Sarah Reynolds green belt kickboxing
- Dan Parsons black belt kickboxing
- Brandon Arnold black belt kickboxing
- Alethia Reid blackbelt kickboxing
- Alan Brassington blue belt muay thai
- Paul Kurnyta green belt jun fan
- Gordon Croft green belt jun fan
Feedback from junior grading
We greatly appreciate the feedback received on the junior grading forms from students, parents and teachers. It helps us to ensure high standards in all aspects of our martial arts program.
As ever the students told us they enjoyed various punches, kicks and the games at the end of class. We were especially please to see students mentioning they had picked up the values and life skill from the classes such as: focus, confidence and respect. The students also felt that they had made friends with the others in the class. they also felt motivated by the awards achieved in class or received through the post.
We would like to share a few quotes from the parents:
“Great balance of strength and conditioning, values and martial arts skills. We have really enjoyed seeing his confidence levels increase”
“The encouragement given to the children is excellent and the discipline helps us parents”
“We feel well informed about events and the progress of our daughter”
“It improves his concentration and his will power to try his best at everything he does. We are very proud of how he has grown from his classes to the young man he is becoming.”
Several parents requested information on the forms and assistance with practicing at home, this can be found in the instructional videos on our website https://www.martialarts-swindon.co.uk/martial-arts-instructional-videos/
Please note also that we are constantly monitoring the numbers in all classes to ensure that classes sizes are appropriate.
UNSHAKABLE Confidence!
“I have not failed 10,000 times. I have successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.”- Thomas A. Edison
Hello
Do you know what it means to have UNSHAKABLE Confidence?
These are powerful quotes from someone who saw many inventions into existence. Inventions we all use to this very day!
You can imagine, that would take some STRONG and UNSHAKABLE confidence to invent something that the world has never seen (and also didn’t even think could happen!).
That’s how we feel here at our Academy and we strive every day to instil that in our students. Not only do we want them to believe they can achieve their goals, but we teach the importance of having goals!
Give me a call on 07765202363. I will show you how we can help you achieve your goals.
Until Later,
Sifu Tony Child
Total Martial Arts
Want To Be A Leader? Here Are 6 Ways To Become A HERO!
When you are little, this is a question you constantly hear from your parents, teachers, and friends, but then you hit a certain age it disappears.
Could it be that you hit a certain age and can no longer become what you dream of? Is there a point the world or time takes away your chances to change? I disagree. Society and your current boss aren’t stopping you from a new vision. You are stopping yourself.
When I used to get asked what I wanted to be when I “grew up,” my answer was not one of the classics. The choices of astronaut, policeman or sport star just never appealed to me. When I looked at all the things I could become, my choice was simple: I said wanted to be a Super Hero. Most people said I was crazy and or unrealistic. Even though I kept it quiet, I never lost sight of this dream.
Why a Super Hero and not an accountant? When you are a Super Hero, you have the best life. You get to spend your time developing your special gifts, you get to hang out with other Super Heroes and your sole purpose is to use your powers for good to save and inspire others against evil. The really cool costume and strong body is just icing on the cake.
I realized you are a hero to someone. Whether it is your child, spouse, coworkers or teammates, you can be the change for good in someone’s life. You don’t need a mask or a costume and you have more super power than you think. You just need to believe it.
6 Ways To Be A Super Hero:
- Want Courage? Do something you are afraid of.
- Want Discipline? Do One Thing you have been putting off today.
- Want Leadership? Find someone doing something good and praise them.
- Want Generosity? Give someone something of value.
- Want Patience? Let Go of something you have been upset about.
- Want Strength? Work on one of your weaknesses.
Do these 6 things today and you are sure to be someone’s Super Hero.
Sifu Tony Child
Total Martial Arts
16 Tips on getting the most out of martial arts training
1. Repetition Studies show that to become a master of anything will take you 10’000 consistent repetitions or hours of any one technique.2. Ask questions Don’t be afraid to ask your instructor questions. At the end of the day your instructor is there to help you. They want you to become as good as possible.
3. Be Consistent with training. It takes 21 days to build a habit and only 3 to break one. To improve in martial arts you need to be training at least 2 times a week. Try to train at the same times and the same days to build a routine. If your routine get s broken start it up again as soon as possible. Don’t allow your self to make excuses.
4. Stretch Flexibility is one of the most important and most overlooked aspects of training. Proper stretching technique will give increased power in techniques and reduce the risk of injury.
5. Respect the limits of your body. You should push yourself during training. This will help you to develop faster and improve your fitness quicker. However, this should not be at the detriment of your body.
6. Have fun The key to learning anything is fun. If you aren’t enjoying what you’re doing, you won’t want to learn it. So have fun with your training.
7. Leave your ego at the door. You’re main goal for every session should be to improve, not to see who is the best, strongest or toughest.
8. Listen to your instructors. When your instructors are teaching stay focused. This can be difficult after a long, hard days work. Try to pay attention to what they are saying, what they are doing, and how they are doing it.
9. Visualise your techniques outside training. Mentally rehearse your techniques through out the day to be able to perform the techniques better next time you are on the mat
10. Consistency with technique When you perform a technique do it the same every time, and do it to the best of your abilities. If you make a mistake don’t focus on it and get frustrated. Instead, correct it immediately and get straight back into your training.
11. make a small Improvement everyday. This is a lot easier than trying to make big changes all the time. For example doing one more press up or one more round is a lot easier than doing ten, and a lot easier to achieve.
12. Set achievable goals. How do you know when you’ve reached your destination if you don’t know where you are going? Most people don’t set well defined goals. For example they’ll say ” I want to lose weight”, but how much weight and by when. A better goal would be “I want to lose 10 lbs in 10 weeks.” Now you know where you’re going and when you need to get there by. You will be much more likely to reach your goal.
13. Diet Diet is one of the most important and overlooked aspects of training. A good diet will help you reach your goals faster and help you get in shape quicker. Here’s a few quick guidelines;
– Drink plenty of water. About 2 litres per day
– Eat lots of vegetables.
– Avoid processed foods. One of my favourite quotes is “If it doesn’t live in a field or on in the sea, grown in the ground or on trees don’t eat it.”
– Above all have everything in moderation.
14. Mindset Training martial arts is often described like being on a roll-a-coaster. Some days everything will go perfectly. Your techniques will be flawless, you’ll have infinite endurance and you’ll be able to read your training partners like a book. Other days it’ll seem like nothing is going right. Every technique goes wrong, your conditioning sucks, and your training partners are owning you. This is all part of the normal learning experience. Learn to enjoy the bad times because tomorrow will be your day.
15. Extra strength & conditioning Martial Arts is a great way to develop fitness and lose weight. However, if you do a little extra work with your strength and conditioning you will be able to progress a lot quicker and reach your goals faster. Our Strength and conditioning classes will help you to develop the attributes you need to become a better martial artist.
16. Work with everyone Whenever you attend class try to work with as many different people as possible. Everyone is worth working with from the brand new beginner to the 20 year veteran. They will all have different attributes, styles, and something to teach you. Working with the same few people will only limit your growth.
Sifu Tony Child
Total Martial Arts
This Hits Home.
This Hits Home.
Sifu Tony Child
Total Martial Arts
3 Lies That Everyone Has Been Telling You
Lie #1: Quitters Never Win
Successful people do stay the course with behaviours that lead them to success. These successful people, however, also quit the behaviours that are holding them back!
If you want six-pack abs, there are things you have to stick with and others you have to quit. For instance, you will have to stick with training and eating right, but quit all the bad habits that are stopping you from getting leaner. Beside your personal fitness, you can apply quitting to your studies, your job, and your relationships and enjoy more success.
I advise removing one type of food from your diet, a few hours of television to get in an extra training session or gossiping with negative people. Start small, start today, be a quitter.
==> Quit things that are harmful
Lie #2: Knowledge is Power
You have been convinced that as long as you know something or continue to accumulate knowledge, your life are changed for the better. Not true. Your knowledge only tells you what you know. Your actions tell you what you will get. And I will be as bold to say that a person with less knowledge that takes more action will be more successful than the most knowledgeable person that does nothing. Action is more powerful than knowledge.
If you know what to do but never do what you know. it is actually worse that you know it. This leads not to power, but to guilt.
You don’t need another diet or nutrition book, you need motivation to take action and change your behaviour.
==> Applied Knowledge is Power
Lie #3: Success is Built on Success.
It is almost impossible to have success without first experiencing some level of failure. Think about how a baby learns to walk. There are a lot of falls but through those falls, getting back up and trying again does she learn to walk. The same philosophy holds true for anything that you do. You have to be ready to fall. You cannot have fear to fail. Failing is learning. Failure is ok. Giving up is not.
==> Success is Built on Failure.
Summary: You create your thoughts. Choose to create unstoppable thoughts. Unstoppable thoughts cause your imagination to turn your knowledge into unstoppable actions that overcome even the biggest failure. If you are like me, you may believe the wealth of fitness info out there today can be paralyzing. You may even think fitness or nutrition can be difficult to understand. Mastery, however, is not making simple things more complex. Mastery is making complex things simple. If you are looking to master an area of your life, you are going to need to know what to do and not to do.
Sifu Tony Child
Total Martial Arts