Time is Free, But it Is Also Priceless

With the back-to-school season upon us, it appears that our karate students are more equipped than ever to tackle the upcoming challenges of the school year. After an amazing summer, it's great to see students hitting the ground running and preparing for this academic season.

After the first day of school, yesterday, students were eager to get to the dojo and begin training right away. The endurance and motivation that fueled them through the summer have set them up for a great start. We hope to continue this momentum through the fall and into the new year as our karate students take the 3 Cs to the next level.

Confidence. Building confidence is a skill just like any other, requiring practice and development. In the dojo, students are encouraged to confidently perform and notice how it feels when they do so. Little shifts in body language can carry over into the classroom, putting them in a better mood. This highly transferable skill can be very useful when motivation is lacking, and you need to get in the zone for success.

Concentration. The ability to block out distractions and focus on the given task is paramount in martial arts. While distractions are inevitable, the ability to handle them and stay focused will set students apart and set them up for success. Students train to use their eyes, and ears as well as focus their body so they can give 100% focus. This leads to a better understanding of curriculum in the classroom, and it fosters better retention.

Control. Handling emotions and being able to control your reactions is a crucial skill, especially in a self-defense situation. Understanding your options and managing yourself logically is key to setting emotions aside. This could be like how a student might handle receiving a bad grade; rather than letting it derail the rest of the school year, an emotionally mature student will recognize it as an event to handle and will take the necessary and correct actions to improve.

As you begin your journey through another school year, continue to apply the 3 C's not just in the dojo, but in everything you do to set yourself up for success in life. At the end of the day, you are responsible for yourself and cannot control what happens around you so be vigilant of your time and how you use it

 And always remember, time is free but it is also priceless!

 Sensei Chris.