Exams Are Key To Achieving Success

Student exams are an essential element of any acquired skill. Much like climbing a ladder, exams are designed to help students prove to themselves and their peers that they have the knowledge and skills to move on to the next level.

Periodic exams apply the necessary pressure to encourage students to reach their goals within a reasonable timeframe. They help instructors to get a feel for where a student might need some particular attention, while also helping the school to improve its program based on how they see students perform.

Samurai Karate Studio is a black belt school. The goal, of course, is to help each student achieve black belt through a series of successful belt promotions. Good attendance plays a crucial role in a student’s successful trip up the ladder. Most folks approach exams and tests with relative apprehension. This is where a positive attitude can really prove beneficial.

If a black belt is what you really want, then you must prepare for your exams to the best of your ability. Study and practice until you know your stuff. You’ll have the confidence to tackle exams head on, and before you know it, you’ll have earned the right to be a black belt.

Samurai Karate Studio teaches a traditional style of Japanese karate to children and adults, beginning at age 4. For additional information you may call us at 803-462-9425 or visit our website at www.samuraikaratestudio.net.

Do you have what it takes to "live by the code"?

Back to School for Good Grades

As a martial artist, you work hard every day to be disciplined and to do your very best.  This same kind of attitude should be reflected in your school work.

Organizing schoolwork would be a breeze for many martial arts' students if they only follow a few simple tasks on a routine basis. Very often it’s the small details of daily life that slow you down. The following are some suggestions to maintain good school grades and to be a successful student:

First impressions are often the only impressions you get to make. Make your teacher’s first impression of you one that will help you get good grades and all the help you can use. Remember that your first few classes are your most important classes. This is where you get off on the right foot and to a good start. Concentrate and be alert so you can do your best.

Your room is your castle and your office. Be sure to make it orderly and functional. Keep it clean.

Prepare for tomorrow the night before. Set out your clothes for the next day. Pack your backpack with your completed assignments and books you used. Put it an accessible place so it is ready to go in the morning.

Get a good night’s rest. Start the day in a relaxed and purposeful manner. Set your wake up clock with enough time to do what you have to do in the morning. Thirty minutes is never enough to get ready for school, and it is not fair to you, your grades, or your teacher.

Be on time for school and your classes. Late is never good, while early is almost always the way of the winner.

The best time to do your homework is right after you get home. You will have a better chance of remembering that day’s instruction, and less of a chance if you chose other distractions first. Do it NOW! The best time is NOW!

Rule your own life. If you let the television, video games, or your friends rule your life, then you will not be the winner you should be. You have a life of your own. It is worthwhile and meaningful. Rule it yourself.

Learn how to hang up the phone. Use respect, but hang up anyway. Your teachers will not accept a 2-hour phone call as a reason for poor or incomplete homework. Learn to say, “Can I please call you back in 30 minutes?”

Walk away from situations or people that will destroy your mental or physical growth. Rule your own life. Make good use of small blocks of time. There is no rule that says you have to lay comatose while listening to music or watching TV. Do some of the easy stuff at those times.

Have a POSITIVE relationship with your parents and your teachers, and always maintain respect. Show respect at all times, and you will do much better.

BE SELECTIVE IN CHOOSING YOUR FRIENDS. You do not have to be friends with the whole school. Pick out a few people who are headed in the same direction in life that you are. If you hang out with the respectful, intelligent, and safe people, then you will be respectful, intelligent, and safe.

Think about it. You tell your best friend that you can only talk to him/her for a few minutes because you have homework. Do they get upset? If your friends cause you to skip the important things, then they are not your friends. If they understand because they are doing the same thing, then you will never be under pressure to do the wrong thing. PICK YOUR FRIENDS WITH CARE. YOU ARE WORTH THE TIME.

Have the phone number of one person in each class minimum. Swap phone numbers so you can exchange notes or other class information, or even get homework assignments if you are sick or absent.

Choose to be a winner. Never accept anything but the best from yourself. If you find yourself in danger, or slipping, ask for help! No one can expect to succeed in school and in life without help.

If in doubt, ask yourself how would a Black Belt behave......often the answer is right there is you ask the right question.

Have a safe successful and KICK’N school year.

Sensei

Samurai Karate Studio is located in Columbia, SC 29229.  We teach a traditional style of karate for students beginning at the age of 4 years and older.  For more information, please call us at 803-462-9425 or visit our website at www.samuraikaratestudio.net.

Do you have what it takes to "live by the code"?

Last night, SKS hosted another "summer nights" class.  The idea behind this class is to take advantage of the daylight and go outside and train and most importantly, have some fun.  Unfortunately, it was just too hot, so we trained inside.

During both kids classes, we had a lot of fun with our warm ups, playing dodge ball and "duck, duck, goose with the preschoolers.

During the adult class, we warmed up with the name game and worked on creative self defense techniques.

For every student who participated in class, they received a cold drink after class, plus a free ice cream from Rita's, located in the Sandhill's shopping plaza.  Many of the adults left the studio and headed for Rita's to get there ice cream.  There must have been at least 10 of us there.

By 9:00pm, there were just a couple of us left, but it was really nice.  The temperature had dropped and there was a cool breeze.

Too bad if you did not attend class, you missed a lot of fun, a cool drink and some great ice cream!

Samurai Karate Studio teaches a traditional style of karate to children and adults, beginning with kids age 4.  The studio is located at 2000 Clemson Road, Suite # 9, Columbia, SC 29229.  You may reach us at 803-462-9425 or visit our website at www.samuraikaratestudio.net.

Do you have what it takes to "live by the code"?

I recently came across a blog from Mr. Marty North that noted a potential new tactic that criminals were using to "draw out" their prey.  This is supposedly being applied to women living alone in their house.

"Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over.

The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby.

He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby"!

Thanks for passing on the tip Mr. North!

Samurai Karate Studio teaches a traditional style of karate for children and adults, beginning with kids age 4.  The studio is located at 2000 Clemson Road, Suite # 9, Columbia, SC 29229.  You may reach us at 803-462-9425 or visit our website at www.samuraikaratestudio.net.

Do you have what it takes to "live by the code"? 

In this day and age, you always have to be "on guard" no matter where your travels take you.  Whether you are making a quick trip to the grocery store, going to the movies or visiting your favorite shopping mall.  The reality is, there is potential danger lurking out there and you need to be mindful of this.

Now, does that mean you should hide in your closeout all day, because you are so certain you are vulnerable?  Of course not!  But, the best defense is to be aware at all times in the event something should happen.

A few safety tips that will help keep you safe on the streets:

1.  Body language -- walk with your head up, your shoulders back and your chest out; with your arms swinging at your sides.  This body posture conveys a confident person, one that isn't necessarily weak or scared.  The second benefit to this body posture, is your eyes are up and should constantly be scanning for danger.  The moment you see it, you run in the other direction.

2. Avoid being distracted -- who hasn't carried a cell phone, only to have it ring and your turn your back while talking.  Most of us, when we do this, are trying not to be rude; however, once you turn your back, you are giving someone the opportunity to sneak up on you.

Another example? Who doesn't have a mother who was fumbling through her big old pocket book looking for her keys?  How about stopping by a store front to look into the window display?  Reaching into your car looking for your wallet?  Balancing your check book? 

Hopefully, you get the message.  We are all distracted at times by different things, just remember to stay alert at all times.

3.  Avoid dangerous places -- Okay, this should be common sense to everyone.  Don't go down that dark alleyway at night, avoid the "bad" section in town at all times, but particularly at night, parking in a remote garage, or secluded, unlit mall parking lot.

Sometimes people are just unlucky, in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Your job is to do your best to avoid those areas that might find you trapped and in danger.

4.  Understand the intent -- If you find yourself in a threatening situation, try your best to determine the "intent" of your attacker.  Is he or she just looking for money?  Your car?  In that case give it to them.  If it is your money, always throw your wallet or purse away from you to the ground.  In most instances, the attacker is more interested in your money and this gives you an opportunity and run and escape!

5. Avoid conflict always -- If faced with a threatening situation, always attempt to run away, and run away fast.  Even when there is a weapon involved, like a gun, statistically, your chances of being shot are slim, less than 10%, particularly if you can run in a zig zig or random pattern.

6. Remember to  breathe -- as soon as your brain senses trouble, you instantly will feel an adrenaline rush, which will accelerate your heart rate and make you feel weak.  It is critical to try and control your breathing and to clear your mind.

7. Power of your voice -- Your voice can be a powerful weapon.  Remember to yell and yell loudly.  Research tells us that more people respond to the word "fire" than any other word.  What ever word you chose, make it loud and repeat it over and over!

8. Go into survival mode --  Once you realize you have no where to run and you must defend yourself; you must tell yourself you are worth it and kick your brain into survival mode.  You do what ever you need to do to survive.  Some victims have talked how they thought about their children or another family member and actually got mad for being threatened.  What ever it takes to get your "juices flowing", do it!

9.  Take a self defense course -- Even a short seminar will help you to learn basic techniques that can save your life.  Better yet, enroll in a martial arts program.  The more you practice and train at your self defense techniques, the better able you will be to defend yourself!

Sensei Feldt is the owner of Samurai Karate Studio.  He teaches a traditional style of karate for children and adults beginning with kids age 4.  You may reach is studio at 803-462-9425 or visit his website at www.samuraikaratestudio.net.

Do you have what it takes to "live by the code"?

Last night we had an excellent class for the adults.  After warming up with the name game, each Samurai Karate Studio student paired up with another student and created their own self defense form.  Some of the students had plastic knives, while others were defending against a punch or kick.  While most of my students would be classified as beginner to intermediate, there were some really creative techniques.

As each team came out on the floor to demonstrate their technique, I tried to get other students to comment on the form.  This process is not meant to pick on any one student or any one form, but to get everyone thinking about what they would do in the event they were attacked on the street.

As each pair walked through their form, I tried to highlight what I liked or didn't like about the form.  This drill is meant to get the students thinking about what works or doesn't work in an attack scenario.

I love self defense and feel very strongly that every child and adult should be trained in the martial arts, just for the sake of being more prepared and confident to face a bully or threat by a stranger.  

At Samurai Karate Studio, we practice certain self defense forms according to step by step techniques.  Ultimately, my goal is to help everyone of my students think about the situation they are in and apply the knowledge they have learned, so that they can escape from whatever dangerous encounter they face.  On the street, you can't think step by step; you have to react and adapt, and do whatever it takes to survive.

Samurai Karate Studio teaches a traditional style of karate to children and adults, beginning at age 4 and is located at 2000 Clemson Road, Suite # 9, Columbia, SC 29229.  You may reach us at 803-462-9425 or visit our website at www.samuraikaratestudio.net.

Do you have what it takes to "live by the code"?

All students, age 7 and up that are training in the Samurai Karate Studio black belt program need to perform community service as part of their rank requirements as they advance toward their black belt.

The category has been created so that students can post their good deed and/or community service and be recognized.

The new way for black belts is a way of charity and compassion for our fellow man.  Each of us can and WILL make a difference in the lives of our family, our friends, our school our community!

Do you have what it takes to "live by the code"?


Samurai Karate Studio is located at 2000 Clemson Road, Suite # 9, Columbia, SC 29229.  We teach children and adults beginning at age 4.  You may call us at 803-462-9425 or visit our website at www.samuraikaratestudio.net.

Bullying and Your Child

Your child is forced to deal with various attacks on his self-esteem on a regular basis. Whether these attacks affect him or her long term or not has to do with many different factors. One type of attack that I want to address in this report is the common “Bully.”

Bullying has always been a part of growing up, but how a child deals with it and the repercussions of dealing with it have changed dramatically. There are “Zero Tolerance” rules that punish both children if there is an altercation, (which may have been caused by one child bullying the other.) So the old adage “If they hit you hit ‘em back!” doesn’t fly today.

So what is your child to do? First off, we all must recognize that incidences of bullying vary in severity. One thing that is certain is that repeated attacks whether verbal, physical, or written (yes written, there have been reports of children being bullied through email!) erode your child’s fragile self-esteem. The CDC linked bullying to isolation, drug use, violence, and suicide! But your child does not have to be a victim! The assault can be verbal or physical, either way the first line of defense remains the same. What is the first line of defense? Self-Confidence! Here’s why.

Bullies choose their victims much like a criminal would choose their victim; they go for the easy and obvious target. So if your child looks like a kid who will get bullied, guess what, they’re going to get bullied. On the other hand, if your child radiates self-confidence they are less likely to be a victim, it’s almost that simple! Your child needs to walk with their head up; their shoulders square, and make eye contact with people. Just doing so, even if your child needs work on their self-esteem, will keep bullies away from them. This is easier said than done, but it can be learned. So having them change their body language (what they are saying non-verbally) will have a huge impact.

Teaching this can serve as a quick fix, however, going to work on their self-confidence will have a greater long-term affect on keeping bullies away. Children get their first layer of self-confidence from parents. The love you show your child and the time you spend with them gives them their feelings of self-worth. In fact, it has been said that the number one role of parenting is develop a self-confident individual. Teach them how to speak up clearly when they first meet someone. Teach them the importance of making eye-contact when they talk to you. Get them out of their comfort zone and have them explore new things. The more you have them confront fear and discomfort, the more confident they will become.

I get feed back from parents all the time about how great our martial-arts program is for developing self-confidence. Many parents tell me how we reinforce many of the values they are teaching at home. What we’re teaching has more of an impact because it’s coming from another source. Many parents also compliment our martial-arts program for teaching their kids about other values that add to their self-confidence. I guess kids learn by doing, and when they begin to accomplish goals that they didn’t believe they could, their self-confidence gets a boost, which then affects every area of life making them less of a target for bullies.

The next layer of defense is to create a boundary. I teach children how to protect their space with an assertive body posture. Feet apart a little, toes on a line, shoulders square, chin up, eye contact, and most importantly, hands up as if making a "Stop Gesture"! We call this our guard stance. Its purpose; to communicate neutrality, awareness and, assertiveness. This stance is designed to get them out of trouble.

Finally, your child will have to use their words. Simple phrases and commands said in an assertive voice will tell the bully that they will not be a victim. Simple commands like; "Stop", "Back Off", "Back Away"; said in the right tone, will stop the bully in his tracks! This is useful because the days of school yard fighting are over. It is valuable for your child to know how to defend themselves if the situation arises, but just the feeling of being competent in self-defense is an obstacle to a potential bully.

As you can see dealing with a bully has its challenges, there is no one way that works every time. However, when your child develops high levels of self-esteem, and self-confidence, a bully’s words or action will role off them like "water off a duck’s back".

I would love to help your child develop greater levels of self-confidence just like I’ve helped so many local kids in my school. Give me a call at 803-462-9425 and I’ll show in so many ways how martial-arts is the best program you can get your child involved in.

Sensei Feldt is the owner and chief instructor for Samurai Karate Studio.  It is located on 2000 Clemson Road, Suite # 9, Columbia, SC 29229.  If you would like additional information, you may visit our website at www.samuraikaratestudio.net.

Do you have what it takes to "live by the code"?

I know.....right now you are probably scratching your head, wondering what SKS White Belts have to do with Black Belt Concepts.  Am I right?

Well, over the years, I have noted many similar character traits about my white belts, that no matter what your rank, you can take note of and learn from!

What is a white belt? 

A white belt represents courage. How is that you say?  Because a new student has to have the courage to make a long term committment, knowing that the road to black belt is 3-4 years and sometimes longer, depending on how often you come to class, how hard you train, how much you practice at home.

It is also at white belt, that a new student is most intimidated.  Think of the first time you had to spar or the first time you were asked to come onto the dojo floor and perform your first karate form with all eyes watching you.  I remember my first kata -- I was almost paralyzed with fear!  Yet, somehow I gathered the courage to execute it; not well, but there was a certain satisfaction completing that task.

It is also very intimiating walking onto the Dojo floor and seeing your fellow karate students perform their warm ups like they were nothing, while you struggle with your first 10 laps or push ups.  I remember my very first class with Master Earwood and wondered if I would be able to finish that first class, let alone think about ever achieving a black belt.  That first warm up was tough, and it seemed like most of the students were having a fun time, while I was really working hard just to keep up!

A white belt represents humility.  How is that you say?  Because a new karate student has a wide open mind with no preconceived notions of how good they are or can be.  Their first priority is to get through class, not worry about their next belt exam. 

If you get a chance, watch the interaction between a white belt and a higher belt rank student that is assiting them in class.  Their focus and intensity is great.....they act like they are being taught by one of the great masters of the art!

You never hear a white belt make a negative comment about another karate student.  To them, everyone else appears perfect and they think they are the only one making mistakes on the dojo floor.

You will never hear a white belt complain about rank; or want to know why someone is testing, or gets to learn a new karate technique before them.  The sole focus of a white belt is how to get better; almost oblivous of other students around them. 

A white belt represents loyalty at a high level.  How is that you say?  It can't be, they have only been training a very short time.  Often times it is the white belt that comes to karate class most frequently, attends the most seminars or workshops or volunteers to help the studio.  They are so excited by what they are learning, that karate becomes a way of life for them and much of their time is devoted to learning their craft and helping the studio grow.  Most referrals come from new students that are excited about their school and helping to see it grow.

As you begin to advance higher in rank, try to remember what it was like as a white belt, because a good black belt never forgets!

Samurai Karate Studio is located at 2000 Clemson Road, Suite # 9, Columbia, SC 29229.  You may call us at 803-462-9425 or visit our web site at www.samuraikaratestudio.net.

Do you have what it takes to "live by the code"?

This past Tuesday, July 15th, we held a surprise party for one of our students at the end of class.  Many students and parents waited in the studio lobby, so that we could yell congratulations and enjoy cake and drinks afterward.

Brian Rennert, who has been training with us for nearly 6 months, was most recently named "Soldier of the Year" at Fort Jackson.  This is a very prestigious honor and is coveted by nearly every soldier who walks through the gates of this large, historic military training center.

Fort Jackson is the largest and most active training center in the United States.    The fort includes more than 52,000 acres, including more than 100 ranges and field training sites and 1,160 buildings.

If you were to meet Mr. Rennert, you would not be surprised that he won this great honor!  Even though he is considered a beginner in our karate studio, he already behaves and trains like a black belt!  He is very intense, highly motivated, very focused, yet very humble and always willing to help a fellow student learn a new karate technique or warm up.

Of course, Brian has a great family that supports him.  He has a wonderful wife and two beautiful daughters -- all of whom train at Samurai Karate Studio!  They all are great ambassadors of the studio and the sport.

Congratulations Brian! All of us are proud of you and I am personally honored to have you for a student!

Sensei

Samurai Karate Studio is located at 2000 Clemson Road, Suite # 9.  We teach a traditional style of karate, beginning with kids ages 4 and up.  You may reach us by calling 803-462-9425 or visit our web site at www.samuraikaratestudio.net.

Do you have what it takes to "live by the code"?