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Halloween is on Monday! On Friday at Mueller’s Martial Arts, students get to dress up in their costumes. Halloween is a spooky fun holiday that is a great time for kids of all ages, and adults too. People get the opportunity to dress up as a different person for the night and get treats along the way. One of the most popular costumes year after year is a karate or ninja costume. In recent years it’s been a costume from Cobra Kai! The reason that people want to dress up as Martial Artists, even if they aren’t one, is because people that participate in taekwondo are pretty incredible. With the skills learned in classes, who wouldn’t want to be a Martial Artist for Halloween?

Self-defense to keep you safe:

The most important part of Halloween is being safe. That goes for the entire family, but especially if a kiddo is going out on their own or with friends. Luckily, taekwondo teaches self-defense. Kids are empowered to protect themselves and their loved ones in any situation. They are taught stranger danger and what to do if they are approached by someone they don’t know. Parents can feel confident in knowing that their children are safe and able to defend themselves.

Skills that everyone wants to be able to do:

As Johnny Lawrence would say, “We’re bad***!” Martial Arts training teaches students to use their bodies in incredible ways and perform awesome moves. Kicks over their head, strong and fast punches, and even some tricks that include flipping- those are just some of the skills learned in taekwondo class. Not only are those moves incredibly cool, they also help students with hand eye coordination, strength, and flexibility. Everyone wants to be a skilled Martial Artist!

Honorable and awesome:

The way of the fist is more than just kicking and punching. It is a set of values that makes students honorable people. In each class we teach the eight life skills that set students up for success for their entire lives. They are respect, discipline, focus, confidence, dedication, perseverance, attitude, and integrity. All of the life skills teach students to be honorable above all else. Honorable people are certainly awesome people, and the type of people that everyone wants to be around.

With Halloween right around the corner, it’s the perfect opportunity to dress up as your favorite Martial Artist, or even better, join taekwondo so you can actually learn those skills. Everyone loves to watch Cobra Kai, Bruce Lee, and the Karate Kid, but actually participating is far better than any movie, TV show, or Halloween costume. To learn more about our program, click here!

We live in a world today where everything is noncommittal. People make promises that they have no intention of keeping because they are too afraid of saying what they actually mean. Even videos on social media are 15 seconds or less because that is all that can hold our attention! No one is held accountable for their actions, no one has to honor their commitments.

Okay, I know, that was a negative way to start this. When you sign yourself or your child up for taekwondo, you are making a commitment. That commitment is not only for them to achieve a Black Belt, but to take a journey to a better life. There are so many benefits to Martial Arts training- confidence, positive attitude, integrity, discipline, perseverance, focus, and respect. To dedicate to that journey in the fullest is to give the opportunity to have the best life.

By giving up on that commitment you are doing a disservice to yourself and your child. In a noncommittal world, it is so easy just to give up when things get hard. But the things that are the hardest often lead us to our greatest destinations. If you give up you will never know what you are capable of. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, trying something new, and striving towards a goal is everything you need to succeed in life- or find the greatest opportunities.

On the other hand, honoring your commitments speaks to who you are as a person. You are trustworthy, people know that they can count on you and your word. You show respect to others by not backing down in doing what you say you are going to do. Most importantly, you show perseverance by not giving up when things get difficult.

It’s easy to make a commitment- it’s honoring that commitment that is hard. If you are able to do it though, we promise that something great is on the other side. Whether that be earning your Black Belt, winning a World Championship title, or inspiring someone because of the amazing person that you are, it’s all worth it to stick with your commitments. No one ever got anywhere in life by giving up, so don’t let yourself or your child do it either.
We at Mueller’s Martial Arts promise to push you to your limits so that you come out as the best version of yourself. All you have to do is make a commitment to better your life and keep moving forward.

In each class, Muelller’s Martial Arts teaches the eight life skills to help students to succeed not only in taekwondo, but also in life. They are- confidence, respect, integrity, focus, discipline, goals, attitude, and perseverance. However, Martial Arts philosophy in general emphasizes the essence of self control, respect for others, and a positive perspective to strive for the best in life. Using these three pillars students not only strive to become the best Martial Artists that they are capable of being, they also work to have the best life possible.

Self Control:

Martial Arts training teaches self control. On a very basic level, students learn to use their bodies to master challenging skills that are outside normal everyday function. They not only learn to kick and punch, they learn to do it with strength and accuracy. They learn to perform complicated moves and memorize what they are taught. Outside of the physical aspects, they learn self control of their minds. Not everything is going to turn out the way you wanted in life. Taekwondo teaches students to manage their emotions and use the sport as a positive outlet for their frustrations. By mastering the body and mind students have a level of self control not found in people that partake in other sports.

Respect for Others:

Martial Arts teaches respect for others. The very foundation is built off of respect for higher ranks in karate training. Students are taught to address each other as sir or ma’am, no matter their age and rank. They learn to support and uplift each other during every class, during every tournament, and during every event. Their fellow students are their family, they may compete against each other but they will always respect each other. The respect they are taught and receive in classes carries over to everyday life where they are noticeably more respectful to teachers, parents, and their peers.

Positive Perspective to Strive for the Best in Life:

Life is hard. It’s full of ups and downs, successes and failures. The same is true for Martial Arts training. Sometimes students will fail belt testing or they will lose a competition. Taekwondo teaches students to never give up no matter the circumstance and keep moving forward. They know that if they have a positive attitude and are willing to work hard, anything is possible. Training to become a Black Belt is a long journey, and quitting before you get there is just letting yourself down. The same is true in life, it’s a long journey and giving up on a dream kills your spirit. Going for a Black Belt teaches you to strive for the best in Martial Arts, in turn, taking that positive perspective and going for the best in life.
Mueller’s Martial Arts enforces the three pillars of Martial Arts training using the life skills in every class. To learn more about our program, click here.

Mueller’s Martial Arts has students partake in the instructor program, a program that empowers teens to take their training to the next level and teach other students. Martial Arts instructor programs teach accountability and work ethic to a generation that otherwise does not believe in teenage jobs. Students work 10-15 hours a week and are given responsibilities such as cleaning the school, creating lesson plans, and teaching in classes.

It seems like nowadays no one is held accountable for their actions. The instructor program in taekwondo teaches accountability to teens. While other teens are often sitting at home playing video games every night, teens in the instructor program are learning to teach others the skills that they know. It’s a rewarding process to both the teens and the students. It gives the teens the opportunity to pass on their knowledge, show their skills, and inspire others. Students see what they can do if they work hard.

This weekend, two of our teens in the instructor program volunteered to help out at Cider Days. They worked from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm helping break boards and encouraging kids who have never tried taekwondo before to give it a shot. They enjoyed every second of it and were grateful for the opportunity to be a bigger part of the school. During classes, they come in and help teach and contribute to the school, almost like having a job.

Having a job at a young age teaches teens responsibility and accountability. They have tasks that they are responsible for and it is their job to make sure it gets done. The quality of learning that other students get is their responsibility, so they need to make sure they do a good job. If they don’t, they are held accountable for their actions. The benefit is that they are working at something they love doing- teaching and working in a taekwondo dojang. They will take the responsibility and accountability they learn and carry it through the rest of their lives.

The instructor program is an amazing way to get teens out of the house and working towards creating the best future for themselves. They learn how to grow up and become the best versions of themselves, while also enjoying their responsibilities. Mueller’s Martial Arts loves to empower teens and all students. To learn more about our program, click here.

Mueller’s Martial Arts is proud to be a part of the Lakewood community! Lakewood is known for being an “inclusive” community, which means that everyone is welcome and there are no barriers as to who can live and be a part of it. The same can be said for Mueller’s Martial Arts! We pride ourselves in welcoming everyone and empowering them to show the world what they have to offer in their own unique way.

Community Events:

We love to support our community! You can find Mueller’s Martial Arts at many events in Lakewood throughout the year. We host a booth at the opening weekend of blockbuster movies at Belmar Movie Theater to invite new students into the school. This weekend we will participate in Cider Days at Lakewood Heritage to support the amazing cultural center and other local vendors. We also participate in Halloween events throughout Lakewood to give candy to trick or treaters. Most importantly, our students are residents of Lakewood and bring the skills they learn in class back to their schools, home, and community to make it a better place.

National Martial Art Alliance:

Muller’s Martial Arts loves to be a part of the National Martial Arts Alliance- the organization that allows them to compete with other schools. As part of the NMAA, MMA is connected to schools across the country and even around the world! Students get to compete against each other at tournaments and form lifelong friendships with new people that they meet. Everyone supports each other to become the best that they can be which means the best Martial Arts experience for every student.

Family Program:

We have several “family classes” during the week that allow students of all ranks and ages to train together. We also offer a family program that is a discount for the entire family to join taekwondo. A family that trains together stays together and we encourage families to gain all the benefits that karate has to offer. At Mueller’s Martial Arts, everyone is part of the family and we have many siblings and parents that move through the ranks together. It is such an amazing experience to journey to a Black Belt with your family.

Welcoming and Uplifting Everyone:

Mueller’s Martial Arts welcomes everyone regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or any other barrier you might face in other Martial Arts schools. We believe that everyone has something special to offer and love to find that piece inside of every student and use it to better themselves and those around them. All we look for is people who have the willingness to learn and put in the hard work. With Mueller’s Martial Arts, everyone is welcome and part of the family.

To learn more about Mueller’s Martial Arts, click here.

Mueller’s Martial Arts has a beloved mascot name Philo the Phoneix! Mascots are animals, people, or objects meant to represent a team or group of people with significant meaning. Phoenixes are mythological creatures that burn down in the flames of a fire and are reborn from the ashes to new youth and a brand new life. The phoenix is a significant creature in Mueller’s Martial Arts taekwondo school and in the journey that students take both on and off the mat.

The Journey of Mueller’s Martial Arts:

Mueller’s Martial Arts opened its first school location in Lakewood in 2019. The first year was spent working to make the first few students the best they could be. We grew slowly, adding a few students here and there mostly through word of mouth. We were small but mighty, a family of Martial Artists learning and becoming the best they could be.

Then 2020 hit. We had high hopes for the year to impact more lives through taekwondo training. But everyone knows what happened in 2020. COVID-19 hit and the world shut down, including all taekwondo studios. Classes were moved online. People lost their jobs and their lives. It was a rough time, and students had a hard time staring at a screen all day for school and then doing it again for karate classes. It lost some of what makes taekwondo amazing- the community, the friendships, and the experience of being together.

Mueller’s Martial Arts nearly shut down. After losing many students and paying rent for a building that was never used, business was tough. No one was signing up for classes they couldn’t attend. We were burning in the fire of the pandemic with little hope for the future. After what seemed like the end for MMA, as we were laying there in the ashes of our dreams, a light appeared.

Mr. Mueller’s longtime friend and fellow Martial Artist also owned a taekwondo school in Lakewood. The pandemic was brutal on them too and they were also on the verge of shutting down. The two decided to combine forces and bring their schools together. Mueller’s Martial Arts was born again and survived through the pandemic to bring new life to the dojang. That’s what Philo the Phoenix represents for us.

The Phoneix of Taekwondo:

While MMA’s is certainly a story of redemption, that is also the case with many Martial Artists. Many people join taekwondo because the world has burned them and they want to be reborn into new people with strength and the skills needed for life. The truth is, everyone will go through hardship in their lives, especially people that partake in sports. There will be failures, letdowns, setbacks, and disappointments. It’s in those moments where they get back up and keep fighting.

Taekwondo teaches perseverance and without it, MMA probably wouldn’t be here today. Without fighting through the flames our World and State Champions wouldn’t be winners, we wouldn’t have any Black Belts, and students wouldn’t show up every single day. The skills that taekwondo teaches are used in everyday life and through all the ups and downs we experience as humans. Like Phoenixes, Martial Artists have to rise from the ashes and keep moving forward.

To learn more about Mueller’s Martial Arts, click here.

Mueller’s Martial Arts teaches taekwondo for ages 4 to 100. It’s truly an activity for everyone! This week we really wanted to talk about the benefits of Martial Arts training for kids. There are so many incredible benefits including physical fitness, mental health, and life skills that children can take with them throughout their entire lives.

Physical Fitness:

Karate at its base form is a sport! Kids get out of the house and get their bodies moving. Taekwondo is unique in that it is a great cardiovascular activity, meaning that you sweat and get your heart pumping. This kind of training is good for your heart, lungs, and brain. It also includes strength training to build lean, strong muscles. The most underrated aspect of Martial Arts is improving flexibility. Being flexible helps prevent injuries and supports the body in everyday life activities. It helps with aging and living an active, full life for the years to come.

Mental Health:

Life is hard, no matter what age you are! Taekwondo can be a positive outlet for pent-up emotions and aggression. It is also a community full of supportive friendships that build each other up and support each other no matter what. Mueller’s Martial Arts wants the dojang to feel like a safe place, a home for all students. By having a positive, safe environment to release emotions and work on bettering yourself, taekwondo training improves the mental health of kids.

Life Skills:

In each and every class, Mueller’s Martial Arts teaches the eight life skills that children need to help support them while growing up. The eight life skills are integrity, focus, discipline, goals, perseverance, attitude, confidence, and respect. Each of these skills is taught and trained in classes so that the students have a firm grasp on how they apply them to their lessons. By practicing them on a daily basis they become the foundation for who they are as people and they carry those life skills into their everyday lives. They use them to excel at school, at home and doing whatever they set their heart to.
Learning Martial Arts helps kids become the best versions of themselves and grow into successful and respected adults. They become more physically fit, are supported in their mental health, and have the skills they need to lead a great life. To learn more about Mueller’s Martial Arts, click here.

Everyone wants to feel like they are included. They want to feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. The sad reality is that many people end up feeling like they are misfits, that they don’t belong anywhere. While this might not actually be the case, it definitely stinks to feel that way. At Mueller’s Martial Arts we consider ourselves to be the Island of Misfit Toys because we bring in the people that may not belong anywhere else, and give them a place to call home.

Mueller’s Martial Arts is family owned and operated, led by Mr. Sean Mueller himself. The instructors are long-time students of his as well as former students of Chief Master Horn, the leader of the National Martial Arts Alliance. The NMAA is the organization that we are proud to be a part of. Mueller’s is proud to accept any student regardless of race, gender, age, or skill set. All we want is for people to feel like they can make a difference in their lives by showing up to their classes and getting the most out of what they are taught.

By training together towards a common goal- to become a Black Belt, students bond over the journey through taekwondo. As they progress, they begin to realize that they are part of a community that supports and uplifts them through the entirety of their journey no matter what. Even if they are the most popular kid in school or the one who gets bullied the most, they learn the skills they need to make their lives better in every single way.

Our goal is to help kids find a positive outlook for their struggles whether that be anxiety, bullying, temper, or not listening. We find constructive ways for them to overcome any obstacles in life by teaching them to have a positive attitude, confidence, perseverance, goals, integrity, focus, discipline, and respect. They use these skills to continue to grow in their Martial Arts practice. By learning the values and skills through karate training they fit in when they need to, and stand out against the rest in the best way.

Even if you are an outcast, a misfit, or feel like you don’t belong, you belong in Mueller’s Martial Arts. We’ve taken students that had no confidence and felt like they couldn’t do anything, to be State Champions and be beloved by their team. Everyone is unique and different in the best way, but are part of the big family in Mueller’s Martial Arts.

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Halloween Taekwondo

Honoring Your Commitments

Three Pillars of Martial Arts Training

Instructor Program

Community of Martial Arts

Philo’s Phoenixes

Martial Arts for Kids

The Island of Misfit Toys