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This week Mueller’s Martial Arts hosted two buddy nights! Thank you so much to all of our students that invited friends and all those friends who came to try out class. It was so much fun. We wanted to talk this week about how taekwondo can create and foster all sorts of friendships, including the friends you brought into class this week!

School friends:

Some of the best friendships and lifelong friends are made in taekwondo. Oftentimes, kids get to see people that they go to school with outside of the classroom. This can turn them from school acquaintances to great friendships! They also get the chance to see people that they don’t go to school with and create new relationships with people that they would have never gotten the chance to meet if it weren’t for taekwondo.

People that share your values and interests:

We’ve all had friends that we have nothing in common with. Sometimes, we can even make friends with people who are a bad influence. Not in taekwondo! The students in Martial Arts training are all striving towards the same goals as you- to become the best martial artist they can be! They also are learning the same life skills on a daily basis that become ingrained into who they are as a person. They are taught to act like a Black Belt in all situations so when tempted with the wrong decision they know how to say no! Those are the kinds of friends you want to have.

Friendships that span across time and place:

Mueller’s Martial Arts is a proud member of the National Martial Arts Alliance. That means that our students are part of a worldwide organization where they get to compete against and work with all different kinds of people. They get the chance to foster friendships and learn from people from all different ages, cultures, and backgrounds. Some of these friendships last a lifetime and can become the most important relationships in their lives!
At Mueller’s Martial Arts, we believe in always supporting each other and fostering friendships in and out of taekwondo training. As a reminder, every night is buddy night! You are always welcome to bring in your friends to try out a class. Whether you are bringing your friends to taekwondo or making new friends there, we are happy to have you! To learn more about our program, click here.

At Mueller’s Martial Arts, we firmly believe that parents and instructors have a partnership to help students succeed to their fullest potential in taekwondo training. It is up to our team and parents to work together to make sure that the life skills learned in class are being reinforced at home. By teaming up, kids will get the most out of Martial Arts and can become the best version of themselves.

Reinforcing listening:

We teach kids to focus and pay specific attention in class. They are taught that when they are told to do something, they have to do it immediately. It is essential that parents also keep this skill going at home. If a kid argues or ignores what their parents say, it takes away from the lessons they are taught in class. If that behavior is allowed at home, it will carry into school as well. To stop it, we encourage all parents to use our motto- how fast do we do things? Immediately!

Reinforcing respect:

We want our kids to show us respect. In taekwondo, we teach them to treat others the way they want to be treated. They learn to respect their instructors, fellow students, and everyone they meet. At home we have to make sure that they continue to show respect to their parents and siblings. It can be easy to become comfortable with people they see all the time and become disrespectful. That behavior can’t be allowed and has to be stopped right away. By teaching them in class and at home to respect others, they will be kind as they grow up and navigate through life. We all appreciate and remember people who showed us kindness in a world full of hate.

Reinforcing discipline:

In taekwondo, we teach kids to have discipline by obeying what is right. That can mean showing up for class consistently, doing what they are told to do, and working hard to achieve their goals. At home, it’s the parents responsibility to discipline their kids, right? Yes, but they also work with their instructors to ensure that they are doing what is right at home and in school. Kids sometimes break the rules, have a bad attitude, and don’t listen. They’re only human. But if they start to lose discipline then it becomes time to work with their instructor so that behavior doesn’t go without reprimand. That could mean taking away their belt or modifying behavior during their Martial Arts training.

Reinforcing following through:

We all get lazy sometimes. It would be much easier to just stay at home and watch TV or play video games all day but the reality is that is not a way to live life. When a kid signs up for taekwondo they make a commitment. Sometimes they won’t want to go. The same is true for any activity like school or work when they become adults. As parents, sometimes we have to force our kids to do something they don’t want to do for the betterment of themselves. We all have to do things we don’t want to do, so learning at a young age to do them and reframe it as getting to do them will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Following through on their commitments will help them reach their goals and give them the amazing feeling of success. So parents, sometimes you have to push your kids out of their comfort zones and we will do the same! Trust us, it will help them in the long run!

We know that being a parent is tough, especially in the technology heavy world we live in today! Helping kids become the best versions of themselves takes a whole community. That’s why at Mueller’s Martial Arts we work with parents to make sure that the life skills learned in class carry over into home and school. Together, we keep them accountable so that they can make the most out of their time in taekwondo and live a great life with you! To learn more about our program, click here.

Mr. Mueller is visiting the Lakewood community this week! We are so excited that he will be representing Mueller’s Martial Arts while visiting schools in the area. If you see him at your school, make sure to say hi and tell others how taekwondo has changed your life.

Mueller’s Martial Arts is so proud to be a part of the Lakewood community. We’ve been here for five years, Mr. and Mrs. Mueller living here for even longer. The people and businesses in the city are extremely important to us, and it’s an honor for us to represent our school as we tell others what we are about.

Students from our dojang put Mr. Mueller in touch with their teachers so that he could visit their classrooms. He has one goal while there, to share with other kiddos just what we do during Martial Arts training. He of course will share all the cool stuff, punching, kicking and even having one student get to break a real board in their class in front of everyone! But the second part of what he shares is far more important.

The core values of our studio are that all students learn the nine essential life skills. They are confidence, discipline, integrity, dedication, perseverance, focus, respect, attitude, and goals. Each time he visits the classrooms, he tells the students about how taekwondo teaches each of the life skills and empowers the students to use them in their everyday lives.

Our goal as a dojang is to make kids in the Lakewood community confident, to break out of their shell and feel powerful in everything that they do. We want them to focus on what their parents and teachers say so that they get better grades and have a great relationship. They will show respect to their peers and have a good attitude for life. They will do the right thing and stay disciplined in all their pursuits. Staying dedicated, they will persevere until they reach their goals.

By learning and using these life skills in every class, our students take them into their everyday lives to become the best versions of themselves. Kids are our future and this training is so impactful that we want to share it with everyone! By going into schools we get the word out that we have a pretty amazing program that can change their lives for the better.We want you to help us by spreading the message of our awesome work! If you want Mr. Mueller to come to your school, let us know! We couldn’t do all this without you! To learn more about our program, click here.

Many kids start Martial Arts training at a young age, some even four years old! Getting older and training can go hand in hand to help kids mature and become thriving adults. While the journey through taekwondo can be challenging, we all know that so can life. That’s why it’s so important to use it to train yourself to overcome challenges and reap the benefits of all that it can offer. Martial Arts helps you get through life, life helps you get through Martial Arts.

There are so many benefits of taekwondo for kids. They learn to be confident while becoming their own person. They respect their teachers and coaches. They listen to their parents and do the right thing when questionable decisions arise. They become better students and athletes by focusing and having discipline. Kids set goals and work hard to achieve them. Most importantly, they learn to persevere even when times get tough.

Training as kids makes them better people and helps them grow into incredible adults. We all know there’s a time when the little Martial Artist grows into an adult and they have to figure out life on their own. It is definitely scary for both kids and their parents but don’t worry, the subconscious lessons they’ve learned along their years of training has prepared them for the future that lies ahead.

Take confidence for example. As kids they learn to speak up during class and believe in themselves. As adults they have a strong voice to stand up for themselves and speak up for the things they feel passionately about. They learned how to respect their elders so as adults, they respect not only their elders but their peers as well. When tempted with things like drugs and bad decisions, they have the integrity to say no. Over years of training they have found a fondness for fitness and therefore work to keep their bodies healthy and in shape. Just like when they were kids, they continue to persevere even when times get tough.

The most important thing that Martial Artists can take with them into adulthood as they grow up is a sense of power. They’ve trained for a long time to connect their body and mind, to protect themselves, and to prove that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to as long as they put in the hard work. There comes a time when they have to make their own decisions and forge their own path, taekwondo just gave them the skills to do so. If you’re a parent in this situation or a young adult venturing into the world on your own, believe in yourself, believe in them. You got this.

Your loved one did it. They made the first step to join Martial Arts. Or maybe they have been doing it for a long time, maybe even since they were four years old. Either way, as their parent, guardian, sibling, friend, or whomever you are to them, you have a responsibility. They are not alone in their journey and it takes your support to see them through this incredible experience.

Showing up:

The best thing you can do for someone who is involved in taekwondo is to show up. That can mean many different things. It could mean taking them to their lessons, cheering them on at testing and tournaments, or just being there through their journey. When you show up, it encourages them to keep going because they know that you will be by their side throughout the process.

Encouraging them:

Martial Arts training is not easy. There will be days that are extremely difficult. There’s a reason that becoming a Black Belt is such an honor! Your job as their loved one is to encourage them to continue even when times get tough. They made a commitment, teaching them to honor that commitment is one of the best things you can do for them. There will be days when they don’t feel like going, or are bored, or feel like giving up. It’s in those moments that you push them to keep going because they will never regret succeeding, but they may regret giving up.

Joining them:

No one wants to feel like they are going through something alone. Sometimes, the best thing you can do to support your loved one’s taekwondo journey is to join them! We always welcome new students at any level. Family class is a great way for families to take on the experience together. Remember, families that train together, stay together. It can be a life changing experience for you and your loved one to go through together.

Being proud of them:

It isn’t easy to start something new or to not give up when things are hard. Make sure that you are telling your loved one that you are proud of them, especially for the little stuff. Hearing that they are overcoming challenges and making a difference can have a huge impact on their taekwondo journey. Make sure you show your support by congratulating them on their accomplishments and telling them how proud you are of them.

Martial Arts training is never easy, but it’s always worth it. Having someone support you along the way makes it that much better. Be sure to support your loved one on this path, and don’t let them give up when things get tough! Mueller’s Martial Arts certainly will never give up on you! To learn more about our program, click here.

We live in a world today that is riddled with depression, anxiety, and a slew of other mental health issues. Because we are so inundated with television, video games, and computer work, we don’t get the socialization and physical activity we need. Many people find that they are not able to stop their minds from spiraling out of control. Taekwondo training can help with that.

Controlling your body:

Martial Arts training requires a great deal of control over your body. When learning new moves and putting them into practice for your forms, you have to control your stances, foot and hand position, as well as what your body is doing. While you are controlling your body, your mind is also putting in the work. You have to focus intently on mastering your body movements which trains your mind and body to work together. This is a practice of controlling your mind.

Self control:

One of the most exciting parts of taekwondo training is sparring. It takes a great deal of analysis to determine what your opponent is going to do and how you are going to stop them. The most important part of sparring however, is self control. You don’t want to hurt your partner and there are certain areas of the body that are off limits. To hit with precision and control requires a great deal of mind and body mastery. When you train your body to move the way your brain commands, that’s a form of controlling your mind.

Mental control:

Perhaps the most important part of Martial Arts training is the life skills learned in class. They are focus, attitude, discipline, integrity, respect, goals, perseverance, and confidence. Each lesson we train students the meaning behind these skills and how to apply them in daily life. When they have learned and practiced them enough times it will become second nature to them and they don’t even have to think about using them. That’s called neuroplasticity which is a form of training your brain. That helps you control your mind.

Overcoming challenges:

Life will challenge us always and forever. There’s no way around it. In order to overcome challenges we have to be able to control our minds so that we don’t become overwhelmed and shut down making us unable to function. Taekwondo teaches us how to overcome challenges on an almost daily basis. Whether it’s learning a new move, testing for a new belt, or competing in a tournament, if we learn how to overcome the hard things while training we will be able to do it in life.

If we take all of the lessons learned on the mat we can learn to control our minds so that they don’t control us. With a family of fellow Martial Artists rooting you on, and the skills needed to overcome anything, you can control your brain. We’ll teach you how at Mueller’s Martial Arts. To learn more about our program, click here.

We can all agree that Martial Arts training is a super fun activity. Who doesn’t love to kick and punch stuff? But taekwondo is far more than just a fun activity. We at Mueller’s Martial Arts want to remind all of you that there is much more to learn and benefit from coming to class. It takes parents, students, and instructors to work hand in hand to get the best experience from the program.

Life skills:

The best part of Martial Arts training is the life skills we teach in every class. These skills are focus, dedication, perseverance, attitude, goals, confidence, respect, and integrity. Learning life skills for kids is extremely important. These skills carry over at home, school, with friends, and in every aspect of life. They learn to become the best version of themselves in every single class. It is a two way street though. Parents have to enforce life skills just like the instructors have to in class.

Physical fitness:

We all know that most people nowadays just want to stay at home playing video games and watching TV. The truth is that it is damaging for both mental and physical health. We need to move our bodies and most kids sit at desks in school all day and come home and sit on the couch. Moving our bodies in fun and different ways not only gets us in better shape, but also improves our mental and physical health. Exercise releases endorphins which makes us happy.

Embracing routine:

Life is built on a foundation of routine. There is no way around it. Successful people have actually been shown to have a daily routine that they stick to each and every day. Coming to class at times can become monotonous. But that’s life. Sometimes we have to do routine things like go to work, clean the house, and make dinner because it is our responsibility. If we teach kids at a young age to stick to a routine and have fun along the way, they will be more successful adults that honor their commitments.

Overcoming hard things:

LIFE ISN’T EASY. Us adults definitely know that, but when it comes to our kids, we want to make their experience as easy as possible. That mindset is actually doing more harm than good. Kids need to learn at a young age that life is going to challenge them and they need to overcome those challenges. That’s where taekwondo comes in. Each time they learn something new or are pushed to a new level, they prove to themselves that they can overcome hard things if they work for it. This mentally will carry into adulthood where they will be able to handle the challenges that life throws at them.

Taekwondo is so much more than just a fun activity. Once you realize all the amazing benefits that fully embracing Martial Arts training can provide, you won’t want to leave until you have gotten everything you can out of it. That’s the best part- it’s a lifelong journey that constantly challenges you and teaches you new lessons to become strong and amazing! To learn more about Mueller’s Martial Arts, click here.

We’ve all watched The Karate Kid or Cobra Kai and we love to see those rebellious teenagers face against their bullies and win. They show extreme skill with their awesome moves without even stretching or warming up. But what about those of us that aren’t as mobile anymore? Or those that are young and just learning to navigate life? How do they fit into karate?

The truth of the matter is that you do not need to be a fit teenager to benefit from taekwondo. At Mueller’s Martial Arts, we train people from 4 to 100. If you’re 101 and want to train, that’s okay too. Both young kids and older adults find their place in Martial Arts training. There’s benefits for all age ranges.

Young kids:

We start our little dragons program at age four. While the littles are not going to be learning to fight anytime soon, they do pick up on some valuable lessons. On a physical level, they learn coordination and balance. They also learn to listen and focus on what their instructors are saying. They learn how to respect themselves and others and the basic life skills to become good people. Plus, they get to have fun in a safe and educational environment!

Kids and Teens:

Kids and teens face a whole set of different life problems. Taekwondo teaches them the life skills to navigate through life in a positive and constructive manner. The skills they learn in class like respect and focus are used in school, at home, and with each other. Their grades are better, they have more friends, and they listen to their parents. Physically, they are given a place to stay in shape and burn off energy in a good way. They are taken away from sitting around playing video games and watching TV to becoming better and stronger people.

Adults:

Adults are probably the trickiest students in Martial Arts. Let’s face it, between kids, jobs, taking care of the house, and self-care, there is little time and energy left for anything else. Our bodies are slower and less flexible and there are a million different gyms we can join. But training in Martial Arts as an adult is different. It challenges our bodies in new and unique ways to give us strength, cardio, and flexibility training. It also is a mental workout which keeps our brains young and neuroplastic. We learn self-defense to protect ourselves and our loved ones. The best part is the community where we get to make new friends and push ourselves toward a common goal. We even get to work out with our kids!
Martial Arts doesn’t have to be just for what you see it TV shows and movies. Anyone at any age can benefit from training. At Mueller’s Martial Arts, we welcome anyone age 4-100 and beyond!

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Buddy Night

Life Skills at Home

Mr. Mueller Visits Lakewood

Growing Up Through Martial Arts

How to Support Your Loved One During Their Taekwondo Journey

Control Your Mind or It Will Control You

More Than a Fun Activity

Martial Arts at Any Age