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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!

Winter is a struggle. Am I right? This time of year is especially difficult with cold weather, sickness, isolation, and less sunny days. While many people just trudge through the winter season looking forward to better days, what if this year was different? Mueller’s Martial Arts want to challenge you to see this time of year as an opportunity to find joy in the moment. Did you know that taekwondo can help you have something to not only get you through winter, but also something to look forward to.

Getting out of the House:

We know that when it’s cold outside all you want to do is to stay inside and watch TV or play video games. But the truth of the matter is that doing so is not good for your mental and physical health. By having a set routine of going to taekwondo consistently, you get out of the house and do something that benefits every aspect of your life. While it may seem like there is not a lot to do in the winter, Martial Arts is always there with tournaments, testing, and just coming to class. Plus it’s indoors and warm which is an extra added bonus. So next time you’re thinking, “I don’t want to do anything today”, get in your car and come to taekwondo. We promise you’ll be glad you did.

Community:

Winter can come with a lot of isolation. During warmer months we are getting out and socializing, during winter we are primarily focused on our immediate surroundings. Socialization plays a huge role in mental and physical health, and being part of an amazing community can get you through the winter blues. At Mueller’s Martial Arts we love our taekwondo family, full of support and friendship. Everyone is there to cheer you on and support you through your journey in life. Sometimes the best way to get through hard days is with the support of others.

Exercise:

Most people started the new year wanting to exercise more or be more active or get healthier. Taekwondo is a fun way to get in an amazing workout that not only gets you sweating but teaches you practical application and use. In addition, exercise is scientifically proven to release chemicals in our body that help us feel good. So when you are feeling down in the winter one of the best things you can do for yourself is to come to class and sweat it out. You may regret not doing a workout, but you’ll never regret doing one.

Goals:

Remember those goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year? They’re still there! Whatever goal you set for yourself may have already fallen by the wayside, but that’s one of the best things about Martial Arts training. There is always a new goal to work towards. Whether it’s a higher rank, winning a tournament, or mastering a move- you always have something to strive towards. Unlike many other resolutions, in karate we give real, actionable, and achievable ways to reach those goals in set periods of time. If you want to accomplish any sort of goal, whether that be physical or mental, taekwondo is a great place to start!

Let’s beat the winter blues together by training at Mueller’s Martial Arts! Winter doesn’t have to be a bad time of year. It can be the time you use to set yourself up for future success while enjoying the ride! To learn more about our program, click here.

We live in a world where it’s very much go, go, go and there is never a moment to look back at what you just did. When we achieve a goal it’s immediately onto the next one. We tend to be hard on ourselves when we feel like we are not where we should or want to be. It’s easy to get lost in the always striving mentality which can be great for working hard, but it can also cause a lot of pressure and anxiety.

We hope at Mueller’s Martial Arts, you take a moment to look back and realize all that you have accomplished. You put in weeks, months, and even years of hard work to get exactly where you are right now. Was it perfect? Probably not. But you continued to show up every single day with the determination to get better. That in itself is a difficult feat to accomplish. Many people don’t even try in the first place and you did. You kept going.

Starting as a white belt isn’t an easy thing. You took the brave first step to make a better life for yourself. If you are a black belt or even Grandmaster you should be proud. You kept moving forward even on the days you wanted to quit. If you got your black belt and kept going after that, you should be especially proud. You showed that there is no end to training.

Maybe you’ve had failures and setbacks. That’s okay, they’re a part of life. If you set out last year to win a State or World Championship title and didn’t come close, that’s okay. Guess what? You still made it to State or World’s. That took so much hard work and dedication to get there and you stuck with it. If you are going to try again this year, you should be proud of that too.

I want you to take a moment and look back at all that you accomplished in the last year. If you are a parent of a taekwondo student, you do it too. Look back at all that your child accomplished. Now tell them you’re proud of them. Be specific. Same goes for you- the Martial Artist that is reading this. Think about all the moments that you pushed yourself last year to get where you are now.

We want you to know at Mueller’s Martial Arts that we are so incredibly proud of you. Each and every one of our students puts forth their best foot on a daily basis and continues to work to get better. We are proud of the parents that encourage their kids, the families that train together, and the people that stepped into the dojang one day and decided they weren’t going to quit. We are so proud of you and we hope you are proud of yourself too!

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

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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

Getting Through Winter

Pride in Your Accomplishments