Great Advice On How To Influence Your Martial Arts Teacher
Hello All,
In this video my mentor Tom Callos discusses what a student should do to make the class fun and enjoyable. After watching this he is absolutely correct. When I have a class (Kids and Adults) that is a little squirrely my first reaction is that I need to reign them back in, so what I do is run the class a little tighter and I feel that sometimes it can take the spontaneity and fun out of the class.
So if you wanted kiss up to your Instructor follow Tom’s advice and get ready to have a fun class or classes.
If you live in the Brighton Mi area and are looking for a great group of people that get together on a weekly basis to see how we can all help each other get better; we @ Synergy Martial Arts believe that we are the place for you.
To further entice you we will offer 2 weeks @ no cost to you to see if we are as fun as advertised. All you have to do is contact me @ shawnk@synergycombatscience.com or call me directly @ 517-672-2386.
See you in class,
Shawn
10 Reasons That Your Girl Should Train Martial Arts Part 1
Hello All,
I have posted this before but would like to revisit it as I think that it is a very important topic.
Today more that ever our children need positive role models and while growing up a boy is a tough job I think that growing up a girl is a tougher job.
To see what I mean here is a little test for you. Go to your local grocery store and observe the dress and style of our children and see how early girls are forced to deal with their own identity as a girl.
I have seen girls around the age of 10 wearing things that I would think is inappropriate on an 22 year old woman, only to see her mom walking following behind in similar dress.
I try to keep a very open mind and remind myself that my way is not the only way but I believe that we are sliding on a very slippery slope.
So here is the 1st lesson on why I believe that if you have a girl she should be training Martial Arts.
Sexism / Discrimination
Here is the definition of Sexism:
Sexism is when a man or women discriminates against or devalues someone of the opposite sex, just because they are of the opposite sex; as in:
“I’m better (or privileged) because I am a man, a male, and you are a female.”
Quite often I find that boys believe that girls are lesser than they are in athletic endeavors because they are not as big, fast or as strong. While this is true girls are not as big, fast or as strong as boys are but that does not mean that they cannot and should not be able to have respect from their male counter parts.
Here are two girls who compete with boys and do very well.
The first girl is Briana Amat and she is a local sports hero she was the 2011 Pinckney Homecoming Queen and also kicked the game winning field goal for the Varsity Football Team.
Chelsea Baker is one of the best pitchers in her age group in the Nation in 2010 she pitched 2 perfect games and was also elected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame.
I believe that girls can be as good at sports as girls and often times have a better understanding of the game technically because they have to use technique over strength.
We at Synergy Martial Arts are looking for girls that would like to be given the chance to prove that they can be as good as boys if not better. We stress equal respect between our students and treat our students like athletes regardless of their gender.
If you know of a girl that would like to try Martial Arts and lives in the Brighton area we will gladly invite her to come and train with us for 2 weeks @ no cost her. All she has to do is to contact me @ shawnk@synergycombatscience.com or call me directly @ 517-672-2386.
See you in class,
Shawn
7 Lessons For Life and Self-Defense
Hello All,
Today while I was on my marketing mentor Tom Callos’s site I found these 7 lessons for life and for Martial Arts.
1) Take No Offense
It takes a certain mindset to be offended by someones words or actions. Choose not to take offense, as once taken, your opponent already has the advantage. Instead of being offended, be “fascinated.
2) Don’t Push Back
When someone pushes you, give in and let them come through. You lose nothing –and often gain a better position. Two wrongs don’t make a right –so resist less and think more.
3) Use Surprise
Surprise your opponent by doing exactly the opposite of what’s expected. If someone expects you to be hurt, be honored. If they expect you to be angry and upset, surprise them with your calmness. Train yourself this way and you almost always have the advantage.
4) Embrace and Relax
When in a bad position, when under pressure, instead of struggling and wasting energy, embrace your opponent and relax. Your time will come.
5) Tap Out, Return
When someone wants to argue or fight or make you struggle, just tap out. It’s a lot better than getting hurt or causing someone else pain. Tap out and don’t worry, you’ll be able to come back soon enough.
(Note: this may be the best relationship advice you ever receive).
6) Nobody Can Make You Anything
Nobody can make you sad, angry, happy, depressed, or grouchy; you don’t give anyone that much power over you. Only you can make yourselfanything. Maintain control of your own emotions and thinking.
7) Be Aware
Be aware of what you’re doing, beginning with your breathing. “I am aware that I am breathing.” “I am aware that I am listening.” “I am aware that this too shall pass.”
One of the members of The 100 also made a video with the 7 lessons that I thought that I would like to share with you.
I believe that as Martial Artists we have a personal responsibility to learn to manage the conflict in our own lives and the way that we interact with others. Some of the biggest achievements in my life have been to take a situation that could be lose/lose and to turn it into a win/win with for both parties and I believe that part of these achievements are because of training Martial Arts.
If you live in the Brighton Mi area and are interested in learning how Martial Arts can apply to your everyday life we @ Synergy Martial Arts believe that we are the place for you. We invite you to come and try us out for 2 weeks @ no cost to you all. Simply contact me @ shawnk@synergycombatscience.com or call me @ 517-672-2386.
See you in class,
Shawn
Hey Brighton Mi. Here is the what’s on the schedule for Synergy Martial Arts tonight
Hello All,
Thought that it would be a great idea to let everyone know what is on the agenda tonight @ Synergy Martial Arts.
5-6 Kaizen Young Adult Martial Arts: Standing and Closed Guard Passes.
6-8 Synergy Martial Arts Workshop: On every 3rd Thursday of the month we focus on things that are not in our curriculums to give our students a broader exposure different Martial Arts training methods. Tonight we are working on a Filipino Martial Art drill called Hubud and placing trapping into the flow.
If you live in the Brighton Mi area and would like to come and check us out here is how you can do so. Contact me @ shawnk@synergycombatscience.com or call me @ 517-672-2386 and we will extend to you 2 weeks of training @ no cost to you.
We are unlike any Martial Arts School in Livingston County due to our affliliations with Guro Dan Inosanto, Sifu Dave Hatch, Sensei Erik Paulson and Kettlebell Instructor Ken Blackburn. So stop by and see how we can help you take your Martial Arts training to the next level.
See you in class,
Shawn
We Are Now An Official Combat Submission Wrestling School
Hello All,
This weekend Chris Malgeri hosted Sensei Erik Paulson for a seminar on Combat Submission Wrestling (CSW) and it was an amazing time. The weekend was packed full of great training methods for striking and grappling.
For the last year I have been prepping for the ranking of Coach Level 1 under Sensei Erik and this weekend at the Seminar I was tested and was given my Coach Level 1 Certification. For those of you who have followed the Synergy Martial Arts Blogs you know how much I reference Sensei Erik’s material.
I first met Sensei Erik when he was traveling with Guro Dan Inosanto and have be very impressed with his ability with as a Martial Artist and more importantly as an Instructor. So to say that I am excited is an understatement.
I would like to first thank Sensei Erik for allowing me to be a Coach under the CSW banner. Also I would like to thank my Sifu Dave Hatch and Sensei Chris Malgeri for sponsoring me and mentoring me along the way. I am humbled and honored by all of their belief and support.
Many people think that when you earn an Instructorship the work is done and that is not the case. Now I have to work even harder to continue to strengthen the CSW reputation here in Michigan.
So what does all this mean for Synergy Martial Arts? It means that we will be able to give all our students broader exposure to Sensei Erik’s training methods and his material. This exposure I believe will allow us to continue to assist our students in becoming the most well rounded Martial Artists in Livingston County.
Here is a video that was shot here in 2009 that gives a brief history of Sensei Erik and his background.
If you live in the Brighton Mi area and are looking for a great place to train Martial Arts we @ Synergy Martial Arts believe that we are the place for you. We invite you to stop by and check us out for 2 weeks at no cost to you. All you have to do is to contact me @ shawnk@synergycombatscience.com or call me @ 517-672-2386.
See you in class,
Shawn
Hey Brighton Mi We Are Not A Black Belt Martial Arts School
Hello All,
This post was inspired by Tom Callos who is a Martial Arts consultant and an all around genius, he is pushing the envelope of the future of Martial Arts teaching and marketing. Tom’s post on Facebook today was We Are Not A Black Belt Martial Arts School if you would like to read the post here is the link http://thenewway.squarespace.com/
I have been practicing Martial Arts since 1992 and the only belt that I have personally owned has been a white belt. Now at some point in time in the next 50 years I am sure that I will earn a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. But my goal will not be the Black Belt it will be to continuously improve my understanding of the grappling game. One of my other desires is to earn a Black Sash in Wing Chun and again my desire to do that is for the knowledge and skill that comes along with earning the ranking.
All too often I have been to Martial Arts schools and have witnessed bullying I also have personally had a higher belt level student bully me because they were a higher belt level. I am not saying that this could not happen in a school where there are no belt or ranking structure but because the Martial Arts Industry sells the prestige of the “Black Belt” it is more likely to happen.
While we have a ranking structure @ Synergy Martial Arts the ranking structure is merely a guideline and a road map for our students. They have the ability to take it as fast or as slow as their lifestyle allows, I would rather have a student for 2 hours a week over 10 years than a student that comes 15 hours a week for 2 years.
Why is this you ask? It allows the students to build relationships that can last for lifetimes and allows me to learn how I can help them get all that they can out of their training. I have personally found that the friends that I have made training Martial Arts are often times deeper relationships than the friendships that I have made outside of Martial Arts. It is my goal to help as many people have the same experience.
Here is a video discussing our philosophy about respecting our training partners.
If you live in the Brighton Mi area and are looking for a group of people who are dedicated to helping you get better we @ Synergy Martial Arts feel that we are the place for you.
Regardless of your prior training experience if you are willing to learn and willing to be a good training partner we will welcome you with open arms. Come try us out for 2 weeks @ no cost to you and see if we are a good fit for you. Contact me @ shawnk@synergycombatscience.com or @ 517-672-2386.
See you in class,
Shawn
Results of my CSW Student Level 5 Test
Hello All,
Tonight I tested for my Combat Submission Wrestling (CSW) Student Level 5 ranking and successfully. I began training the Student Level material 3 years ago to work on the grappling portion of my game. I have really enjoyed the process and I feel that I am a much, much, much better grappler than I was 3 years ago.
One of the reasons that I have chosen to follow Sensei Erik Paulson is that his focus is not just grappling it is striking, clinching, throwing, and grappling. Since the beginning of my training in 1992 I have maintained a very broad approach to my Martial Arts training. I feel that Sensei Erik curriculum satisfies this broad approach.
My journey over the last 3 years has not been alone as grappling unlike other Martial Arts requires a partner. With that being said I would like to thank my Sifu Dave Hatch, my students Jef Lopes, Jerry Whiting and Kent Nelson for helping me get better a long the way.
Here is some of the material that I was tested on tonight.
If you live in the Brighton Mi area and would like to be part of a group of people who are dedicated to helping you get better. We at Synergy Martial Arts believe that we are the place for you. We offer all of our perspective students 2 weeks of training at no cost to you. All you have to do is to contact me @ shawnk@synergycombatscience.com or call me directly @ 517-672-2386.
See you in class,
Shawn
What do we do @ Synergy Martial Arts? We solve problems.
Hello All,
Yesterday I was talking fellow Synergy Martial Arts Instructor Jef Lopes and we were discussing what we do @ Synergy Martial Arts that is different today than it was 5 years ago. Here a brief summary of how the conversation went.
In 2005 when I began Synergy Martial Arts my goal was to teach the most effective self-defense system that I could put together. Once that was accomplished I started to look @ what our ideal student would be and saw that some of the people we attracted with that mind set were not who we felt best represented Synergy Martial Arts.
In 2009 we moved into Hamburg Fitness Center and started our Kaizen Young Adult Martial Arts program to help kids ages 12-18 improve their self-confidence, leadership skills, self-image, over all athletic ability and did this with great success.
Next we took a look at our curriculum and the way it was structured and found that we needed to improve upon it so that our students have a clearer vision of what is expected of them for their rank advancement. Now we have a curriculum rotation schedule that allows students to have the information 3 times over an 18 week period so that they can improve their understand by repetition.
In the summer of 2011 we became IKFF CKT Level 1 this allowed us to integrate Kettlebells into our training programs. We now have weekly conditioning classes that consist of Kettlebells, agility ladders, agility hurdles, stretch bands, ropes bodyweight and basic Martial Arts movements.
We feel that this class is huge for the people in our community because it gives them a way to come in and work with us even if they are not interested in or are intimated by attending Martial Arts classes.
So whether you have a child that is being bullied or needs an activity that is with a group of positive peers, work in a field where self-defense is an important part of the job or you need a place that can help improve your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing Synergy Martial Arts believes that we are the place for you.
We extend to you a 2 week trail of all of our classes at no cost to you. All you have to do is contact me @ shawnk@synergycombatscience.com or call me directly @ 517-672-2386.
I look forward to talking to you soon,
Shawn
Some Training Tips for New Martial Arts Students in Brighton Mi
Hello All,
In this video Ajarn Greg Nelson discusses some training tips for a new Martial Art students. Ajarn Greg is an amazing Martial Arts Instructor and he is also an MMA coach to many MMA fighters and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) Champions. He is one of the few Muay Thai Instructors under Ajarn Chai Sirisute to achieve the title of Ajarn. So when Ajarn Greg speaks I listen so here is the video.
If you live in Brighton Mi and are thinking about beginning Martial Arts we at Synergy Martial Arts believe that we are the place for you. We believe that in Martial Arts and in life success is not an individual process so we build our program from the bottom up. We help our new students by taking the time to work on the basic fundamentals that will help them to be above average Martial Artists.
To quote Ajarn Greg. “We practice with our partners, not on our partners.”
So if you are looking at our site and thinking about beginning or renewing a Martial Arts practice we challenge you to stop by for 2 weeks @ no cost to you to see if we are a good fit for you. All you have to do try us out is contact me @ shawnk@synergycombatscience.com or call me directly @ 517-672-2386.
See you soon,
Shawn