We all have needed that gentle nudge in certain things in life. Think back to when you were learning to ride a bike, sure you were afraid but it took that gentle push from a parent holding on to the back of your seat to get you going so you could build that confidence up enough to go on your own. How about for young kids just starting school for the first time? The fear of having to leave Mom and Dad and enter a classroom full of your peers all on their own, that also took some nudging from Mom and Dad in order to do so. Learning to walk even at the youngest age to learning to swim, it all starts with parents offering the “you can do it nudge.”

Taking your first Martial Arts class is no different. With our younger students we find that if Mom and Dad are on board with knowing the many benefits taking classes will bring their child they can give that needed nudge to get their kids on the training floor.

The opposite is true, if the parent allows the child to make up their own mind without any words of encouragement or the “you can do it nudge” then the chances are low they will find the courage to step on the mat. You can liken this to giving your child the choice to eat their vegetables, brush their teeth, study hard, or with teens to get out of bed. The Instructors can encourage the child to step on the mat but it takes that nudge from their own parent, the person they trust most in the world to let the child know it’s okay and that they can do it.

Once a child is on the mat and class has started they quickly realize how much fun it is. The parents start to see the benefits within the first class and the child starts to reap those benefits right away. Techniques are learned, confidence is improved, focus is obtained, and smiles are abundant!

If you have hesitation about starting Martial Arts classes one of our experienced Instructor’s will sit down with you and answer all questions and concerns and can explain exactly what you can expect in your first class. All you have to do is take that first step!

My first Black Belt test was one of the toughest days of my life! I felt like I was ready but about 2 hours into it I was having doubts in myself. I remember all the sweat, pain, and I hate to admit it but even some tears. My body wanted to quit more than once but my mind felt stronger and I was not going to allow all those years of training to go to waste. That feeling of “I’M NOT GOING TO STOP!” My mind helped me get through the remaining hours and when I was done, I felt so proud of myself!

Martial Arts has taught me alot more about myself than I thought it could. I have used my training in alot of areas in my life. I know I am still a kid but I have already learned to draw from my training and have more times than I can count. The main thing it helped me with is to take my time (self control), and always give 100%.

I am working towards my 3rd degree Black Belt now and I have set the goal of becoming an Instructor too. That will take me a couple more years to become certified but I know I will get there. I really like passing on what I have learned to other students and seeing them reach goals and especially seeing them learn how to control themselves (stand still, being respectful, etc…) When I see a student test for their next rank and know that I helped them get there, it makes me happy.

I have dreams and goals set that I know my Martial Arts training will help me with. I am going on my 10th year of training and I still find it to be fun, I am still learning new things, and I look forward to reaching even more goals in my training. I am thankful for my training too, it has toughened me, makes me think before I act, makes me more patient, and makes me feel like I can do anything!

~A. Cook, Instructor Trainee, Monarch Martial Arts Academy

We have taught students who come to their first classes with us unable to hold eye contact, barely speaking above a whisper, and lacking the confidence to strike a target or even to use their “kihap”(spirit yell). We have seen the very moments when all that fades and it never gets old! The drills and techniques we use to reach each student helps them to see their potential and get to know their inner strength. Once they find this, something amazing happens. We hear they are no longer struggling at school, they are making friends easier, and they are soon the loudest student in class.

We also find that these same students are entering into the community adding to it in positive ways and leading by example. Among their friends, their siblings, and at their jobs. The growth that happens even from the shortest time training builds such confidence that it opens up so many doors that prior may have seemed locked to them.

The tagline we chose expresses what we are about and what we strive for…

“Building a better community one student at a time.”

We believe it starts with one person and then snowballs reaching so many others. Having a positive attitude sprinkled with confidence and toughness (not just physical but mental and emotional) can make such huge changes, brightening an entire community. If you expect the best in people they surprise you every time, no matter if they are 3 or 93!

We have been teaching self-defense for many years and it never ceases to amaze us the sheer amount of misinformation there is on the web. It terrifies us to think that people may be turning to websites like “expertvillage” and “YouTube” to learn self-defense. This especially hits us hard when we see it directed at children and teaching them to defend themselves against strangers/adults.

Teaching children self-defense is 100% different than what we teach adults. Why? The answer is simple, they do not have the strength to apply the techniques we as adults can use. In the video below which is from “expertvillage” featured on “YouTube” you will see a woman teaching children how to escape from a simple front grab. She makes the first mistake which is adding too much detail in the techniques, it needs to be kept simple with kids-not because they aren’t intelligent, quite the opposite in fact, but because they need simple  ”go to” effective techniques that they can use that will allow them the quickest getaway possible. To, “break and run!”

Another mistake depicted is where she is teaching the kids to “twist under” therefore getting them “twisted up with their attackers” this is dangerous on so many levels and is really not effective. The end result is more than likely the child ends up on the ground and ground defense is a whole other realm of self-defense. The child in the video even at her size could of easily been carried off especially with her back to her attacker  which is the last thing you want for anyone. Again, “break and run” is the goal!

Here is the link to the video I am referring to:

My point in this post is to express the importance of not turning to the web for self-defense needs. Always seek a certified Instructor, one with many years of experience in teaching a wide array of effective techniques to people of all ages. Techniques need to be practiced and applied under the careful eyes of an Instructor. We teach kids and adults through constant practice, role playing, and incorporating simple yet effective techniques in all different situations. Everyone can learn to defend themselves!

Our first class was filled with humor (mostly us laughing at ourselves) and a whole lot of “wow’s.” We quickly realized that this was exactly what we were looking for. We were signed up within a week and attended every single class we could which meant we trained for 6 days a week at times for 4-5 hours a night straight! This was on top of us both working full time as well so as you can imagine we had a full schedule yet we always without fail had the energy and the time to attend classes. Our Instructor who was born in Korea ran a physically and mentally demanding class which you either had to step up to or quit. Quitting NEVER entered our minds. There in lies the major lesson all Martial Arts conveys to it’s practioner’s!

We were put in a position to assist in Instructing classes earlier than most students but that meant we were also held to a much higher standard both in techniques and in leadership skills. By the time we earned our 1st degree Black Belts we were teaching our own classes for a variety of age students. We enjoyed every single moment! We quickly set a goal to have our own school one day, a dream we both took seriously. We continued to train ourselves and to train others all the while keeping our goals in sight.

Here we are almost 15 years later and we are making that dream come true! We operated out of a gym previously but that meant going around their hours and being limited in regards to marketing and promotions. We now have secured our own location and are able to set our own scheduling! This means all the classes we were unable to hold can now be held. Something near to our hearts is having a special needs class. Being the parents of a special needs child and also teaching special needs kids for years prior means we have a unique ability to understand and assist these wonderful students to learn in their own ways. We are also able to hold summer camps, women specific classes, and offer an array of other classes as well. The possibilities are endless!

We are excited to return to State College, PA and add to our community in a positive, strengthening way. It’s our dream come true, reaching goals and setting new ones just like we help our students do!

We hope you will join us on April 15th  as we re-open in our new facility located at 253 Benner Pike Plaza. Classes are starting to fill, if you wish to reserve your slot in one of our exciting classes please send us an e-mail. (Classes will be capped) mmaatkd@gmail.com Our complete schedule will be announced on our website this week!

These are also the students that may take the longest to get onto to the mat for that first class or may not have the courage and confidence to even walk into a Martial Arts school. Sure their parents can push the issue and we can try and encourage them to do so but it is fully up to the individual to take that first step. We can assure both the student and their parent(s) that after just a few classes it gets easier and is a whole lot of fun! The environment at our school is one of positive and supportive attitudes from both the staff and fellow students. There is no laughing, no negative comments, or any other behaviors that would make anyone feel “less than.” We take pride in this and don’t just say it, we mean it, anyone that attends our classes can attest to the environment we provide our students, staff, and families. This makes for a successful and uplifting program for all involved. We pride ourselves as Instructors in providing that safe place where kids can come and not have to worry about “fitting in” or that they may be ridiculed. If they are not excited to go to class then we are not doing our job.

Confidence is improved by the student themselves experiencing what they are capable of. It can be through the self defense portion of class, the realization that they can be and are strong, the reaching of a new rank, or simply being surrounded by peers and adults who all want them to do their best. The feeling that everyone in class is working towards the same goals gives such a wonderful feeling of comfort and camaraderie.

Everyone is able to move at their own pace within the classes. We recognize that everyone learns in their own unique way and we celebrate that. We are not all of the same capabilities physically or mentally and that is the beauty of Martial Arts…that doesn’t matter. Every student brings with them their own challenges and we give them the tools to work through them and push farther.

We have met students who start with us, eyes down at the floor, talking barely above a whisper, and who will outright say “I can’t do it.” They are afraid to strike a target, work with a partner, and some have even stood there in class not wanting to try at all at first. Every student who has stuck through it and worked through that fear and self doubt are very different people now. They are successful and confident college students, teachers themselves, and openly share how classes changed them. We are proud of them all and still get teary eyed thinking of how far they have come.

The benefits of Martial Arts follows each student. A great school provides it’s students with both life skills and physical lessons. The sense of accomplishments that are attained through learning a new technique, a form, or reaching a new rank is something that sticks with them no matter what age.

Allow me to share that our oldest has been training in Martial Arts for over nine years, his experience is vast but he has never once thankfully had to use his training in anything other than dealing with a push from a bully. The question asked was “Mom, if I encountered a shooter at school and had the chance, should I take him out?” This as his Mom made me both angry and incredibly scared. I was angry that my thirteen year old even had to think about this in the first place, they are supposed to be safe at school. It also sent fear to my core. My answer, “absolutely not!” I instructed him to hide and be safe and we spoke about the fact that his years of training and his earning two Black Belts will have no merit against a person(s) with a gun(s).

As his Instructor my answer would be the same. Knowing Martial Arts does not make us invincible and anyone who says that it does is wrong. Does it give us an advantage in many different situations? Absolutely. Does that means we should try and be the hero? No. In any self defense situation we are always at risk of being hurt. Having training does not mean to run towards the danger.

As I hugged him after a lengthy conversation I felt sad that our children have to deal with this. We did not have this worry and stress in my school days. They should be thinking about learning not surviving. There are no easy answers to what happened and we can only hope that individuals in crisis get the help they need before another tragedy happens.

Hug your babies tight and tell them how wonderful they are everyday.

Allow me to share that our oldest has been training in Martial Arts for the past 9+ years his experience is vast but he has never once thankfully had to use his training in anything other than dealing with a push from a bully. The question asked was “Mom, if I encountered a shooter at school and had the chance, should I take him out?” This as his Mom made me both angry and incredibly scared. I was angry that my thirteen year old even had to think about this in the first place, they are supposed to be safe at school. It also sent fear to my core. My answer, “absolutely not!” I instructed him to hide and be safe and we spoke about the fact that his years of training and his earning two Black Belts will have no merit against a person(s) with a gun(s).

As his Instructor my answer would be the same. Knowing Martial Arts does not make us invincible and anyone who says that it does is wrong. Does it give us an advantage in many different situations? Absolutely. Does that means we should try and be the hero? No. In any self defense situation we are always at risk of being hurt. Having training does not mean to run towards the danger.

As I hugged him after a lengthy conversation I felt sad that our children have to deal with this. We did not have this worry and stress in my school days. They should be thinking about learning not surviving. There are no easy answers to what happened and we can only hope that those in need get the help they need before another tragedy happens.

Hug your babies tight and tell them how wonderful they are everyday.

-Dress casual and comfortable.

-Despite the feeling of being rushed and somewhat distracted, stay aware of your surroundings. Look around and this includes behind you, this is a good tip for in the parking lot and inside the stores as well.

-Do not be afraid to tell strangers “NO” or to tell them to “back off” if you feel they are too close. your personal space is YOURS and you have the right to it.

-If shopping at night try not to go alone. Be sure to park in a well lit area and if possible close to the entrance.

-Don’t carry large amounts of cash.

-Avoid overloading yourself with packages. Keep your line of sight clear and avoid tying up both hands with bags.

-Have your keys out and ready and stay off your cell phone while walking to your car. Remember the criminals are looking for the easiest targets. Again, be aware of your surroundings.

-While loading your car do not bend into it, instead load from your side keeping your surrounding’s in sight at all times.

We wish you and yours a Happy and Safe Holiday season!

I believe this is a very personal choice for each family to make. I am enjoying the fact that there are seeming to be alot more families that are training together these days, there can be nothing but postive benefits from this.

Most classes require their students to call Instructors by their respected titles but what do you do when your own child is in class with you? Do they call you Mom or Dad or by your title like the students?

For us there was never any debate. Our children all four who also train call us Mom or Dad. I am curious what others do in this situation though. Our gut always said that them calling us Mom and Dad is what felt right for them and for us. We are afterall their parents first and most importantly and their Instructors last. How do you feel though, what is your gut telling you?

When asked our oldest who is 13 and has been training with us for over 9 years said that he would wonder where that line is drawn if he called us by our title rather than by what he views us as which is his parents. I should add that he has never had any issues with respecting us as his Instructors and also as his parents. There is not a time I don’t want our kids to be able to turn to us for anything so that is a line he is right that should not be blurred. Students do come to their Instructors for advice and guidance but it is a very different (and should be) relationship than with their parents.

I am hoping this prompts you all to chat and share your views on this topic. Interesting indeed.