Reagan Greene - Junior Orange/Black

Favorite Color - Grey
Favorite Food - Tenderloin
Favorite Subject in School - Social Studies

Tell us about your family - My family all attend Kaju AZ and we all enjoy it. At home we enjoy watching TV and movies together.
Do you have any pets? 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1 bird

Besides Kajukenbo, what other activities do you enjoy? I like to play games with my friends and I like to play soccer.

What do you like most about Kajukenbo AZ?
The social aspect.

Student of the Month - Daniel - Almost a Black Belt!!!

Today is a very exciting day for Daniel! Last night he graduated from High School, and tonight he begins the final steps to earn his black belt. It has been an exciting journey and we are all excited to see what the future holds for this bright young man. Sunday he will be moving on to great things in New Mexico and then BYU in the fall. We were so lucky to have him not only as a student, but also as an instructor. Congratulations Daniel! We are proud of you and we are going to miss you!

Favorite Color - White
Favorite Food - Tortellini with a nice alfredo sauce and chicken
Profession - Instructor at Kaju AZ

Tell us about your family and pets - My family simply consists of my dearest mother and father and youngest sister. In addition we have a little dog, Lily.
Besides Kajukenbo, what other activities do you enjoy? It’s not so much an activity that I enjoy, but is simply having some free time when I can chill and be lazy.

What do you like most about training at Kaju AZ? Besides hitting things, I like burpees because I’m insane, and I like to teach.
What are your goals for the next year in and out of the dojo? I would like to…
1. obtain my black belt
2. not fail at college
3. prepare myself fully to serve a mission for my church in a year.

Making it Count

What a busy life we lead. We rush from place to place trying to maximize the most experience with the least amount of time. We probably should learn to stop and smell the roses, but that’s a topic for another day. Regardless, everyone can agree that time is a very limited resource. We should maximize our time by making everything we do count.

“The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” -Vince Lombardi

Whether it is spending time with your family, working at the office, playing with the kids, or working out, make that time matter most by being prepared and by putting your best efforts into the activity. This article discusses how you can make each and every CrossPit workout or Kajukenbo class count.

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”  -Colin Powell

Come prepared for your workout. Your body needs water, energy, and to be limber. You should hydrate throughout the day, and you might want to add extra hydration before the workout.

Bring water with you so you can replenish after the workout. During summer time, add even more to your daily intake. Guzzling the water just prior to beginning the workout will not provide the desired results!

Food for energy is critical, and what you eat and when you eat it is important. Eat healthy always, and make sure your caloric intake matches your needs. Don’t eat hard to digest foods just before your workout as it won’t help your energy level and may even make you ill. Eat smart. For example: Pasta is a carb that can be used for quick energy. But if you are trying to lose weight you will want to let your body utilize the fat it already has for that energy. Eating energy foods when overweight nullifies the purpose of the workout.

Limber up! Stretch before the workout. And stretch a lot after the workout. Stretching protects your body against injury, improves circulation, and improves your balance and coordination. Injury-reduction, circulation, balance, and coordination? Who doesn’t need more of this?

Make the most of your workout by maximizing your qualitative and quantitative efforts. Qualitative efforts are basically your full range of motion or correct posture and maintaining a high intensity while performing the activities. Someone executing a full range of motion in a pushup is going to receive better results than someone halfway executing a pushup, even if the person doing halfway pushups does many times the other person’s. Correct posture for the activity means that the appropriate muscles are doing the work and thus it maximizes the actual intended benefits of the activity being performed. Incorrect posture not only negates the intended benefits but it may also cause injury.

“What gets me upset about with the newer players is their lack of intensity. They tend to go through the motions a little bit. They don't understand that you've got to practice the way you play.” -Al Kaline, Former Major League Baseball Player 

Maintaining a high intensity is important as well. This is usually expressed in the forcefulness of the punches on the bag, or the speed in the movement when jumping or running. Increased speed also adds to the quantitative efforts as the faster you move, the more you accomplish. Increasing the slowness of movement, or the amount of breaks between activities, decreases the intensity of the workout.
Increasing the intensity causes an increase in cardio capacity and an increase in the rate muscle development.

Why do we workout? Among the many reasons we have we probably include: to get stronger and faster and to have better cardio. Increase your intensity and you will start improving in those areas. If you are not pushing yourself, then you will not increase, it really is that simple.

During your workouts, remind yourself the goals you have and why you are doing this. And then work like you want to achieve those goals.

If you want to read more about qualifying and quantifying your workouts, read the article by the Pitmaster that he wrote for the CrossFit Journal in 2009.

So you came to class prepared and you gave it your best effort. What’s next? Do it again, and again, and again. Your consistency in continual preparation and execution will actually give you the results you want. Sporadic execution will not work as every time you take time away you will feel like you are starting all over again. Make it count!

Train Strong! -Sigung

Student of the Month - Michael - Kaju Orange

Michael is a pleasure to train with. You can tell he has a passion for Martial Arts. He trains hard, is always trying to improve himself and his techniques, and has a great attitude! We are so lucky have Michael as a student.

Favorite Color - Dark Blue and Gunmetal Grey
Favorite Food - Meat! On the hoof, by the fin or the feather… I am a carnivore and appreciate a world of so many tasty options.
Profession - Nearly 20 years as an Emergency/Trauma Nurse

Tell us about your family and pets - Stacey and I will soon be celebrating our 11th anniversary. She has been a full time for several years and is getting ready to return to the work force as our kids are getting
older. We have two children. Timothy is 15 and trains with us at Kaju AZ and Madelyn Rose is 7 ½ and a very busy girl. We also have two sweet family dogs. Miss Gabby is our 4 ½ year old Boxer and Miss Lola Belle, an Olde English Bulldogge puppy now 6 months old.

Besides Kajukenbo, what other activities do you enjoy? I am an outdoorsman at heart. I love to fish, camp, hunt and explore. I enjoy fitness, adventure / obstacle runs, mountain bikes, motorcycles and will participate in most any sport or game. Anything with a bit of adventure and challenge to it is great. Stacey and I have fun simply playing at the park with the kids and dogs, and traveling with the family to explore new places. But, I am most at home and at peace, wading waist deep in a running stream, stalking the rising nose of a trout.

What do you like most about training at Kaju AZ? Besides the physical challenge and benefits of Kaju,
I love the camaraderie that exists in every CrossPIT and Self Defense session. The strength and support of a training family and brother/sisterhood is very rewarding. And Tim and I get to train with a variety of instructors, each with their own independent style, but all with the clear commitment to their art and their students.

What are your goals for the next year in and out of the dojo? My goal with Kajukenbo is longevity. I intend to maintain a steady pace of improvement, not only in strength and techniques, but to clean up my form and gain a little smoothness in my movements. Outside of the dojo, this year is a year to focus on time with family, to not miss out on the little moments and to enjoy every day.

10 Things Kids Learn from Studying Martial Arts

To parents that have little experience with the world of martial arts, the entire sport can seem violent and dangerous for kids. Upon closer inspection, however, many find that their kids will reap an innumerable amount of benefits from participation in a martial arts training program. In addition to busting sedentary habits and getting kids in shape, martial arts instruction also helps kids learn these ten valuable lessons.

1. Determination and Dedication – In order to ascend through the ranks and earn new belts, kids that study the martial arts must exhibit dedication and determination. Learning to set and achieve new goals through hard work and dedication is one of the most valuable skills that a child can take away from martial arts training.
2. To Manage Disappointment in Healthy Ways – No matter how dedicated he is or how hard your child tries, there’s a good chance that he’ll be disappointed by a failure to advance or a mistake that he makes during training. Rather than shielding your child from these feelings, you can use the opportunity as a valuable teaching experience, helping him learn to manage that disappointment in healthy ways.
3. How to Avoid Physical Confrontation – Action heroes in summer blockbuster films may attack their opponents with style and gusto, but real life just isn’t like the movies. In reality, your child will be taught how to peacefully diffuse a volatile situation and to avoid physical force altogether unless it’s absolutely necessary for defense.
4. Working With a Partner or As Part of a Team – Some martial arts styles, like jiu jitsu, will require kids to work with a partner to hone their skills and advance. Working together or as part of a team to learn skills and master their technique helps kids learn the value of teamwork, a principle that he can apply to any number of situations as he gets older.
5. Increased Social Skills – Even if your child doesn’t choose a style that requires much work with a partner or group, the act of spending an hour or so each week with the same people and interacting in a controlled environment often helps shy kids come out of their shells.
6. To Listen Effectively – It’s impossible to learn proper technique and improve martial arts skills if you can’t listen to the instructor carefully, which is why training in the martial arts can have such a strong impact on kids’ listening skills as a whole.
7. The Importance of Self-Restraint and Discipline – The basic tenets of all martial arts styles place a strong emphasis on discipline and self-restraint. Willful, stubborn kids that struggle with their impulse control can benefit greatly in the hands of a seasoned instructor.
8. How to Respect Authority Figures – Regardless of the style, a great martial arts instructor will command absolute respect from his or her young students. This respect for a particular authority figure can easily extend to a respect for authority in general, especially when the focus of classes emphasizes this concept.
9. The Importance of Confidence – Success is dependent upon confidence and self-assurance in so many areas of life, and it’s imperative for kids to gain such traits. Mastering new techniques in martial arts training will help your child to become more confident and slowly gain faith in her abilities, making her more confident and self-assured in general.
10. The Benefits of Being Physically Active – The dangers of a sedentary lifestyle and the attendant risks of childhood obesity are well-documented, but all martial arts training will require your child to be physically active and fit. Learning the importance of a healthy, active body can inspire your child to make real changes in her lifestyle, helping to make her more focused on fitness and health in many areas.

These are just a few of the things that your child can learn from participation in a reputable, quality martial arts program. Before enrolling your child, however, it’s wise to remember that not all dojos are created equal. Just as it’s smart to shop around for the best area dance instructor or sports coach, you should also make an effort to locate an instruction facility in your area that has a strong reputation and a focus of kids’ programs.

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Nannyjobs.org

Student of the Month - Jon - Dragon Double Orange

Jon is a great student. He is always trying to help the other students tie their belt or line up before class. It is very important to him that he does his best for his instructors. I can always count on Jon to have an interesting story to tell me before or after class. All your hard work is paying off Jon! Keep training hard!

Favorite Color - Everyone
Favorite Food - Macaroni and cheese and pizza
Favorite subject in school - Math

Tell us about your family - 1 girl. 1 boy (siblings RJ and Izzy)
Do you have any pets? 1 dog, Sally (Mixed breed that loves her food)
Besides Kajukenbo, what other activities do you enjoy? Games
What do you like most about Kaju AZ? Hula.(Mom says he also loves to play Dragon Tail and he even caught the tail once!)

I Let My Son Fall and Fail

Will loves the playground. And not just because it’s a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but also because it’s challenging.

The one by our house has a cool plastic climbing structure that really makes Will work. It starts off vertical with holes throughout for hands and feet, before it twists down horizontally and then back up again before reaching the platform on the other side. It not only forces Will to think about where his hands and feet go, but also whether he wants to traverse the top portion or go underneath.
The result is many attempts that fail spectacularly.

As you can see in the picture, slips and falls are guaranteed as he learns the best ways to make his way along the structure. When we went yesterday, he fell off close to a dozen times before he finally made it. As you can see, the highest distance he can fall from is roughly 4 feet, and the entire ground is soft mulch that makes for a cushioned landing. So while I offer him plenty of cheerleading and advice when he asks for it, that’s the extent of my involvement. Because as long as you make sure they’re safe (which Will was), I think it’s important for parents to let kids find their own way without babying them.

Today there were a bunch of kids there with their parents. One mother of a boy who looked to be about 2 years old caught my eye, mainly because she couldn’t take her eyes off Will. Each time he fell she winced and looked disapprovingly in my direction. I’m used to that, as overprotective “playground moms” are unfortunately pretty common. But I did not expect what happened next.
Will tried to go on the left side to climb, got halfway there, and thought twice about his decision. So he attempted to go back to the platform to start over, then slipped but caught himself. The end result was him hanging from the top with one tippy-toe on the platform as he struggled to make it back to where he started. He whimpered a little bit and called out for me, but I told him he was doing great and he could figure out on his own if he stayed calm.

And that’s when “Playground Mom” decided she had enough because she walked briskly over to him and said “You need help sweetie? Give me your hand.”

I was furious but not exactly shocked since I had seen it building to that point for the previous 10 minutes. But I still wasn’t about to let it go without addressing it.

“Excuse me, but he doesn’t need your help and he’s fine. I’m his dad and I’m right here.”

“Well clearly he does need help because he’s about to fall,” she said in full condescending mommy tone.

“Maybe, maybe not. But either way he’ll be fine. I can parent my own kid.”

Then, just as she looked like she would blow her top, my boy came through big time and shut her up in the best way possible. Still hanging there, he politely said “No thanks, I can do it myself!” and proceeded to climb his way back to the platform without help from anyone.

“Imagine that,” I muttered with a victorious smirk as Mrs. Know-it-all Mommy McMommerson huffed away, no doubt to get more bubble wrap to insulate her poor son from every bump and bruise on the horizon.

Look, you can parent however you want but I have multiple problems with what happened. First of all, it’s just another in a long list of examples that show some moms think they know everything — especially compared to dads. To openly step in and insert herself with me — the kid’s actual parent — right there? Maybe she would’ve done the same to another mom, but I doubt it. It’s a crappy* attitude and I’m unbelievably sick of it.

Second, we are raising a generation of kids who know nothing about taking risks. Even on the monkey bars and playgrounds of America, the minute they hit some turbulence and adversity mommy and daddy are there to rescue them — and give them a trophy in the process. It makes me ill.

My son won’t be great at everything, but he’s going to try his hardest*. Because every attempt ends in failure until it doesn’t. Every fall builds determination to finish. Every setback is a lesson learned that gets you one step closer to your goal.

I let my son fall — and fail — so his future accomplishments will be that much sweeter and well-deserved.

May 6, 2013 By Aaron Gouveia 
—first appeared at Daddy Files
*changed by Sifu Jennifer Corder