LIFE 180° Martial Arts

Belt Testing

2010-01-12T13:48:00.003-06:00

Belt Testing is on Jan. 21, 2010

Students test every two or three months, depending how much material is covered in class. There are a few things students must do in addition to learning the material we cover in class.

First, students need to have attended at least 24 classes. We realize that there are going to be emergencies from time to time and students might need to miss a class. If this happens, all the student needs to do is log on to our website and download the Bible study questions from the missed class. They can answer the questions and turn it in to an instructor or someone on the Leadership Team. Your instructor will mark that class as made up. If a student misses three or more classes they will need to attend a private class. The private class is needed to ensure the student knows the material that has been covered in the missed classes and is ready to test.Private classes are typically scheduled on Saturdays and last for 30 minutes. The cost is $20 per private class and needs to be scheduled one week in advance. After the student turns in the Bible studies that were missed and attends a private class the instructor will mark the classes as made up.

Next, students need to log on to our website and download the Promotion Application Forms. There are three forms that need to be filled out and turned in one week before the test. There is a check list, an Intent to Promote Form and a Test Application. To download these for go to the Belt Testing page on our website and click on the link titled Application Forms.

Breaking Boards Is Cool!

2009-03-03T11:07:00.002-06:00

Believe it or not, some people, especially kids, take martial arts so they can break boards. Breaking boards is always a crowd pleaser during tournaments and exhibitions, and it even fascinates those not interested in martial arts. Remember the boys in elementary school who would break pencils with a “karate chop” to show off for the girls until the teacher had to take them away? Face it, breaking boards is cool!

Parents usually ask: “Do you really think he should break boards?” “Isn’t it dangerous?” “Won’t she get hurt?” Remember, no instructor will benefit from a student getting hurt, and no school will stay in business if the students leave due to injuries. The instructors will make sure the student is ready, prepared and schooled in the proper techniques for breaking boards.

Not even Bruce Lee started out breaking one-inch boards at his first martial arts class. It takes time to condition your body and learn the proper way to break a board. First, your hands or feet need to be conditioned or toughened. A makiwara board - padded, heavy canvas board - will help callus the striking areas such as the feet, elbows and knuckles. This helps keep those areas from getting cut and diffuses, or spreads, the force of the hit. Before breaking one-inch boards, a student will be taught the use of force, positioning and speed, which can turn a sparring jab into a board-breaking chop. Also, the student will learn to break only those things that can be broken. The boards will have the grain running parallel to the hit and concrete blocks are more brittle than clay bricks, this allows the vibrations of the hit to weaken the material and ultimately break them.

Our bodies are amazing things, and our bones are meant to last a lifetime without breaking. Think about running and all your weight pounding on your feet and knees. Your bones and their coverings of skin, muscle, tendons etc. can handle many times more force than concrete or pine boards. It’s taking that force and learning the speed and technique to pull away quickly that makes it work. Once a martial artist has mastered breaking, the next challenge can be to add flips, leaps or jumps and hit with the accuracy to break the board and thrill the audience. The next time you watch an exhibition, cheer loudly, because it took a lot of hard work and commitment to get there.

Loyalty

2009-03-02T10:24:00.002-06:00

Loyalty: Faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, product, or people.

Dear Parents,

You do things every day to show your loyalty to your children, but many of these things are so automatic they are seldom noticed and used as examples of loyalty.

Remind your children more often that you will always be there for them, that they can depend on you, and you’ll be behind them always. Take credit for your loyalty, because it is the best way to instill the same qualities in your children.

What can parents and caregivers do to help their children develop loyalty?

Demonstrate loyalty at home. Instead of saying, “I’ll pick you up after school,” say, “I’ll be there at three; you can count on me!” Instead of just going to a child’s martial arts class or music recital, say, “I’ll be there no matter how busy I am, because I want to be with you and support what you do!”

Teach loyalty. Help your children see the difference between loyalty and “not telling.” Explain how they might get the idea that being loyal to friends means not telling on them or even lying to protect them. Explain when someone does something wrong, a truly loyal friend would try to get him or her to admit it, and if that didn’t work, you should tell someone. If neither happens, the friend will probably keep doing wrong and get in even more trouble.

Play a game. When driving or waiting in line, ask your child “what if” questions about which is showing loyalty and which is not. Examples: If some kids in class were making fun of your best friend, would you join them or stand by your friend? If your friend stole a small toy from the store, what would you do? What would you do if your brother or sister was in a martial arts tournament the same night you were invited to a classmate’s party?

2009-02-10T10:04:00.002-06:00

Study Questions

Click here to read Luke 2:41-52

Why did Jesus' parents go to Jerusalem every year? (2:41)

How did Jesus get left behind in Jerusalem? (2:43-44)

What was Jesus doing during the three days that He was on His own? (2:46)

What were the effects of Jesus' questions and answers on the teachers in Jerusalem? (2:46-47)

How did Mary respond when she and Joseph finally found Jesus? (2:48)

How did Jesus answer His parents' concern for Him? (2:49)

After replying to His parents, what did Jesus do? (2:51)

What happened to Jesus as He grew? (2:52)

Of the four ways in which Jesus grew (in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God, in favor with man), which one needs the most work in your life?

Stress the Facts

2009-02-07T16:44:00.003-06:00

Did you know the effects of stress may lead to actual medical illnesses, including heart problems, stomach problems, high blood pressure, and headaches? Stress also affects the immune system and speeds up the aging process, memory loss, and increases in body weight and/ or building more fat.

Increasing numbers of children, teenagers and college students report feeling under stress.

Doctors recommend exercise as one way to reduce stress in people of all ages.

Twice as Much Fun

2009-02-06T13:39:00.001-06:00

What can be better than having fun, reducing stress, staving off old age, and staying fit? How about doing it with a partner? After all, it doesn’t do a lot of good for you to be fit and healthy and then have your partner fall apart as aging takes its toll. But which sport allows you equal footing no matter what your age, gender, size or level of fitness? How about martial arts?

You don’t have to be athletic to participate in martial arts. Everyone is welcome, regardless of age, gender, size, or ability. Because you compete against yourself and at your own pace, your initial ability makes no matter. Unlike dropping the ball in practice, no one is going to make fun of you or get angry if you miss a step of your form. In fact, this is a sport the whole family can participate in together. I haven’t seen too many thirty-somethings invited onto the little league field.

Try stress-free verses stressful. In martial arts, each person proceeds at his or her own pace, learning to master each skill instead of beating the other team. Martial arts teach direction, confidence, discipline, respect, and control. There are no bench warmers, because everyone is working on a skill or helping someone with their skill, and since class members are not competing with one another, they are able to encourage each other to do their best. Everyone can be a winner, because there are no time limits or restrictions on how many students can be promoted.

Martial arts promote concentration in the workplace too. The focus and concentration skills required for martial arts are the same skills you need to learn new skills. To prove that martial arts depends more on brains than brawn, most martial arts schools require their school-age students to show passing report cards to continue training.

The next time friends or partners complain about not having anything to do, tell them about the advantages martial arts offers and have them join you in class. You’ll have twice as much fun!

School Calendar:

2009-02-05T13:11:00.005-06:00

February 13 - Valentines Day Party!

There will be pizza, games and fun! We will be watching Kung Fu Panda. Movie Starts at 6:00 pm. The party ends at 8:00pm. Please bring $5 to cover pizza and soda.

February 14 - Valentines Day

Be sure to hand out as many free Valentines Day Cards as you can! If you need more just ask.

February 17 - Due Date for Testing Applications.

Applications for Testing need to be turned in.

February 26 - Belt Testing

Make sure you have you paper work turned in. You can download your Application for Promotion forms from our web site at http://www.life180martialarts.net/. Go to the Belt Testing Page and Click on the link "Application Form".

Luke 2:21-40

2009-02-05T10:18:00.004-06:00

Study Questions

Click here to read Luke 2:21-40

Why did Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple? When? (2:22-23)

Who was Simeon? (2:25-27)

What did Simeon do with the Christ child? (2:28-32)

How did Simeon's prophecy point out that Christ would be the Savior for the world? (2:32)

What did Joseph and Mary do after they heard what Simeon had to say? (2:33)

What did Simeon say to Mary? (2:34-35)

How did Luke describe the woman named Anna? (2:36-38)

What was Anna's response to finding Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child in the temple? (2:38)

How did Luke summarize Jesus' childhood years? (2:40)

What's In It For Me?

2009-02-04T09:22:00.002-06:00

Remember having team project s in school? Well, teamwork extends to the workforce in today’s businesses too, as shown in this excerpt from Dale Carnegie & Associates’ Teamwork in the American Workplace, (Training and Development, January, 1996).

What makes teams successful?
33% - getting along
29% - listening
21% - setting priorities
6% - feeling recognized
6% - having everyone agree
4% - deciding who’s in charge

When you look at the list, you might discover some interesting facts such as it is more important for members to get along than who is chosen to lead. Once a team approach for a project is chosen, what can be done to empower members to work together to accomplish their goal? This is when everyone needs to put away the “What’s in it for me?” attitude and join the “What’s in it for us?” club.

To have a successful team, everyone must be less concerned about individual rewards; appreciation, power, etc., and act more selfless in a cooperative way towards a specific goal. Teamwork also involves sacrifices, such as sharing rewards, blame, and discipline, along with suppressing personal opinions, which is difficult for many of us.

You can be proactive in preventing problems by making certain the team’s goal is clearly defined and each member’s responsibility is completely understood by everyone. As in all business endeavors, communication will be the most essential element of a successful team. Each member must trust the other team members and be willing to share their thoughts and ideas about the project, but then defer the final decision to the person responsible for that portion of the project.

The benefits of working on a team can be obvious, but some reasons might not be so obvious. Team players benefit and achieve more than isolated individuals by combining knowledge and skills, but the benefits also include making the best use of each individual’s strengths, common ownership, built-in mutual support, and increased creativity from more diverse ideas. The next time you have a large project; don’t be afraid to incorporate a team approach to accomplish your goal!

Teamwork

2009-02-03T10:12:00.006-06:00

Teamwork: Several people working together, usually with each person doing a certain part, to achieve a common goal.

Dear Parents,
As tennis great Althea Gibson said, “No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helps you.” She knew it would take teamwork to overcome the barriers she had to hurdle. Teamwork is a life skill all of us use, whether it is in school or the workforce, and martial arts classes are a great place for children to begin learning how to get along with others and share in their successes.

As your children learn teamwork, they will learn to communicate and listen to others and work well together. Like other life skills, teamwork requires practice and knowledge about why it is important and how to recognize it.

What can parents and caregivers do to help their children develop teamwork?

Demonstrate teamwork at home. Explain to your children, while you are doing chores, how difficult it would be to take care of an entire household by yourself. Show them how each part is just as important to the end result, i.e., making dinner begins with planning, shopping, preparing, cooking, setting the table, cleaning, etc.

Praise teamwork efforts. When you and your children are working together on a project, praise them for working together. Explain how nice it is to have help. When you work together, things are done quicker, and you get to spend time with your favorite people!

Teach teamwork. Unfortunately, when working together, tempers and personalities sometimes clash. When that happens, sit down and explain that everyone has an opinion, but sometimes we must compromise and meet in the middle, or, sometimes, one person has to have the final word.

Teach your children how to define a clear goal when working on a project. If, for example, you want a room cleaned, don’t say, “Clean the living room.” Try saying, “You pick up the toys, while he dusts the furniture, and I vacuum.”

Practice

2009-01-28T11:31:00.004-06:00

The martial arts are like any other sport, the more you practice the better you’ll get. It’s a lot like when we first learned to walk. We all started by crawling. Soon, we were able to pull ourselves up using the coffee table. Eventually, we took our first step and then fail down. However, we didn’t give up. We kept at it. Before long, it was all our parents could do just to keep up with us. Now, we’re not only walking, but running, jumping and even kicking. We’re where we are today because we didn’t give up. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, Practice makes perfect. That statement may not be entirely true. However, the more we practice the better we’ll get. In fact, I’m absolutely positive that any martial arts student will make faster and more measurable progress when they practice what they are taught.

Let me make myself clear. I’m not talking about attending class as often as possible. However, that does help and is a great goal for students to have. I’m talking about the importance of practice away from the studio, while at home. Refining what you’ve learned in class by repetition. That is essentially what makes you better. Repetition! Repetition! Repetition!

Those of you who are new to martial arts may be wondering how you should go about practicing. Knowing what to practice can sometimes be confusing. After all, there are so many different block, kicks, punches and combinations. Not to mention all the different forms and sets. A good rule of thumb is to take a notebook to class with you. After class jot down what blocks, kicks, punches, etc. that you covered in class. Between that class and the next class practice those techniques. One thing that has helped me out is to practices in front of a mirror.

Now you may be wondering, “How long should I Practice?” It’s probably not a good idea to start off with really long practice sessions between classes. Too much of a good thing can end up having a negative effect. Start with about a 15 minute session. If that’s comfortable slowly increase to 20minutes then 30 minutes and so on.

Make sure you stay on task. If you lose focus and aren’t concentrating on what you’re doing your progress will slow. Sometimes listening to music can help. However, I would defiantly turn the TV off. The TV can be a major distraction. Having someone to practice with can be beneficial too. Make sure you friend has martial arts experience and take turns leading the workout. Practicing with someone who doesn’t have experience is a bad idea. You or they could get hurt. Also, your progress is then hindered because you end up trying to teach rather than workout. Plus, school policy forbids it.

The next question you may be asking yourself is, “How often should I practice?” Everyday would be ideal. However, I realize that that’s not always possible. Some students simply cannot put that many practice sessions into their schedule. I would say the bare minimum should be at least one practice session between each class. More would be better. Setting aside a specific time is also a good idea. Classes are currently on Tuesdays and Thursdays. So, try setting aside 15 minutes to practice on Monday, Wednesday and Friday or Saturday. Remember to stay attentive to what you are doing. No distractions!

If you follow this advice, you’ll notice faster and more measurable results in no time!

Luke 2:8-20

2009-01-22T09:23:00.003-06:00

Study Questions

Click here to read Luke 2:8-20

At what time and place did the angels appear to the shepherds? (2:8)

How many angels did the shepherds see at first? (2:9)

How did the shepherds react when they saw the angel? (2:9)

What message did the angel tell the shepherds? (2:10-11)

What titles did the angel use to describe the baby? (2:11)

By what symbol or sign were the shepherds supposed to identify the Christ child? (2:12)

How many angels did the shepherds hear praising God? (2:13)

What was the immediate reaction of the shepherds after the angels left? (2:15)

After finding the Christ child, what did the shepherds do? (2:17-20)

What kind of reactions did the shepherds get when they told others what had happened that night? (2:18)

Luke 2:1-7

2009-01-17T12:09:00.003-06:00

Study Questions

Click here to read Luke 2:1-7

Who decreed that a census be taken of the entire Roman world? (2:1)

What historical facts did Luke provide that allow us to approximate the date of Christ's birth? (2:1-2)
What was the purpose of Joseph and Mary's trip to Bethlehem? (2:1-4)
What reason did Luke give for Joseph having to travel to Bethlehem for the census? (2:4)
What was Joseph and Mary's marital status at the time of Jesus' birth? (2:5)
What were the conditions in Bethlehem the night Jesus was born? (2:7)

Luke 1:67-80

2009-01-15T10:36:00.002-06:00

Study Questions

Click her to read Luke 1:67-80

Who is described in the first part of Zechariah's song? (1:68-75)
Who is the subject of the second part of Zechariah's song? (1:76-79)
Who was the source of inspiration for Zechariah's song? (1:67)
How did Zechariah describe the "covenant" with God? (1:72-74)
What title did Zechariah say would be given to his son? (1:76)
For whom was John supposed to prepare a way? How? (1:76)
What basic facts did Luke include about John's childhood? (1:80)

Luke 1:57-66

2009-01-13T09:37:00.002-06:00

Study Questions

Click here to read Luke 1:57-66

What two groups celebrated the birth of Zechariah and Elizabeth's baby? (1:58)
When did Elizabeth's relatives come to visit her child? Why? (1:59)
What was the relatives' response when Elizabeth told them the child wouldn't be called Zechariah? (1:61)
Why did the relatives have to make signs to Zechariah about what he wanted to call the child? (1:62)
Why was Zechariah's voice restored? (1:63-64)
How did Zechariah react when his voice was restored? (1:64)
What was the effect of all these events on the people in the region in which Zechariah and Elizabeth lived? (1:65-66)
What was obvious to all who heard John’s story? (1:66)

Luke 1:46-56

2009-01-12T14:22:00.002-06:00

Study Questions

Click here to read Luke 1:46-56

What different titles for God did Mary mention in her song? (1:46-47, 49)
What specific actions did Mary say God had done for her? (1:46-49)
How did Mary describe herself in her song? (1:47-48)
What reasons did Mary give for believing that all generations would call her "blessed"? (1:48)
What happens to people who fear God? (1:50)
What happens to the proud? (1:51)
To whom was God merciful? (1:54-55)

Luke 1:39-45

2009-01-10T11:14:00.002-06:00

Study Questions

Click here to read Luke 1:39-45

To where did Mary hurry? (1:39)
What two remarkable things happened as soon as Mary called her greeting to Elizabeth? (1:41)
How did Elizabeth respond to the baby's leaping inside her? (1:42-45)
In what way was Mary blessed? (1:42)
In what significant way did Elizabeth address Mary? (1:43)

A New You in 2009

2009-01-09T17:40:00.002-06:00

Did you know more people make resolutions to start a new habit than to break an old habit? Whether it was to start or break a habit, chances are, that at some time in your life, you have made a New Year’s resolution – and then broken it. Here are 10 tips to help you start and commit to making your resolutions stick.

Get real! The quickest way to fail is to set yourself up for failure with unrealistic goals. Make certain the goals you set are challenging, but attainable. If your goal is to increase your fitness by adding an additional hour to your regime each week, try adding 10-minutes each week or an additional night to your current workout until you reach your goal.
Plan ahead! You should have started thinking about your goals in December so you could have a plan of attack ready.
Think it through! You know you will hit plateaus and challenges so decide early on how to handle them. If you are changing your diet, how will you handle eating out? What will you do during the holidays or at parties? Keep a list of answers such as calling a friend, practicing positive thinking and self-talk, or reminding yourself how far you have come.
Pros and cons! Make a list of the pros and cons of why you chose these resolutions to stay motivated
Tell the world! Don’t keep your resolutions a secret. Tell trusted friends so they can help you stay on target and be there when you are wavering. If you gave up smoking, call your friends and let them know when you are stressed and need the comfort of a cigarette.
Reward yourself! Yes, success deserves rewards, but don’t choose rewards that make a negative impact on your hard work. Celebrate your success with a new pair of jeans instead of chocolate cake for losing 10 pounds.
Become a tracker! Keep track of your progress. If your goal is losing 20 pounds, keep a chart with the ups and downs of losing. If your goal is less tangible, find a way to chart it. If your goal is to be nicer to your coworkers, plan to say two nice things each day to each person and track those comments.
Don’t focus on setbacks! Don’t go into this thinking you won’t have setbacks. (If it were that easy, you wouldn’t have to make a resolution.) If you fall off the wagon, don’t stay off; get back on it as soon as possible. If you missed a week of martial arts classes, don’t quit! Call your instructor and tell him or her you will be back for the next class. If you ate a slice of cake, don’t eat the whole cake. Get back on track with your healthy eating.
Stick with it! Experts say it takes about 21 days for something to become a habit and six months for it to become a part of your personality. It may be difficult at first, but soon it will be second nature!
Don’t give up! If you give up because you have fallen a few times, begin again. No one said you could only make resolutions in January!

Respect

2009-01-08T20:44:00.003-06:00

Respect is being thoughtful, courteous and showing care and regard for yourself, other people and things.

Dear Parents,
One of the most important things you can teach your children is respect. Respect is not the same as obedience. Children may obey you because they are afraid of you, but children who respect you will listen to you, because they know you want what is best for them.

Have you ever told your children, “Do onto others as you would have them do onto you”? Of course, because the best way to teach respect is to be respectful. When children experience respect, they learn what it feels like and begin to understand how important it is. Being respectful helps children succeed in life. People who are disrespectful to their peers, supervisors, or themselves, seldom succeed. Believe it or not, parents are more influential in how well their children behave than any other factor.

What can parents and caregivers do to help their children develop respect?

Show others respect. Use the same manners you would like your children to exhibit. When you show respect to other people, your children learn how to be respectful. Apologize when you are wrong, be honest, follow rules, and show concern for others.

Show your children respect. Sometimes the people we are closest to are the ones we show the least respect. Honor your children by respecting them. Don’t embarrass them in public. Let your child take responsibility for their choices. Give your child your full attention when talking.
Keep promises. Listen to your child’s side of the story before making a judgment.

Teach your child self-respect. Respecting oneself is the most important form of respect, because you can’t respect others unless you respect yourself. Don’t say how dumb, fat, or ugly you are in front of your children, even when joking. Show how you respect yourself when eating,
exercising or studying.

Explain rules you set. For instance, if the rule is, “No television between 4:00 and 6:00,” explain that this is homework time because it is important to keep your grades up.

Belt Testing

2009-01-08T12:54:00.004-06:00

Belt Testing is Only Two Months Away

Students test every three to four months, depending how much material is covered in class. There are a few things students must do in addition to learning the material we cover in class.

First, students need to have attended at least 24 classes. We realize that there are going to be emergencies from time to time and students might need to miss a class. If this happens, all the student needs to do is log on to our website and download the Bible study questions from the missed class. They can answer the questions and turn it in to an instructor or someone on the Leadership Team. Your instructor will mark that class as made up. If a student misses three or more classes they will need to attend a private class. The private class is needed to ensure the student knows the material that has been covered in the missed classes and is ready to test.Private classes are typically scheduled on Saturdays and last for 30 minutes. The cost is $20 per private class and needs to be scheduled one week in advance. After the student turns in the Bible studies that were missed and attends a private class the instructor will mark the classes as made up.

Second, students are required to fill out a To Do List and turn it in every week. The To Do List contains a list of chores and such that students are required to do at home and school. To download your To Do List go to our website and click on the Belt Testing link at the top of the page. Then click on the link titled To Do List and print.

Next, students need to log on to our website and download the Promotion Application Forms. There are three forms that need to be filled out and turned in one week before the test. There is a check list, an Intent to Promote Form and a Test Application. To download these for go to the Belt Testing page on our website and click on the link titled Application Forms.

New Program

2009-01-02T10:44:00.004-06:00

The Master’s Club

In addition to our Basic Training and our Black Belt Club, both of which focus mainly on martial arts, one very important goal is to qualify for membership into the Master’s Club. The Master’s Club is soon to be the biggest club at our school.

What is the Master’s Club?

The Master’s Club is comprised of students committed to learning more about scripture. Unlike our Basic Training Program or our Black Belt Club Program, which focus primarily on learning martial arts, the heart of the Master’s Club will be to expand each student’s general Bible knowledge. Lessons will be geared toward teaching kids about each book of the Bible, their themes, basic outline, key chapters, key verses and key people.

Why is the Master’s Club Important?

Scripture gives many reasons why studying and knowing God’s Word is essential. For example, In John 17:17b Jesus prayed to the Father and said, “Thy Word is truth.” That statement alone should be enough to motivate us to study and find out what God’s Word says. According to 2 Timothy 3:7, there are people who are always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Many people search for truth by studying science, philosophy, psychology and the like. Many are so hungry for the truth that they grab the first thing that comes along, be it drugs, sexual misconduct, or even false religions, just to name a few.

Don’t misunderstand, just because something or someone claims to be or have or know the truth, one should exercise caution. To blindly follow such a claim would be foolish. However, the bible makes many claims and only recently has history validated those claims. Here’s one example. The Bible indicates that the earth is round. Isaiah 40:22 mentions the “circle of the earth.” We now know that the Earth is not flat as once thought. Pictures from space clearly show that the Earth is round, just as described in scripture.

Additionally, what the bible has to say with regards to prophecy is quite amazing. John MacArthur in “How to Study the Bible” quotes Peter Stoner from his book “Science Speaks” who says:

“if you take just eight of the Old Testament prophecies Christ fulfilled and add up the probabilities that these eight things could come to pass by accident, it would be one chance in 10 to the 17th power that such an accident could happen and yet every detail has come to pass. One chance in 10 to the 17th power would be like filling the state of Texas two-feet deep in silver dollars, putting an “x” on one of them and giving a blind man one pick. He’d have one chance in 1017 in picking the one with an “x” on it. That’s how much chance there is, according to mathematics of probability, of these eight prophecies (with their specific details) ever coming to pass by accident.“ (17)

In addition to God’s Word being truth, it also brings happiness. The Bible says in Psalm 19:8a that, “The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart.” Simply put, learning what God’s Word has to say, brings happiness. The truths contained in scripture are exhilarating. When one studies these great truths, and begins to understand them, they’re sure to get excited. Proverbs 8:34 says, "Blessed is the man who listens to me”. The word “blessed” in that verse could also be translated “happy”. So in other words, happiness comes from hearing the Lord. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy that, “All Scripture is inspired by God (or God breathed)”. Because scripture has come directly from God, is the source of truth and happiness, daily bible study should be an important part of every believer’s life.

Who can qualify for the Master’s Club?

Any student regardless of rank may participate in the Master’s Club.

What are the benefits of the Master’s Club?

LIFE 180° Martial Arts is a school devoted to producing excellent black belts, however we are even more are committed to sharing God’s Word. When a student makes the commitment to the Master’s Club they are embarking on a journey that will literally last an eternity. As a member of the Master’s Club, students will enjoy the following privileges:

Discounts on all special events.
Discounts on testing fees
Special Master’s Club patch.
Opportunity to wear black Gi pants.

How do I join?

It’s simple; when a student starts their training at our school they automatically become eligible to join the Master’s Club. The entire Master’s Club material and lessons will be available on our website at http://www.life180martialarts.net/. All students need to do is log on and download the first lesson. When the student is comfortable with that material, they download the test for that lesson, fill it out, and turn it in to the instructor or one of the members of the leadership team. Once the student has passed the first three lessons they are eligible to purchase the Master’s Club Patch and black Gi pants. Your instructors will continue to conduct a series of tests and evaluations to determine if you are still working on the Master’s Club material.

We're Home

2008-12-24T13:05:00.004-06:00

Hi everybody,

Things are good. Sorry you haven’t heard from us til now. Things have been a bit hectic with a new addition to the family, last minute Christmas shopping, lack of sleep and the fact that all of us have been sick. Right now there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day and there’s definitely not at night.

Jadyn is doing fine. However, she is not sleeping through the night. She doesn’t like it when we put her to bed and leave the room. She might still be trying to adjust to the time change or she might be experiencing a bit of separation anxiety. To her, everything has been turned upside down. She’s in a completely different time zone, a 14 hour difference to be exact. Adjusting to the new schedule must be hard for her. Not to mention she’s in a new home, has all new surroundings, new family and friends and even new food. Given all that, a little anxiety at night seems logical.

Jadyn seems to have taken to her cousins quite well. In fact everyone thinks she is just adorable.

Have a Merry Christmas. Tell everyone we said hi. Jadyn sends her love.

Love,
Tim, Beth and Jadyn

Last Post From Taiwan

2008-12-18T05:32:00.009-06:00

Hi Everybody,

This is the last post from Tawain. A few more pictures of Jadyn and some of the scenery from the mountians. Also some pictures of a local temple, which is the largest Daoist temple in Taiwan.

Today we went to a local temple and saw many people worshiping false gods. It was sad to see so many people that were lost. My prayer is that the One True God might open their eyes so that they will know the truth; Salvation comes by Christ alone. I'd like to talk more on this subject; so many thoughts come to mind, but I don't have the time right now. I might have to do that when I get home. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

See ya soon!

Love,

Tim, Beth and Jadyn

Pictures of The Home of God's Love

2008-12-17T03:38:00.010-06:00

Greetings! From Taiwan.

I thought you might like to see some pictures of the orphanage. This is where we are staying while in Taiwan (The Home of God's Love). I have also included some pictures the kids that live here and a couple of pictures of Ted and Bev Skiles, The couple that started The Home of God's Love.

Everything went smoothly at our visa interview this morning. We will pick up Jadyn's Passport on Friday on our way to the airport. See ya soon!

Love,

Tim, Beth and Jadyn

More Pictures form Taiwan

2008-12-16T06:29:00.007-06:00

Hello everybody,

Thought I'd post a few more pictures. Jadyn seem to like the camera. The last picture is of the other family's that are here to finalize their adoptions. I don't have much to say tonight. Beth already in bed and I heading that way. SEE YA SOON!

Love Tim, Beth and Jadyn

More Pictures of Jadyn

2008-12-15T20:19:00.003-06:00

Hey everybody!

Here is a picture of Tim with Jadyn out on the playground for the kids. We went out for a while with another couple, Greg and Jeannine, who are from Springfield. Anna Fletcher, who is an American who works here, took us to downtown Lo-Tung today. We went to a Christian bookstore and were able to sample some food on the street. They called the food "pot stickers". Tim loved them, Beth not so much. We went to a grocery store shortly afterwards and Beth got some food to eat. Jadyn has a bit of a fever and is teething, so she isn't feeling all that well. But she is still really sweet! We had some money exchanged today and thought we were rich! We have $6,000 NTs - which is not nearly as much as it sounds. American money transfers well here.

See ya soon!

Love,

Tim, Beth and Jadyn

Our Family in Taiwan

2008-12-15T17:50:00.012-06:00

Hey Guys,

We made it! We're finialy in Taiwan! Things are great!! Jadyn is adorable. She's very observant and seems to pick up quickly on how toys work and such.

Here's some pictures we took. As you can see I'm kinda out of it. Beth seem's to have adjusted to the time change better than I did.

Tomorrow we go to a visa interview for Jadyn. On Friday we'll be flying home. We miss you all and we'll see ya soon.

Love,

Tim and Beth

Luke 1:26-38

2008-12-02T12:02:00.002-06:00

Study Questions

Click Here to Read Luke 1:26-38

1. Who is Gabriel? Where did he come from?

2. Who was he sent to visit?

3. How does Luke, the author, describe Mary?

4. How did Gabriel describe the son that would be born to Mary?

5. What was Mary’s response to Gabriel’s Message?

6. How was Mary’s response similar or different from that of Zachariah’s in verse 18?

7. What did Gabriel say to Mary in response to her question?

School Calendar

2008-12-02T11:51:00.004-06:00

News and Special Events:

December 9: Stripe Testing. In addition to our martial arts curriculum, students need to know how to tie their belts and how to fold their uniforms.

December 11: We will have a photographer coming to take our pictures. Students should be in proper uniform. Make sure to wear a white tee shirt under your uniform.

December 16: Last day to place orders for Christmas. If you don’t have a Holiday Gift Catalog see Tim.

December 25: No classes Christmas Day. Classes will resume on Tuesday December 30.

January 6: Stripe Testing. In addition to our martial arts curriculum, students need to know how to tie their belts and how to fold their uniforms.

The End Result Approach

2008-12-01T14:08:00.003-06:00

Next month is when many people make New Year’s resolutions that will change their lives for the better – for a few weeks anyway. Before making those resolutions, take time this month to determine what your goals are for next year, five years from now, and retirement. By looking at these goals, you will know what changes or resolutions need to be made now to give you the bright future you so desire.

How should you determine your goals? By dreaming big. If there were no obstacles in the way of you reaching your dream, like money, education, and work, what would you really like to do that would make you really happy? This is when you need to use the end-result approach. Set your final big goal and work backwards by setting smaller more manageable goals.

If your goal is to become a black belt before your next birthday, but you are a white belt now; it probably isn’t going to happen. That doesn’t mean you can’t become a black belt, it just means that you will need to rethink your timetable. Your first step would be to make an appointment with your instructor. He or she will be able to help you set reasonable goals for reaching each belt color. Once you have a time table, you can see what you need to be doing to stay on track.

As hard as it may seem, write down your weaknesses and find out what you can do to overcome or strengthen them. If you are only 5-feet tall and 90 pounds, find out how you can use your size to your advantage. Turn something you have no control over into an advantage -- you are probably faster than a larger opponent. If lack of upper-arm strength is your weakness, you can change it by adding weight training to your workouts.

You’ve heard it before, but it works; write down your goals so they will seem real to you. Share them with friends and family, too, so they can help motivate you. Most importantly, you need to know what your goal is, not what others think your goal should be. Grandma Moses was in her 70s when she began her prolific career as an artist. Her goal wasn’t to be an artist. Her goal was to enjoy a creative outlet by painting scenes from her long, rural-based life. Even if she had not become famous, she would have succeeded in reaching her goal; becoming famous was just an added bonus. Today, she is known as having been a successful artist, but even if she had never sold a painting, she would have died knowing she had achieved the goal she set before her. Would you be able to say the same thing? It’s not too late!

Goals: Something you work hard to reach.

2008-11-30T13:31:00.003-06:00

Dear Parents,

The difference between a dream and a goal is you have to take action to turn a dream into a goal. We all have dreams of fitting into the jeans we wore in high school or running the mile as fast as we did at twenty. Those are dreams that can be goals by taking action to reach them.

This month, at LIFE 180° Martial Arts, we will be discussing with our students how to break big goals into smaller goals. Many times, we never get past the dream stage, because the dream is too big to accomplish in one sitting. However, by breaking a big goal into smaller goals, we are able to reach the big goal by taking one step at a time.

Unfortunately, in reaching for goals, we also hit obstacles. Some people see obstacles before they begin reaching for their goal, so they never progress past dreaming. By overcoming obstacles, you are able to appreciate the achievement even more. Join us this month, as we discuss what goals are and how you can reach them.

What can parents and caregivers do to help their children develop self-discipline?

Know what your children want. Sure, children want everything, but as caregivers, you are in the unique position of knowing these children well. You have the capability of determining what may be a passing fancy or what has really grabbed their attention. Encourage and help your children discover what will become their passion in life and then set goals to learn more or develop those interests.

Offer healthy rewards. We all have those horrible chores we don’t want to do; even adults face that one. Show your children how you reward yourself for doing them. Explain how you are going to take a long walk if you finish cleaning the closets.

Overcome obstacles. Depending on the age of the children, we often hide obstacles we face. Let them know certain obstacles you face and how you move past them to get what you want. You want to run in the charity 10K race, but you can’t get past 5K and you are facing overtime at work. Tell them, you plan on waking an hour earlier to get in extra running to get over the plateau you are facing.

Include everyone on taking action. If your family wants to take a special trip next year, show the kids the budget and ask how you can meet it. If you gave up eating out once a month and put that money in the savings account, you are taking action. Or you can watch a movie on DVD instead of at the theater. What else can the entire family do to help save money for a dream vacation?

Luke 1:5-25

2008-11-29T11:15:00.003-06:00

Study questions

Click Here to Read Luke 1:5-25

1. What characteristics did Zechariah and Elizabeth have in common?

2. How were Zechariah and Elizabeth "upright in the sight of God"?

3. For what duty was Zechariah chosen by lot?

4. What experience gripped Zechariah with fear?

5. How did Gabriel describe the main purpose of John's life?

6. Why was Zechariah rendered unable to speak until the day of the prophecy's fulfillment?

7. How many miracles are referred to in this passage?

Luke 1:1-4

2008-10-20T10:44:00.005-05:00

Study Questions

Click here to read Luke 1:1-4

1. What kind of people did Luke rely on for his information? (verse 2)

2. What does Luke say to back up the trustworthiness of what he wrote? (verse 3)

3. Who is Luke writing to? (verse 3)

4. What was Luke’s purpose in writing Theophilus? (verse 4)

5. What does the phrase "know the certainty of the things you have been taught" mean?

The Black Belt Club

2008-10-14T18:45:00.004-05:00

The Black Belt Club

In addition to earning your belts, one very important goal is to qualify for membership into the Black Belt Club. The BBC is the core of our school.

What is the Black Belt Club?

The Black Belt Club is comprised of students committed to the goal of black belt. By the rank of Orange belt a student should make the commitment to black belt and join the Black Belt Club. Over 80% of our students are BBC members or BBC Graduates.

The Black Belt Club is the inner-core of the school and best represents what LIFE 180° Martial Arts stands for.

Who can qualify for the Black Belt Club?

To qualify a student must be a Yellow belt or above and have their instructor's approval.

How do I get recommended?

To qualify for advance training beyond your trial year, you must:

Have set a goal of black belt with the full support of your family.
Have regular belt exam participation.
Be triple A rated in martial arts, school/work and at home (Black Belt Excellence).
Have a high level of enthusiasm for martial arts class.
For students still in school, a good report card on conduct and attitude from parents and teachers.
Support school functions.
Have good attendance and eagerness to make up absences.
Be current with tuition payments.

What are the benefits of the Black Belt Club?

LIFE 180° Martial Arts is a school devoted to producing excellent black belts. When a student makes the commitment to black belt they are past the trial stage of training. They become part of our school with the following privileges:

Discounts on all special events.
Special weekly seminar/workout for Black Belt Club members only.
Weapons Training
Special Black Belt Club patch.
Special Black Belt Club belt.
Opportunity to wear the red uniform of the Black Belt Club.

How do I join?

Upon earning your Yellow Belt, you enter the Black Belt Update phase of your training. Your instructors will conduct a series of evaluations and tests to determine if you qualify for advance training in the Black Belt Club. Should you qualify, you will be invited to join the Black Belt Club. Train hard and good luck!

Life 180° Martial Arts Training Curriculum

2008-08-30T10:41:00.009-05:00

What We Teach

Life 180° Martial Arts teaches a non-traditional style of Karate. In fact, they incorporate concepts and techniques found in four effective disciplines: Tae kwon do, Kenpo Karate, Kickboxing and Traditional Weapons. The martial arts program will instill in its students the principles of the martial arts, such as self-discipline, concentration, and physical fitness. Students will progress by training and testing for different belt levels.

Tae kwon do: is the martial art turned modern international sport which has been independently developed over 20 centuries in Korea. Tae kwon do is a free-fighting combat sport using bare hands and feet to repel the opponent. It is primarily a kicking art, with a fairly linear style and a emphasis on keeping the opponent well away from the body. Tae kwon do is famous for its devastating, powerful kicks. Because of its dynamic kicking and athleticism, Tae kwon do is very popular with children.

The popularity of Tae kwon do can be partly explained by the exposure it has received by being thrust into the international athletic spotlight. It has become one of the worlds most prominent sports participated in by some 40 million people in more than 142 countries. Tae kwon do was a demonstration sport in 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea and at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. It was an official event at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia and again in Beijing, China.

Kenpo Karate: Kenpo is recognized as a very well-rounded martial art system of self-defense. It incorporates a balanced blend of Chinese hand movements and kicking techniques. Kenpo is known for having some of the best blocking and striking techniques that blend easily into a realistic self-defense system.

The founder of American Kenpo Karate is world famous Senior Grand Master Ed Parker, often called the "Father of American Kenpo Karate," who died in 1990. He made Kenpo popular in the United States and modified the art to suit modern day fighting situations.

Kickboxing: refers to the sport of using martial-arts-style kicks and boxing-style punches and techniques. Kickboxing's primary focus is on striking. However, evasive techniques from the sweet science or boxing like bobbing, weaving and slipping among others are utilized as defensive techniques. Knowing that self-protection and sport fighting are totally different situations, our kickboxing curriculum teaches our members’ defensive concepts and techniques used in all ranges of stand-up self-protection while getting them into the best shape of their lives.

Traditional Weapons: Our Junior members train in the Bo Staff, Escrima Sticks, and Nunchuku. We generally refer to all martial art weaponry as “tools”. Through the practice of these tools, our members develop greater stamina, focus, coordination and agility. All these attributes contribute greatly to everyday activities, making our members better at all non-martial art activities.

Weapons History

Tradition suggests that while under the rule of foreign powers, Okinawans, were prohibited from carrying weapons and even practicing with them. Because of the restriction farming tools soon evolved into weapons.

Bo Staff - Possibly developed from a farming tool called a tenbin: a stick placed across the shoulders with baskets or sacks hanging from either end. Perhaps it evolved from the handle of a rake or shovel.

Tonfa - It supposedly originated as the handle of a millstone used for grinding grain. At first glance it might be recognized by its modern development into that of the police nightstick (PR-24).

Nunchaku - The Nunchaku is two sections of wood about 10 inches or so in length attached to each other by a cord or chain. There are a couple of suggestions as to its origins. Some believe it evolved from a threshing flail while the other suggests that it was developed from a horse's bit.

Kama - The kama is thought to come from the traditional farming sickle.

Introducing the Instructors of Life 180° Martial Arts

2008-08-29T12:23:00.007-05:00

Currently, the instructors of Life 180° Martial Arts consist of Tim Wallander, who is an ordained minister and former pastor or Joplin Heights Baptist Church and his wife of seven years, Beth Wallander who is a graduate of MSSU with a major in English and a minor in Communications. She is currently the Regional Marketing Director for Northport Health Services. Both, Tim and Beth’s administrative and MANAGEMENT skills have taught them how to build strong teams and relationships. It has also provided them with management and leadership skills.

Tim Wallander has 18 years of experience in martial arts and over 5 years teaching experience. He is a certified Black Belt in Sho-Tae-Ryu Karate and has competed in various karate tournaments and amateur kickboxing events. He has also studied several other styles of martial arts including Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu and American Kenpo. Because of this experience, he has been able to put together a comprehensive and genuine martial arts and fitness program for his students. He is knowledgeable and experienced and provides a fun, energetic, encouraging atmosphere for his students.

Beth Wallander currently has a Blue Belt in Sho-Tae-Ryu and has assisted in teaching classes for a number of years. She also takes part in planning special events as well as marketing and advertising.

Tim and Beth Wallander make a great team and both desire to see each student come to believe in Jesus Christ.

A short history of Life 180° Martial Arts Ministry

2008-08-28T18:49:00.007-05:00

Tim Wallander started Life 180° Martial Arts in 2002 at The Bridge in Joplin, MO, where he held karate classes for adolescents and teenagers.

In 2003, Life 180° Martial Arts moved to Seneca, Mo. While in Seneca, Tim Wallander also worked as a youth minister at Bethel Baptist Church. Because Life 180° Martial Arts promotes Bible studies and scripture memorization during class and the fact that Tim Wallander worked closely with Bethel Baptist church, many karate student were saved and baptized. Additionally, these students and even some parents started attending church so they could grow as Christians.

Tim Wallander is now seeking to bring Life 180° Martial Arts to Calvary Baptist Church. He's convinced that kids will show great interest in and enthusiasm for his program, creating a perfect opportunity to share the gospel.

About Life 180° Martial Arts Ministry

2008-08-26T09:26:00.015-05:00

Mission Statement

Life 180° Martial Art’s central purpose is to empower our students with the physical, mental, spiritual and social skills necessary to be successful in life.

We also endeavor to give today’s youth the tools and resources they need to reject negative influences now and as they get older, whether from peer pressure of sinful desire. Examples include but are not limited to drugs, alcohol abuse and even gang activity.

The idea for our mission statement comes from Luke 2:52.

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and men.”

This Blog

This blog will serve as a bulletin board for students to find out what’s going on at Life 180° Martial Arts, like testing dates and special events. We’ll also post the bible studies we do in class. Please, feel free to comment, we value you opinion.

Blog Rules

We don’t allow obscene, racist or sexually explicit language.

Personal attacks are not permitted.

We will remove comments that are abusive, hateful, or insult anyone.