Caring Makes all the Difference!

Throughout the last couple of days my friend and I have spent several hours on the phone with my website’s hosting company. The website had been running slow and we were advised to move the site to a new server. It sounded like a pretty simple and straightforward process, but upon making the move the site was plagued with even more issues. Most of the pictures of the site were lost with the initial move, and those that remained would seemingly disappear and reappear for no apparent reason.

After discussing the case of the disappearing pictures with at least 5 or 6 different representatives, all of whom were very polite and professional, we made one last call in which we were accidently connected with a lady in the billing department. Of all the people we talked with, this lady stands out in my mind above the rest because she possesses a special quality that’s rare to find in this day and age. She cares, and not just about the work she’s doing, but more importantly about the people she’s trying to help. Jim Rohn said, “if you care at all you will get some results, if you care enough you can get incredible results.” Here was a lady who worked in the billing office. It was not her job to deal with technical issues, but because she had prior experience with hosting and cared enough about our situation she decided to step in. Wouldn’t it be nice if more people in the world were like this woman, yet so often people are preoccupied with their own lives that they don’t take the time to show others that they care. The person who remembers to care about people on a daily basis will always be able to find meaning in whatever it is that they do, and they will also form many great connections along the way. 

This lady went so far above and beyond the scope of her job that she made a huge impression on both me and my friend. In fact at the end of the call my friend joked, “can we get a direct line to you if we have any further problems?” Doesn’t this sound like someone who is going to be highly valued by her company, someone who will undoubtedly continue moving up the ladder? And why? It’s not that she possesses some superior knowledge compared to all the other employees that we talked with. Knowledge and skill are important, but in a world in which businesses exist to benefit society, the most valuable skill of all is the ability to connect with the people those businesses are designed to serve. By demonstrating that she truly cared about helping us, she was able to do just that.

I’m reminded of a quote from Dale Carnegie that says, “the world is full of people who are grabbing and self-seeking. So the rare individual who unselfishly tries to serve others has an enormous advantage.” These words are just as true today as when they were first written in 1936, and they are a reminder that caring makes all the difference!

Shaolin White Crane Shaking Power

The method of the crane is one of beauty and grace. Although not very strong, it is incredibly powerful, and in studying its movements we may learn many lessons of both strategy and power. In the hybrid art that we teach, elements of both the Shaolin Ancestral Crane and Feeding Crane systems are incorporated in our training method. Because it lacks the strength that other animals such as the tiger possess, the crane does not typically initiate attack. It is for this reason that the Ancestral Crane system may also be referred to as “Sleeping Crane.” That is to say, the crane is often motionless waiting for the opponent to strike, so that it may strategically and gracefully avoid attack while creating an opportunity for counter attack. Due to its small size, when it does counter attack, it manifests power through the use of fast and subtle shaking/trembling actions which are initiated from the waste in addition to whipping motions of the spine.

In the following two videos you’ll be introduced to White Crane shaking power. In the first video, you’ll learn a basic pattern to help with developing short range shaking power. The second video will continue to delve into this pattern and explore some of the applications as it pertains to Kenpo Karate.

Short Range Shaking Power

Short Range Shaking Power: Applications in Kenpo

Congratulations to our New Black Belts!

On Sunday, January 18th, after a 5-hour long test, 4 of our students were promoted to the rank of black belt. It is worth noting that this is only the second black belt test administered at our school, since Tigon Martial Arts opened in Belchertown in 2006.

Black Belt is a rank coveted by many, yet worn by few. The journey to black belt is a long and difficult one that is filled with many setbacks along the way. Although many begin martial arts with the desire to someday wear a black belt, it is those who have a true love for the journey, who are the ones that do. These 4 ladies have been my students for many years, and one thing I can say without a doubt, is that they all share a genuine passion for the martial arts. One of these ladies broke her hip playing soccer just months before the test, but despite a broken hip she was still at the dojo each week watching class until her injury healed. Each has faced their own challenges, and it was their love for the martial arts, not a belt, that kept them moving forward with their journey even in the face of adversity.

Black belt is much more than a piece of cloth that you wear around your waist, it’s something that you become. Congratulations ladies, through years of dedication and hard work you have proven that you are black belts!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPLs7R_zI04&feature=youtu.be

 

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year Everybody!!!!
I hope everyone is as excited as I am about the new year; it’s a time of great opportunity! With enthusiasm high so many peoplnew yeare are making resolutions and setting goals to accomplish throughout this year. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to do the same. Then I also encourage you to take immediate action towards reaching those goals. Have you ever wondered why so often each year so many people set such great and attainable goals yet fail to follow through with them. The answer boils down to one simple thing…Read More

Start Developing Your Core in Under 5 Minutes!!!

In our first video of 2014, my leadership team and I take you through a very quick yet very effective core workout. This is one of the many workouts we do in our classes on a regular basis, and it’s one that can easily be done at home!

We encourage you to follow along as we go through the workout. It will only take 4.5 minutes of your time, and it is certain to aid in developing and toning your core! These 4.5 minutes could be the first to better fitness and health in 2014!

Can My Child Benefit From The Martial Arts

Martial arts can provide several benefits for children. Improved grades, increased self-confidence and self-esteem, discipline, self-control, and respect for oneself and others are among some of the benefits children can gain by participating in a martial arts program. The list can go on and on, but it is important to understand that most children will not gain much from a martial arts class if they do not want to be there. The kids that I have seen benefit the most from the martial arts were always the ones that wanted to be there. With this in mind, let’s try to find out if your child can benefit from the martial arts.Read More

Get Fit With Adult Martial Arts Classes

It’s the New Year and everyone’s hitting the gym trying to get in shape. Sadly 15-20% of the people who have made it their new year’s resolution to get in shape will stick to their goal. That means 80-85% of people will quit. So why is this statistic so high? Boredom, not enough time or motivation, and frustration are some of the most common reasons people don’t stick with their exercise programs. For those 80-85% of people, finding a good martial arts school in their area might just be the solution to their fitness problem.   Read More