April Newsletter

A Choi Kwang Do Trade Secret

This is how we help improve your child’s strength of character.

When your child starts in Choi Kwang Do, you will discover that each class begins in the same way; by reciting the Children’s Promise and the Principles of Choi Kwang Do.

These are a set of guidelines and positive values that your child will be encouraged to follow in their day to day lives at home, school and wherever else they go. The Promise and Principles also forms a code of conduct for the martial arts classroom.

This is one of the ways that we influence your child’s behaviour in a positive manner and give them strong principles to live their lives by.

But there is an even more powerful tool that we use for your child’s character development. It is Social Influence.

In brief, what Social Influence means is that if you put your child into a group of kids who are confident, strive to be their best, are respectful, and have self-discipline, then there is a strong chance that your child will emulate the behaviour of the group and begin developing the same characteristics.

People modify their behaviour in this way because of deep seated psychological needs brought on by the fact that we are social animals and will conform to group behaviour, so we feel accepted by the group.

Think of it as reverse peer-group pressure. Instead of a group of kids hanging about in the shopping centre encouraging each other to do something troublesome, a CKD school is a group of people encouraging and supporting each other to better themselves through martial art training.

This is how we can have such a profound influence on your child.

Choi Kwang Do – “The martial art for life”

Self Defence Tip - Elbows – An Effective Weapon

If you are ever in a dangerous situation, don’t be afraid to use your elbows to create an opportunity for you to escape. They could save your life.

Elbows are useful for close-range self-defense, like when an attacker grabs you.

The most effective part of your elbow is any part of it that is hard and bony, either the pointy tip or the top of the forearm.

Remember to use a twisting motion of your torso to create power.

Practicing with a friend holding striking pads will allow you to get a feel for the right amount of force to use. In a real situation, you may need to use all your strength to defend yourself.

Elbows are best used to strike at vulnerable areas.

They are very effective if aimed at the nose, chin, throat, jaw, solar plexus or ribs. These are all areas that will cause pain and may even disable an attacker long enough for you to escape.

Elbows are a very useful tool that we use for self defence in CKD. To learn more about how to use them in attack scenarios, why not come along to some of our classes at The Academy of CKD Martial Arts.

Kids Program Classes

Does your child need help to channel their high-energy? 🌟

Come try our awesome kids martial arts classes! 🥋

Grab our FREE CLASS offer here 👉 https://bit.ly/3TIxKDS

Our renowned program not only keeps your child SAFE… we help prepare them for success in life.

🥋 Focus drills build concentration.

💪 Partner exercises build social skills & leadership.

👊 Earning new belts builds confidence & goal-setting.

🔥 Passionate instructors are amazing role models

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids who do martial arts do better at school, and at home.

Come see for yourself, risk-free, with our FREE CLASS 🤜🤛

Claim it in seconds right here 👉 https://bit.ly/3TIxKDS

How I Found Courage When It Mattered Most—and How You Can Too

I’ll never forget the day I stood in front of over 100 people at my brother-in-law’s funeral. It was one of the most difficult moments of my life, and yet, there I was, doing something I had always feared—speaking publicly. Public speaking is one of those fears that grips so many of us, and I’ll admit, it had always been something I avoided. But that day, something shifted. I didn’t just face the fear—I conquered it. And it wasn’t because I suddenly became fearless or magically confident. It was because my purpose was greater than my fear.

My brother-in-law was someone I deeply respected, and admired. He was a friend, a mate, and a light in so many lives. When I thought about honouring him, about sharing his story and the impact he had in his life, the fear of standing in front of a crowd seemed so small in comparison. My purpose—to celebrate his life and give him the tribute he deserved—completely overshadowed the fear. And that’s the lesson I want to share with you: when your purpose is greater than your fear, courage becomes possible.

After the funeral, I reflected on why it had been so much easier to face this fear than I ever imagined. That’s when I realized something powerful: fear isn’t just one big, overwhelming thing. It’s actually made up of different layers, and when we break it down, we can understand it—and overcome it. I’ve learned that fear can be analysed in terms of three categories: Loss Fear, Process Fear, and Outcome Fear. Let me explain.

Loss Fear

This is the fear of losing something you value. It might be your identity, your reputation, or even your relationships. For example, when I thought about speaking at the funeral, I could have been afraid of losing the respect of the audience if I stumbled over my words or got too emotional. Loss Fear often keeps us stuck because we’re so focused on what we might lose that we forget what we might gain.

Process Fear

This is the fear of the difficulty or discomfort involved in doing something. It’s the voice in your head that says, “This is going to be too hard,” or “I don’t know how to do this.” For me, the process fear could have been about the nerves, the preparation, or the vulnerability of standing up there in front of so many people. Process Fear is often what makes us procrastinate or avoid taking action altogether.

Outcome Fear

This is the fear that, even after all the effort, things won’t turn out the way you hope. It’s the worry that you’ll fail, that you’ll embarrass yourself, or that your efforts will be for nothing. At the funeral, I could have been afraid that my words wouldn’t do justice to my brother-in-law’s memory, or that I’d let down his family and friends.

Here’s the thing: when you understand these three fears, you can start to see them for what they are—mental roadblocks, not insurmountable barriers. And the best way to overcome them is to reconnect with your purpose. Why does this matter to you? Who are you doing this for? What’s the bigger picture? When I focused on honouring my brother-in-law, the Loss Fear, Process Fear, and Outcome Fear all faded into the background. My purpose gave me the strength to move forward.

So, how can you apply this to your own life? The next time you’re facing a fear, take a moment to analyse it. Ask yourself:

What am I afraid of losing?
What am I afraid will be hard about this?
What am I afraid might not turn out the way I want?

Once you’ve identified these fears, shift your focus to your purpose. Why is this important to you? Who will benefit from your courage? What’s the positive impact you can create? When your purpose is clear and compelling, it becomes easier to take that first step, even if the fear is still there.

Courage isn’t about being fearless. It’s about acting in spite of fear because something matters more to you than the fear itself. That day at the funeral, I learned that lesson in the most profound way. And now, I hope it inspires you to find your own courage, to face your fears, and to step into the life you’re meant to live.

What’s one fear you’re ready to face? And more importantly, what’s the purpose that will drive you to overcome it? You’ve got this. Let’s go.

Master John

Coming Up This Month –
Save These Dates:

Black Belt Club Wednesdays: April 9th and April 20th, 2025
Leadership Team Training: April 12th, 2025
Stripe Testing Week Start: April 22nd, 2025
School Closed:
Easter: April 18th – 21st, 2025
Anzac Weekend: April 25th – 27th, 2025
Belt Exam Week (In-class Belt Exams): April 28th, 2025

Birthdays This Month:

Don’t forget to wish your classmates a Happy Birthday!

Sidney 01/04
Kent 03/04
Mason 07/04
Archie 09/04
Hannah 10/04
Cooper 11/04
Sam 12/04
Anthony 13/04
Olivia 16/04
Tobias 16/04
Christine 17/04
Nathan 18/04
Sebastian 20/04
Talia 21/04
Yeji 22/04
Jeffrey 22/04
Lucy 24/04
Ayush 26/04
Lachlan 26/04
Liam 26/04
Valarie 28/04
Kimberley 29/04
Micah 30/04

Let’s Hear It From: Ashneel S.

Thank you so much for your review, Ashneel!

Instructor Highlight

Broccoli and Cheese Muffins

A kid-friendly twist on a classic! This Beef, Spinach & Ricotta Lasagne is packed with nutrients and flavor—perfect for a healthy family meal!

Parting Thought: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill

Earning a new belt, mastering a technique, or winning a competition doesn’t mean the journey is over—it means there’s always more to learn and improve.

Likewise, failure isn’t the end; it’s a chance to grow, refine your skills, and build resilience.

A martial arts lifestyle teaches you to keep moving forward, no matter the challenges.

True success comes from having the courage to keep going, even when the journey gets tough.