October Newsletter

Healthy Competition

Let’s turn our attention to Rafael Nadal, often regarded as one of the most accomplished and celebrated professional tennis players of all time. He has won an incredible 22 Grand Slam titles, and 92 ATP singles titles, and an Olympic gold medal!

He credits much of his success to his mindset of constant improvement and embracing Healthy Competition as a tool for self-betterment. Competing with others has pushed Nadal to train harder, strive for improvement, and surpass his limits.

He explains: “When one player is better than you, at this moment, the only thing you can do is work, try to find solutions and try to wait a little bit for your time.”

However, competition can sometimes have a negative side. Many of us have experienced the downsides:

Failing a challenge or coming last

Feeling humiliated by a public loss

Being compared to someone more skilled

Performing under pressure in front of others

The stress of facing a partner with greater skill levels

If these experiences have made you shy away from competition, there’s good news: CKD Martial Arts supports healthy competition. Our instructors promote a supportive environment where students of all ages can benefit from competition without the negative aspects.

Here’s how they do it:

Working Together: Our students are encouraged to train together to help each other improve, not to compete against one another.

Individual Growth: You are never compared to others, only to your own potential.

Inclusive Curriculum: Beginners can work alongside more advanced students without feeling left behind.

Supportive Environment: More skilled students are encouraged to help others, lifting them to higher levels.

No Competition Sparring: We don’t conduct sparring matches for belts or competitions.

After reading this you are probably wondering “Where’s the competition in your classes?” The truth is that like Rafael Nadal, it exists within the individual. Every student’s greatest competition is themselves. From the words of Washington Allston:

“The only competition worthy of a wise man is with himself.”

Our instructor’s focus is to set up the environment needed for growth and internal drive for each student to continually improve themselves. This is the healthy competition we strive for in every training session.

For those looking for a change from their usual fitness routines or who want to experience the benefits of martial arts, Choi Kwang Do is a great alternative.

Ready to try something new? Come see how we combine self-defense with personal growth and healthy competition. Check us out at www.academyckd.com.au.

Self Defence Tip - Knee Strike

In this month’s newsletter, we’d like to highlight an important self-defence technique that every martial artist should have in their toolkit: the knee strike. Whether you’re an advanced student or a beginner, understanding how to use your knees effectively can make all the difference in a dangerous situation.

The best thing about knee strikes is that they are fast, powerful, and can be applied quickly in close-range situations—making them especially useful if an assailant grabs or tries to restrain you. By targeting vulnerable areas like the groin, thighs, and midsection (such as the stomach or lower ribs), knee strikes can help create the opportunity to escape to safety.

How to Perform a Knee Strike:

Make sure you’re close enough to your assailant to land a knee strike.

Lift your leg quickly toward your chest, aiming your knee at the target.

Push off with the supporting foot, rotate your hips upward, and pull downward on the attacker’s body while lifting your knee. These first three actions will generate extra force for the knee lift.

Repeat the strike with either leg to ensure you make an impact, as the first attempt may not always land perfectly.

It’s important to remember that self-defense is not just about striking. Always try to attract attention and leave the scene for a safer place as quickly as possible.

Whether you’re training in the dojo or learning techniques for self-defense, this simple but powerful move can give you the advantage when you need it most.

Stay safe and train hard!

Family Martial Arts classes

Is your family ready for a fun and energizing activity together? 🌟

Come try our amazing Family Martial Arts classes! 🥋

Try a FREE class right here 👉 https://bit.ly/47LbWgK

Our program not only helps keep your family SAFE, but it’s also designed to bring families closer while preparing everyone for success in life.

🥋 Focus drills for all ages build concentration.

💪 Partner exercises enhance teamwork and connection.

👊 Earning belts together builds confidence & family goals.

🤝 Train in a supportive, non-competitive community with like-minded families.

Make martial arts a family affair!

Join us for a risk-free trial 👉 https://bit.ly/47LbWgK

Green Stripe

Parents,

We are excited to announce the introduction of a new Green Stripe as part of our stripe testing process! This new stripe serves as an important milestone, ensuring that your child is fully prepared for their next belt exam.

Here’s how it works: Once your child has earned their 4 black stripes, they will be eligible for the Green Stripe, but it’s not just given—it must be earned through consistent dedication and excellence in various areas. The Green Stripe is awarded for:

Regular attendance: Showing up consistently for training is key to progress.

Meeting class requirements: Ensuring your child has attended the required number of classes to be eligible for the belt exam.

Focused training: Staying committed and attentive during class.

Mastering their curriculum: Knowing all of their belt level techniques and moves.

Technical proficiency: Being skilled and precise in their martial art techniques.

Good behavior: Demonstrating respect and responsibility not just in training, but at home and school as well.

We believe that a well-rounded martial artist excels not only in the dojo but in all areas of life. That’s why we also rely on your feedback as parents. If your child’s behavior at home or school is not up to standard, you can let us know, and we will withhold the Green Stripe until we hear that improvements have been made.

This new step ensures that when your child earns their next belt, they are truly ready—mentally, physically, and behaviorally.

We look forward to supporting your child on their journey toward becoming the best version of themselves!

Coming Up This Month –
Save These Dates:

School closed for Monarch’s Birthday: October Saturday 5th – Monday 7th
Black Belt Club Training Wednesdays: October 9th and 23rd, 2024
Belt Exam inc. Tiny Tigers: Ladies Only – Friday October 11th, CKD Ranks and Tiny Tigers – Sunday October 13th, 2024
STORM & Instructor Training: October 26th, 2024
Stripe testing week for November exam: Monday October 28th, 2024

Birthdays This Month:

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

Jude 01/10
Luis 02/10
Soraya 09/10
William 10/10
Cruz 12/10
Dresden 16/10
Ivy 16/19
Michael 21/10
Ashley 24/10
Archer 27/10

New Students

Please welcome these new students to our CKD family!

Let’s Hear It From: Kelsey J.

Thank you so much for your review, Kelsey!

Instructor Highlight

Recipe of the month: Zucchini Slice Muffins

Looking for a fun and healthy recipe to make with the kids ? 🧁👩‍🍳 These Zucchini Slice Muffins are perfect! Not only are they delicious, but they’re also packed with veggies, making snack time both enjoyable and nutritious. 🌱🥒

Get the kids involved in grating the zucchini, mixing the ingredients, and filling up the muffin trays! It’s a great way to teach them about healthy eating while spending quality time together in the kitchen.

Parting Thought: Life has two rules: 1) never quit, and 2) always remember rule number one.

These two rules apply to every aspect of life. Whether you’re chasing a dream, working through a personal challenge, or simply trying to improve yourself, there will always be moments when things get hard, when you feel like giving up. But the key to success isn’t avoiding difficulties, it’s pushing through them.

The path to achieving anything worthwhile is rarely a straight line. It’s filled with ups and downs, moments of doubt, and times when you’ll feel like stopping. But those who persevere, who keep moving forward despite the obstacles, are the ones who reach their goals.

Remember, the only true failure is quitting. Every setback is an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger. Life rewards persistence, and those who stick with it long enough always find themselves closer to their dreams than they ever thought possible.

So, as you move forward in life, keep these two rules close to your heart. No matter how tough the journey gets, never quit. And when you’re tempted to, remind yourself of rule number one. Success doesn’t come to those who give up—it comes to those who refuse to.”