March 2016 Newsletter

Wise Words from Sifu Rick!

There is no substitute for HARD WORK, NO, NONE, NIX, NADA!

AASD ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Leadership Class this Saturday March 5th, 12:00pm, all Black Belt club Members please RSVP
• Next Belt Test for those Little & Junior Dragons eligible Friday April 8th 6:30 pm
• Next Belt Test for Adults eligible Saturday April 9th at 10:00 am

Black Belt Pride

March 2016 Student of the Month:

Evan Makarov

Evan joined our black belt school in October of 2014. As a current 3rd degree Brown Belt, Evan came to us after several years of training elsewhere. Always showing great attendance, Evan strives to learn and is progressing fine in his training. Showing that you can do other things and still train, Evan is involved in many other activities yet stills find time to train two or three times a week.

Sifu Rick and staff would like to salute not only Evan, but his parents as well, Vladimir, and Tatyana, for their support of not only Evan, but of our Black Belt school as well.

THE BENEFITS OF STAYING HYDTRATED

Staying hydrated is an essential part of staying healthy. Ensuring proper hydration is one of the most basic keys to health.

The human body is composed of about 60 percent water. Drinking enough water maintains your body’s fluid balance, which helps with digestion, circulation, transportation of nutrients and maintenance of body temperature.

When your body tells you it’s thirsty, it is best to listen. Studies have shown that the parts of your brain involved in emotional decision-making light up when you drink water in response to being thirsty. Thirst is your body’s way of telling you to hydrate, and one of the best ways to stay hydrated is by drinking water. According to WebMd, below are five benefits or reasons to
drink water.

1. Water can help control calories — Water doesn’t necessarily burn calories, but it does keep you away from the sugary drinks or other beverages that add calories. Instead of grabbing juice or soda, opt instead for a glass of water with some lemon and avoid the extra calories.
2. Water will help energize muscles — Muscles that have cells that don’t maintain their balance of fluids and electrolytes can develop muscle fatigue. Drinking fluids during exercise is especially important so you don’t fatigue easily. When muscles fatigue, the chance of injury increases.
3. Water is good for the skin — The truth is that lack of hydration is bad for your skin. When you are dehydrated, your skin can become dry and wrinkled, therefore it is very important to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated to look and feel younger. Moisturizer is also a great way to keep moisture in your skin if your skin is feeling dry.
4. Water is good for your kidneys —Body fluids transport waste products in and out of cells. Kidneys do a great job of eliminating waste and toxins from your body as long as you stay adequately hydrated. A sign that you may not be getting enough fluid is if your urine is dark. Urine should be free flowing and clear in color. This is a way to tell that you are staying properly hydrated.
5. Water helps in normal bowel function — When you are not taking in enough fluid, your colon will pull water from stools to maintain hydration which can cause constipation. Adequate fluid and fiber is a perfect combination as fluid pumps up the fiber and acts like a broom to keep your bowel functioning properly.

DRINK UP!

Recent studies suggest adults need nine to 16 cups of water per day. Of course, the amount of water you need to feel your best depends on your activity level, age, and how much H2O you get from consuming other things like coffee, tea, or water-rich fruits and vegetables. Drinking enough water each day can be difficult, so get in the habit of keeping a water bottle with you at all times. Begin your day by drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up, and 30 minutes before eating a big meal. This practice will also help control appetite, which may aid in weight maintenance. Also, consider adding lemon, lime, orange or other citrus to your water for additional taste and a few extra benefits.