October 2016 Newsletter

Wise Words from Sifu Rick!

Identify your highest skill and devote your time to performing it!!!

AASD ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Leadership Class Saturday, October 8th at 12:00pm for all Black Belt Club Members, please rsvp asap!
• Next Belt Test for those Little & Junior Dragons eligible Friday, October 14th at  6:30 pm.
• Next Belt Test for Adults eligible Saturday, October 15th at 10:00 am.

Black Belt Pride

October 2016 Student of the Month:

Dan Westover

Dan Westover is a long time student at our Black Belt school, since August of 2008. Dan constantly trains and works at the art with great enthusiasm. As a 1st degree Brown Belt, Dan is setting his sights on Black Belt next year, and with hard work and determination, he will achieve it and much more.

Dan consistently wins most sparring matches with students much younger and possibly quicker, however with precision and skill, along with spirit Dan shows the young guys a thing or two.

Sifu Rick and staff salute Dan for his loyalty, and determination, along with his never give up attitude, which is so apparent as Dan consistently never misses a Seminar, or tournament, or a leadership class, job well done Dan!!!

Cardio Health Not The Only Focus

With today’s obesity epidemic and all the news about heart health, more people are forgetting the importance of strength training. Cardiovascular training and strength training can work together to help you achieve optimal overall health, although it is often difficult to find one activity that pairs the two together. Martial arts training is one of those activities that gives your heart a workout while keeping you lean and strong.

As we age, our body naturally loses muscle mass. If we don’t replace the lean muscle, we increase the percentage of fat in our bodies. This is one of the many reasons it is important to participate in a fun and enjoyable activity that provides both an aerobic and an anaerobic workout.
The exercises, like kicking, squatting, lunging and punching, that are practiced in martial arts classes are all great ways to increase strength. Push-ups, sit-ups, and leg lifts are also great strength training exercises common to a martial arts class. We have moved past the stigma that building muscles is just for body builders.

Below are some great benefits of strength training.

• Bone Strength — Strength training increases bone density and strength by stressing your bones. As we age, this can help prevent osteoporosis or hunching.
• Toning — Toning your muscles helps burn calories more efficiently. Muscles burn calories automatically, so the more lean muscle you build the more calories your body will burn.
• Endurance — Greater endurance is key to any sport and life in general. When you have more lean muscle, you won’t get fatigued as fast.
• Focus — Some research suggests strength training can also help maintain focus in older adults.

So remember: When you exercise, focus on cardiovascular health and building lean muscle. There are many options out there to build lean muscle; start with weight machines, free weights, and resistant bands or participate in martial arts and get a plethora of great benefits with just one activity.

Halloween Food Safety Tips

As per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, take these simple steps to help your children have a fun and safe Halloween.

• Children shouldn’t snack while they’re out trick-or-treating. Urge your children to wait until they get home and you have had a chance to inspect the contents of their “goody bags.”
• To help prevent children from snacking, give them a light meal or snack before they head out — don’t send them out on an empty stomach.
• Tell children not to accept — and especially not to eat — anything that isn’t commercially wrapped.
• Parents of very young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.
• Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.

Enjoy the holiday and have fun with the kids!