The following articles were authored by Master Derek Croley

Find out why our Summer Program is Perfect for you.

By on May 16, 2013

I know, I know, there are a few hundred camps going on this summer.  But we offer something unique.  We offer something that will definitely fit your vacation schedule, you can do on top of other camps, and most importantly your kids will learn important, applicable skills in a really fun way.  We offer Summer Martial Arts Classes.

Go to www.AshevilleSummerMartialArts.com for the full lowdown, but in a nutshell here is what we do and why it will be unprecedentedly awesome.

1. Classes, not day camps.  This is great for you because you can slip it in anywhere on your schedule! You can come to as many appropriate classes as you would like and can even make up classes from vacations.

2. Fun, exciting, and educational. Every class we do will have a different theme.  You kids will make lightsabers, oragami ninja stars, have ice cream, and break boards.  You know, goofy fun stuff to keep life interesting. The educational part is next….

3. Your kids will stay fit. They will also stay fit with stretching, calisthenics  and cardio workouts. They will build focus and physical self discipline- keeping their minds sharp for school coming up.

4. Your kids will learn to stay safe without being paranoid. They will learn how to nonviolently deal with bullies, defend themselves if they have to, and learn how to deal with negative peer pressure.  Your kids will learn all of the awesome things that you have heard about from martial arts training and they will have an awesome time doing it.

5. This could lead to becoming a Black Belt.  Many of our summer students decide to continue on after the summer, and many of them eventually train to become Black Belts.  I mean seriously, who does not want their kid to be a Black Belt?  Who does not want to know that their kid can accomplish something great?

6. It’s really kinda inexpensive.  Your kid can train for 8 weeks this summer for only $149.  That’s it.  No additional fees for anything.  This is 50% off of our regular tuition! Also, you can attend as many classes as you want!

7. The bad news is that space is limited.  So you need to hustle up and sign up, we only have 20 spaces available and as of today they are already half gone!  Click here to register!

 

This entry is filed under Our Cool School..

The Top 5 Reasons Kids Need Martial Arts Education.

By on March 18, 2013

Abe earning his Black Belt.

There are so many reasons these days that kids need to learn martial arts.  In fact, though there are numerous activities that kids can do, there are some very important things that can only be learned in a martial arts training hall.  Here are the top five reasons that your kids need to be in an authentic martial arts training program.

5. Unshakable Self Confidence tempered by Humility.

Self confidence comes from getting good at something.  It could be anything, but people gain confidence from real life successes.  However, what makes Martial Arts education unique in this regard is that not only do students have the opportunity to succeed, they also learn how to defend themselves against violence.  Quite simply, if your kids know that they stand a good chance of coming out on top when faced with a violent bad guy they become more confident.

Not to mention the great physical fitness aspects of Martial Arts training.  When your kid feels better about his or her body, their self confidence will sky rocket.

There is also a huge component of humility.  Martial Arts are unique in that they give students immediate feedback in training.  This gives kids the chance to experience failure as well as success, making the successes real.

An earned success with an understanding of failure breeds self confidence tempered by humility.

4. A keen understanding of how to set goals and reach them.

The use of belts to denote a ranking system was invented by Judo founder Jigaro Kano in the late 1800s. It was such a great idea that many other styles adopted the concept. Yes, it’s a pretty new custom, but a brilliant one.

The great thing about belts is that they provide a measurable goal system with long term goals and a series of short term goals leading up to them. Furthermore, there are specific things that must be accomplished to achieve each goal.

From the belt system, students learn how to set goals, and then build a structure of how to achieve them.  This is an incredibly valuable life skill.

3. How to effectively deal with bullies.

First off, the aforementioned Self Confidence makes Martial Arts students bad targets for bullies. Second, Martial Arts education builds a strategic mind.  This makes the student better able to see through the manipulative behavior of the bully as well as how to deal with the potential for defense against violence.

Also, bullies often lack Self Confidence.  When your kids have Self Confidence they recognize those who don’t and no longer really care about their negative statements.

2. The Strength to rise above life’s challenges and problems.

By experiencing success and failure, learning to set goals, being in great physical shape, and having a keen strategic mind your kids will have the strength to weather life’s storms and the mindset and training to find solutions.

One of the things that I personally teach in every single class is the power of a Positive Attitude,  Best Effort, and Perseverance.

“Nobody can control all of the events in their lives, but with a Positive Attitude you can shape the outcome of any event to your favor.  By putting forth your Best Effort at whatever you are doing you will get better at whatever it is until eventually you get pretty good at it. Perseverance is key, the only way to fail at the positive thing you are trying to accomplish is to quit doing it.”

Me, Every Class.

1. The Personal Power to effect real change for the better.

Everything above leads your kids to one simple conclusion: the power to make things happen, and the moral fiber to make these changes positive ones.  As a parent, all I want for my kids is for them to be happy, fulfilled, contributing members of society.  I’m willing to bet that your thoughts for your kids are pretty similar. To do this, our kids need to develop certain skill sets, build certain mindsets, and create certain personal habits.

I can’t speak for all martial arts schools, but at the White Oak Martial Arts Center we have intentionally and specifically created a curriculum designed to teach our kids the skills necessary to have the  personal power to change their lives for the better.

Click here to try out a free class.

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Self Defense for the rest of us.

By on February 15, 2013

Self defense should not be about paranoia, it should be about mindfulness.  A large part of being mindful is to pay attention to what’s happening around you- good and bad.  If you are being mindful you are aware enough to enjoy a flower blooming, a child laughing, or an evil bad guy about to do some evil bad guy stuff.  I submit to you that by simply paying attention you will see more good things and be better able to avoid bad things.

Another part of being mindful is to be aware of possibilities.  Of course you should have a balanced approach to this as well.  Plan on and focus on the good things in your life, but prepare for the bad ones so you don’ t need to worry about them.  Have a home fire escape plan, have a home bad guy invasion plan, have an estate plan, have personal safety training of some type, all so you don’t have to think about those things very much- you already have a plan and can focus on the positive aspects of your life!

Weapons have been a big deal in the news these days, but in reality your best defense is not what is in your hand, rather it’s what is in your head.  Your plan, your strategy, and your intentions are the real self defense tools.

Ignoring bad things doesn’t make them go away, but having a plan to deal with them allows you to live your life in a much happier place. Practice mindful self defense.

For more information about our martial arts school click here.

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4 Commonly Misunderstood Tai Chi Quotes

By on January 22, 2013

Don’t misunderestimate the power of misunderstanding the classics.  The meanings are hidden in the statements.  Here’s some food for thought.

  1. “A force of four ounces deflects a thousand pounds.” Wang Tsung-yueh

People for some reason generally translate this to mean that if they are really passive and yin, then somehow they will be able to beat somebody who is really hard and yang.  This quote does not mean that somebody with no power can beat somebody with power. It means that in Tai Chi you should use a more complex power, one with leverages, balances, and scales.  With correct balance, counterbalance, and long lever power it only takes a small amount of effort to move a heavy object.

  1. “…being double-weighted is sluggish.” Wang Tsung-yueh

This one people often translate to mean that you should have all of your weight on one foot or the other.  Eh, no.  This means that you should learn to read your partner/opponent to know where they are issuing power and where they are not.  Then you do whatever they are not doing.  Where your partner is giving power, you take power, where your partner has a hole, you fill.  Do not try to give power where your partner is giving power.

  1. Distinguishing solid and empty. Yang Cheng Fu

At first this can mean feeling where you have your weight and where you don’t, and this kind of physical balance is important to learn.  But this really is referring to knowing the difference between your physical body and your chi body, and then your chi body and spirit body. Then, do the same with people and things external to you.

  1. “From true softness comes true hardness”. Yang Cheng Fu

Do not confuse being to yin with being empty.  Being to yin or to yang are equal but opposite mistakes.  Being truly soft means to be empty- it means to have equilibrium of soft and hard.  The body is soft, but the chi is powerful.  The mind is active and alive while the body is nothing.

Want to learn more?  Click here to get started!

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Check this out!

By on January 20, 2013


If you watch this video, you can really see why an education in the martial arts is one of the best things that you can do for your kids.

At the time it was filmed I was really impressed with how well Abir did.  Look at the coordination, discipline, confidence, and focus he displays here.  The thing is, he didn’t start out his education with us like this.  Nobody does.  He worked at it over time and built these qualities in himself.

You and your kids can do the same thing.  I’ve never met anybody anywhere who regretted earning a  Black Belt.

Click here to get started!

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What does the New Year bring for you?

By on January 17, 2013

Are you interested in personal improvement, but….

You’ve been to the gym and it’s good, but there must be more.  You’ve been to fitness classes of various sorts, but still, there must be more.  Maybe you’ve even tried some martial arts classes, but, once again, it still seems like there should be more….

With our Internal Martial Arts programs you can improve your body, your mind, and your spirit in ways that nothing else can. Learn how to maximize your physical power. Learn the truth about what chi is.  Learn the true power of intention.  Learn what spirit level martial arts actually are.  Learn the secrets of the martial arts that few in America can teach.  And the neat thing is that all of this can be applied to real, effective self defense, real mental clarity, and real physical fitness!

This year we will once again be focusing on the secrets of Chinese Internal Martial Arts to improve ourselves- mentally, physically, and spiritually.  I have spent 30 years training martial arts, and have made numerous trips to China, even living there for a while, to learn the highest level of martial arts being taught in the world today.  To be honest, that by itself still wouldn’t be enough.  I was fortunate to be taken in as an indoor student by several teachers, thereby learning the secrets of martial art that make them truly effective.  I will share them with you.

These teachings make a positive difference in the lives of all of our students, and they can do the same for you.

You always hear about all of the great things that martial arts can do you for you, now it’s time to give it a shot.

Click here for more information.

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Bad guys in the classroom.

By on December 27, 2012

In light of recent events, I have been researching how we can better protect our kids in schools from violent intruders.  Right now everybody is discussing their favorite politics, but nobody is really thinking about the one thing that really matters here:  what can be done in the instance of a violent intruder entering a classroom?

FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security have already put together some practices that are very reasonable.  They just need to be put into practice and drilled in schools just like a fire drill.  Speaking to my niece over Christmas, they already do this at her school in Florida.

Take a minute and check out these resources provided by FEMA and Homeland Security:

http://www.securityinfowatch.com/video/10761027/alice-training-for-active-shooters-on-campus

http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf

http://emilms.fema.gov/IS907/index.htm

 

And, as a shameless plug, a little personal safety and defense training never hurt anybody either.  For more information about our school please click here.

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Some people inspire me.

By on November 16, 2012

I am super excited to have awarded Ann her Black Belt this past week!  Ann is a 50+ woman who has been taking private lessons at the White Oak Martial Arts Center for the past 3 years.  She has worked incredibly hard, has overcome several obstacles, and has proven that she has what it takes to be a Black Belt.  She lives about 45 minutes away from the school and works full time.  Sometimes the time crunch and distance tested her resolve, but she came through and never missed a class.  She has some minor medical issues come up, as we all do, but she never let those stop her either.

To be blunt, sometimes I speak with adult women who feel that for whatever reason they cannot accomplish something like this.  Ann has proven that no matter what is happening in your life you can accomplish great things with a good attitude, your best effort, and perseverance.

If you have ever wanted to earn a Black Belt now is the time!  Click here to get started!

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Building Black Belt Leaders.

By on November 8, 2012

Here is an article about one of our Black Belt candidate students, Max Masiello.  As part of our education and as part of becoming a Black Belt at our school, our students must do some form of community service project.  Max did such a good job that he made the local news.  Of course we also do all of the kicking and punching and kunging fu, but for us being a Black Belt is about a lot more than hitting things.

Here is a link to the article about Max.

http://fairviewtowncrier.com/2012/11/a-winning-project-an-outstanding-young-man-by-lynn-stanley/

 

Click here to try a free class at our school.

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Lesson: Self Confidence

By on August 29, 2012

For this past testing cycle our students have been working on lessons regarding self confidence.  Their assignment was to list 10 things that they have done right or wrong that has helped build self confidence.

Though all of our students did this assignment, and many of them did a great job, I would have to say that my favorite was Sergio’s project.  Here it is!

 

Please click here for more information about our school!

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