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We’ve opened a new class day and time for our youngest (and cutest) students. Our Pre-Martial Arts class is specifically designed for children ages 4-6 years — those who are curious and enthusiastic about martial arts but too young for the Kuk Sool white belt (beginning) curriculum. We’ve been offering a class on Fridays at 5pm for nearly 2 years now, and that class stays consistently full. So, we’ve opened a second class time on Tuesdays at 5pm. Class will last anywhere from 30-50 minutes, depending upon the age and experience level of your child. Please call 612-578-5797 if you have questions, or feel free to just show up with your child, ready to try our Pre-Martial Arts class.
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Kuk Sool Won of St. Paul is hosting its annual Open House this Saturday, September 26 from 11am to 3pm. We’ll be offering free mini-classes, playing games, and showing off some of the best martial arts in the Twin Cities. Come meet our instructors and current students, try out some new moves, and get your questions answered about our school and the martial arts system of Kuk Sool Won.
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I homeschool my kids. Steffen PSBN homeschools his kids. Well, technically, we homeschool them all together most days, in a group effort wherein one of us pinch hits for the other when time or temper is running short.
I was very pleased to recently learn that another of our students is being homeschooled, and even more pleased that I learned this by reading a lovely blog entry authored by his mom. Carrie Pomeroy’s blog “Playschool” is a mothering memoir in real time — day-to-day thoughts and questions, tales of pride and admissions of shame. Carrie wrote about a day in her son’s Kuk Sool class that struck her, and she has give us permission to reprint it here. If you’d like to read more of Carrie’s blog, visit www.playschooling.blogspot.com.
My son is lucky enough to take martial arts classes twice a week at Kuk Sool Won of St. Paul, a very family-oriented martial arts school right here in the Midway neighborhood. It’s amazing how much he’s learned in the year and a half since he started. He looks so grown-up and serious in his black uniform and white belt, standing at attention in the line-up of kids, bowing and saying, “Yes, sir!” to his teacher. It is a very different culture than our home culture. I’m glad that he is experiencing it. I trust these teachers. I trust what they are offering their students
.Tonight in class, the kids were independently practicing the forms, a series of prescribed movements that are the basis of this style of martial arts. They were supposed to do the forms as best as they could remember them without watching another student or teacher perform them. At times, one of the young students would get stuck–they made a mistake, or they forgot what they were doing, and suddenly, they’d stop and stand there with a deer-in-the-headlights sort of expression, not sure what to do next. Usually a teacher would jump in and help them get going again.
Afterwards, the head teacher asked the class, “What should you do if you make a mistake?”
“Start over,” one boy volunteered.
“No,” said the teacher. ”You keep going. You keep going. And what if you forget or get stuck? What do you do then?”
None of the kids responded.
“You ask for help,” said their teacher. ”That’s what we’re here for. That’s why we keep practicing–so eventually you won’t make that mistake any more.”
Such a simple exchange, but I found it so moving. I’m so glad my son is getting these messages early from strong, compassionate teachers. You can keep going after you make a mistake. You can ask for help. You just have to keep practicing.
It reminds me a little of a story I read once about a famous modern-dance choreographer–I can’t remember which one now. Maybe Martha Graham? One of her dancers fell flat on her butt during a rehearsal and sat there with a stunned expression on her face, not moving, not getting up. The choreographer swooped over to the dancer and exhorted her, “Don’t stop now! Make it into something beautiful!”
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My ex asked me the other day how we were faring in the face of the “mini-Depression.” It’s a small business, he figured, and we don’t exactly offer what most people consider a necessary commodity. And the bleak economy is affecting almost everyone at some level. I told him the truth: we’re growing steadily, retaining students, and continuing to invest in the business. Yep, I’m definitely paying more for gas and groceries, but so far the effects of the pinch on most folks’ pocketbooks aren’t translating into a loss of students. But it got me thinking. I know I cringed when I paid for my kids’ activities this fall, not because those prices had gone up, but because the price of so many other things has gone up, and I feel less and less like we can afford “extras.” So, why have so many parents (and other adults) continued or begun paying for Kuk Sool classes this fall? What are we doing right? The first thing that occurred to me is that once you see and experience what we do, you know we offer good value. No one can do this on his own — there’s no Kuk Sool for Dummies book available at Half-Price Books. Kuk Sool Won is an incredibly comprehensive system of martial arts, and it takes consistent lessons with highly qualified instructors to learn. Another possible reason is that Kuk Sool Won of St. Paul offers a lot more than just some of the best lessons in martial arts. Physically, we can challenge and support anyone becoming more fit, better balanced, more flexible. Mentally, we give students plenty to chew on, memorizing techniques and forms, and working to understand how the heck to convince your body to jump, spin, AND kick. We teach and model concepts like perseverance, compassion, and patience. We nurture and support introspection and mindfulness with regular meditation “workouts” and seminars. I hope there’s more. I hope we effect positive change in every student. I hope the relationships that form between students make a warm and welcoming environment. I hope that some of the blood, sweat, and tears that we shed for each and every student really makes a difference. Those are the reasons I do this, so I hope they affect our bottom line. What about you? Are you a martial arts school owner? Are you feeling the pinch in student loss or lack of retention? Are you the parent of a martial artist? Why do you keep paying for those lessons? Are you an adult student, watching your grocery bills climb, yet still shelling out the tuition fees? We usually know why we lose a student — sometimes they let us know loud and clear! But it’s rare to hear why students stay. Especially in the face of a “mini-Depression.”
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I’ll join in and give my thanks to Max Jo Kyo Nim for getting us started with a great website and blog, plus his helpful instructions and suggestions for keeping it going without his daily, hands-on administration.
I’m Nicki Dahn Bo Nim, a student and assistant instructor at Kuk Sool Won of St. Paul, mother to a Dahn Bo Nim and a perpetual Red Belt (he’s six, so I guess I should cut him some slack), and the office meddler here at the school. Apparently, I’m also a blogger, so I’ll steal Steffen PSBN’s idea and interview myself.
When did you start taking Kuk Sool?
October 2005, when Steffen PSBN opened the dojang. I had known Steffen PSBN and his family through our homeschooling group for a couple of years, and I was just being nice and signing up to help out. Two and half years later, I think I can officially say I’m hooked.
Why did you bring the kids?
I started classes with my daughter, who was 7 at the time. I could see adolescence looming on the horizon, and I wanted her to keep physically active, become more aware and confident of herself, and be able to take out any future boyfriend who got out of line. My son was 4 when his sister and I started, and he stood on the sidelines mimicking everything we did. Steffen PSBN took pity on the poor boy and brought him in just before his fifth birthday. For my son, studying Kuk Sool has given him plenty of opportunity to practice focus — there are even days when I can see the good results of all that practice!
What else do you do when you aren’t training?
I mentioned the mothering gig, right? Okay, so in addition to raising two kids, running the household, meddling in the dojang office, training and teaching, I occasionally spend a little time as an editor, writer, and public relations professional. I work from home and homeschool, so working in the same place that I train fits my typical m.o.
Hobbies?
I used to read…and still do occasionally, stealing time from one or another responsibility. I also manage to work in an occasional concert, movie, visit to the indoor climbing wall, or social opportunity. Actually, that’s my hobby, right there — socializing. So, say hi to me, okay?
Whom do you most admire in Kuk Sool?
My instructor, Steffen PSBN. The two other PSBN’s that train at our school. The rest of our instructor corps. And anyone and everyone who gives it a try, sticks with it, and learns to love it.
What’s looming on your Kuk Sool horizon?
Another test, doubtless. The life of a Dahn Bo Nim is full of trials (though my instructor just informed me that that may be a lingering peculiarity of his teaching style. Apparently the rest of you don’t take one or more grueling tests every month for at least a year. Um, are there spaces at YOUR school?).
Of course, what I’m looking forward to the most is Kuk Sa Nim’s visit and the Super Seminar in June. Okay, there’s that picky little test I have to get through, but after that, I’ll be a Jo Kyo Nim and ready to take it easy for a while! What? What do you mean “training begins at black belt”?
Who let you on this blog? When is Max JKN coming back?!
Sorry. Steffen PSBN will be better able to write about the technicalities and finer points of training in Kuk Sool, so he’s the one filling Max’s shoes. They brought me in to work the less formal angles of a martial arts blog. I’m here as a mom, a very novice martial artist, and a writer with a decent understanding of comma usage.
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An article we wrote on “3-Reasons Why Your Kids Should be in Martial Arts” has been published on the Twin Cities online Parent and Family Resource “Be Family.” The Full Text is Below as well as Link to e Family Online:
The Full Article can be read below or at “Be Family Online” and is titled 3 Reasons Why Your Kids Should Be In Martial Arts
1. Discipline
Every parent that thinks about putting their kid in Martial Arts thinks about the benefit of Discipline. It is well known that Martial Arts teaches kids strong lessons in discipline. These lessons will help them respect themselves and others throughout life.
When practicing Martial Arts kids learn in a very structured manner. An instructor will teach and the students will listen. Often times responding “Yes Sir” or “Yes Ma’am.” This helps the instructor manage a large group of kids as well as teaching them to listen. When a child begins to lose focus or gets distracted the instructor will grab their attention and tell them to pay attention or maybe even have the child do ten push-ups. Push-ups are often used as a disciplinary measure in Martial Arts because doing ten Push-ups is hardly a physical punishment. This is because ten push-ups will only re-focus the child’s attention on Martial Arts not tire them out. This is an old trick I am sure parents wish they could use everyday.
Having Kids learn Martial Arts in a structured discipline oriented environment will help them focus and have discipline for school, family, and life in general. In fact, kids learn a form of discipline that will potentially help them their whole lives which is Exercise.
2. Exercise
Between TV and Video Games, it is harder for kids to find a regular form of exercise. Martial Arts offers a consistent schedule to come practice and get in some good exercise for kids.
Martial Arts schools incorporate both aerobic and strength training activities for all classes. Most Martial Arts schools teach kicks, punches, stances, and acrobatics, mixing in some exercise activities. For example, doing some Jumping Jacks in between kicks and punches. Having a regular form of exercise helps kids stay healthy both physically and mentally everyday.
Of course the benefit of having your child doing a form of exercise should be enough right? Well, maybe for you but what about your child? That is why Martial Arts classes for Kids are geared toward having fun. Kids classes always incorporate fun games and activities to help kids do all the exercises and learn Martial Arts.
3. Fun
Kids usually come to Martial Arts and have the time of their lives. Classes for kids are tailored to teaching children with fun and exciting exercise and drills. All schools I have been at teach kids with games, obstacle courses, and team building activities. It’s always great to see a kid go through an obstacle course for the first time because by the end they have a smile that extends from ear-to-ear.
Fun is not one of the ideas most people initially think about Martial Arts but when you are in Martial Arts it is always on your mind.
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Why is it so hard to find a Karate class for 3 year olds in Minneapolis? Why is it so hard to find a Tae Kwon Do class for 3 year olds in St Paul? Why is it so hard to find any Kids Martial Arts classes that actually teach Martial Arts to 3 year olds?
Most Martial Arts studios do not offer classes for 3 year olds for a number of reasons: Read the rest of this entry »
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Kuk Sool Won of St Paul will be hosting a 5-day Summer Camp for 4-5 year olds. This will be no ordinary day camp. Kids will be learning Fun games and activities alongside Fun Martial Arts.
Check out the dedicated page we have set up for the camp: 4-5 year old Martial Arts Summer Camp
If you would like to sign up you or know a friend who would be interested you can email us at stpaulksw@gmail.com. The cost is $40 per student.
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Many people come into our Martial Arts studio wanting to know if Martial Arts classes are right for their kids and what benefits they can expect. Here is a quick list of 3 reasons to put your kids in Martial Arts:
1. Discipline
Almost every parent that thinks about putting their kid in Martial Arts thinks about Discipline. It is well known that Martial Arts teaches kids strong lessons in discipline. Every class kids learn the discipline to treat their instructors with respect by bowing, using titles such as “sir” or “ma’am,” and by practicing kicks and punches to the commands of the instructor. Discipline is the basis of Martial Arts and every student learns discipline that will help them practice as well as help them in day to day life.
2. Exercise
Between TV and Video Games, it is harder for kids to find a regular form of exercise. Martial Arts offers a consistant schedule to come practice and get in some good exercise for kids. Most schools offer both aerobic and strength training activities for kids to do on a regular basis during class. Exercise keeps kids healthy both physically and mentally.
Read the rest of this entry »
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