Lessons from our Child Safety & Stranger Danger Class

Our goal in putting on this workshop was to educate kids in how to be more aware of potential dangers, how to avoid them if possible, and what to do to defend themselves if they encounter a threatening situation. Here is a recap of a few of the lessons we presented:

"I've lost 11 pounds already!"
"I had to buy smaller jeans."
" I can finally see my abs!"

Lots of ladies in the fitness kickboxing classes at Impact Martial Arts Naples are super excited about the results they're getting. Some are looking to lose weight and slim down, while others are looking to tone up and get stronger. Using a mix of boxing, kickboxing, strength training, cardio, and stretching, the fitness classes at Impact will get you into shape fast - whether you're a beginner or an experienced athlete.

"The classes are really fun," one woman said. "The workouts are tough, but the instructors do a great job of coaching us and pushing us all the way through." Your whole body gets a workout - arms, legs, core, back, everything. And there are so many different exercises, it doesn't get boring or repetitive. Some days it's more punching and kicking, some days it's more about strength, and other days it will challenge your endurance. But it's always about fitness - burning fat, building muscle, and staying healthy.

Women in the kickboxing classes love the progress they feel. One lady said she was so happy to have moved up from the 5 to the 10 to the 15 pound dumbbells. Another was smiling about looking in the mirror and feeling proud of herself. "The workouts work. I can see the changes. It takes time, but it's worth it." Along with eating healthy, fitness kickboxing is a great way to get in shape. No matter your current fitness level, you'll love these workouts - and you'll love the awesome results too.

We all want our children to be safe. We want to protect them from the dangers of the world - including dangerous people. As they grow up, however, we can't be with them every moment of the day - and this is exactly why kids need to learn how to watch out for danger, and how to protect themselves if they are ever in a threatening situation.

At Impact Martial Arts Naples, instructors share age-appropriate lessons on child safety and self defense with the students in their classes. Kids learn safety rules such as: staying together with their parents and guardians in crowded places, asking permission before going somewhere, what to do if they get lost or separated, what to do if they are approached by a stranger, the importance of always going and telling a trusted adult what happened, and more. The instructors aim to make sure that children can avoid bad situations in the first place - and they also teach kids how to physically defend themselves if necessary.

Depending on a child's age, self defense might be screaming and yelling, biting and scratching, hitting vulnerable targets, breaking free from grabs and holds, or simply saying "NO!" in a confident and assertive manner. Students at Impact Martial Arts not only receive instruction on these techniques, they also get to act out and role play situations so that they will be better prepared if they ever happen. The instructors make the practice fun and educational, and the kids get a chance to hone their self protection skills.

Parents at Impact Martial Arts say that they are very thankful that the instructors are teaching their children these important, potentially life-saving lessons about safety and self defense. They say that their kids really like the exciting martial arts lessons, and it's even better that they also gain real life self defense skills. We hope they never need these techniques - but if they are ever in a threatening encounter or dangerous situation, we are thankful that they have the ability to defend themselves and escape to safety.

For many years, people around the world have been studying martial arts to learn the various styles and systems of physical combat and self defense. Now, kids in Naples are gaining an additional benefit from martial arts training - respect. At Impact Martial Arts, children are being taught the value of being respectful to their parents and teachers, being a good friend to others (not being a bully), and treating people with kindness and courtesy. These positive behaviors are a key part of the good character program at Impact.

Children in the classes at Impact Martial Arts are taught to say yes sir and yes ma'am. They are taught to listen, pay attention, and follow directions respectfully. Kids also learn to be respectful toward their training partners in class, and to make sure they don't hurt them while practicing their martial arts techniques. Respect is also shown with the traditional bow. Students bow to the instructor, they bow to their classmates, and most importantly they bow and say thank you to their families for bringing them to each class. The instructors role model respect as well, being polite to everyone and coaching and encouraging them respectfully. The goal of the program is that students will learn to show respect outside of their martial arts classes too, like with their parents at home, with their teachers at school, and with their neighborhood friends.

Ultimately, the instructors at Impact Martial Arts aim to build positive behaviors like respect into life-long character traits. They teach students to have good techniques, and also to have good behavior. To be a great black belt, they say, the ability to be a skilled fighter is not enough - you also need to be a good person. And that means being respectful, day after day. When children train at Impact Martial Arts Naples, being respectful becomes part of who they are - for life!

Registration will be opening soon for our Fall Season Kids Camps. Click here for more info -- http://www.impactnaples.com/camps.html

Kids are going back to school here in Collier County, and in our classes at IMPACT we've been talking about how they can make friends with the other children. Some of the tips we've discussed are:

- Introduce yourself. Say hi, offer a handshake, tell them your name, and ask them theirs. Say something like "it's nice to meet you", and "let's be friends".

- Invite them to join in what you're doing. If you're in PE, or having recess, or doing something fun in class, ask them to be in your group or on your team. Don't exclude others, or tell them they can't join in - that's mean.

- Give compliments. Tell someone you like their shirt, or that their shoes are cool, or that it was great how they scored a point during a PE sports game, or that you like the artwork they did. Be honest - don't make stuff up that you don't really feel. Give them a high five or a fist bump along with the compliments to make it extra nice. Its cool to be a good friend that way.

- Help others, don't make fun of them. If a kid slips and falls, don't point and laugh. Instead, offer your hand to help them up. If a kid drops a bunch of stuff, don't call them names for it. Instead, help them pick it up. Be kind to other and follow the golden rule.

- Sit with them at lunch. Is one of the kids sitting alone? Go over and say hi and ask to sit next to them. Introduce yourself and start a conversation. Or, invite them to come over where you are and sit with you and your friends. You could just ignore them - but your be a much better friend of you didn't.

- Most of all, BE RESPECTFUL. No one wants to be friends with a jerk.

Back to School Bully Defense Tip #1: Stand Up for Others!
When you witness bullying taking place, don't look the other way or just be a silent bystander. Speak up and say something! Step in on behalf of the person who is being bullied. Let the bully know that what they're doing isn't right and isn't cool. Join forces with your friends in standing up to the bully's mean and hurtful behavior. The more that people stand up for each other, the less the bully can get away with it. And, when you speak up on behalf of others, it helps you get better at speaking up for yourself too!

Back to School Bully Defense Tip #2: Talk to Your Family!
Always talk to your parents about what you're going through. The good and the bad, the positive and the negative. Tell them about your situation, what you're struggling with, and how you're feeling. Your family wants the best for you, and they will do everything they can to help. If you're being bullied, you may be hesitant to report it at school - maybe you feel like you'll be labeled a tattle-tail, or that the teacher won't be able to stop the bully. Keep communication with your family open and honest. Asking for help takes courage, but it's worth it! Your parents can probably give you some great advice on how to deal with the bully, and they can also assist in getting help from teachers and school staff if needed. When bullying (or anything else) is hurting you, remember that your family is on your side. Talk to them!

Back to School Bully Defense Tip #3: Believe in Your Own Awesomeness!
When bullies tease, insult, and make fun of you, it hurts. But it hurts a lot less when you don't take it to heart. Bullies want to make you upset, to push you around and push your buttons, and to make themselves feel better by making you feel worse. Know that you are not the mean things they say! Believe in yourself! Don't buy into the bully's cut-down's, lies and rumors. Those things aren't true. What is true is that you have power and strength to rise above all that - you just need the courage to build it up and bring it out from inside you. Believe in your own awesomeness, and you won't get caught up in the bully's attempts to bring you down.

Back to School Bully Defense Tip #4: Don't Escalate, Don't Retaliate
It's a natural reaction to being bullied - you're angry, you're upset, and you want revenge. You want the bully to feel hurt just like they hurt you. Sometimes it happens without even thinking - you tease right back at them, or respond physically yourself. It doesn't have to be this way. Don't let yourself get drawn into the bully's conflicts and fights. Stay cool, calm and confident! Respond to the bullying, but not out of spite. Be firm and assertive in speaking up and standing up for yourself, without over-reacting. The bully wants to get a negative reaction out of you. Don't let them! Be calm in the storm, and show the bully that you are stronger than their attempts to harass you. Be loud and clear in your voice, and say things like "Stop NOW" or "That's NOT Cool". Stand up strong, look them in the eyes, and let your body language convey the same message that you are willing to protect yourself. Being bullied can set off all sorts of negative emotions in you - but you can still control how you react and respond to it. Choose the better path, not the downward spiral of revenge.

Back to School Bully Defense Tip #5: Rehearse!
To be as prepared as possible for standing up to bullying - in case it ever happens to you - it is very helpful to role play possible situations and how you will react / respond to them. Act out likely scenarios with your family, friends, or classmates. Decide what words you will use, what tone of voice, how you will stand, and what actions you will take. Will you raise your voice at the bully? Walk away? Defend yourself? Report it? Rehearse these situations over and over again until your chosen response becomes second nature. By practicing your bully defense skills in advance of it ever happening, you will be as ready as possible for the real thing.

Back to School Bullying Tip #6: Tell Them to Stop!
Some bullies aren't aware how badly they're making you feel. They may think that what they're doing is just a joke, or that it's all in good fun, as if they didn't really mean anything by it. Speak up and tell them! Let them know that what they're doing hurts, that you don't think it's cool, and that you want them to stop. Maybe speaking up is all it will take to stop the bullying. Maybe confronting the bully and being straight with them will change their perspective about what's going on and how they're treating you. If you never say anything, they may just keep doing it. Find your voice! Try to put an end to the bullying by telling them to stop.

Back to School Bully Defense Tip #7: Learn Physical Defense Skills!
A good martial arts and self defense program will teach you how to protect yourself in all kinds of dangerous and threatening situations - including bullying. If a bully tries to hurt you physically, you need to know how to stop their attacks and get away safely. That doesn't mean you should get into a full-blown fight! Depending on the situation, defending against the bully could be pushing them off of you, or escaping from a grab or hold, or blocking them from hitting you, or even restraining them until help arrives. If you ever get into a physical confrontation with a bully, knowing how to keep them from injuring you is vital! Take the time to invest in gaining the skills - and especially the confidence - that martial arts and self defense training give you. It's worth it!

Back To School Bully Defense Tip #8: Report it!
Are you being bullied? Get help by reporting the incidents. If it's happening at school, tell your teacher what's going on. Alternatively, speak with the school counselor, resource officer, or another staff member you trust. Many schools have specific policies and procedures for helping kids who are being bullied - but they can't help you if they don't know. You may even be able to report the incidents anonymously if you prefer. Work cooperatively with the people you're reporting it to, and help them get a clear picture of everything that's going on - who, what, where, when, how and why. If you're being bullied, keeping quiet and hoping it will stop isn't the answer. Report it! Let others help you when you need it. And don't forget - you can report bullying on behalf of others too.

Back to School Bully Defense Tip #9: You Are Not Alone!
The torment and harassment of bullying can make you feel hurt, rejected, hopeless and alone. You may think that the bullying will never go away, that no one understands what you're going through, or that help is nowhere to be found. Reach out to someone! Talk to a person you trust. Call a friend. Contact people online, Write a a text message or email or letter. Phone a help line. Reach out in any way you can - the support is there. Help is available. You are not alone! It's hard to tackle tough challenges like bullying by yourself. Don't give up. Speak up, and let a helping hand come your way.

Back to School Bully Defense Tip #10: In Life There Will Be Conflict
Learn to deal with it. Disagreements, arguing, fights, bullying, and all kinds of conflicts - small and large - are a part of life. Take the time to work on how you handle with it when it happens to you. Develop your communication skills. Work on your self-control. Be respectful, even when you stand up for yourself. Learn about conflict de-escalation and resolution. Build your self-esteem and self-confidence as a shield against others' attempts to bring you down. Aim to stay cool, calm and collected even in tense situations. Be nice, until it's time *not* to be nice - and protect yourself from harm when you need to. Strive to master yourself, so that when conflict comes your way - as it inevitably will - you will be ready and able to navigate through it just fine. Choose your battles wisely.

During the 2015 Back to School Season, we are offering a special trial offer for new martial arts students - 4 weeks of unlimited classes plus a free pair of training gloves (a $30 value). You can take advantage of this limited time offer by clicking here:  http://member-site.net/?PT--bJghc

We have children's beginner classes available 5 days a week, and you can choose the times that are most convenient for you:
- Monday at 5:30pm
- Tuesday at 4:45pm
- Wednesday at 5:30pm
- Thursday at 4:45pm
- Friday at 6:00pm

Click this link to get more info and to register:  http://member-site.net/?PT--bJghc
Spaces in our kids classes are limited, so sign up soon!

Are you looking for a safe, fun, educational place for your children to go when school’s out? IMPACT is the perfect place for kids to stay active, stay safe, and stay fit and healthy. Our large, indoor, air-conditioned facility provides plenty of room for endless games and activities, and our instructors and camp counselors make sure the classroom environment is structured, organized, and always friendly. Week after week, our campers are sweating, smiling, learning, and feeling great!

Beginners are welcome! Your child does not need to have any previous martial arts experience to attend camp, nor do they have to be currently enrolled in our Kids martial arts program. The skills and techniques we teach during the martial arts portion of camp are beginner friendly, and are meant to introduce your child to the fun and enjoyable world of martial arts and self-defense. We also include lessons on “stranger danger”, bully defense, child safety and abduction prevention. We want to make sure that the children learn how to stay safe and protect themselves, just in case.

We have a HUGE variety of activities for all the kids to participate in every day. From exciting martial arts training, to fun fitness exercises, to dodge ball championships, to challenging obstacle courses, to indoor and outdoor sports games, to crazy relay races, to arts and crafts and drawing games, even gymnastics and acrobatics skills – the list goes on and on! We have games that are age appropriate too – we know that the same activities don’t always appeal to kids who are 4 or 5 and also to kids who are 9 or 10. We do some activities all together, and some activities separated into groups. This helps the children have some time with their peers and some time to mix it up and make new friends. No matter which activities we do, we make sure that everyone is following the rules, playing fair, and treating each other with respect and sportsmanship. And with so many activities all day, the kids are never bored! Check out a few of the great things we do:

Martial Arts Lessons
Fun Fitness Games
Sportsmanship and Teamwork
Obstacle Courses
Character Education: Respect, Self Control, and Good Behavior
Dodge Ball Championships
Arts and Crafts
Age Appropriate Activities
Daily Reading Time
Making New Friends
And MUCH More!

Parents also love that our camps have daily reading time. We ask that all the kids bring a book or two with them to camp, and we take breaks throughout the day for calm and quiet book time. (Kids who are not yet able to read may have the option to color in a coloring book they bring, or they may along with a friend.) We believe that reading real books is just as important (if not more so) than reading on tablets and similar devices, so we discourage e-reading at camp. Kids should not come to camp thinking that they are going to play on their phone or tablet all day. Our goal is to keep them engaged with lots of activities other than electronic entertainment.

Our camps are so much fun that kids don’t want to leave! We cannot tell you the number of times that we have heard kids say to their parents at the end of the day, “Please can we stay longer?” One parent even told us that her daughter said that our camp was the best camp she had ever been to! Our first and most important goal is to make sure that camp is fun, enjoyable, and engaging for all the children who attended, and to use the time we have to help teach them about being safer, healthier, and more successful in their everyday lives. Even after so many hours of action and excitement, the kids just want more!

Our 2015 Summer Camps begin the week of June 8th and continue all summer. The sessions available are:

June 8-12
June 15-19
June 22-26
June 29-July 3
July 6-10
July 13-17
July 20-24
July 27-31
August 3-7
August 10-14

Camp hours are Monday though Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Early drop off and/or late pick up may be available by request – please contact us directly to make arrangements. If you would like to sign up your child for less than a full week of camp, daily rates are available as well. We also offer family discounts for additional siblings.

Children coming to camp should wear comfortable clothes that they can be active in all day. Kids should also bring a big lunch and lots of healthy snacks (we usually take at least 2 snack breaks per day in addition to lunch time). Since we have daily reading times, kids should also bring a few books from home (make sure you put your name in them, just in case.)

Camp sizes are limited, so please register in advance. Contact us at (239) 596-1633 or info@impactnaples.com

And we’ll send you the link to the online registration page

We look forward to having you with us in our AWESOME summer camps this year!!

PS – Follow us on Facebook too:  https://www.facebook.com/impactmartialartsnaples