New Member Pizza Party

ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg invites all new members who joined this month and last to attend a special Pizza Party. Come learn more about our school, meet new members, and have some free pizza…ATA Style! This party includes an exciting martial arts class, board breaking, games, and pizza! Students are allowed to bring up to 2 friends. Register Today! **Spaces Are Limited**

Date: Friday, January 27th
Time: 7:15pm-8:15pm
Bring Friends & Family

6 Steps to Kids Fitness

Thanks to a fast food/soda pop diet and the attractions of the TV, childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions.

“It’s not unusual to see a 12–year–old weighing 250 pounds,” says Christiane Wert, M.P.H., R.D., program director for KidShape, a Los Angeles weight management program for children.

Overweight kids are targets for other kids’ barbs, which can leave emotional scars, but there are more immediate physical concerns – high blood pressure, cholesterol and increased risk of heart disease. Excessive weight also exacerbates asthma, contributes to orthopedic problems like hip displacement and knee fractures, and may lead to early menstruation in pre–teen girls, a risk factor for breast cancer.

The problems are all preventable, Wert says, if children slim down by eating nutritious food and getting more physically active. It’s not just a matter of cutting calories, which tends to deplete muscle mass along with fat; this kind of “dieting” not only weakens children, but ultimately slows down fat metabolism.

In contrast, exercise boosts metabolism on a 24–hour basis. When kids are regularly active, their bodies burn more calories even when they’re sitting around watching Xena.

Here are some of Wert’s ideas for enticing even the most sedentary kids to get physical:

Make exercise fun.

“Think of activities that kids enjoy and that they’ll succeed at,” advises Wert. “If you pick an activity that’s too difficult for them to master, they’ll feel like failures and won’t want to keep doing it.” Ice skating, inline skating, or skiing, for example, may be great for some, but too complex for others. Consider snowshoeing, a bike ride, a martial arts class, or even something as simple as a hike through the park or a brisk walk at your favorite shopping center. Better yet: Ask your kids what they might like to try.

The family that plays together…

Parents (and siblings) should get on board with the new exercise program. The more family members who get enthusiastically involved, the better. “If parents see exercise as a chore, kids will sense that and won’t want to do it,” notes Wert. Instead, form Team Family so that the child doesn’t feel singled out or punished for being overweight. When was the last time you did something fun and active with your children?

Reward effort.

Set up a point system for exercise. For instance, keep track of everyone’s exercise feats with a chart on the refrigerator. Don’t make it a competition, but reward the whole group’s accomplishment. When everyone has done three exercise activities a week, say, celebrate by doing something special. But never use high–calorie sweets or fatty foods as a reward, Wert cautions; it sends the wrong message. “Food is something to nourish the body, not a reward or punishment,” she states firmly: “If at the end of a week of healthful eating, you reward your child with an ice cream sundae, it will seem more desirable than the healthful food. The child may become consumed thinking about it.”

Instead of food, try tickets to a sporting event, the theater, a concert or the movies. Girls might like a massage or facial at a day spa. Or splurge on athletic equipment like skates, mountain bikes, a gym membership, even something as simple as a jump rope or wacky exercise video.

Circuit–train at home.

Who needs a fancy home gym when you’ve got stairs, living room furniture and canned goods? Using everyday items as exercise tools makes for creative fun. Wert suggests establishing workout stations throughout the house for specific exercises. Do as much as you can at one spot in two or three minutes, then move on to the next station.

Jog five or six times up and down the stairs in the allotted time, move on to crunches with your legs up on the couch, then hustle to the kitchen to curl two 10–oz. cans of tomatoes or water bottles. Finish the routine by jumping rope on the porch. Do the circuit several times. Make it more fun by blasting your kids’ favorite music.

Dance!
Turn your living room into a disco. Pump up the volume, and shake it. Sure, it’s high on the corniness meter, but it can also be a lot of goofy fun.

Play schoolyard games.

Tag, touch football and capture the flag are aerobic outdoor games that everyone can play. Invite other families on your block to join in, and it becomes a big social event –– not like exercise at all. When they’re having fun, kids barely notice the huffing and puffing.

When the weather is nasty, a great indoor option is crab soccer. Get down crab–like, scuttling on your hands and feet to move a soft Nerf ball from one end of the family or rumpus room to the other. Just be sure to clear away anything breakable before you start.

In-School Halloween Tournament

ATA Branchburg In-School Halloween Tournament
Friday, & Saturday, October 21st & 22nd 2011

Dear ATA Branchburg members, families, and friends:

We are very excited to bring to you our 3rd annual Halloween Tournament. This years tournament will be held at ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg. There will be “introduction to competition” for Tiny Tigers. All Tigers will receive an award for their best efforts. Traditional competition will be held for Karate For Kids, Teens and Adults in forms, sparring, and weapons divisions. This years awards are one of a kind custom medals. And as always we highly encourage everyone to wear their customs to the competition.

We have planned lots of exciting entertainment on and off the competition floor. We encourage everyone to bring their friends and family members and we will make it a fun filled day for competitors and visitors alike. If there is anything my staff or I can do to provide you with further information, please do not hesutate to contact us at:

908.541.9800
or via e-mail at
Info@ATABranchburg.com

Keep training hard,

Tournament Host
Mr. Cory McNallan
4th Degree Black Belt

*Schedule Of Events

Friday, October 21st

6:30pm – Black Belts
Traditional Forms & Sparring

7:30pm – Black Belts
Weapons Division

Saturday, October 22nd

9:30am – Tiny Tigers

10:00am – ATAFIT
Family Fitness Class

10:30am – Camo-Red/Black
K4K
Traditional Forms & Sparring

11:30am – Beginners
K4K
Traditional Forms & One-Sparring

1:00pm – Halloween Party

2:00pm – Bow Out

ATA FIT Kids Bootcamp (1.21.11)

ATA FIT will take your level of fitness to a higher level. ATA FIT helps to combat the obesity problem in America today by readying your body for virtually any physical activity. Geared towards both children and adults

Basically the ATA FIT is a workout that readies your body for virtually any physical activity and can be geared toward anyone from pro athletes to non athletes. Most other training programs work on cardiovascular endurance and/or strength but ATA FIT develops flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, accuracy, and balance. With regards to cardiovascular endurance the workouts alternate between short bursts of exertion and rest.

ATA FIT now Powered by Warrior XFit.

When: Friday, January 21st
Where: ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Cost: FREE With a Friend

Register Today!!
*Limited Spaces

Kid Power Bully Defense Course (01.14.11)

Here at ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg we were sad to find out that almost 10% of school age children are the victims of a bully. Bullying is most common by the second grade and occurs throughout life. Bullying can be both physical and verbal, and can range from mild teasing to pushing and hitting. Bullying is even done quite often on the internet.

The team of instructors at ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg, New Jersey is trying to make a difference by building strong leaders in the community through Songahm Taekwondo and Martial Arts. It concerns us that children are being victimized by their peers. Being a victim of a bully can lead to a child avoiding school and developing anxiety about attending class.

Research and various case studies show us that victims of bullies are usually stereotyped as being loners, passive, quiet, sensitive, anxious, and with low self-esteem they are often smaller and/or weaker than the other children of the same age and they may even come from an overprotective home. Being a victim of a bully can cause your child to feel insecure, lower their self-confidence and have feelings of low self-worth and poor self-esteem. This may ultimately lead to depression and/or violence, either against themselves or against the bully. “Awareness is the key for parents, watching for changes in attitude, behavior and daily actions” states Mr. Cory McNallan, School Owner and Chief Instructor at ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg.

Unfortunately, victims of bullies often do not seek help or confide in anyone about the bullying, either because of shame or embarrassment or fear that it will be worse if the bully finds out. It is important to look for signs in your children. One of these signs could be, school avoidance behaviors, especially chronic nonspecific complaints, such as headaches or stomachaches, or they may have trouble sleeping. Also, if your child seems afraid or anxious about going to school, has a change in his/her personality or his/her behavior, or a change in his/her grades, you should consider that he/she may be a victim of a bully at school. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg teaches students and the youth within the community “LIFE SKILLS” that will change a child’s life and teach them…”Don’t Be A Target” and Don’t Be A Victim” in life. “Quality Life Skills such as; Self-Respect, Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence and enhanced social skills offer our students the ability to manage these concerns” states, McNallan.

If you suspect that your child may be a victim of a bully, you can ask them if they are being teased at school, or ask more open-ended questions, such as “What do you like to do at recess?” or “Who do you sit with at lunch?” Be open and listen to your child and most of all utilize your instinct as a parent.

Children are most often bullied at school, usually on the playground or at lunchtime when children are more likely to have minimal supervision, or it may occur in the hallways between classes or on the school bus. In any situation, the better supervised children are, the less likely that bullying will occur. Role playing on how to deal with verbal and physical bullying is taught in classes at ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg, New Jersey.

Children who are bullies may have problems with low self-esteem, but newer theories argue that bullies are driven more by a desire to have power over others and to be “in control” because they have poor self-esteem and that they have little empathy for their victims. They may also be aggressive, bossy, controlling, have a low level of self control, and have difficulty making friends. Bullies are also more likely to develop criminal behaviors as adults. Characteristics such as these are not accepted or healthy in any community. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg teaches how to strategically recognize, manage and deal with such improper behavior.

While this may help you understand why a bully acts the way they do, this doesn’t necessarily help your child deal with the problem when it occurs. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg offers classes that deal directly with these concerns. Things that you should avoid include teaching your child to fight back, since they may get hurt and it may also get him/her in trouble at school. We need to teach our children to be assertive and to show self-confidence at all times. Interact socially, and become a user of quality life skills that will protect them from becoming a victim.

Parents often turn to enrolling their children in a martial arts program, and while this can be helpful to build their self-esteem and help them be more assertive, the goal of taking the classes should not be so that he/she can fight back but to instill confidence and enhance their self-esteem. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg teaches a powerful, and inspiring Program “Kid Power Bully Defense Course” through quality life skills they learn the … “Don’t Be A Target” program. First and foremost they need to demonstrate and hold themselves in a manner that is not one that bullies see as a target. Second, they learn “Self Defense” through verbal practice and physical drills and skills students become aware of how a bully may attack them as an individual.

It may also help to talk with school officials about the problem (so that they can better supervise your child, observe the bully and intervene when necessary) and teach your child not to respond too strongly to the bully (either by crying or giving in to demands), because the bully is more likely to continue bullying your child if he/she knows that they will get a response.

Schedule a meeting between the parents of the children involved and school officials so everyone is aware and the potential and harmful threat may be dealt with.

ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg can teach your child to walk away (but while staying calm and not running), tell the bully to stop and leave him/her alone, or to use humor and come up with a good comeback when a bully teases him/her. It can also help if your child has high self-esteem and if he/she has some strong friendships, so that he/she is less of a target. Teaching your child to make eye contact with others (especially the bully) and to talk with a strong voice may also help. Role playing situations where he/she is bullied may be helpful in teaching how to respond.

It is also important for the bully to understand that bullying is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. If the bullying behavior or other aggressive behaviors persist, then he/she may need to speak with a trusted adult like a family member, friend or even their martial arts instructor as a mentor.

No one should ever become a Target or Victim in life. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg takes bullying serious and stands to protect the youth within the community. STAND UP & STAND PROUD!

ATA Martial Arts is offering a Kid Power Bully Defense Course to help children understand the consequences of bullying and being bullied. Call today and enroll now!

Date: Friday, January, 14th
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg
Street: 999B US Hwy 202N
City/Town: Branchburg, NJ 08876
Phone: 908.541.9800

How Children Can Discourage Bullying

Children can take steps to discourage bullying. A basic strategy is to hang out with friendly kids at school and to stay away from those who seem not to like them.

Bullying is also less likely to occur when children are in groups and are in areas supervised by adults. For example, children who wish to avoid being bullied can:

* Play or take breaks near adults while at school.

* Walk to school with older brothers and sisters or friends.

* Sit near the bus driver.

These strategies are only effective when schools have firm policies in place against bullying. Staff must be trained and supported in consistently enforcing these policies.

Children who bully look for an easy target. Bullies are less likely to pick on those who:

* Can quickly respond to threats in a self–assured way. Help your child practice what to say if he or she is bullied.

* Act confident and do not seem easily scared. Help your child learn to use strong body language, such as standing up straight, looking other children in the eye, and speaking firmly.

In the theme of the new Karate Kid movie, students and their buddies will learn how to deal with bullies and defend themselves if anyone tries to hurt, hit, or grab them. Students and their buddies will also learn the negative effects that being a bully has on a kid. We’ll also do some of the techniques and exercises that the main characters from the Karate Kid movies used when training (catching a fly with chopsticks and other fun games).

The first 40 kids and their friends that come to the seminar will get a FREE Karate Kid poster, and other Karate Kid prizes. This seminar will be PACKED, so RSVP right away by calling us at 908.541.9800 or email Info@ATABranchburg.com.

Date: Saturday, June 19th & Saturday, June 26th 2010
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Location: ATA Branchburg
Street: 999B US Hwy 202N
City/Town: Branchburg, NJ 08876

Kamen Rider Child Safety Tips

Last weekend, Bandai America Incorporated joined forces with ATA Martial Arts and Adness Entertainment to host a special Kamen Rider Child Safety Day. The action packed event at ATA Studios in Stevenson Ranch California drew over 65 kids and kicked off our “Join the Kamen Rider Revolution” Sweepstakes at ATA Martial Arts Schools nationwide where one lucky person can win the Grand Prize of training with Kamen Rider actors and Martial Arts Champions Mike Moh and Matt Mullins at XMA World Headquarters in Hollywood.

The unforgettable child safety event featured the martial arts skills of Mike Moh, star of hit TV show Kamen Rider Dragon Knight, combined with ATA’s Kidz ‘N Power curriculum, which educated children on ways to stay safe and fit. The first lesson was a simple break away self-defense instruction, then came role playing with possible stranger danger situations, lead by Master Scott Skiles and Mr. Jason Morgan of the ATA Training Division. You can watch scenes from the class and hear about 5 important child safety tips in the video from the event:

A second “action class” with ATA World Champion Mike Moh, demonstrated theatrical stunts from the show and a special ATA Xtreme Kamen Rider form.
In between classes we raffled away exclusive Kamen Rider “action packs” including our Kamen Rider action figures and role play toys, a Kamen Rider backpack, hat and t-shirt. Even the kids that didn’t win still got to play with the toys as we set up a fun toy table packed with lots of awesome Kamen Rider toys that everyone seemed to enjoy.

Even if you couldn’t attend the event in person you can also enter our sweepstakes online. In addition to the grand training day prize, theme park tickets and Kamen Rider toys are also up for grabs. No purchase necessary to enter and the promotion runs from November 7 through December 5, 2009 online at www.bandai.com/kamenrider. Many will enter, few will win.

Don’t forget to tune in to watch Kamen Rider Dragon Knight television show, which airs on The CW4Kids on Saturday mornings for more great martial arts.

For More Information Visit: http://www.ataonline.com/kamenrider

“Child Safety: Confidence is the KEY!”

This is an interview about child abuse, child safety and protecting children.

What on earth does self confidence and a solid self image have to do with CHILD SAFETY?!”

That was the start of last night’s radio interview we did. This little note isn’t about how popular we are. We’re sharing this with you to make a point: confidence has everything to do with child safety and keeping kids safe.

So, we shocked the “Shock Jock.”

Confidence is the Number One safety technique we teach. Confidence building is the Number One parenting skill we emphasize.

No matter what the age of your child.
No matter who you are.
No matter where you live.
No matter what your circumstances are.

Helice Bridges of Difference Makers International discovered this years ago. She built an entire world wide organization based on boosting self confidence in individuals. There’s now special Blue Ribbon awards for all ages, people, professions and countries.

Confidence is the foundation for everything in child safety. Confidence building is a very powerful teaching tool, as well. As a parent you also have the very same powerful tool at your disposal. And a great way to apply this parenting tool is with EMPOWERMENT.

When you empower your child, you will truly teach them to make choices for themselves. When they can make good choices for themselves they will be able to assess situations around them and respond in an appropriate manner. They will be able to make THE RIGHT choice when faced with a dangerous situation, when approached by a bully or inappropriate adult or when grabbed or surprised by an extreme predator. Very simply, it is all about teaching your child to make good choices, the best choices, for themselves. Yes, they will truly be able to keep themselves safe for a lifetime.

In its simplest form, empowerment means your child feels like they have a measure of control over their life. They feel they can make their own decisions, good decisions. Most kids don’t feel this ability. Because they feel powerless, kids will engage in a struggle with their parents to get some control of their lives. In doing so it usually comes across as conflict:

No! I don’t want to go!
I don’t like that!
I’m not eating that!
Stop it!
I don’t want to!
Leave me alone!

How to empower your child depends on their age. For children ages 4 to 7, give them alternatives to situations in their lives, let them make some of their own choices. For example, instead of serving them broccoli, ask them to choose between carrots, peas or broccoli or another vegetable as you prepare it. Let them choose the socks they want to wear. Letting them pick a favorite t-shirt can bolster their self-image. Give in to their cries of, “I can do it! I want to do it!”

Kids around 8 to 13 years old crave parental trust. Knowing Mom or Dad trusts them is a powerful confidence booster for kids this age. Empowering your elementary age child means when they do something, you “let go” and trust them to do it. At this age confidence building centers primarily around the issue of trust and you as a parent have to lead the way by example.

When your child reaches high school age, most of your parental work is in place or done. It is simply a time to “guide” your child and confidence boosting comes in the form of respect. Most teenagers need to know their parents respect them. With kids at this age it is very challenging for any parent but demonstrating respect for your child’s choices for themselves, even if you don’t always agree with them, is critical for their self image.

These are pretty simple examples, but this is about as easy as it gets in empowering your child. Giving your child choices, trust and respect is crucial in their development. It is crucial in their ability to keep themselves safe against all kinds of dangers.

All this being said, will your child always make good choices for themselves?

No!

That is where you, Mom and Dad, come into the picture. You, as a mentor to your child, can guide them through the array of choices they will face. You can guide them and teach them about learning to make good choices and their benefits.

And safety? Well, confident kids are not messed with by bullies at school. Confident kids know when that when confronted by an inappropriate request they can to say “NO!” Confident teenagers don’t always bow to peer pressure. Confident adults do not intimidated by the nasty co-worker in the office. It’s called “safety for a lifetime.”

-Preston Jones and Joyce Jackson

P.S. For a limited time only we are offering a very Special ATA S.A.F.E. Course

FREE every Wednesday in November at 5:00pm
In just 4 classes we will be able to dramatically improve your child’s focus and confidence, giving them the power to stand up to bullies and peer pressure and help them stay SAFE AND get BETTER GRADES!

Important: Call us at 1-908-541-9800 right away because there’s a limit of 15 kids.

The Power of Martial Arts and CONFIDENCE
Confidence truly is one of the keys to staying safe and “Stopping The Bully!”
Children who train in the martial arts learn powerful skills to defend themselves,
stand up to Bullies and stay safe in almost any situation. Knowledge truly is power!
Give your children the power, knowledge, skills and CONFIDENCE to stand up for themselves,
stop the bully, resist peer pressure and BE SAFE!

Help! My child needs more confidence

PART ONE
Does your child possess a healthy sense of confidence? Answer yes if your child makes friends easily, accepts leadership opportunities and displays a bright, positive attitude.

But if your child is timid, shy and passive, with few friends and little initiative, your child needs help now.

The problems start small, a child who can’t interact with his or her peers or won’t look an adult in the eye. But as a child grows these problems do, too – and before long this child is the target of bullies, prone to peer pressure and withdrawn in the classroom. Kids like this are called “painfully shy” for good reason.

A child with self-confidence problems needs to improve his or her self-esteem. In this report, we’ll share some ideas on how this can be done.

First, let’s review the five common problems your child may encounter.

Is your child “Timid and shy?”

Children who are quiet and unassertive find it difficult to interact with both peers and adults. They can find themselves overlooked in both school and social settings.

It is difficult for such children to “break out of their shell” in order to build friendships and gain leadership skills, both essential qualities for personal development.

Is your child a “Loner, not a leader?”

Shyness and a lack of self-confidence force children onto the sidelines and away from the action.
Children who fail to participate in activities do not allow their skills to develop, further lowering their self-esteem and insecurity.

Leadership in particular is a quality that must be learned. Children who are not encouraged to build this skill lose out on this powerful opportunity.

Is your child a “Bully magnet?”

As a parent, there is nothing more agonizing than knowing your child is suffering from the emotional abuse of a bully.

If you, too, were bullied as a child, you know yourself that the scars can take a lifetime to heal.

Sadly, children who are quiet, shy and unassuming tend to get bullied. For such children, it is essential that they turn their attitude around and learn the steps they must take to avoid this problem.
If your child has low self-esteem or little confidence, martial arts training offers a great environment to help them build the confidence they will need to succeed at school and in life.

P.S. For a limited time only we are offering a very special “3 Class Confidence Course”

In just 3 Classes we will be able to dramatically improve your child’s focus and confidence, giving them the power to stand up to bullies and peer pressure and help them stay safe and get better grades!

Important: Call us at right away because there’s a limit of 15 kids.