Hygiene Speech by one of our Junior Instructor at Choe's HapKiDo Karate in Cumming GA

Here is a speech given by one of our Junior Instructors. Mr Liam is a Junior Instructor, a leader at the Kids Martial Arts School in Cumming GA. He gave this speech about having proper hygeine to his peers at a Choe's HapKiDo Karate Belt Test held at our Duluth Karate School. Part of being a Junior Instructor is learning to be more confident and being able to speak in front of an audience, and Liam did an awesome job with his speech :)

HYGIENE

By

Liam

Check out the video here!

            "Hygiene is important so you won’t get sick.  Three areas I want to cover are teeth, body, and hands.

            Brushing your teeth at least two times a day will clean your teeth.  Make sure you do a circular motion at the gum line, and you won’t have cavities or bad breath.

            If you sweat daily, taking a quick shower will help especially after a Hapkido workout.  Make sure you use soap and shampoo.

            Washing your hands after using the toilet will prevent sickness and people calling you gross.

            If you follow these three things, you won’t get sick and you’ll smell good, and people will want to be your friend!"

Choe's HapKiDo Karate of Cumming
3020 Old Atlanta Rd
Cumming, GA 30041
(678) 513-5436
www.cummingsuwaneemartialarts.com
www.facebook.com/choeshapkidocumming 

Cyber Bullying Speech by Junior Instructor at Choe's HapKiDo Karate inCumming GA

Here is a speech given by one of our Junior Instructors. Edmond is a Junior Instructor, a leader at the Kids Martial Arts School in Cumming GA. He gave this speech about Cyber Bullying to his peers at a Choe's HapKiDo Karate Belt Test. Part of being a Junior Instructor is learning to be more confident and being able to speak in front of an audience, and this young man did an awesome job doing just that!!  

Cyber Bullying in Suwanee GA

"Cyber Bullying is kids making fun of other kids or making up rumors about other kids on electronic devices like cell phones, computers and tablets.

You may not know that you're cyber bullying someone but you might be.  When you're face to face you can tell when you've hurt someone's feelings because they might be crying or get mad.  But you don't know you're doing those things when you're cyber bulling.  We all know not to be a bully but you may not know that a text message or an email could do the same thing. 

We all know that if someone bullies you should go tell a teacher or your mom and dad.  But cyber bulling can be more confusing because you dont know if someone is joking or not.  It's easier to tell when someone is hitting you or yelling at you that you're being bullied, but it's harder when you get a text message or email that is mean.  If you are not sure then you should talk to your teacher or mom and dad.


For example, raise your hand if you think this is bulling --- I run up to you and do a Jump Spinning Heel and take all your money?  Of course that is bullying

Another example except raise your hand if you think this is cyber bullying.  I send you a text message that says "Hey, your stink!"

I could be trying to be mean or trying to be funny.  To make sure it is clear you can type that you are joking.

To make sure you're not a cyber bully you should read your text messages and emails carefuly before you send them. You've got to make sure that nobody could misunderstand you.  If you're trying to be funny make sure to tell that person that you're joking.  If you hurt someone's feelings by accident make sure you appologize.

Cyber Bullying happens a lot.  I hope this information helps you not to be cyber bullied or become a cyber bully."    

Choe's HapKiDo Karate of Cumming
3020 Old Atlanta Rd
Cumming, GA 30041
(678) 513-5436
www.cummingsuwaneemartialarts.com
www.facebook.com/choeshapkidocumming 

The Importance of wrapping your hands when kickboxing

One of the most important precautions you should take when learning or competing in boxing, MMA or a class format kickboxing is wrapping your hands properly. Hand wraps help absorb some of the shock brought about by throwing and landing punches, and keeps that shock from injuring your wrists.

The wraps also help protect the top of your hands and your knuckles.

Most trainers will agree that it is important to protect your hands from breaking or twisting your wrists when boxing so wrapping them is a must.  The wrapping of your hands will also keep your knuckles and bones behind them from bowing and braking.  The hands are made up of many small joints and small bones that could easily fracture from the impact of repeated punches.  They may also give you the confidence to throw more power into your punches. 

Handwraps are there to hold your hand together providing support for your wrists, fingers, knuckles, and to prevent injury This ensures even distribution of impact while punching. Without the wraps to secure the loose joints and moveable bones, a boxer could sustain a debilitating injury such as broken fingers and shattered knuckles. By using the appropriate method for wrapping your hands, you can make sure your boxing skills remain sharp for years to come.

There are a couple of different ways to wrap your hands but I find the most comfortable to be wrapping between the fingers.  This provides extra support to the knuckles, while keeping them separated. After securing the thumb, bring the wrap up and in-between your pinky and ring finger. Loop the wrap back around and between each of your fingers before completing at the wrist.

Your hands should feel comfortable. Do not wrap so tightly that you cut off circulation. Additionally, everyone has different hands so your individual method may vary.  People who have had previous thumb injuries may want to wrap around the thumb twice. Keep practicing until you are comfortable with them.

Be sure to choose the right types of wraps for your hands, as they come in different sizes ranging from about 108 inches to 210 inches in length. Generally, smaller hands do better with shorter wraps while larger hands benefit from longer wraps. Your wraps will build up sweat easily, so make sure to wash them on a regular basis. Throw them into a mesh bag to prevent them from tangling inside the washing machine.

Above all enjoy your boxing experience whether it be as a professional fighter or for recreation and stress relief.  At the end of the day it will be a personal preference whether you wrap your hands or not.  Preventing an injury is much better than going through surgery and long hours of physical therapy.  

A final thought, handwraps will stop your boxing gloves from absorbing sweat and therefore will make wearing them a more pleasant and less smelly experience!

Written by:

Mandy

Instructor, Fitness Kickboxing
Choe's HapKiDo of Cumming
3020 Old Atlanta Rd.
Suite 300
Cumming, GA 30041
(678)513-5436
www.ilovemartialartsgeorgia.com
www.cummingsuwaneemartialarts.com
www.facebook.com/choeshapkidocummingga

Sources:  Livestrong.com;  helium.com; gloves and handwraps.com

Real Food - Healthy Eating for a Healthy Life

Real Food

The following contains information gleaned from a conversation with the pleasant and knowledgeable Melissa Gauna, Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant.  Melissa will be presenting “Healthy Eating for a Healthy Life” on Saturday, March 30, 2013, 3:30 pm, at Choe’s HapKiDo of Cumming.

America has an obsession with food. We are either dealing with obesity, or inundated with the latest diet craze.  Unfortunately, many of the fad diets are, at best, based on partial information, and at worst, based on misinformation.  How do we navigate the overwhelming amount of information available, and are there any nutritional guidelines that work for everyone?

Fortunately, there is a simple, trustworthy answer to getting back to healthy eating.  Basically, eat whole foods.  Whole foods are defined by anything that roams on the earth, swims in the water, and grows from the ground.  These foods contain all the nutrients our bodies need to maintain optimal health; carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.  

Each of these three macronutrients (carbs, fats, and proteins) should be consumed in proper proportions.  Carbs should make up 40%, fats 30%, and proteins 30% of a balanced diet.  Of course, this is a very general guideline, and these percentages can be individualized with the help of a nutrition consultant.

Here is a very brief list of some great sources of macronutrients.  Carbs are found in fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, berries, kale, spinach, broccoli, and cabbage.  Look for healthy fats in real organic butter, tropical oils (coconut oil), nuts and seeds, and avocados.  The best sources of proteins are grass-fed beef, eggs, cold water fish (sardines), and wild game.  Often proteins and fats are found together.

Healthy Living

Diet and exercise go hand-in-hand.  In order to get the most out of your workout and provide your body with what it needs to lose weight and gain muscle, you have to fuel your body with the right kinds of foods.   

An hour or two before exercising, eat both carbs and fats. Carbs, which provide your body with quick energy, are balanced by fats that provide energy for a longer time. Then, an hour to an hour and a half after exercising, eat foods containing protein such as trail mix, eggs, chicken, or tuna. These protein-rich foods will help repair and build muscle.

So much of the processed food found in grocery stores barely resembles whole foods. Processed foods lose many important natural nutrients that are then replaced by synthetic nutrients.  Processed foods such as low-fat versions often contain lots of sugar. Eating sugar laden foods can cause spikes in blood sugar.  Our bodies can be stressed by working overtime to even out these sugar spikes. Fat and fiber can help to even out blood sugar.

Pay attention the next time you are at the grocery store.  The whole foods are generally found around the outside of the store.  Stay away from the aisles in the middle of the store.  For a healthy life, Melissa recommends, “Eat real food, exercise, enjoy sunshine, and drink water.” 

Susie R.

Kickboxing Instructor

Choe's HapKiDo Karate Academy of Martial Arts and Kickboxing in Cumming Suwanee GA

3020 Old Atlanta Rd

Cumming, GA 30041

(678) 513-5436

www.choeshapkido,com

www.ilovemartialartsgeorgia.com

www.facebook.com/choeshapkidocumming

Susie is an Instructor at the Cumming - Suwanee Location of Choe's HapKiDo Karate.  She teaches fitness kickboxing and Martial Arts.  Choe's HapKiDo of Cumming serves people in the Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Duluth, Alpharetta and Buford areas of Georgia.

Managing the Return to Fitness Training

Managing the Return to Training

After a Planned or Unplanned Break

Anyone who seeks to maintain a regular routine of exercise will eventually have to deal with some lapse in their training regimen.  Reasons for lapses in fitness training vary from illness or injury to traveling for work or pleasure.  But whatever the reason, it’s good to have a plan to return to regular training and regain an optimal level of physical fitness.

According to Sports Coach at ausport.gov.au, the steps to return to training include increasing frequency, duration, and intensity of exercise sessions.  Begin with increasing the frequency.  If the goal is to exercise every day, days of rest may need to be alternated with days of working out at first, until the desired frequency of exercise sessions is achieved.

Choe's HapKiDo Karate Academy of Martial Arts Cumming Suwanee

After the frequency of training is re-established, the duration of each exercise session can be extended.  When frequency and duration goals are obtained, it’s time to up the intensity of workouts.  Be careful not to increase the intensity too soon as relapse or injury can occur.

How long it takes to regain strength and aerobic conditioning depends on several factors; specifically, fitness level prior to the break, length of time off from training, severity of illness or injury that caused the hiatus.  The loss of strength and aerobic conditioning, a process called deconditioning, is less pronounced the more fit an athlete is, and is more noticeable in younger or less experienced athletes.  Here is a basic guideline: the amount of time it takes to return to a full exercise regimen is similar to the number of days missed through illness. 

If the break in exercise was due to illness, it’s important that the most severe symptoms (fever, nausea, diarrhea) have been absent for at least 24 hours before returning to exercise.  And if the illness required a trip to the doctor and/or medication, check with the physician as to how soon regular exercise can resume.

As with any exercise program, hydration, rest, and nutrition are essential to achieving and maintaining optimal fitness and health.  Exercise in and of itself helps boost the immune system, but include foods that will provide fuel to the process.

WebMD explains that antioxidants are the “vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect and repair cells from damage caused by free radicals. …fighting off damage with antioxidants helps keep your immune system strong…”  Antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables.  The three major antioxidants to look for are beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

Prevention.com targets nine foods that boost immunity: yogurt with live and active cultures, oats and barley, garlic, fish, chicken soup, green or black tea, beef, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms.

In addition to setting out a specific plan to return to a desired level of physical fitness, getting rest and eating right, it’s important to have a positive attitude.  A good mental state of mind will help to deal with regaining what has been lost.  It may or may not take more time than first thought, but celebrate the small achievements along the way. 

Susie R.

Kickboxing Instructor

Choe's HapKiDo Karate Academy of Martial Arts and Kickboxing in Cumming Suwanee GA

3020 Old Atlanta Rd

Cumming, GA 30041

(678) 513-5436

www.choeshapkido,com

www.ilovemartialartsgeorgia.com

www.facebook.com/choeshapkidocumming

Susie is an Instructor at the Cumming - Suwanee Location of Choe's HapKiDo Karate.  She teaches fitness kickboxing and Martial Arts.  Choe's HapKiDo of Cumming serves people in the Cumming, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Duluth, Alpharetta and Buford areas of Georgia.

Sources

http://www.ausport.gov.au/sportscoachmag/program_management2/how_to_manage_the_return_to_training_after_illness

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/antioxidants-your-immune-system-super-foods-optimal-health

http://www.prevention.com/food/food-remedies/9-power-foods-boost-immunity/more