Billy Blanks pushes martial arts to help kids with autism

By MARY SHEDDEN
The Tampa Tribune
Published: November 07, 2011
Updated: November 09, 2011

The first time Billy Blanks showed up at karate class, the instructor bet $5 he wouldn't stick it out.

Blanks, then 14, seemed like a lot of kids who showed up at the Martin Luther King Center in Erie, Pa., in 1969. Also, Blanks had spent years in special education classes because of dyslexia that went undiagnosed and untreated.

The boy knew martial arts offered something different. It would pay off, he told himself, as long as he watched the instructor's every move and practiced every afternoon at the gym.

Within six months, the teen's focus improved, at home and at school. In a year, he had earned a black belt.

"It really gave me a chance to see that I could do it, that I could really be successful," said Blanks, who today is known worldwide as the creator of the Tae Bo kick boxing workout.

"I was learning how to bring my body under control. I got my mind under control and it gave me confidence."

Blanks' personal experience has evolved into a new mission: To introduce physical fitness to children with autism and other special needs. He'll do just that this week in St. Pete Beach, when he leads two community workouts as part of the 2011 National Autism Conference.

Social interaction, language and communication are key challenges facing children and adults living with the highly complex autism spectrum disorders. Research shows that regular movement, such as exercise, can help with treatment, especially for children with still-developing brains.

Blanks, who still teaches regular classes, said he's seen first hand how music coupled with the fast-paced punching and kicking in his workouts appeal to children with autism. It helps them gain confidence and connect with others.

You can read the rest of the article HERE.




Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikaratestudio@gmail.com

Living Hero

Fauja Singh says he lives 'a very simple life'. Photograph: Chris Young/AP

I found this inspiring person from the Daily Good and have re-posted the brief biography they provided on their website.  This man is incredible, not only for his physical abilities at his age, but we can all take a lesson from his philosophy about money, food and life!

Rock On!

'Anything worth doing is going to be difficult," says Fauja Singh, the100-year-old runner who this week became the world's oldest person to complete a full-length marathon, crossing the line at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront event in eight hours, 25 minutes and 16 seconds. (And he didn't finish last: five came in after him.)


At five foot eight and weighing a little more than eight stone, Singh is a spindly figure under his heavy turban and wispy beard. "Girl, you tell me: has anything you wanted ever been easy?" he says. "I was so worried we [he ran with his trainer] might not make it that we didn't tell our relatives we were doing it. I just wanted to break that bloody record."


He is referring to the record set in 1976 by a 98-year-old Greek athlete. "I lost my speed in this race," says Singh, "but it was the thought of that old man that pushed me through the last four miles. That and God."


Speaking in Punjabi, Singh says running has given him purpose and a sense of peace. "Why worry about these small, small things? I don't stress. You never hear of anyone dying of happiness." And Singh is, by his own admission, pretty happy. Having moved from India to England in 1995, after the deaths of his wife and son, he lives with family in east London, and leads what he says is "a very simple life".


He took up serious running when he was 89 and says it was his good kismet (destiny) that led him to meeting ex-professional runner Harmander Singh, his trainer and friend. The pair were introduced through a neighbour after Fauja began asking how he might enter the London marathon.


"I train him for free," says Harmander. "It's an honour for me." Together, they have clocked up more than a dozen full and half-marathons.


Harmander says health tests taken last year showed that Singh "has the bones of a 35-year-old". And yet, Singh claims never to drink milk. "I'm scared of building up phlegm," he explains.


Asked about the rest of his diet, he chuckles. "I could go on and on, but it's not a new or magic thing, is it? Punjabi people know eating and drinking is important, but I just eat the minimum of what I need: some daal and roti, gobi and chai – I'd probably be dead if I was full all the time."


Singh runs between 10 and 15km every day – "you have to keep your engine going" – and at 94, became a poster boy for Adidas, alongside David Beckham and Jonny Wilkinson.


"I'm not really interested in all the rupees, I give it to charity," he says of his sponsorship deal. "Money can be saved and spent and lost and made. At my age it's nice just to do this. Come on, who wants to talk to this old man? Everyone now! And it's because of the running that all these people keep showing me so much love. Look how blessed I am. What's not to be happy about?"


This blog post is a part of The Ultimate Black Belt Test (ultimateblackbelttest.com), an undertaking of The 100 (the100.us), and a part of Samurai Karate Studio (samuraikaratestudio.net).

Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio 
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikaratestudio@gmail.com

Halloween Safety Tips

Our martial arts school is asking parents, homeowners and drivers throughout our community to join with us to make Halloween safer with these safety tips.

Parents

· Make your child eat dinner before trick-or-treating.

· Children should carry quarters, so they can call home.

· An adult should accompany young children.

· If your children go on their own, be sure they wear watches, preferably those that can be read in the dark.

· Buy or make costumes with flame-retardant material.

· Older children should know where to reach you and when to return home.

· You should know your children’s route for the evening.

· Although tampering is rare, tell your children to bring their candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.

· Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect.

Homeowners

· Buy candy that is individually wrapped.

· Consider healthier alternatives for treats: juice boxes, packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini-boxes of raisins, packaged granola bars, and wrapped single-serving packages of microwaveable popcorn that can be popped later.

· Consider non-edible treats for children: pencils, erasers, plastic rings or coins.

· Clear your yard of debris, ladders, dog leashes, flowerpots, etc.

· Make sure your home and yard is well lit.

· Make sure your jack-o-lanterns are away from the path where trick-or-treaters will be walking. Battery-powered jack-o-lantern candles are preferred to real candles.

· Ensure that any decorations can’t be blown into the jack-o-lantern and catch on fire.

· Make sure that your pets are secure for the evening.

· Do not invite any children to come into your home. Prop the door open while handing out candy, never ask them to stand in the doorway.

· If a child needs assistance, ask them for their parent’s phone number and offer to call them.

· If you think a child is in danger, call 911 and stay outside with the child.

Drivers

· Drive carefully over hills, around curves and approaching stop signs or cross walks.

· Enter and exit driveways with caution.

· Watch for children walking in the street in neighborhoods without sidewalks.

Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio 
2000 Clemson Road
Suite # 9
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikaratestudio@gmail.com

The Power of One

Sunday, October 2 marks both the United Nations' International Day of Non-Violence and the birthday of one of its biggest proponents: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. This video pays tribute to the concept and the man and is called the "Power of One."

Here at SKS, we honor the values and practice of the nonviolent civil actions that changed a nation -- and indeed, the world.

Video from KarmaTube

Sensei Chris Feldt

Samurai Karate Studio

Columbia, SC 29229

803-462-9425

samuraikaratestudio@gmail.com

Asperger's And The Martial Arts

The following article, was written by Melody Shuman, a martial art's instructor who specializes in child development and teaching all types of children at her school.

With Asperger's Disorder, the affected individuals are characterized by social isolation and eccentric behavior in childhood. There are impairments in two-sided social interaction and non-verbal communication. Though grammatical, their speech is peculiar due to abnormalities of inflection (change in voice tone) and a repetitive pattern. Clumsiness is prominent both in their articulation and gross motor behavior. They usually have a circumscribed area of interest which usually leaves little or no space for more age appropriate, common interests. 

Some examples are cars, trains, meteorology, astronomy or history.  The name "Asperger" comes from Hans Asperger, an Austrian physician who first described the syndrome in 1944. 

The most common symptoms associated with Asperger’s in relation to training in a martial arts class include:

1. They tend to lack motivation during drills that they are not interested in. They will either not apply any effort to the drill, or they will complain throughout the entire drill.
2. They tend to fail at proper interaction with the other students.
3. They either ignore everyone, or they get too close to others when speaking and playing.
4. They tend to interrupt the teacher by asking a lot of questions, usually regarding the same topic when they do not get the answer they desire. For example, they may obsess over playing dodge ball at the beginning of class. You explain that the game will be played at the end, but they keep asking you throughout the class hoping that you will say yes.
5. They are easily frustrated because they tend to lack the same motor skills as the others
6. They tend to raise their hands when you ask questions, but usually do not have the correct answer, and in many cases their answer is not even associated with the question that you asked.
7. They have sensory issues and sometimes activities that require touching may intimidate them.

Here are some tips when working with children diagnosed with Asperger’s:

1. Use incentives to motivate him. Explain that if he tries real hard during a drill that he is not particularly motivated to do, you will reward him with a sticker or let him pick the game at the end of class.
2. Remind him to use proper language when speaking to others. If he does not want to be bothered by another student, remind him to say “no thank you” or share a simple smile instead of hard words. For those that are overly-aggressive, remind him to say “excuse me” when speaking to others, and remind him not to get too close to others because it is not polite.
3. Learn how to re-direct him when he becomes over obsessive. For example, if he asks to play dodge ball explain that you will play at the end of class but only if he maintains good behavior. Then, ask him a question related to the next drill: do you know what part of the foot to hit with on a side kick?
4. Be patient with their motor skills. Change up the exercise for him if you notice a significant difference in his abilities vs. the other students. For example, if he cannot do 10 kicks with his leg in the air, instead try having him hold his leg in the air for 20 seconds.
5. Be patient when he tries to answer questions. He will raise his hand to get your attention more so than to answer the question correctly.
6. Understand that he may be very sensitive to touch, so be patient with this area. Scale back the touching until he feels comfortable. Ask him if he wants to increase the intensity. Let it be his choice.

Additional tips:

1. Learn what his interests are. If you know that he is a big fan of the Power Rangers, use that when you are teaching class. Also, use it to break the ice and increase communication between the both of you.
2. Be calm! If you show that you are angry or frustrated, he will only feel worse and more intimidated by you. You must approach him with a calm manner, especially when he is at his worst behavior.
3. Stay near him as much as possible during class. You should give him more attention than the other students or else he may develop anxiety.
4. Even if he doesn’t talk to you very much, talk to him a lot. This will improve his communication skills.
5. Master the art of patience. Immediate results are not likely. It takes a great deal of patience and consistency for your student to grow.

I have worked with several children that have Asperger's and I have found them to be very smart, but lacking in social graces.  But over time, I have witnessed significant changes in my student's behavior, not only to me, but to other students in class.

Currently, I am working with one boy in my special needs class who has Asperger's and he displays many of the traits listed above.  However, he is a really good boy and with the proper motivation, one day he will be taking classes with the other kids.

If you know someone who falls on the Autism spectrum, that might benefit from martial art's training, please feel free to call me at 803-462-9425.

Sensei Chris Feldt

Samurai Karate Studio

Columbia, SC 29229

803-462-9425

samuraikaratestudio@gmail.com

State Parks Are Threatened

 

Despite all the doom and gloom you hear about in Washington, with regards to our debt ceiling and our bloated budget, I can't say there has been a dramatic impact on me or most people I know in my state.  However, for the first time I can ever recall, our state park system is under attack across the US, with many states considering closing their parks in order to save money.

While I certainly sympathize with the states, as the current economy is one of the worst in decades, and Washington really hasn't been able to get it's house in order to help the states, it seems to me, closing the parks is just a quick and easy fix and doesn't really address the state's long term fiscal problems.

At a time when many families are struggling, our state parks provide an outlet for family fun that is low cost and encourages healthy activities like walking, biking, canoeing and hiking.

I also believe there is a bigger issue with closing these parks.  For the first time, our current geneartion is growing up without any exposure to the outdoors.  Parents are terrified of letting their children play outside, for fear their child might be abducted or molested. 

However, as author Richard Louv points out in his book, Last Child In The Woods, there is a growing nature deficit,  "As the nature deficit grows, new studies demonstrate just how important direct contact with the outdoors is to healthy human development. Most of the new evidence that connects nature to well-being and restoration has focused on adults, but during the past decade, scientists have begun to study the impact of nearby nature on child development. Environmental psychologists reported in 2003 that that nature in or around the home, or simply a room with a view of a natural landscape, helped protect the psychological well-being of the children."

Closing these state parks will only compound the nature deficit that many of our children are already experiencing!

I hope the states can figure something out and keep the parks open.  

To me, this is good self defense!

If you would like to find out what parks your state are considering for closure, please visit the link here: Tree Hugger.

"There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy, and its charm."  Teddy Roosevelt

 

This blog post is a part of The Ultimate Black Belt Test (ultimateblackbelttest.com), an undertaking ofThe 100 (the100.us), and a part of Samurai Karate Studio (samuraikaratestudio.net)

Questions About Karate Training For Autistic Kids

I get questions all the time about how my training with Autistic children is different from children that do not fall on the spectrum, and my answer is almost always the same.


Children behave differently whether they fall on the spectrum or not.  The most important thing is to focus on the needs of the child, learn what their strengths and weaknesses are and then develop a training plan that fits their goals.


No two kids are alike.  They typically have unique characters, which is what we love about them.


And while most kids are different, I find most parents are looking for the same things the martial arts has to offer:

Focus, discipline, honor, integrity, respect, 

confidence, perseverance, courage and self defense

What I want parents to know, is that when I work with your child, I want them to understand I care about them and want to help them succeed.

It doesn't matter to me if they fall on the spectrum or not.

This is what I believe in and use as a guide every day that I teach!

Sensei Chris Feldt

Samurai Karate Studio

Columbia, SC 29229

803-462-9425

A Grandfather's Love

The following letter was given to me a couple of years ago by Mr. Dennis Schaffer, grandfather of one of my autistic students, who had been training with me for several months.  Mr. Schaffer and Ben are very close and have a very special relationship, despite the fact that Ben is severely autistic and does not speak!

....................................................................

"MY GRANDSON BEN IS 13. HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM AT THE AGE OF 3 AND IS A SEVERE AUTISTIC WHO IS NON-VERBAL AND HAS MANY SOCIAL AND SENSORY ISSUES. BEN’S FAMILY PURSUES AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE, HIS DAD IS AN AVID CYCLIST, HIS MOTHER AND BROTHER ARE PURSUING THEIR BLACK BELTS IN KARATE AT SAMURAI KARATE STUDIO IN COLUMBIA, SC.

BEN’S PRIMARY EXERCISE CONSISTS OF SWIMMING AT THE LOCAL POOL, WHICH IS OFTEN, ESPECIALLY DURING THE SUMMER. OTHER THAN SWIMMING, BEN SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME, EITHER IN SCHOOL, OR AT HOME WATCHING HIS MOVIES AND PLAYING ON THE COMPUTER. HE REALLY DOESN’T CARE TO SOCIALIZE WITH OTHERS OR GO OUT THAT MUCH. EVEN IN-HOME THERAPY, CAN BE CHALLENGING FOR BEN AT TIMES.

BEN’S BROTHER, DANIEL STARTED TAKING KARATE AT SAMURAI KARATE STUDIO OVER A YEAR AGO, WHILE HIS DAD WAS IN AFGHANISTAN. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, BEN’S MOTHER, LYNN, JOINED THE KARATE STUDIO. ON SUNDAYS THE FAMILY GATHERS FOR DINNER. USUALLY AFTER DINNER, LYNN AND DAN SHOW THE FAMILY WHAT THEY HAD LEARNED THE PREVIOUS WEEK AT THE DOJO. BEN WOULD TRY TO BECOME INVOLVED, BY TRYING TO HUG HIS BROTHER DURING HIS KARATE ROUTINES.

MY DAUGHTER AND I DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITY OF WHETHER OR NOT BEN COULD ENGAGE IN SUCH AN ENDEAVOR LIKE KARATE. WE READ ARTICLES, AND SPOKE WITH PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE INVOLVED WITH AUTISTIC KIDS. WE WERE TOLD THAT POSSIBLY A FEW INDIVIDUALS WITH MILD AUTISM MIGHT BE ABLE TO LEARN KARATE. BUT CHILDREN WITH MORE SERIOUS OR CLASSIC AUTISM SYMPTOMS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN THIS TYPE OF ACTIVITY, SINCE THEY HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN IMITATING OTHER PEOPLE.ADDITIONAL CONCERNS WERE EXPRESSED, THAT TEACHING HIM ACTIVITIES LIKE KICKS AND PUNCHES MAY MAKE BEN MORE AGGRESSIVE OR CREATE SENSORY OVERLOADS, ETC.

FORTUNATELY FOR BEN, HIS PARENTS’ BELIEVE, THAT EACH CHILD WITH AUTISM IS UNIQUE, AND THAT ONE SET OF RULES DOES NOT ALWAYS APPLY ACROSS THE BOARD TO ALL KIDS. IN SPITE OF WHAT WE HAD LEARNED, AND BEEN TOLD BY INDIVIDUALS, THAT IT MIGHT BE TO HARD FOR BEN TO GRASP THE CONCEPT OF MARTIAL ARTS, MY DAUGHTER AND I APPROACHED SENSEI FELDT AND DISCUSSED THE IDEA OF DEVELOPING A CURRICULUM FOR KIDS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. THEREBY, GIVING CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES THAT COULD NOT ONLY BE BENEFICIAL TO THEM BUT ALSO SHARED WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

WITH THE HELP OF A BOARD CERTIFIED ABA THERAPIST, A LOT OF PATIENCE FROM SENSEI FELDT, AND BEN’S SHADOW (HIS MOM), A CURRICULUM WAS DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED WHICH INCORPORATES FUN, EXERCISE, SELF-DISCIPLINE AND ALLOWS BEN TO ENGAGE IN A SPORT WHERE HE CAN ADVANCE AT HIS OWN PACE.

WHEN BEN FIRST PUT ON HIS GI AT HOME, YOU COULD SEE HE WAS VERY APPREHENSIVE AND NOT SURE WHAT WAS GOING TO TAKE PLACE. EVEN THOUGH HIS MOTHER TRIED TO ASSURE HIM THAT HE WAS GOING TO THE DOJO AND WOULD HAVE FUN, BEN WAS NOT CONVINCED.

THIS WAS BENS’ FIRST TRIP TO THE DOJO AND HE LIKED ALL THE MIRRORS, THE BALLS AND THE FREE STANDING HEAVY BAGS IN THE STUDIO. HE RAN AROUND THE STUDIO LOOKING AT EVERYTHING. THIS WAS TO BECOME HIS FIRST OF MANY SESSIONS WITH SENSEI FELDT.

SUBSEQUENT TRIPS TO THE DOJO NOW INCLUDED THE RITUAL OF TAKING OFF HIS SHOES AND PUTTING THEM IN THE SHOE BINS, BOWING IN AND STARTING HIS EXERCISE ROUTINE, TO INCLUDE, RUNNING (NOT HIS FAVORITE), JUMPING JACKS (HE REALLY LIKES THESE), SIT UPS (SMILES THE WHOLE TIME), PUSH UPS, ETC. AFTER THE EXERCISE ROUTINES, HE PRACTICES HIS BACK FIST PUNCHES, KICKS, ETC. AT THE END OF HIS KARATE LESSONS, HE PARTICIPATES IN THE MARTIAL ARTS CEREMONY WHERE HE KNEELS DOWN, BOWS AND THEN STANDS AND BACKS OFF THE MAT AND BOWS OUT TO HIS SENSEI.

I ATTEND AS MANY OF BEN’S SESSIONS AT THE DOJO AS POSSIBLE, AND AFTER THE THIRD OR FOURTH SESSION, MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, BEN BEGAN TO IMITATE SENSEI FELDT WHEN HE TOLD BEN TO KICK AND PUNCH. AS A MATTER OF FACT, BEN DOES MOST OF HIS TRAINING NOW, IMITATING HIS SENSEI.

BEN’S AGGRESSION HAS NOT ESCALATED AT HOME OR IN SCHOOL, IN FACT; HE SEEMS TO HAVE BETTER CONTROL WHEN HE HAS A MELTDOWN. THE WHOLE FAMILY HAS SEEN A CHANGE IN BEN SINCE HE BEGAN HIS KARATE TRAINING.

WHEN BEN PUTS ON HIS GI AT HOME TO GO TO THE DOJO, HE STARTS TO GIGGLE AND SMILE. WE KNOW THAT BEN REALLY LOOKS FORWARD TO HIS TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS AT THE KARATE STUDIO. WHEN BEN ENTERS THE DOJO, HE TAKES OFF HIS SHOES WITHOUT ASSISTANCE AND BOWS IN ON HIS OWN. HE IS NOW WORKING ON HIS FORM AND IS LEARNING THE CEREMONIAL ASPECTS OF MARTIAL ARTS.

WATCHING BEN PERFORM HIS KARATE ROUTINES HAVE BECOME PRICELESS MOMENTS FOR ME. I HAVE BEEN AROUND BEN A GREAT DEAL SINCE HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM, AND I KNOW HOW HARD THINGS HAVE BEEN FOR HIM. TO SEE BEN ACCOMPLISH TASKS AND SEE HIM ENJOYING IT AT THE SAME TIME, BRINGS ME A GREAT SENSE OF PRIDE IN MY GRANDSON. IT REMINDS ME OF A QUOTE I ONCE READ THAT GOES:

“Placing one foot in front of the other, I’ve climbed to higher lengths. Reaching beyond my own limitations, to show my inner strength. No obstacle too hard, for this warrior to overcome. I’m just a boy(man) on a mission, to prove my disability hasn’t won.”

Robert M Hensel

BEN PUTS A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT INTO HIS MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING AND THAT,

COUPLED WITH THE CONTINUAL PRAISE THAT HE RECEIVES FROM HIS SENSEI AND HIS FAMILY, MOTIVATES BEN TO KEEP ON TRYING.

WHILE I HAVE ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO SUNDAY DINNERS WITH MY FAMILY, I MUST ADMIT, THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF ANTICIPATION AND EXCITEMENT FOR ME WHEN I WATCH BEN JUMP INTO HIS “HORSE STANCE” AND HE SHOWS GRANDPA AND GRANDMA HIS BACK FIST AND FRONT KICKS. THESE ARE SPECIAL MOMENTS THE ENTIRE FAMILY WILL FOREVER CHERISH.

THANK YOU SENSEI FELDT, FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND CARING ABOUT THESE VERY SPECIAL KIDS WHO BRING OUR FAMILIES SO MUCH PRIDE AND JOY."

....................................................................

Thank you sir for such a beautiful letter and giving me the privilege of working with your grandson.

If you would like more information about our program for autistic children, please call me at 803-462-9425.

Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
803-462-9425
2000 Clemsons Road
Suite # 9
Columbia, SC 29229

New School Year Around The Corner

Phew!

The summer has really gone by quickly, with just a few weeks left before school starts.  I am always sad as summer comes to an end, but I love the excitement and energy that a new school year brings as well.

Busy School Year

I expect this to be a very busy school year, as I will be involved in many different programs.  Aside from teaching my regular classes at Samurai Karate Studio, I will also be teaching at the University of South Carolina.  I am a professor there.  I will be teaching beginner karate, but hopefully, I will be adding a second class, self defense for women, in the Spring.  

I love teaching at USC!  College students enroll in this class because they are interested in learning how to defend themselves and gaining an understanding of karate.  These students tend to be in pretty good shape, are flexible and pick up the techniques pretty quickly.

I will be teaching twice a week at USC.

I have also offered my services, to teach basic self defense skills to the women in the USC sororities.  Statistically, this age group is one of the most vulnerable to sexual assault and it is my goal, to help educate as many women as possible so that they can defend themselves if assaulted.

Richland County School District 2

I will be teaching afterschool karate programs at Rice Creek Elementary, Sandlapper Elementary and North Springs Elementary Schools. This will be my 3rd year teaching at these schools and I have a blast working with the younger students.  These classes focus on character skills such as discipline and respect, cover topics like stranger danger and Diabetes awareness as well as cover basic karate techniques.

I am hoping to pick up another afterschool program, across the street from my dojo, at Living Springs Church.

In addition to my karate programs, I work with the local teachers and guidance counselors covering various presentations.  The most popular one (of course) is bullying and how to defeat the bully in a non violent kind of way.  I have taught hundreds of kids over the past 4 years and I have had great luck helping these children understand what bullying is and how they can "fight back"  without resorting to kicking or punching.

Of course, if you know someone who is having a problem with bullies, please contact me and I will work one on one with the child and parent to help them deal with their situation.

Community Service

In addition to all of the above, SKS will continue to serve it's community is many different ways.  I am looking forward to a trash clean up project, a homeless project, Harvest Hope Food Drive, etc.  If you or someone you know, needs some work done, SKS is here to serve you.  Just call us at 803-462-9425.

Lastly, SKS has it's first students testing for black belt in September.  This is a very special event for me, as these are my very own students that I will be promoting to black belt.

So, as you can see, this will be a very busy school year, but I am really looking forward to it.

 

Sensei Chris Feldt

Samurai Karate Studio

Columbia, SC  29229

803-462-9425

samuraikaratestudio@gmail.com

Environment Plays Bigger Role in Autism Than Thought

Study in Twins Finds a Shared Environment Influences the Development of Autism More Than Shared Genes

By Brenda Goodman
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

July 4, 2011 -- One of the largest studies of twins shows environment may play a larger role in the development of autism than previously recognized.

Several small studies conducted over the last three decades have found that it is much more common for identical twins to be diagnosed with autism than it is for fraternal twins.

That’s led to the belief that the lion’s share of the odds of developing autism is written into a person’s DNA, with a much smaller percentage coming from something in the environment.

The new study, which is published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, found that autism was surprisingly common in fraternal twins, despite the fact that they don’t share as many of the same genes as identical twins, suggesting that something in their mutual life circumstances may be playing at least as strong a role as genetics.

“There are lots of neuroscience papers that begin ‘Autism is one of the most heritable conditions in psychiatric genetics and shows over 90% heritability...’ and I don’t think people should start their papers that way anymore,” says Harold Hill Goldsmith, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

You can read the rest of the article HERE.

If you no someone on the Autism spectrum that might benefit from training karate training.  Please contact me at 803-462-9425.  I have worked with several children ranging in age from 8 to 14, including one boy who was non verbal and extremely severe.  Most Autistic children benefit from getting exercise and focusing on core skills that require good self control and hand to eye coordination.

You are welcome to try a class for FREE!

Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikaratestudio@gmail.com

What Samurai Karate Studio Is All About!

Join me and listen to the video below that describes what Samurai Karate Studio is all about!  It was created by my mentor, teacher and friend, Tom Callos, who has more than 40 years of experience practicing and teaching the martial arts:

I have been training with Master Callos for more than 3 years and I am a proud member of two of the most unique associations for martial artist's and school owners out in the world today. They are The 100 and The UBBT.

Please check out the work we are doing!


Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikaratestudio@gmail.com

Happy Father’s Day: The Benefits of Dads to Children

Dr. Robyn Silverman is a child development expert who appears on television quite frequently, particularly, the Today Show. She also is the creator of Powerful Words, a character development program for children. In honor of father's day, she shares with us an article about fathers.


Happy Father's Day!


By Dr. Robyn on June 17, 2011

I watch my husband with my children in complete awe. They just adore him and he is so taken with them. He’s hilarious and goofy, stern yet gentle, physical yet affectionate and kind. I consider our family so blessed to have him as my children’s Dad. What a Dad he is.

If anyone believes that a father’s influence is any less important that a mother’s, they are certainly mistaken. The presence of involved, engaged fathers in their children’s lives can have enormous social, cognitive, and emotional benefits- whether a father is an everyday fixture in a child’s life or only sees them once in a while.

Benefits of Dads (who are involved and engaged in their children’s lives)

Increased self-confidence, self reliance. Empathy, self control, overall well being and assertiveness

Higher academic achievement

Lower delinquency rates, lower rates of teen violence, failing/dropping out, legal issues

Better career advancement (most notably in fields of science, math and tech for girls is increased)

Score higher on cognitive tests

Improved cognitive ability

More likely to avoid teen pregnancy, early marriage, physical/emotional abuse

Positive risk taking increased, willing to try new things.

More equipped to resist peer pressure—premature sex, smoking, eating disorders (for girls)

Better sociability and better able to work with people in authority (teachers and employers)

(So it’s important for mothers to allow and encourage fathers and children to spend time together)

Are fathers more important in a boy’s life than a girl’s life?

Fathers are vital in both the lives of their sons and their daughters. However, Sometimes Dads forget just how important they are: a Roper Poll commissioned in 2004 by the nonprofit advocacy group Dads and Daughters reported that two-thirds of fathers surveyed didn’t think their active involvement in their daughters’ lives was vital to the daughters’ health and well-being.

Some fathers don’t live with their children full time. Some are in a divorce situation while others must live away do to work needs. How would you tell a father to best stay in touch and connect with their children in these circumstances?

(1) Make parenting a priority: Even when you are away, you are still their Dad. Make sure that you make time to let your children know that you are thinking of them, love them, and are there for them in any way you can be.

(2) Take an interest in what they care about: Make sure you know the names of their best friends, their favorite activities and their current struggles. Open conversation about things that matter to them.

(3) Listen and ask specific questions: If you have limited time, make sure you listen more than you talk. Ask questions about their lives– and make them specific. Instead of asking; “what’s new?” or “How are things?” Ask; “What was something fun that you did with your best friend, Dena, this week?” “What new skill did you learn in martial arts class?” or “What was something that made you smile since we talked on Tuesday?”

(4) Know that the little things count: If you can’t talk for long, call, email, or skype anyway. Even a few minutes to show your children you care is better than nothing at all. Make a little video of yourself telling them how important they are to you or of you wishing them luck on their next big game– even though you can’t be there yourself. If you don’t have phone or internet access, write little notes about things you are thinking or doing or wondering about them– and then send them snail mail so they can always know you are thinking of them.

(5) Spend alone time with your children: When you don’t see your children a great deal, the typical temptation is to lump them together and spend time with everyone at once. However, once in a while, even spending short, focused interactions with one at a time can give them the undivided attention that they need to know you care and to share with you what’s going on in their lives. This time should be scheduled, reliable and predictable, if possible, such that a child knows that every Sunday at 10am s/he has brunch with Dad or every Saturday afternoon, they go for a walk/drive/run/bike ride/martial arts class. As you may have seen in my Today Show segment yesterday, even a little silly rough-housing and “horseplay” with Dad can have great benefits. * A new study tells us that children’s perception of how much time they spent with their fathers had the most impact on bullying behavior. (Vanderbilt U, 2011).

Happy Father’s Day to all you Dads out there. You matter so much– thank you for all that you do.



Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
803-462-9425

Yes I Can!

As a martial art's school owner and instructor, one of the many challenges I have is motivating my younger students to have courage and perseverance, to keep pressing forward, no matter what and to never give up! Unfortunately, in today's society, I find too many children give up very quickly and many parents just let their children quit. I am not just talking about martial art's, I am talking about other sports, playing a musical instrument or getting good grades.

One of my instructors, Tom Callos, who is the creator and team coach for the UBBT and The 100, reminds me all of the time, "that nothing in life that is worthwhile, comes easy!"

Sure, getting a Black Belt takes many years, hours of practice and dedication and overcoming the many obstacles that life throws your way. The same goes for never missing a day of school or work, or getting good grades or that well deserved promotion.

So, I am always looking for ways to inspire and found a great one!

I love the short video below! Why?

Because it's from the heart and even better, it's from a little child.

Watch this and be inspired.....

Oh, and be prepared to smile!

"Experience is the child of thought, and thought is the child of action."

Benjamin Disraeli

Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net