In the AMA community, strength is woven into a kinship rooted in the values we share and strive to contribute. Starting with respect, and branching into meaningful attributes, we create a solid foundation for success. AMA is a welcoming community prepared to administer individual capabilities and goals. Working as a team, encouraging individual explorations and…
Flexibility… mental flexibility is not simply a desirable trait, it is a necessity as it gives us the ability to compromise, demonstrate understanding, and adjust to change. No matter what goal or path you have charted for yourself once the wheels are in motion you can be assured that as the “weather” changes…so will you…
I had a big family growing up. My mother was the youngest of 4 sisters. Her oldest sibling was 20 years her elder. I had cousins of all ages, some younger, but most decades older. Looking back, I realize that these cousins were my first exposure to positive peer pressure. They set expectations for me,…
Both my kid’s best friends are their Karate friends. As a parent, this is a priceless gift. I was never worried about whose house they were at, or who they were with: they’re with their karate friends; they’re with their karate family. Parents know the impact negative peer pressure has from our life experience. Our…
All bosses have a job to do: planning, scheduling, making sure you achieve your goals so that they can achieve theirs, projects, presentations, managing staff, and so on. Their job isn’t to be your friend, but to manage. That being said, there’s a big difference between not being polite and being rude, not being nice…
The best self defense is not to be there. Not to be there when someone attacks you. Not to be there when a bully is nearby. Why put yourself in the situation where you must defend yourself, when you can, not be there? Sounds obvious enough, right? Awareness of surroundings, where you are, who’s around…
A bystander is a witness, in this case, a witness to bullying, someone who sees another person getting physically, socially or verbally intimidated. A bystander is commonly seen as a fly on the wall, an observer helpless to step in. A bystander has just as big a role as the Bully and the Victim. They…
My name’s Carrie Percival. I’ve been an instructor at the academy of martial arts for over 20 years. I oversee our Brampton locations and run our Bully B.R.A.V.E. program (Bully Resistance Anti Violence Education). Through these blog posts I’ll be discussing bullying scenarios and what it takes to deal with them. Awareness of Self Sensei…
Kevin Cyr – Second Degree Black Belt – Central Academy of Martial Arts “What sports do you do?” Jim slumps in the chair next to me. His stomach spills from the bottom of his white polo. “Uh, I don’t do sports.” I spin to face him on my own green plastic school chair. “You don’t…
I’m Astrid Hardjana-Large and I’ve been a member of the Academy of Martial Arts for about 15 years. Living with Epilepsy, then recovering from a stroke, training with the Academy of Martial Arts is a motivation for self-discovery. With an accepting community focused on everyone’s capabilities, difference isn’t something to fear; it inspires respect. Having…
