Harford County Day Camp Blog - Empire Dojo

21 Jun 2022
Stamina

“Stamina is endurance - the strength or energy to keep going, even when tired or facing other unfavorable conditions.” The word stamina is most commonly used in conjunction with sports and refers to the ability to continue performing despite fatigue. Athletes dedicate a lot of time with their training to improve their stamina. An athlete can be really good at their sport but if they don’t build up their stamina they find themselves burning out before the end of their game and the players who have increased their stamina will prevail. The same is true for martial arts. You may have the technique down perfectly, but if you haven’t worked on your ....
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14 Jun 2022
What's Stopping You?

Fear is universal. We all have it, and it’s part of what makes us human. Every single one of us has experienced the feeling of being afraid, and that’s not always such a bad thing. Having some fear is normal—and even healthy—when it helps to keep us safe. But what about the more detrimental kinds of fear, the kind that stops you from being the best version you can be? These are the fears that feed our anxieties and keep us from overcoming them. They are the kind that prevent us from trying new and exciting things, and are often the root of lasting regret because they make us feel vulnerable and weak. They are the kinds of fear that make you feel you ....
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7 Jun 2022
Martial Arts vs. Self-Defense

What’s the difference between martial arts and self-defense? Often, you’ll find that some people use these terms interchangeably, but today we’re going to dive deep into both concepts and explore what they really mean and why it matters. First, let’s get into the semantics! While there may be some overlap in their meanings, martial arts and self-defense are not one and the same. At the most fundamental level, the phrase martial arts is defined as a discipline or physical activity that includes an organized or codified system of combat techniques. Broadly, they can be practiced for a variety of reasons, including competition or sport. Also, because many ....
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24 May 2022
The Value of Hard Work

We’ve all heard the term “hard work pays off.” That’s because it’s no ordinary saying, it’s the truth! And for those who achieve success, it’s also a mindset. When you have big dreams and goals, nothing can be accomplished by being idle. If you want something badly enough, you have to be prepared to work for it, even if it means putting in some long hours and serious elbow grease. Fortunately, as many of the most successful will tell you, all dreams are absolutely attainable as long as you put your mind into making them come true. So then, why don’t more people embrace the notion of hard work? Why do so many of us look back on the ....
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10 May 2022
Embracing Challenges

Embracing Challenges “A challenge is something new and difficult which requires great effort and determination.” We are faced with many challenges throughout our life. How we embrace them is key. If you are a parent you might find yourself shielding your child or even yourself, from difficult challenges to avoid failure. You may think this is a good way to handle things. It actually causes more harm than good, in the long run. If we don’t allow our children to succeed and fail, we are keeping them from developing a proper (positive) attitude in regard to handling life’s challenges. In sports there’s something ....
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3 May 2022
Attitude is Everything

Attitude is Everything “ The importance of attitude is that it is the basis for everything in our lives. ” Our attitude is important because it influences our journey through life. For example, maintaining a positive attitude can help you achieve measurable success in your personal and professional life. Our attitude also determines how we react to various situations we encounter. How we react to adversity, our ability to grow and learn, our ability to overcome challenges, and how we create bonds with others. Having a positive outlook (attitude) on life can greatly impact your health, social interactions, career successes, and personal achievements. ....
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26 Apr 2022
Martial Arts and Summer Break

Martial Arts and Summer Break In just a couple months we’ll be hearing sighs of relief as our children finish up the school year and embark on their summer break. It’s a much needed break so that children can relax, re-charge, and just be kids. If your child is active in martial arts, you or your child might be asking, “Can I take the summer off from training?”. The answer is definitely no, you cannot. A brief break for a family vacation, absolutely. Two months off, definitely not. Martial arts isn’t a seasonal sport like school sports. Martial arts is a lifestyle investment and something that requires consistency in order to be ....
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19 Apr 2022
The Bigger Picture

The Bigger Picture Last week I wrote about how our students had been focused on preparing and passing their pre-tests so they could move forward to testing on belt graduation day. I also wrote about how I was focused on the bigger picture. You may have read that as a play on words since a big part of my job here at the dojo is taking photos. While it was in fact a play on words, it’s not entirely just that. So what is the bigger picture? One of my roles here at the dojo is to gather content (pictures and videos) of our students, our staff, and anything relating to our school that would be fun to share on our social media pages. ....
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12 Apr 2022
Focus

FOCUS The last few weeks around here have been filled with nerves and excitement as our students have been pre-testing for their next belt rank. This was my second experience with belt testing as a Mom . However, it was my first time in my new role as the Social Media Manager for the dojo, and as a fellow tester . (I’m in our Krav Maga program). Wearing those two additional hats this time around, gave me a whole new perspective. As a tester I finally understood first hand what the belt testing experience is like. The stress of making sure I knew my material, the nervousness of having to “perform” in front of a crowd, and the excitement of ....
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Children and Responsibilities

Children and Responsibilities At what age is a child too young for responsibilities? Realistically, under the age of 3 for any daily chore type responsibilities. However, a child between 1-3 years old can in fact display some responsible behaviors by mirroring simple tasks with their parent or guardian. Some age appropriate responsibilities might include the following: Picking out which toys to play with Putting the toys away when finished Cleaning up spills Dusting baseboards with a dust rag or sock on their hand Picking out the book they would like read to them Since a lot of Martial Arts schools start their classes at age 3, let’s ....
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