Practicing martial arts is not only a great way to stay physically fit, but it can also improve your mental health in a number of ways. Through the practice of martial arts, you can gain confidence, develop discipline, manage stress, and cultivate respect for yourself and others. The physical practice of martial arts helps to […]
As people grow older, they begin to find ways to be more productive and make use of their time. For senior citizens, in particular, they find that there is even more time they need to utilize and want to do so effectively. Many will go out and find other jobs while others will pursue hobbies […]
How to Stay Off the Sick List this Season Because everyone’s lives seem to move in fast forward when winter is in full swing, the likelihood of getting the sniffles—or something worse— is inevitable. Just because colds and flu rev up in the wintertime, it doesn’t mean we all have to hide under the covers […]
Why You Need Upper-Body Strength and Power It’s no secret that for strong punches, crisp strikes and total body fitness— and the martial artist’s need for speed—it’s essential to build powerful arms. Of course, strong arms affect the efficacy of your punches and blocks—not to mention to fluidity of your form—but did you know that […]
Expert Tips to Improve Your Training Stamina Whether you are attending your Monday Taekwondo class or chasing a toddler around your house, we can all use a little more endurance to get us from point A to point B in our daily routines. Then you add in competing at tournaments and giving your all during […]
Use Life Skills to Keep Your Device in Check As a martial artist, courtesy and respect should be second nature. “Yes, ma’am” and “No, sir” roll off the tongue without hesitation, and you don’t think twice about holding the door for an elder. But what happens when you step off the mat and pick up […]
Protein is an essential part of human life. You have it in every cell, muscle, and organ in your body. You need it for growth, for strength and for energy. This means that it is also an essential part of our diets—particularly for athletes who want to stay strong and sharp. “In general, protein is […]
Executing Control of Techniques Under Pressure Want to look your best at your next testing? Maybe you want to be a World Champion one day? Along with the gear, the practice and the perseverance, you’ll also need balance. No matter where you are in your Songahm training, keeping tuned to your body and mastering control […]
Take Steps to be an ATA STRONG Family The new school year is just around the corner, and this is a time when families begin establishing schedules and building routines. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we tend to get drained, but one way that you can keep your goals for this school […]
Give It to Get It Respect, as they say, isn’t given. It is earned. But to earn it, you have to show it. Respect is one of the six life skills taught in the ATA Leadership Program and is also the life skill for July and August. Like the other life skills, respect is developed […]
Using Agility and Momentum to Maximize Your Training When we talk about training for speed, we’re not just talking quick kicks. Speed—as Black Belts know it—is multi-dimensional, and each dimension is key to self-defense and martial artistry. Let’s get real about getting fast! Imagine it: You strike and kick so fast during your sparring […]
Summer Break Doesn’t Have to Mean a Break from Training Summer break is here, but that doesn’t mean a break from the healthy habits you’ve been practicing in your daily life as part of your Taekwondo training. As a martial artist, you should stay focused on fueling your body with the right nutrients and maintain […]
SMART SNACKS Food that Boosts Your Brainpower Back to school is in full force, which means parents and students are filling their schedules with homework, ATA training and more. Between learning new math equations and trying to master your Taekwondo form, it’s a good idea to add foods to your diet that improve brain […]
R.E.S.P.E.CT The Life Skill that Empowers You and Others When you look at the Leadership life skills, one stands out for being important—not just in your own Songahm journey— but it also affects those around you. That life skill is RESPECT. “It’s not what you say; it’s what you do.” There are many levels to […]
The Best Medicine It’s amazing how infectious a little humor can be. The sound of a chuckle, snicker, giggle or hearty guffaw is more contagious than that bug that is going around the office. And when laughter is shared at one of your Taekwondo events, it really brings everyone together and creates a source of […]
A Dose-By-Dose Breakdown of Vitamins Vitamin A, Vitamin K, folic acid and B12; the vitamin aisle at the drugstore can sometimes look like a big, jumbled up serving of alphabet soup. When you’re not sure what you’re looking for, it can be tempting to bypass the whole thing and hope you’re getting what you need […]
What You Need, How To Get It You can feel it in your bones. You need calcium. Calcium is the most common mineral in the human body and one of seven essential nutrients the body needs to constantly replace to perform at its best (the others are iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc). Calcium […]
FLEXIBILITY FACTS Myths that May Stretch the Truth When it comes to martial arts, Taekwondo’s kicks are what set it apart from all others. High kicks, jump kicks and spinning kicks are always impressive to watch and even more fun to learn. They are also really hard to do without adequate flexibility. Being able to […]
9 Ways You Can Control Your Success in 2020 Want to change the world and make a difference? Want to win big at work, at fitness and at your relationships? Let’s listen to Grand Master In Ho Lee’s advice and take a long look in the mirror because true change starts from within. Here […]
Raising the Heart Rate to Raise Performance Runners refer to it as “the kick.” It’s the moment at the very end of a race when they burst out with everything they’ve got, pushing as hard as they can to reach the finish line ahead of their opponents. After a long race a runner’s kick can […]
If you are looking for a way to improve your health or get in better shape, you may not need to hit the gym. Instead, you should head to our martial arts school. Men’s martial arts could be the fitness solution that you have been searching for. Discover the benefits of martial arts for men’s […]
Thanksgiving is this coming Thursday. While many Americans look forward to Thanksgiving Day as an opportunity to eat whatever they want without counting calories, it’s important not to lose sight of fitness – even as you face down a plate of turkey with all the fixings. Here are some ideas to help you enjoy your […]
Using Agility and Momentum to Maximize Your Training When we talk about training for speed, we’re not just talking quick kicks. Speed—as Black Belts know it—is multi-dimensional, and each dimension is key to self-defense and martial artistry. Let’s get real about getting fast! Imagine it: You strike and kick so fast during your sparring […]
R.E.S.P.E.CT The Life Skill that Empowers You and Others When you look at the Leadership life skills, one stands out for being important—not just in your own Songahm journey— but it also affects those around you. That life skill is RESPECT. “It’s not what you say; it’s what you do.” There are many levels to […]
Get the Most Out of Your Meals Several times a year, we challenge ourselves to healthier diets and, admittedly, in time we’ve lost focus. It’s never too late to get back on track and make nutrition a healthy daily habit. As an athlete, it is vital that you pay close attention to what you put […]
SMART SNACKS Food that Boosts Your Brainpower Back to school is in full force, which means parents and students are filling their schedules with homework, ATA training and more. Between learning new math equations and trying to master your Taekwondo form, it’s a good idea to add foods to your diet that improve brain […]
Get the Most Out of Your Meals Several times a year, we challenge ourselves to healthier diets and, admittedly, in time we’ve lost focus. It’s never too late to get back on track and make nutrition a healthy daily habit. As an athlete, it is vital that you pay close attention to what you put […]
Workout for the Vital Muscles Want to improve your performance in tournament and testing? Make sure you care for the core. Aerobic activity and weight training have their benefits, but those benefits can be enhanced and augmented by good core strength. Popular in mainstream fitness circles among martial artists and elite athletes, core strength […]
Meal Time is Quality Time for ATA Families It is a given that a majority of families are starved to spend meal time together. Life seems to get in the way with work, school and countless activities. Now, with video games and smartphones, it’s more important than ever to take advantage of holidays like Thanksgiving […]