There seems to be a push to tie a black belt onto a student that they really don’t deserve*. Every time that happens it devalues the rank. Black Belts transform from things to people It’s all about time and it depends on the style and whether or not the style you are training in […]
Recent Conversation with a Parent Parent: I just want to thank you for helping my son realize that it’s OK to fail. The lesson he learned is that while many things have come easily to this young man life does not always work out that way. And that if you want to change the outcome […]
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ponte Vedra Martial Arts Academy Receives 2023 Best of Ponte Vedra Award Ponte Vedra Award Program Honors the Achievement PONTE VEDRA, FL December 7, 2023 Ponte Vedra Martial Arts Academy has been selected for the 2023 Best of Ponte Vedra Award in the Martial Arts School category by the Ponte […]
Another Successful Canned Food Drive Every Fall we run a very successful canned food drive to benefit the St. Johns Food Pantry in St. Augustine. And while some years have been better than others, each year we do our part to support the Food Pantry helping those less fortunate. We are proud to have been […]
You Are A Member Of Four Teams! Support them and make them the very best. There are Four “Teams” that you should support enthusiastically You – the team of one Your Family Your School The Academy The Team of One Surround yourself with quality friends: Make sure these are friends that will have your […]
Now Lets Look At A Few Examples Of Goal Setting It Really Can Be This Easy… Example One Goal: Advance Rank At The Next Promotion Is it SMART? Specific – Yes, advance to next rank Measurable – Yes. It is measured by attaining the required rank stripes Achievable – Yes, assuming no training obstacles are […]
Pressing On With 6 & 7 Year Olds Much like how our martial arts training builds on previous training, perseverance in this age group builds on previous experiences as 4 & 5 year olds We teach very basic techniques at the 4 & 5 year old level to give these children the technical advantage […]
Nurturing Perseverance in 4 & 5 Year Olds The younger children are the more pronounced their differences, especially when it comes to perseverance. Children in this age group generally want to do things to make their parents proud and can be easily discouraged when they think the failed. Parents are in the unique position to […]
Teamwork In Martial Arts Much of what we do in our training involves “partner” training. Martial Arts involves teams of two or three, where each member of the team, or “training partner” has the same job; to make their partner better. They do this by offering encouragement, feedback, focusing on what their partner is doing. […]
Children Emulate Their Parents Do You Want To See Your Children Become More Focused? Here are some tips to get started: 1. Model Focused Behavior: Children learn a lot from their parents’ behavior. Make sure you’re demonstrating good focus in your own life. Let your children see you reading a book, working on a task, […]
There Are No “Silver Bullets” Here Each Teen is different with different priorities and needs These Ten Tips May Help You And Your Teen Get Started 1. Time Management Skills: Teaching teenagers how to manage their time effectively can improve their focus. An organized schedule can reduce stress and distractions, allowing for increased concentration. […]
“I Wish My Child Could Focus More” Is a common want from parents who bring their children to us. Some think that martial arts training is the holy grail that can do that, and in some cases it can, but not always. Here are some strategies that can help building focus skills at home: 1. […]
When Avoidance Does Not Work. Here is what you need to be prepared for should you find yourself the target of a bully… You have to understand that once a bully identifies a target, they generally try to learn repetitive behaviors, such as the route taken to the bus area, the route you take to […]
Bullying… An attempt to make oneself feel better At the expense of someone else! Bullying behavior can be driven by various factors or circumstances. Here are some common reasons: 1. Need for Power or Control: Some bullies exert dominance over others to feel powerful, in control, or superior. This could be rooted in their personal […]
Avoidance Your best tool to prevent from being bullied. Bullies do not fit a particular stereotype, they are defined by what they do, not who they are. Knowing what they look for is key… Bullies often select their targets based on a number of factors, including: 1. Perceived Weakness: Bullies may choose individuals who […]
Goals and Success Go Hand in Hand Here’s how to set them… First we need to be SMART: Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Time Sensitive 1. Set Specific Goals: Be clear about what you want to achieve. Goals should be defined and detailed. 2. Set Measurable Goals: Attach a number, a frequency, or any kind of […]
Resolutions and Goal Setting This time of year we feel the pressure to set New Year’s Resolutions. But the reality is that more and more people are skipping this tradition because they seldom ever work. Setting good goals means that you have a plan and are working that plan. Some people call it living proactively, […]
Lessons Carry Over Into Real Life You learn something, you practice it, and you make it better Proudly serving Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Palencia, and surrounding communities by making impacts like this to our students. Master Bill DeGrafft is an active member of the United Tang Soo Do Federation and is a Certified 5th Dan […]
Parental Testimonial “We don’t think twice about driving past four martial arts studios to come to PVMAA” Here is one of our families, a Dad and his two boys that began training with us right before the pandemic. Proudly servicing the Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, and surrounding communities. Ponte Vedra Martial Arts Academy has been […]
Bullies Exist At The Expense Of Others And Humility is the embodiment of what you can do for others. Studies show that people that are bullied, tend to mirror the behavior over time, if left unchecked. Bringing a stop to these behaviors it requires a healthy dose of humility. It’s easy to say, well I […]
Getting Martial Arts Strong The nature of our training builds is mostly fast twitch muscles for speed and reaction time. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t get stronger… Resistance Training: Martial arts often involve striking, kicking, grappling, and performing various techniques that require force against resistance. These movements engage multiple muscle groups, leading […]
Top 10 Reasons For Not Joining A Martial Arts School And how we avoid these issues at PVMAA #1 Fear of injury – Concerns about getting hurt during training or competition. If your physician can’t give you a concrete reason for participating in active sports, then all you need to worry about is incidental […]
Martial arts can be an excellent form of exercise that offers numerous fitness benefits. Here’s how martial arts can contribute to your overall fitness: 1. Does martial arts help in building strength and burning fat? Yes, martial arts training can help in building strength and burning fat due to the repeated muscular actions involved […]
Ponte Vedra Martial Arts Academy teaches perseverance by providing a challenging environment that requires consistent effort and dedication. Perseverance plays a critical role in building confidence, especially when it comes to a child’s training in our Kids Karate program. While confidence alone is important, it can be easily undermined if a child lacks the ability […]
How do I start martial arts training? Most students that start out in Martial Arts ask this very question, especially if they have no previous experience. To start martial arts training, here are some steps you can follow: 1. Research different martial arts styles: Start by researching various martial arts styles to find […]
When looking for a martial arts school, there are several important factors to consider. Here are the top 10 things to look for: 1. Qualified instructors: Ensure that the instructors are qualified, experienced, and knowledgeable in the martial art they teach. Look for instructors who have proper certifications and a proven track record. At PVMAA […]
Improving your Bo (staff) training can be achieved by focusing on a few key aspects. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your staff training: 1. Master the basics: Start by learning the fundamental techniques and stances. Practice your strikes, blocks, and footwork to build a strong foundation. This […]
Martial Arts Training Develops Skills In Children That Will Help Them Succeed in School And In Life Martial arts training can be highly beneficial for school-aged kids for several reasons. Firstly, it promotes physical fitness and overall health. Engaging in regular martial arts exercises helps children develop strength, coordination, flexibility, and endurance. It also promotes […]
Martial Arts Training Requires The Right Mindset Learning in martial arts is about earning advancements. Our training prepares students to enter the competitive college environments with an understanding of what is necessary to achieve their goals. Advancement with us is earned by demonstrating what you have learned and retained. The same skills learned in martial […]
The only way to excel in your martial arts training is to commit to your training. So many parents want their children to grow up with the best experiences so they can be successful in life. Few consider the commitment necessary to a successful end. Sure, hard work is important, but if you only train […]
Unfortunately, not everyone is destined to become a black belt. Some start training at Ponte Vedra Martial Arts Academy with the expressed intent to become a black belt in Tang Soo Do. While others seem to be more interested in the social aspects of martial arts training. Even if you realize that the martial arts […]
Top Ten Considerations This is my top ten, you might order yours differently but these are all worth review… Number 1 – Reputation Reputation is important, probably the most important. Talk to anyone you might know that trains at the school. Joining a school is a commitment. Make sure they have a reputation you […]
Traditional vs Non-Traditional Martial arts training follows one of two paths, one being traditional where emphasis is on technique and bringing out the best in individuals, the other non-traditional is more about students having fun in a high energy environment. Both have their place. There are very successful schools built on both platforms. We are […]
Best of the Best 2023 – Martial Arts School For a 5th consecutive year we have been generously recognized as the Best of the Best in the Martial Arts School Category by the readers of the Ponte Vedra Recorder. Our unwavering focus on quality instruction, staff training, and attention to detail are but some of […]