Choosing a Martial Arts School

A parent mentioned to me the other day that they noticed that there are many martial arts schools and clubs opening up all over the city; actually there is one opened in the building we are operating in now! Why so many opening right now, when economic times are supposed to be slow.

That is easy, when the economy slows, people open businesses. The martial arts business has a low barrier of entry. Very often, as a normal part of growing up the martial arts Black Belt will make a decision to leave his or her instructor. After 16 years I parted company with my first instructor and went out on my own. This was not a whim, but a well thought out plan. Being a martial arts school owner is much more difficult than teaching a few classes, like any other business it is a major commitment. When I decided to open a school I was already teaching about 30 hours of classes per week with my current instructor and had been doing so for about 14 years.

I have a friend who decided he wanted to make the big jump from operating in a church hall to running a ‘private’ martial arts facility. With big plans in his head he leased a nice facility on a main road in the town he was interested in. He did not research the area to see how many schools were operating, nor what the demographics of the area are, does the area possess the type of people he needs to sustain his business. He is in trouble and his life is becoming very difficult.

So how do you choose a martial art school? Well since you are reading this you already have, but there is always the possibility of someone asking you about it, or perhaps someday you might move to another town or city.

First, how long have they actually been in business? There is nothing wrong with choosing someone starting up, but caution is needed here. Second, what their teaching experience? One club is currently advertising that they have had 25 years of teaching experience, which is pretty amazing for a 30 year old instructor!

Finally, what is the Mission and Vision of the school or club; are they focused on teaching children, or all they trying to be everything to everybody and have no real focus. Remember this school or club will be influencing your child and their development. At Art Mason’s Peaceful Warriors' Martial Arts Institute our schools objective is teaching child the martial arts and the values that go with it. It is the only thing we do; we don’t have any other jobs. We also live the values that we teach, we lead by example.

Yours in raising strong, confident children,

Master Art Mason
Founder: Art Mason's Peaceful Warriors' Martial Arts Institute

Children Don't Come with an Owners Manual

Dear Parents;

Are you are frustrated with trying to be the perfect parent and raise the perfect kids... I understand. I've raised three kids of my own and I've made a many mistakes along the way. However, thanks to my experience with the principles taught in the martial arts, I was able to instill inside my kids a sense of ethics, morals, self-esteem and confidence rarely seen in other kids their age. As I was raising my family, I was also helping hundreds of other children in my martial arts school learn "character" through these techniques.

I've created the most effective tools, techniques and strategies any parent can use to build stronger, happier, healthier kids. After 20 years of raising my own (and hundreds of other kids)... I've written down my system to share with other parents looking for a better way to insure their children's success.

After all, isn't it true you feel responsible for you children's success or failure? Now, we know we shouldn't feel that way, but we do. Parents will do whatever they can to give their kids the opportunities they never had. We can't help it. It is human nature to feel obligated to give our kids 110% of ourselves.

Although it looks like a book, it is really an "Owners Manual" that you wish your children had come with on day one. A step-by-step guide that makes child-raising brilliantly simple by taking you back to the basics. You'll gain universal and timeless strategies that guarantee wonderful results.

For more information please follow this link;

Yours in raising strong, confident children,

Master Art Mason
Founder: The Peaceful Warriors' Martial Arts Institute

Summer time blues

Every summer parents will ask me the same question. “How do I keep my son or daughter motivated to train when school is out?”

During the summer season, we naturally see a slow down in attendance due to family vacations. This is the way it should be; families need time together, to increase the bond that is present and to have some FUN! But, what about the time when you and the children are at home? Keeping them motivated and training is a MUST!

Aside from the idea that you don’t want your child to fall behind missing 2 months of classes, there are many other reason to keep motivated and training.

“Inertia” – “The tendency of an object at rest to remain at rest, and of an object in motion to remain in motion”

The definition of inertia also applies to people! Several years ago I had a family in the school who came to me their first summer with us to tell me that their son would not be in classes from June till September. I asked about the family vacation as was soon told that would be 2 weeks in July, but they felt that their son worked so hard during the year that he deserved to do NOTHING from June till September. I was shocked. I persisted to discuss the benefits of summer training and the harm that can come with the attitude they had taken. Both parents were very hard working people, putting in 60 hours per week each on their chosen fields, what a mixed message to that boy.

What happened to the boy? He returned in September, several months behind his piers, and several pounds heavier than when he left. He is no longer with our school.

The benefits of martial arts training come with time and dedication. When a person trains consistently, tests regularly and stays motivated the benefits will grow exponentially.

What is needed? The student needs to train 2 times per week. That is for children 90 minutes out of 168 hours per week. If your child is BBC or Master Club, this time might be a little more.

If you are consistent with this, your child will make progress and be successful!

Keeping Focused.

The next issue I will discuss here is the importance of keeping your child focused when school is out. After raising 3 children of my own and dealing with the Summer Off issues with them, I quickly became one of those parents who believe that our educational system is making a mistake giving children 2 months off school. I know that teachers work very hard in September to get children back on track.

By keeping your child training during the summer months, you help keep them focused on learning. This routine and consistency will benefit them all their lives as they grow. In order to be happy people need to continually challenge themselves and learn. No one needs to “veg”. Keep moving forward towards your goals. Work with your instructor to overcome the inertial problems. Help your child to set a goal and keep it. The benefits you will see over time are truly amazing!

Yours in the arts,


Master Art Mason

“Do you know the TEN warning signs of Low Self-Esteem?”

“People don’t often understand just how damaging having low self-esteem can be! People with low self esteem are often go unnoticed at school and at work because they do not do anything to stand out. They don’t ever go for the goal or even try to make the sports team.”

“Low Self Esteem Sufferer’s are often the target of bullies at school as well as at work because they “bullies” know they won’t give them any hassle or a hard time and will be “easy” victims who will quickly bend to their will!”

The 10 Warning Signs of Low Self-Esteem:

1. Walking with head and eyes down focused on the ground instead of Straight ahead.
2. Shy and Reserved around new people and situations
3. She does not ask questions in school or at home
4. Hard for her to make friends
5. Poor Hygiene
6. Lack of Goals and Ambition
7. Struggles to get out of bed
8. Fails to believe she can do anything meaningful or worthwhile, so she never even tries!
9. Does not try new things in fear of looking foolish and failing
10. A Victim of a Bully!

These are just SOME of the warning signs of Low Self-Esteem you may be seeing in yourself or your child. You do not necessarily show all of these warning signs, just one is enough to suffer from Low Self-Esteem.

To discover how to raise your or your child’s Self-Esteem call us at

(519) 962-9820 and learn what you can do to become or help your child become a STRONG and CONFIDENT person!

http://www.thepeacefulwarriors.org