Author Archives: Dan Vaslow

Cardio Exercise Can Help With Self Defense

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When it comes to protecting yourself, you can leave nothing to chance.  Whether you want to take self defense classes, learn karate or some other type of martial art, you have to be in good shape.  This is why beginning cardio exercises on a regular basis is a smart and fun way to get back into, or stay, in shape.  Whether you want to go on a jog, ride a bike or take part in a fun game, developing a cardio routine is important.

Jogging/Running

A fun thing to do all by yourself, jogging or running is a great way to get your cardio strong.  It can be difficult to commit to in the beginning, but you will eventually see the results and payoff.

Biking

Biking is another fun thing to do on your own, but can be more effective with a partner.  With biking, having someone around to keep you motivated is great incentive to get in shape.  You can also enter yourself in biking competitions to help get your speed up and better than ever!

Participation In Games

Lastly, getting involved in fun sporting events is also a great way to get in better shape.  This could mean a weekly pick up basketball game, a flag football league or anything in between.  Being involved in one can help your cardio as well as your sportsmanship.

In the end, having good cardio can help you in all walks of life.  This includes getting your karate skills polished and ready to go.  If you have any questions, please contact us.

For more information or to register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@gmail.com

Meditation: Enhance Your Karate Experience By Clearing Your Mind

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Most think of Karate as a tool for fighting opponents, either competitively or for self-defense. Karate can actually be an excellent social sport. Classes and tournaments offer plenty of opportunities to meet new people and make friends that share a common interest. Karate can also be a form of discipline: training your body and mind to work together in stressful situations. This is beneficial because one can achieve more self-control, awareness of surroundings, and ability to think clearly in situations where immediate or reflexed action usually prevails. Incorporate meditation into your karate routine by setting aside at least 5 minutes before or after your work out, tournament, or training session, you can achieve piece-of-mind, balance, and discipline.

*It would probably be best to meditate in the comfort of your own home.

  • Step 1: Find a quiet place to sit. Either sit with our back straight in an “Indian” style position or in a straight backed chair. Like in Karate, meditation has the best results with good posture. This allows the meditative calm to pass through your body unobstructed. The quieter the area the better, silence will allow you to concentrate better.
  • Step 2: Close your eyes and regulate your breathing. When you inhale your diaphragm should expand, when you exhale it should deflate. Controlling your breathing is important, and it might take a few sessions before you get it down, but persist and you shall prevail!
  • Step 3: Clear your mind and focus attention inward. Concentrating on nothing sounds like a difficult task but it is achievable. Use some type of timer (such as an application on your phone, there are many that assist with meditation) and only meditate for five minute at a time if you’re a beginner. You can work yourself up to longer sessions.

Maintain the discipline to implement a meditation schedule will definitely translate to your karate skills. Karate is one of the best activities to take part of, enhancing social, mental and physical skills. Try to add meditation to your karate lifestyle, and see a positive change today!

For more information or to register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@gmail.com

Learn Seido Karate As A Family

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Many parents are very dedicated to taking their children to karate classes.  Most are even good at praising their children when they do well.  It’s time that parents realize that karate classes don’t have to be just for their children; it is training that’s good for both kids and their parents.

Pamfilis Karate Academy  is offering training to the parents of their students.  If a parent feels it is too expensive, they’re certain to be able to afford free trial.  A month of free karate training that will help parents better understand their child’s training, the karate experience and themselves.  This month could start them on a very special journey that results in the strengthening of their mind, body and spirit.

Seido Karate is a form of martial arts designed to help followers achieve the most advanced physical skills possible.  In addition to the physical abilities, it tries to develop unshakable moral character.  Karate is more than just physical training; it is also a way of life.

An important aspect of training in Seido Karate is learning all the benefits associated with Zen meditation.  The incorporation of meditation into the physical aspects of martial arts training is not new, but is an essential aspect of Seido Karate.  Students learn that Zen has nothing to do with any religion.  The unison and inseparability of karate and Zen is explained and understood by its students.

The only belief taught during karate training is that any obstacle can be overcome.  The ability to trust that any problem can be handled no matter if it is physical, emotional or financial is the modern equivalent of the samurai’s bushido spirit.

It is always good for parents to share experiences with their children. Pamfilis Karate Academy provides a special opportunity for parents and their kids to learn and grow together as they experience the many benefits of martial arts training.

For more information or to register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@gmail.com

Respect, love and obedience…and fish.

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Everything you do, all that you are, is based on acceptance and peace. To experience these things, we have to become aware of our relationships. In a simple social experiment, two test groups were made to examine a fish tank and talk about it. The first group was comprised of all Americans. The second group was from Japan. When the Americans spoke about what they saw, they described, in great detail, the fish. When the Japanese spoke, they not only described the fish, but they spoke about the relationship between the fish, the water, the tank, even the surrounding environment. They saw the entire picture.

When you look at yourself and do things only to please yourself, you’re staring at the fish. When you put your love and energy into others, you experience life on a greater scale. As people around you feel that you respect how they feel, they give you more respect than you can give yourself. The same rule applies to obedience. By taking the focus off of yourself you have served two people. You have served the other person, AND you have served yourself.

Embodying this lesson will allow you to experience relationships that are always beneficial. It will allow you to experience it at home, school, and work. It will allow your kids to experience it with family or with new kids at the play ground. The reach that love and respect have are simply uncanny. Take time to learn how to show just a little respect to those you know once a day. You’ll have a much greater impact that you could possibly think.

Our summer programs are available now!

1-week long summer day camps for children ages 6-15, full-day with a half-day option. (Enjoy arts and crafts, sports conditioning, meditation, children’s self-defense, anti-bullying information, and of course, traditional karate.)

The full-day option is ideal for working parents, and the half-day is great for parents on a budget or for younger children.

Merritt members: $300 full day, $175 half day.

Non-Merritt members: $325 full day, $200 half day.

For more information or to register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@gmail.com

Adult Classes – Work On Yourself While You Wait

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At Pamfilis Karate Academy we know that sometimes the toughest job in the world is being a parent. Between pick-ups, drop-offs, homework and all the extra-curricular activities, it’s hard to make time for yourself. That’s why we are currently offering a unique opportunity to parents to work on their mind, body and spirit. We invite you to enjoy 1 month of free training in our Seido karate method while you wait for your child to finish their own classes. This is your chance to not only take part in a one of a kind fitness class, but to share something special with your child.

Seido aims to help students develop strong bodies which will in turn translate to better health and well-being. That’s something everyone can benefit from, especially parents. Beyond that karate is a great way to increase your strength and flexibility. And it can also be a serious cardio workout! It’s truly one of best ways to spend an hour of your day.

On top of all these health benefits, taking Seido may help you forge a deeper bond with your youngster. As children get older parents often struggle to find ways to stay connected with them. Sharing a common interest is the perfect way to bond with your son or daughter.

Additionally our dojo offers a wide variety of adult classes to help you continue with your journey even after the month is over. So why not give it a try? We think you’ll like the results. Give us a call today to get started! FREE MONTH of training!

For more information or to register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@gmail.com

How To Properly Place Promotion Patches/Stripes

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Seido Patches (pictured on the left)
Gi Top with the patches properly placed 

For the Seido patches:  Both the circle and the rectangular patches get sewn on the left side of the gi top.  The circle patch should be placed below the left arm seam, with the plum blossom circle centered on the shoulder seam.  The rectangular patch goes on the left, front, chest area for you (or your child) … the patch should have the line at the bottom and should NOT be lined up with the seam of the jacket, but should be “readable” when the top is tied onto your child.

Advanced Stripe (pictured on the right)
Junior brown belt with a properly placed advanced stripe 

The advanced stripe for the belts should get sewn on as follows…

For juniors (those children with a white stripe in their belt): the black stripe should be positioned on the side with the white stripe running through the belt, with the circle symbol at the bottom of either end of the belt (doesn’t matter which end of the belt the advanced patch is sewn on).

For adults: follow the same directions, eliminating the “white stripe of the belt” directions. If you have doubts and would like to safety pin the stripe onto the belt and then get approval from one of the adult black belts that would be fine.  This patch is NOT “iron on.”  Must be sewn on or, I have heard that folks use Liquid Stitch (my experience has been that the belt becomes too stiff with that method).

Get fit and don’t quit! Parents of students get a FREE MONTH of training!

For more information or to register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@gmail.com

Never Too Old for Martial Arts

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Many people think that you can only start off in martial arts when you are young. Many parents see the benefits of martial arts in their children and want to get into it themselves. And why not? Martial Arts is amazing exercise for your body and your mind. It is also a fun, and rewarding hobby.

If you’re looking for a great workout, martial arts is the way to go. What makes it so great is that you are burning calories and the exercise is always new and interesting. Think about it: day after day, lifting weights and doing the same exercises over and over is boring. With martial arts, you are always being challenged to learn something different and exciting. And with various degrees of skill level, you always have something to work for.

If you are someone who has a hard time focusing on one thing, martial arts can help. Martial arts helps develop focus and discipline. Constant practice of something through repetitious movement and breathing exercises helps increase our discipline. It takes a lot of concentration to be able to focus learning one thing for a long period of time and martial arts helps strengthen our ability to concentrate.

Martial arts is also fun. Who doesn’t get a kick (pun intended) out of learning some cool, new martial arts technique? It’s a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Doing martial arts with the family is another great way to have fun and spend time with your loved ones.

So, if martial arts is starting to sound fun to you, then give us a call! At the Pamfilis Karate Academy, we are always looking for new members to join our martial arts family.

Get fit and don’t quit! Parents of students get a FREE MONTH of training! For more information or to register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@gmail.com

Karate Fitness

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How long have you been looking at your calendar in search of the perfect time to get fit? Well, when would NOW be a good time for you? Fitness has nothing to do with the timing; it has everything to do with the habit. It’s actually harder to get started than it is to maintain a habit that you’ve created. It’s even harder to stew around and think about getting started. Just going for it is always the best option. You don’t even have to go all out and knife hand a brick into dust. You just need to take small steps. The amount of stress you’ll lose when you get going will make you wonder what took so long.

Treating fitness just like any other habit is essential. You get up, get dressed, go to work, etc. Fitness is no different. Just put a little time aside for it. Pick the most convenient class time, walk in, and let the excitement of the crowd let you do the rest. Make it easy so that it can easily become your habit. A good habit.

Think like a kid. Try it, you’ll like it!Lot’s of kids are a little nervous about something new. But the minute they jump in, they get lit up. Now it’s a reason to keep coming. Open up to new possibilities and you’ll be pleased you did. The best part about Martial Arts as a fitness program is that you’re not just dropping a few pounds. You get to live out a new adventure and get away from the monotony of the day.

Get fit and don’t quit! Parents of students get a FREE MONTH of training!

If you’re looking to jump right in you can grab a 6 week summer program for all beginners! For ONLY 169.99 you get two classes per week, a uniform, and a promotion to your next belt! Get in shape and get an official “Hero” status in front of your kids!

For more information or to register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@gmail.com

3 Benefits Of Adult Martial Arts

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Do you have a child who takes Karate classes with us? If you do, we’d like to encourage you to participate in adult martial arts. Our adult Karate classes will do so much more for you than simply help you pass the time while you wait for your child’s class to be over. While there are actually hundreds of benefits you’ll experience when you take a Karate class, today we’d like to focus on just three of them.

Mental Benefits

The psychological benefits of martial arts classes are vast, and they are a major reason many of our adult students take classes. In addition to providing you with increased focus in many different areas of your life, you’ll also learn more confidence as your reality begins to reshape itself. Many students are a little bit timid at first, and they’re not completely sure about putting their hearts into the class and applying what they’re learning. However, those feelings of fear soon fade away, and the result is a more open and more calm mind.

Lessons in Discipline

Discipline is one of the cornerstones of martial arts. If we were to be honest, we’d admit that we can all use an extra dose of discipline in our lives. Karate reinforces that in the classroom, and you’ll also find that it spills out into your daily life as well. Along with discipline, respect for yourself, your instructor, and everyone around you is greatly reinforced. The fact is, discipline isn’t just for our kids. As adults, it gives us the extra focus we need in our daily lives to accomplish our goals.

Physical Fitness

It can be difficult for a parent to find time to work out. Gym memberships are often expensive, and actually getting to the gym can be a challenge. If you’re like many parents, you’ve promised yourself over and over again to begin getting some form of exercise. However, weeks go by without those promises getting fulfilled. By taking Karate, you’ll enjoy all of the benefits of a well-rounded workout. You’ll experience cardio as well as strength training and toning. You’ll also find that you grow stronger because Karate will teach you how to maximize the use of your growing strength.

Are you ready to make some positive changes in your life? If your child participates in Karate classes, we’d invite you to participate in an adult class as well. If you’re still not sure, we’re offering a one-month trial for parents, free of charge. We’re convinced that you’ll quickly see the benefits of Karate and once the month is over, you’ll be eager to continue.

Contact us today! For more information or register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@verizon.net