Elite Karate Academy Newsletter
December 2022
Welcome to the final newsletter of 2022 and may I wish you, your family and all our students a very Happy Christmas. Thank you for your continued support of the Academy throughout 2022, and I hope I can count on your continued support in 2023.
I have huge plans for the growing the Academy in 2023. Including more Instructors, more classes, more courses, and seminars (see below), some events, new programmes including a leadership programme where (some) brown belt students can become Assistant Instructors and assist with classes.
Christmas Hours
Elite Karate Academy will close for our Christmas break on Thursday 22nd of December 2022 at 9.30pm. We will reopen on Wednesday the 4th of January 2023 for all classes.
Christmas Grading
For those students who are eligible to grade or re-sit for their next belt. The gradings will take place within your normal classes next week between 12th-16th December.
Seminars/Courses
In January I will be announcing a series of seminars/courses running throughout the year. Some of these will be for members, most will be open to non-members. These seminars/courses will include the following topics:
- Personal Protection: How to avoid being a victim
- Personal Protection (Woman Only)
- Dealing with Multiple Attackers
- Protecting Others
- Stick Fighting
- Defend against a knife or blunt weapon
- Fitness Bootcamp
- Meditation
- Knife fighting
I will also be unveiling a new course, that I am very excited about;
- Children’s Self Protection & Anti-Bullying Course – this course will teach children how to stay save, avoid trouble and how to deal with bullies by building their confidence and teaching simple protection skills.
Elite Karate Academy Expo
The annual Elite Karate Expo will take place in April 2023. This is the biggest event in the Elite Calendar. Dates and more details will be announced in January.
The aim of the Expo, as always, is to allowing students demonstrate their skills and abilities to their family and friends, whilst educating parents about the aims and ethos of Elite Karate Academy, in a relaxed fun environment.
All students will be taking part, those not grading will be involved in demonstrations.
This event is open to anyone. So bring the grandparents, this year’s Expo will include;
- Grading
- Club Sparring Competition (semi-finals and finals only, early rounds will take place in class through March)
- Demonstrations (Instructor & Students)
- Award Ceremony (Grading, Competition, and Special Awards, including Student of the year)
- Bake & Cake Sale
- Raffle
St Patricks day Parade
We will be walking in next year’s parade. I hope you all will be able to walk with us.
Exclusive Character Education Programmes
I am currently running our “Word Of the Week” programme in our beginners classes. Our word of the week programme teaches 14 core values to your child in a 5 minute “mat Chat” within their normal class. I aim for your child to be a black belt in character not just technique.
In 2023 I will also be running the following exclusive programmes in classes
- Dojo Kun (Dojo Rules) – most club’s rules consist of no shouting, no chewing gum etc. Our Dojo Kun program teaches your child 25 rules of life, that teach how to follow and make your dreams come true, through hard work, passion, and dedication.
- (New) Self-Protection & Anti-Bullying – Boast confidence and self-belief while teaching how to deal with bullying and violence in a non-aggressive way without having to resort to violence.
- Karate Kids Fitness Programme – Teaches our students to understand the benefits of healthy eating and exercise. Designed by a personal trainer, our mat chats, promotes a healthy body image and educates your child how best to eat before and after training and the benefits of an active lifestyle.
- Junior Black Belt Club (JBBC) – We will be making some subtle changes to this and opening the JBBC to more students in 2023. Watch out for more info next year.
- Elite Mental Training Program – This program teaches the mental techniques of the martial arts can be used in all areas of life, reducing stress, and increasing mental wellbeing.
Elite Karate Academy APP
Since August we have had an issue with our App. BudoCode who ran our app was bought over and the new company decided to shut down the app and BudoCode. I stopped loading new material to the app until I had the matter resolved.
I am delighted to announce that we will be relaunching a brand new, greatly improved app with better functionality shortly. I will once again be adding material weekly for students to study/practice at home and the app will be free to all members. More details in January.
Sensei is an Author
During Covid I wrote 3 books on the relationship between the Martial Arts & Mental Health, 2 of which topped the Amazon Bestseller list. Click here to view them on Amazon.
They might be a nice gift and I highly recommend them to Parents.
Book 1: “Martial Arts & Mental Health” would be ideal for older children and Parents
Book 2: “Lessons from the mats” mirrors our current Character education programme, “word of the week” and would help support parents to teach these lessons at home.
Book3: “Love You Love Life” is a 5-step process to create the life you deserve.
Google reviews
That many of you refer family and friends is a great source of pride to me. If you could take a few minutes to write a google review, I would really appreciate it. Click here to write a review and I will share them on our website.
Social Media
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and our YouTube Channel
Merry Christmas
Sensei Gareth
Book One in the series : Martial Arts & Mental Health Kindle or Paperback
What does success mean to you? Health? Wealth? Relationships? Happiness? Success is a mindset. Successful people control their minds and create the life they want. Do you want to be a healthier, happier more successful you? Let me show you how.
Your mind can make your life a heaven or a hell. It can push you to the heights of success or sabotage your dreams. Does life feel like you are swimming upstream not with the flow? Life can damage your self-confidence, self-esteem, relationships, physical fitness, and mental health. Martial arts are renowned for the physical prowess but also their personal development and mindfulness. Let me show you the secrets.
Are you interested in improving your mental health?
Do you want to learn why martial arts are great for improving self-confidence, self-esteem, self-control, and self-discipline?
Do martial artists have super mental abilities and how do you get them?
Would you like to learn the secrets of the martial art without ever having to train?
Then this book is for you…
Over 35 years, the martial arts have changed my life and made me a better person. Martial arts increased my confidence and made me a happier, stronger, and calmer person. Every success in my life came from the lessons the martial arts taught me. I have taught thousands of students how to succeed in life. Now I want to teach it on to you. Buy this inspirational and motivational book now.
Do you want to learn why martial arts is great for mental health?
Do martial artists have super mental abilities and how do I get them?
Are you studying a martial art or thinking of starting?
Then this book is for you…
The Japanese usually refer to people having 3 masks or faces. The first mask (public) is the one we show the world. The second mask (private) is the one we show to the people closest to us. And the third mask is who we are inside. This is our authentic self. Our true self. The one with all our strengthens and weaknesses, all our good points and bad, all our desires, loves and hates. When your authentic self, behaves in-line with your public and private masks then you will be at peace, you will be happy, and life should feel easy. If, however your authentic self is at odds with the mask you show the life may feel like you are swimming upstream not with the flow.
This book aims to show how correct training in the martial arts can improve your mental health, your relationships and improve the way your interact with the world around you. It will show how martial arts can increase self-confidence, self-esteem, physical fitness and mental abilities. How students all over the world become calmer, more centered, self-disciplined and self-aware. It will show how perception is different to reality.
This book is available as both Paperback and as Kindle e-book. Click the kindle link to read a sample. Available in the dojo for €29.99
Book Two in the series : Lessons From The Mats Kindle orPaperback or in the dojo for €19.99
Revised and extended: Now with more chapters
“If you do what you always did, You’ll get what you always got. When you know better, you do better, and you get better”
Your mind can make your life a heaven or a hell. Life can take its toll on your self-confidence, self-esteem, relationships, physical fitness, and mental health. Martial arts are renowned for the physical prowess but also their personal development and mindfulness. Learn the life lesson of the martial arts without the need of blood, sweat or tears. Let me show you how.
This book brings together in small easily digested chapters life lessons taken from over 35 years training in the martial arts, covering topics such as, mindfulness, perseverance, inspiration, motivation, and character education. Life lessons to live your life by and make your dreams come true.
Over 35 years, the martial arts have changed my life and made me a better person. Martial arts increased my confidence and made me a happier, stronger, and calmer person. Every success in my life came from the lessons the martial arts taught me. I have taught thousands of students how to succeed in life. Now I want to teach it on to you. Buy this inspirational and motivational book now.
This book is available as both Paperback and as Kindle e-book. Click the kindle link to read a sample.
Book Three in the Series : Love You Love Life: 5 Stages To Create The Life You Deserve available here or €19.99 in the dojo
Your future does not have to be the same as your past. What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
How can you learn to be the best version of YOU? How can YOU learn to be happier, healthier, and calmer? Do you wish for more in life?
In this book, martial arts 6th Dan Gareth FitzGerald answers all of these questions and more. Having spent 35 years studying martial arts and their mental abilities and teaching these lessons to thousands of students, he now draws from his personal journey and wisdom to inspire you to :
•Reclaim your authentic self and become a shining light to others
•Motivate and inspire health goals and the mindset that guarantees success
•Change your beliefs about wealth and how to create it
•Develop positive lifestyle habits, including mindfulness and meditation
•Change perceptions and explain basic life laws
•Live with gratitude and flow with the universe
In this book, Gareth FitzGerald will show you that when you change the way you think, feel, speak, and act, you begin to change the world.
All 3 Life Lessons Series Books Now Available In The Dojo
Self Defence is an open system. In a closed system there are known factors and there are right and wrong answers based on these factors. In an open system there are many ways to be right and wrong .
The difference between self defence tarining and martial arts training is that self defence teaches students and martial arts teaches subject matter. 2 simple examples are; self defence teaches power generation, martial arts teaches multiple different strikes or self defence will teach a 20stone man differently then a 8 stone female, martial arts teaches everybody the same syllabus. The reason for this is a 20 stone man doesn’t need to worry about being draged into the back of a van and raped, a 8 stone female will not need advice with how to deal with a monkey dance.
Self defence training must give each student the tools and freedom to solve their problems in their own way.
To understand and defend yourself correctly on the street you must understand the difference between social and asocial violence, and the tactics that must be used to deal with each.
Social violence = the monkey dance, the interview, sparring/dueling, sorting it outside, have a knockabout. Social violence is violence used for social status, dominance or to teach a lesson. Examples Dave’s mad he took on that huge bouncer last Friday, or how dare he do that, I’ll teach him.
All predatory animals have social violence or some sort of play fighting. Think dogs, foxes, lions or tigers wrestling and playing. This is how they learn to fight, hunt and display dominance. It is never lethal Humans social violence is designed not to be lethal and when it is it is usually from falling and banging their head. With social violence it is for dominance/status or to teach a lesson, ie punching someone to teach them to show you respect. The mindset for this has to be justified. You will subconsciously be hitting to communicate, not to eliminate,
Asocial violence = the group monkey dance, violent crime, a predator. If you go to kill an insect do you need to get worked up or get angry? Do you need to convince yourself that this is a bad insect? Do you need to justify it like its justice? Do you give the insect a chance and fight it or just kill it. This is asocial violence. This can be lethal. Experienced violent crimals have gotten past this and treat people like animals, which gives them a huge advantage. Most people defending themselves cannot. Unless you train to flip the switch.
The things that can prevent or de-escalate social violence can invite asocial violence and vice versa. In a predatory approach you must be able to distingush between a crime motivated by cash from one motivated by cruelty.
Bad guys don’t fight, they’re not in this to lose. They use surprise or bitz attacks. Martial arts work well in social violence where you have time and choices. Asocial violence comes as a surprise and you will be surprised, don’t kid yourself that you wont be surprised.
Self defence is not a physical skill its an emotional skill, it is all about how fast you can recover when injured or surprised. What to do is almost never the problem. Actually acting or beating the freeze is the issue.
See other articles on the monkey dance, the group monkey dance
Expo 2018: Sakura Sensei, Eric Sam Ashling
Posted by Elite Karate Academy on Tuesday, April 24, 2018
ELITE KARATE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2019
Welcome to our January Newsletter.
This email newsletter will hopefully keep you up to date with all you need to know about what’s going on in Elite Karate Academy over the coming months of 2019. Please feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends, I hope you find it informative. Feel free to comment on our Facebook page with comments and be sure to like our page while you’re there.
News – Updates – Events At A Glance
v Congratulations to all those students who graded before Xmas. Click the following link to view the child’s syllabus or adult’s syllabus, to view what you need for your next grade.
v Elite Karate Academy Expo on April 14th, 2-6pm, Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley. All students including beginners will be taking part on the day, with either/both gradings and demonstrations. See below for more details.
v Sparring Competition in March
v St Patricks Day Parade. Come walk with us. Find out more below.
v Raffle & Cake Bake Sale. Can you donate something?
v Elite Karate Academy Summer Camp
Sparring Competition
The early rounds of this non-contact 3 points-wins tournament will take places within your child’s normal classes and is completely voluntary. With the semi-finals and finals taking place at this year’s Expo. All student’s must have their own sparring gloves & boots, , this is for your child’s safety. Only students who have graded may take part in this tournament. Follow the link for a special offer on getting safety equipment.
Entry costs €10 per student and must be registered before 9pm on Friday 1st March 2019.
St Patrick’s Day Parade
Once again this year the Academy will be walking in this year’s Clondalkin Parade. Students, families, and their friends are all invited to join us on the day. Assemble point is 1.30pm in the car park of Clondalkin Sports and Leisure, Old Nangor Rd on (obviously) 17th March 2018. If the weather is poor, please wear normal clothes under your karate uniform.
Elite Karate Academy Expo
Our 8th Elite Karate Academy Expo will take place on Sunday 14th of April between 2pm-6pm, in the Clayton Hotel. Liffey Valley. Doors open at 1.30pm.available. All students will be taking part, those not grading will be involved in demonstrations. All students must wear their karate uniform. The aim of the Expo, as always, is to allowing students demonstrate their skills and abilities to their family and friends, whilst educating parents about the aims and ethos of Elite Karate Academy, in a relaxed fun environment. This event is open to anyone, so extended family and friends are welcome, this year’s Expo will include;
· Grading
· Club Sparring Competition (semi-finals and finals only, entries close Friday 1st March 2019)
· Demonstrations (Instructor & Students)
· Award Ceremony (Grading, Competition, and Special Awards, including Student of the Year)
· Unveiling of Elite Karate Academy’s newest Senior Black Belt
· Bake & Cake Sale. Why not bake something to bring on the day?
· Raffle (asking parents to donate a price if they can)
Grading
Those eligible to grade must pay their grading fee before 31st of March to insure they receive their certificate at the Expo. Students may only grade at the expo. Students may only grade if they are eligible and hold a current up to date grading licence, which must be presented with the usual fee of €10 before 31st of March.
Tickets
Tickets will be on sale in March.
Bake sale and raffle
Once again, we will have a bake sale in aid of Barretstown and a raffle. Parents/students are encouraged to bake or bring something for the day. We need your help in getting prizes for our raffle!!! Give a prize or a voucher from your work. Please donate your price before 12th of April, if possible.
Character Education Program
Once again, we start our Word of the Week program in class. Our specially designed word of the week program teaches 14 core values to your child in a 5 minute ‘mat chat’ within their normal class. Your child will grow as people not just stronger and fitter. No other club offers this type of program.
Our 14 words are: Courtesy, Growth, Honesty, Obedience, Courage, Sincerity, Humility, Perseverance, Honour, Loyalty, Self-Control, Knowledge, Respect, Integrity.
Each week these lessons will be posted on our Facebook page or the full course can be viewed here in our blog section of our website. I strongly urge parents to get involved with their child’s learning by reading these posts or discussing after each class what they learnt.
Website
Check out our blogs on our website. Click here to read about them
Dojo Kun Programme – Most club’s dojo rules consist of no shouting, no chewing gum etc. Our Dojo Kun program teaches your child 25 rules of life. These rules teach your child how to follow and make their dreams come true, through hard work, passion, and dedication.
Elite Mental Training – This program teaches students the mental strategy of fighting, topics introduced can be used in all areas of life, reducing stress, and increasing mental wellbeing. Read some lessons covered in our blog section below.
Anti-Bullying Programme – We teach your child how to deal with bullying in a non-aggressive way without having to resort to violence. A great program for boosting confidence and self-belief. This starts in September.
Newer material will be shared weekly on our Facebook page, much will be of interest even to those who don’t train.
Coming later in the Year
Other events coming up this year after the Expo, will be our Karate Summer Camps
Testimonials Request
That so many of you praise our Academy is huge source of pride to me. Please write a review/testimonial here. They will then be added to our website. Student / parents or both may write a review and you may write a new one if you wrote one before.
Zen Tip
Our own worst enemy cannot harm us as much as our unwise thoughts. No one can help us as much as our own compassionate thoughts.
Fitness Tip
Myth Buster – Cardio is the best method for fat loss.
Not only does strength training or our Cardio Combat add more definition to your entire body (hello, abs!), but it has a ton of other health benefits too. My favorite: It increases your basal metabolic rate (BMR), which means you’ll burn more calories throughout the day—even when you’re not working out. The result is more lean muscle mass and less body fat, and that’s something you can’t get that with just cardio.
And because I like lists, here’s one full of other health benefits you get from strength training:
· Increased bone density
· Better balance, coordination, agility, power, and mobility
· An ability to do everyday activities without worrying about getting hurt
· Fewer symptoms associated with arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, obesity, and back pain
· Improved sleep patterns, mood, and stress levels
As you can see, strength training does more than make you look—and feel—confident . And the benefits only multiply as we get older. As we age, our bodies are at an increased risk of sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) and osteoporosis (decrease in bone density). A regular training plan can help to combat those losses. Luckily, women are starting to make their way into the weight room—so now it’s your turn.
Start Your Childs Journey Today.
Join before 31st January 2019 pay for 1 month get a 2nd month FREE. (New members only T&C’s apply)
Build Your Childs Confidence, Self Esteem, Social Skills and Discipline.
We specialise in teaching children. With over 30+ years teaching experience we mentor and inspire every child, helping them grow in self confidence & wisdom.
Children’s classes include 3-5 minute mat chats in every class, with a range of topics covered in our unique and specially designed programs, no other club teaches and gets the results we get.
Watch your child grow in confidence and as a person. Visit www.elitekarateacademy.com for more information or message us below.
Do You Want To Feel Safer, Have More Confidence, Higher Self-Esteem, Better Discipline, Increased Fitness And A Happier More Positive Outlook On Life? Our Teenage/Adult Karate Classes Are For You? Join Before 31st January 2019 Pay For 1 Month Get A 2nd Month Free…
Regardless of age or fitness levels, a student will benefit physically from training. Improvements in flexibility, strength, stamina and aerobic fitness are just some of the benefits to be gained. With correct training under proper instruction students can improve concentration, self confidence, self esteem, discipline, leading to increased positivity, mind control, stress relief, leading to peace of mind and a healthier attitude to life.
Elite Karate Academy teaches traditional Wado Ryu Karate-Do (The Way of Harmony). We know correct training leads to character development and self improvement and is more than simply fighting. Learning the correct mental attitude and fighting spirit of the Samurai improves concentration levels, mind control and stress relief leading to a more positive attitude towards life.
Our Adult classes focus on personal development while building strong self defence skills.
Adult/Teen beginner classes are 8-9.15pm Monday and Wednesday.Contact me by phone or text on 086 822 4902 or email info@elitekarateacademy.com to arrange a FREE TRIAL.
10 reasons why every child should do Karate-Do?
With the range of martial arts classes available in Dublin, there are kid’s classes for every personality type and interest. Karate is one of the most popular and well known martial arts and offers more benefits to children then simply teaching them how to kick and punch. More and more parents are realising that kid’s karate classes offer the chance for additional education outside of school hours, as well as a great form of fitness training to tire their children out. And what parent doesn’t love a tired and better behaved child…
Elite Karate Academy offer children’s karate classes in Clondalkin, south west Dublin that offer a range of benefits to both parents and children…
- Character development- Most people recognise that martial arts improve the character. The determination, persistence, and commitment needed to achieve a black belt highlights a student’s true character. That’s why average students don’t achieve a black belt. Elite Karate Academy believe that your student can gain from karate training no matter how long they train. Our Word of the Week Program teaches 14 words such as Courtesy, Respect, Courage, Humility, Leadership that insured our students grow as people not just martial art
- Self-Belief- Becoming fitter, stronger and having the ability to defend yourself is a sure fire way to build self-belief and self-confidence. Our Dojo Kun (Dojo Rules) Program incorporates 25 rules to how to live your life and the passion and commitment needed to make your child succeed in life and work hard to make their dreams come through.
- Self-Esteem- With the setting of short term goals like gradings or learning a new technique or kata your child’s self-esteem rapidily improves.
- Confidence- Becoming a part of something bigger, joining a club, making new friends with similar goals, admiring the higher grades and rising through the ranks, being tested and meeting new challenges all help improve your child’s confidence.
- Friendship- Classes are social and interactive and helps build friendships and social skills, helping your child learn team work, sharing and positive social interaction.
- Way of Life- Karate can be more than a simple hobby offering a way of life that can be studied for a lifetime. It teaches character values and a code of behaviour which learnt as a child can stay forever.
- Fitness- With children playing more computer games and becoming less active, and the growth of childhood obesity, karate is a perfect solution. Fast paced children’s karate classes improve cardiovascular fitness, strength and flexibility.
- Conflict resolution- Karate for self-defence only. Our Anti Bullying Program teaches your child to handle stressful situations and bullying without aggression. How to diffuse situations and walk away from trouble.
- Health & Nutrition- Our Program teaches students the importance of exercise and healthy eating whilst recognising the importance of a healthy body image.
- Fun- Kid’s Karate classes are great fun where your children can truly enjoy themselves and be dying to come back for their next class.
So if you want your child to grow bigger and stronger, develop into a mature responsible adult with a passion to succeed in every aspect of their life, phone Sensei Gareth at Elite Karate Academy on 086 822 4902. We have beginner’s classes running throughout the week in our full time dojo, visit our website at www.elitekarateacademy.com to find a time that suits you. We our passionate about our students and aim to be leading lights in their lives and the community around us.
When we stand in the dojo (training hall) we have some rules. But the purpose of these rules is not to make everyone the same, but to allow each to express their own self more freely.
We must own our own physical bodies… We must exist right here, right now… When we have our body and mind in order, everything else will exist in the right place, in the right way.
But usually, without being aware of it, we try to change something other than ourselves, we try to order things outside us. But it is impossible to organise things if you yourself are not in order.
Studying books on karate is a kind of food for your brain. Of course it is necessary to take some food for your brain, but it is more important to be yourself by practicing the right way of life (karate).
Referring back to the story of the hole in the ground (majority of people will say the hole is too deep, never their arm is too short) you must practice coming back to ourselves. Not blaming the external world without 1st looking at the internal. Time spent training is time away from your everyday life, what happens before you train is forgotten, what will happen after you finish training is forgotten. This time is your time, to focus on the now, to focus on you now. A timeout from the worries of your world. Train the correct mind set, to be focused, to be strong, to be determined, to be confident, to be self aware, to be present in the here and now. Practice the correct form, practice the correct mindset. Practice become habit and habit become a way of life, if the practice is right…
