January 2024
In this month’s dojang newsletter, the community celebrates a bustling January with numerous new students, an ongoing attendance challenge, and a special deal for new participants expiring on January 31st. The newsletter highlights upcoming events, including the next test date on February 23rd, where several members achieved new black belts and Cassandra received her second dan. A frequently asked question explores how Tae Kwon Do can benefit those with ADD and ADHD. The January attendance challenge has four participants with 100% attendance so far. The newsletter also addresses important COVID policies and provides resources for potential students interested in Tae Kwon Do.
In today’s newsletter…
January has been a very busy month at the dojang! We’ve had a bunch of new students get started, and our annual attendance challenge has been going great. January 31st is the last day to take advantage of our New Years Resolution special deal for new students. Please pass the coupon below to any friends or family who are looking for a fun indoor activity this winter!
- Next Test Date: Friday February 23rd!
- Congrats Joey, Jonathan, Grace, Alfred, and Benjamin on your new black belts
- And congrats Cassandra on receiving your second dan!
- TKD FAQs: Does TKD help with ADD and ADHD? (Yes!)
Attendance Challenge
Four participants are holding steady with 100% attendance in our January attendance challenge, and have already earned their prize of a free uniform for attending 20 days, with about 8 others still in the running!
Next Test Date:
The next testing date coming up for colored belts will be February 23. The kids test will be at 4:30 PM and the adults at 6:30 PM.
Remember, if you’re thinking about testing, be sure you are coming to forms class and/or test review class. The instructors will tell you what you, personally, need to work on more in order to be ready. If for some reason you are unable to attend forms review classes, please speak to an instructor so we can make sure to go over the material with you another day.
On the day of the test, be sure to arrive around 30 minutes before test time with a clean uniform, your name tag and patch applied, and any equipment you may need. (Sparring gear is mandatory for students testing for green stripe and above.)
Upcoming Holidays
We are open on all upcoming scheduled holidays (President’s Day, Valentine’s, etc.)
Congrats New Black Belts 2nd Dans!
Congrats to all who passed the most recent black belt promotion test at our Boston headquarters school! Cassandra received her second degree (dan), moving up in rank for the first time since 2016 when she received her black belt. She has been helping out at the school as an assistant instructor since then. In our first dan black belt group, welcome to Joey, Jonathan, Grace, and (not pictured) Alfred and Benjamin!
Joey started at our dojang when he was 4.5 years old, after both his older sisters had trained with us for years (they both achieved black belt, too!). Grace started one month after Joey in 2014! And Alfred is also following in a sibling’s footsteps: his older brother Albert also received a black belt, just last year.
TKD FAQ: Is Tae kwon do good for ADHD?
More and more studies are showing that martial arts practice can really help people increase their attention span and ability to focus. It’s a great way to expend energy, and the combination of routine with high activity helps with regulation. That goes for adults as well as kids, and helps those with ADHD / ADD as well as those without.
How does it work?
A tae kwon do class stimulates the ADHD brain, which craves novelty, by constantly changing what activity or exercise is being performed in the class, while also soothing anxiety because each class is based on familiar movements. We cycle through many different movements each class before any given one can get “boring,” and then as students move up in rank or experience, they keep adding to their repertoire of techniques.
What if I can’t focus? How can I do a class?
Each class has moments where the students must focus in order to do the exercise. Sometimes there is a literal target to focus on (and hit or kick!). But then between the focused actions there are breaks for the brain, as well. If at first you can only focus for a few seconds at a time, that’s okay! The more you work your attention like a muscle, the more stamina your focus will have.
How long does it take before I or my child will see a change or benefit?
It varies per person, but it takes at least 3 months and usually 6 months before others really notice a chance. Here’s a terrific thread of advice from parents speaking about their experiences: https://www.reddit.com/r/ParentingADHD/comments/ofx69c/adhd_kids_in_martial_arts/?rdt=59764
Where can I read more about it?
Here are just a few resources and studies:
“Studies show that a complex physical activity, like martial arts, strengthens neural networks in the brain, and enables kids with ADHD to practice self-control.” From ADDitude Magazine: https://www.additudemag.com/kids-karate-adhd-focus-exercise/
“The children who attended martial arts classes most frequently exhibited the greatest changes in observed behaviors and those who attended the fewest classes showed the least amount of change.” Empirical study of tae kwon do and ADHD from Seton Hill University: https://www.ship.edu/globalassets/proteus/volume25.2-37-cooper.pdf
Children taking part in taekwondo training through a school program showed greater self-regulation, greater social responsibiity, and less hyperactivity than those who didn’t: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0193397304000309?via%3Dihub
And it’s not just kids! In older adults, taekwondo has been shown to help reverse age-related mental decline.
“Age-adapted Taekwondo training improves various aspects of cognitive function in people over 40.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3822408/
TKD FAQ: What’s the COVID Policy?
Our dojang rules around COVID and other illness:
- Do not come to class if you have a fever or are coughing/sneezing. Students who register a fever when they arrive will be sent home.
- Do not come to class if you have someone in your household who has COVID or the flu.
- Wash your hands before and after class to reduce transmission of cold viruses.
- Masks are currently optional but encouraged. KN95 and N95 masks have been shown to prevent infection.
- It’s bad for both your health and the heath of other students and teachers to work out while you are sick. Please take care of your self and others!
- Parents should wait outside (or in the vestibule) to pick up their students. Please come inside if you need to speak to an instructor. Parents may watch class if you make a 30-minute appointment at least one day in advance.If you had COVID, you should wait until you have tested negative two days in a row (on a rapid antigen test) before you return to class.
Studies show that recovery from COVID requires rest, and that not getting adequate rest during recovery or trying to resume physical activity too soon can lead to a higher chance of getting long COVID. Everyone wants to get back to tae kwon do as quickly as possible. Since you do TKD for the benefit of your health, don’t rush back or you could do damage to your health. And staying out when you are sick help you to maintain the health of all of us.
The first step in self-defense is self-care. If you test positive for COVID, remember you can put your program on freeze for NO FEE if you have a medical reason. (The same is also true for any injury. Let us know and we can freeze your program.) Any questions, please give us a call, email back, or drop by the front desk.
What if I have a friend interested in TKD?
Please forward this newsletter to your friend, or just send them the coupon below! The New Year’s special is on until January 31st!
