Drop 10 Pounds in 4 Weeks......its not impossible with our martial arts program.

In January I offered a special bootcamp to all of our parents at the school.  Free...no cost.  I even threw in gloves.  I had about 15 people take me up on my offer.  I did this for a couple of reasons.  One, I wanted to show how effective martial arts is as away of getting in great physical shape quickly.  Two, I want to show appreciation for all of our parents who support our school.  Finally, I wanted a non-threatening way to introduce our families to our adult program.  We have a strong core group of adults who train that are black belts.  Most of them never considered martial arts as a fitness activity before trying our classes.

I have always been known as a trainer who believed in conditioning and physical training.  Bruce Lee, who was one of my insructors teachers, was legendary in his physical appearance and training regimen.  I try to stay up to date on modern training technologies couple with "old school" bodyweight conditioning methods.  Just look at these results!

Self-Discipline, Goal-Setting, Respect, and  Anger Management are but a few of the qualities of good martial artist.  I  get really excited when I think of our school playing a role in motivating students to live their lives by these prinicples.

It makes me feel extra special when students take time out of thier lives and participate in special events like out Kickathon.  We had over 20 students, with grandparents and other family members looking on, complete thier goals of 500, 1000 or 2000 kicks to raise money for the Worldvision Charity.  Although these numbers do not seem that large, kicking this many times is certainly a good workout and it teaches students about setting goals, the value of contributing, and the power of "hard work".   

We will be collecting pledges up until Friday, Feb 5th.   Please get your pledges in as soon as possible.

Here are some pictures.  I will be updating the website with video and more pics as well from the event this week.

For me personally this year I have had some major breakthroughs in the martial arts.  I will use these events in my life to help you and your families to squeeze as much joy, fun, and growth out of our school in the coming year as possible.  Some new things that I am looking forward to in the New Year are the following.

1. Being much more involved in the community through a Non-Profit Organization called the Personal Achievement Academy.  http://www.personalachievementacademy.com/  If you think your school may want to get involved with this let me know.

2. I have became involved with a new group of excellent martial arts instructors that have given me some new ideas about how to manage the mat in a fun and exciting way.  You will see a difference in the level of energy and fun the students will be having in class, all while learning cutting edge martial arts skills.

3.  Our school is starting a new Six Month Leadership Team Training program.  I have access to some of the most exciting material to help students learn strategies for becoming a Leader.  I will be hand picking 20 Black Belt Club Members for this program in January. 

4.  We will also be starting a Demonstration Team to help us out at testing and promotion in the New Year.  As well as to do demonstrations in the community.  Look for tryouts in January

5.  MMA FITNESS  MMA, mixed martial arts,  has become an extremely popular sport.  I do not like a lot of the "baggage" that comes with this term though.  I think there is a lack of respect and discipline with many of the fighters.  Although I have been doing MMA since I was 12 years old, cross-trainng in disciplines.  Delving head first into studying Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing.  We are going to be doing a MMA fitness program in the new year.  A six week program that will use the techniques of MMA to get you in the best shape of your life.

6.  Our Adult and Teen Black Belt Class will also be starting a Capoeria Class in January.  Get ready to sweat and have fun on Fridays.

I hope you have a great Holiday and I look forward to seeing you on the mat it 2010.

In your service,

Sibok Korbett Miller, Owner/Founder of MMAA

Miller's Martial Arts Academy

I recently had a parent ask me why I require thier son to do 250 Acts of Kindnes as requirement of thier Black Belt Test.    My response was I feel that an Act of Kindness is one of the most simple ways of demonstrating respect and self-discipline to the people around us.  I also said that you never know when an act of kindness can change someone's life.

For example....  I grew up in Michigan and I was constantly surrounded by negative influences.  When I started martial arts it was an experience of having this great peer group that was encouraging, helpful, respectful and disciplined.  All the things that I needed in my life at that time.  In fact i knew that martial arts was what I wanted to do as a profession all the way back to being a white belt twenty eight years ago. I became a Black Sash, a black belt in Gung Fu, with Sifu James Clark.  My first greatest influence in my martial arts training. 

I had so many great friends growing doing martial arts.  Roger Waldecker, Joe Rathke, Dave Sweat, Kamal Shamoun all these people brought different experiences and influences as a young man.  My friend Bill Buckley was a friend who acted like Dirty Harry, but took an interest in me as a young man and would always give me sage advice sometimes disguised in a folksy saying.  I could go on and on about "Wild Bill" his personality is amazing. After I became a Black Sash I wanted to become an instructor with Sijo James DeMile.  One of Bruce Lee's Students.  James DeMile had created the martial arts style Wing Chun Do that I was a Black Sash in.  He was doing an instructor's program in Seattle, and I was interested in learning how to instruct martial arts and becoming a Sifu.  My parents had different intentions for my future.  I was one of the first people in my family to have a chance to go to college.  My family was adamant that nothing de-rail my focus of purseuing a college degree.  Most of the people who where getting involved in the instructors program was substantially older than me.  Most where looking at martial arts instruction as a career path. 

There was a substantial fee for this instructors program, there was lots of training, trips to Seattle etc...  It was something that was going to require a great deal of committment, especially for a 16 year old "kid". I remember describing my situation to my friends after our practice on night.  My friends seemed to support me beucase they knew how passionate I was as a martial artist, and how hard I worked.  My friend "Wild Bill" seemed pretty quiet about the whole sitaution.  Bill would often give me a ride home to my families 800sf home nestled between stamping plants for suppliers for the car companies.  As I was getting ready to get out of the car Bill said "can you meet me at the first national bank on Tuesday, I need some help with something." I said "sure" thinking that he needed help moving something.   I showed up that Tuesday at the bank and Bill said come in.  We sat down at a desk and Bill explained to the loan officer that I needed a loan for this instructors program.  Bill got the loan for me, looked at me in the eyes and said, "if you do not pay this back, I will kick your butt". 

If you think MMAA is making a difference in you or your child's life in ways you owe my friend Bill's act of kindness a huge thanks.  With that one singular act, it set in motion what eventually would become our school.  Although Bill's act of kindness was substantial, never foget what small acts throughout your life may do.  Thats why I picked 250 acts of kindess as a benchmark for our Black Belt Test.

As an aside I paid the loan back in less than six months.  I also went to college and graduated Cum Laude from Sienna Heights College in Adrian Michigan.  I became a Sifu in the later 80's and awarded my current tittle of Sibok, Senior Instructor, in 1993.

MMAA.COM is back.  With blogging, web based video, and lots of neat and innovative ideas we are committed to making our website a vital link to our families and students.

If you have any ideas about how we can utilize the website please let us know.

I am excited to share some interesting stories from friends, instructors and students as I use this blog.