44% of victims are under age 18

80%    are under age 30

What can we do?  

Be prepared.  Getting training, building oneself up mentally and emotionally, gaining…

Common Myths Concerning Sexual Assault

Myth: Only women are sexually assaulted or raped, and only by men.

Reality: Both men and women can be sexually assaulted or raped, and assailants can be male or female with any sexual orientation.

Myth: Someone who was drinking or drunk when sexually assaulted is at least…

Since this is sexual assault awareness month, I want to spend some time on education here on our online-dojang. 

Let's start with a baseline definition:

Sexual violence means that someone forces or manipulates someone else into unwanted sexual activity without their consent.   Reasons someone might not consent include fear, age, illness, disability,…

This list represents five people who've had a major impact on my life;

My Mom and Dad, for always supporting me even during the toughest of times, and teaching me right from wrong.

Caroll Purshuty, for teaching me to control my anger and be a kinder person.

Hayao Miyazaki, for making me want to learn how to draw and animate, and become an artist.

Shigeru Miyamoto, for making the games that I grew up with and making me want to become a game designer and…

Cross-train your brain

Cross-training simply means doing exercises that alternately work the left (verbal memory and logic) and right (visual memory) sides of the brain, thereby boosting mental agility over time. For a fun cognitive workout, go to our sister site, ellegirl.com, where you can play games like Chinese Checkers,…

No one ever ‘gets’ a black belt.  It’s not something that you wear, it’s something that you become.

Many people know that at our school children are not allowed to "get" their first uniform and white belt either.  They earn it, by proving that they understand that martial arts is more than kicking and punching, and that at Mercer Island Martial Arts we teach, lesson…

Over the years I have heard many ideas from parents regarding how to keep kids safe with their cell phone; and more often about how they keep the cell phone from becoming their child's teenage-invisible friend at the dinner table.  

I think most agree that kids having a cell phone really helps in terms of safety, reaching their kids, and pick ups and drop offs. …

Be Aware

Be aware of what you're doing, beginning with your breathing. "I am aware that I am breathing." "I am aware that I am listening." "I am aware that this too shall pass."

Nobody Can Make You Anything

Nobody can make you sad, angry, happy, depressed, or grouchy; you don't give anyone that much power over you. Only you can make yourself anything. Maintain control of your own emotions and thinking.…

Embrace and Relax

When in a bad position, when under pressure, instead of struggling and wasting energy, embrace your opponent and relax. Your time will come.

Use Surprise

Surprise your opponent by doing exactly the opposite of what's expected. If someone expects you to be hurt, be honored. If they expect you to be angry and upset, surprise them with your calmness. Train yourself this way and you almost always have the advantage.…

thanks for the post George Tekei

Don't Push Back

When someone pushes you, give in and let them come through. You lose nothing --and often gain a better position. Two wrongs don't make a right --so resist less and think more.

Only $10 per child, and no martial arts experience necessary.

Martial Arts, movie, snacks,games, and board breaking, a fun night for kids, and date night for parents.

Movie nights are recommended for 6 and older.

Time: January 11, 2013 from 6pm to 9pm

Location: Mercer Island Martial Arts

Street:…

Take No Offense

It takes a certain mindset to be offended by someone's words or actions. Choose not to take offense, as once taken, your opponent already has the advantage. Instead of being offended, be "fascinated."

As a parent, you may be struggling with how to talk with your children about a shooting rampage. It is important to remember that children look to their parents to make them feel safe. This is true no matter what age your children are, be they toddlers, adolescents, or even young adults.