I love this challenge because I have so much to be thankful for and so many people to be thankful for.  I am thankful for my family, I am grateful for my friends,  I am thankful for all that I have and I am grateful for special students.  There is just so much to be grateful for :)!

This year I need to thank a very special person in my life.  She is…

Super excited for this weekend!

Not only because i get to have fun with all the kids, but also because we are collecting food for the food pantry at Youth and Family Services.  There is nothing better then having fun and working together as a community!  …

Recently we started ending class with, 10 articles of mental training and I love it.  Not only is it awesome to work out our stresses with kicking, punching and yelling, but now we get to check in with the mental values of martial arts!…

There are many values to Martial Arts.  I learn something new every time I'm in class, but today I choose Confidence, not that it is something new but something I'd like to focus on right now.  Martial Arts not only requires focus on your body, but also of your mind and…

I have so many people in my life to be thankful for and I really should make a point to thank those that are so wonderful to me.  It is so difficult to choose one, but this individual popped into my mind because they are kind, loyal and someone who is definitely inspiring to me.  This person has helped me when I didn't know that I needed help.  She is not only a friend but also someone I admire.  I think I could, well…

I have had several students ask about the meanings of the belt, so here you go:

WHITE BELT...

Is the first belt, represents a beginning, a purity and a lack of knowledge of the Martial Arts

GOLD/YELLOW BELT...

Represents growth and exploration.  Now we see the need for more knowledge and dynamic techniques.

GREEN BELT...

Represents the trees, the roots are now firmly planted and we reach up into the sky for light and greater…

Seattle officially declares Oct. 3rd 'Bruce Lee Day', so I had to share Jido Merly's picture from a few months ago!  Happy Bruce Lee Day, I think I'm going to have to watch some Enter the Dragon.…

A couple years ago, Master Strongheart posted blog's called Five Words Friday.  I loved it!  It forced me to think about goals, write them out and then successfully complete them.  I feel that putting opinion and goals out loud/ sharing them holds me accountable and upon…

I have so many people to be thankful for, it is so difficult to choose just one.  I love all of my family and friends because they inspire me in so many different ways!  One family member who i'm grateful for is my Uncle Gavin.  He has stood by me through thick and thin.  He is such an amazing person.  He is my Hero!  …

 I love these fall months especially with Thanksgiving around the corner-- what a wonderful month. Everyone takes the time to be truly thankful for everyone and everything in their life. Although, in my opinion, it should be year round.  On November 11th we have a full day camp and part of the camp is introducing our gratitude challenge to…

We would like to extend a thanks, and encourage you all to show your support to these businesses joining in to make this year's food drive, and halloween party the biggest and best yet!

Eye Level Learning…

What is going on in this world?  As a martial artist and human being i try my best, to live life to the fullest and spread peace.  I love the word compassion, it's such a powerful word. I think that the world needs a little more compassion in it.…

Maya Angelou says:   courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently.  You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.  Being a leader takes a certain kind of courage, that requires a person to wear many hats, to achieve many goals personally and especially with helping others reach their goals.  This person accompasses that challenge everyday, and as a side note has been…

During the past few weeks the words inspire/inspiration have been appearing in my life, more than usual.  So, I looked it up, the definition of inspire/inspiration, it is stimulation of the mind, feelings, influence to motivate, to affect or touch, to spark something special or unusual activity or creativity.

After…

Hello!!  For those of you I haven't met yet, I'm Claudia Vlcek.  I'm a second degree black belt who's been involved with Martial Arts for 26 years.  I love everything about taekwondo and have a ferocious hunger for knowledge, learning, and answers.  

With…