Interesting Information Video

Here is an interesting video on Attention Deficit Disorder

Martial Arts & Kid's With ADHD Part 2

In the last article I discussed the idea of underwater swimming to increase a child's focus. This is especially beneficial for a child with ADD or ADHD. So, why exactly does this work? First, think about a time when you are really trying to focus on something. What happens? You guessed it, you hold your breath!

Anytime someone focuses intently on any object they hold there breath for a few seconds. When they begin to breath normally again, their attention does dwindle, but it is still there.

Having someone swimming underwater holding their breath will increase lung capacity substantially. Also, the act of holding your beath while swimming underwater in of itself will increase attention and focus.

For more information on this topic check out this book by Dr Win Wenger called The Einstein Factor

So, how does the martial arts help kids with ADD/ADHD? First, it provides physical movement, along side of work that requires focus. The need for focus starts small and builds over the months and years to follow. Martial Arts also provides a disciplined environment, with set routines that must be followed. Let us also not forget the built in goal setting that our belt system provides.

One of the most important things that needs to happen in the life of a child with ADD/ADHD is for things to be routine and consistent. This is also very important at home. Rules and boundaries must be set, and held to consistently. This is the same for punishment. All punishment must be consistent and then must be reinforced with positive afterwards. When a martial art school and parents work together, a child with ADD/ADHD will thrive!

If you would like some parenting tips on bringing up strong focused children, check out my book called; Children Don't Come with an Owners Manual.

Your in building strong, focused children,

Master Art Mason

Martial Arts & Kid's With ADHD Part 1

Almost every doctor who deals with child or adults with Attention Deficit Disorder will agree that martial arts, if taught correctly, will help kid's or adults with ADD/ADHD, but why?

Well first any parent who has ever talked with me about this problem knows that I am apposed to drug use unless the child's safety is at risk. Drugs are a band aid solution at best. So, why does martial arts training work? Well it is a combination of exercise (aerobic) and having to focus or concentrate on what you are doing. What his means is that lung capacity and focus have a direct relationship.

It has been show that intelligence can be increased in any person, if the proper learning steps are taken. Unfortunately school in the traditional sense will not accomplish this. If you look at history you will see many examples of this phenomenon in action. Albert Einstein is one such example. As a child he was considered to be mentally retarded, horrible in math, and a waste of teaching resources. So what happened? How can I help my child to become an Einstein or can i?

Now I am not saying here that martial arts alone will turn an ADHD child into Einstien, but it can be one giant step toward the goal of curing the problem. Back when I was in grade school the average class size was 30. One teacher handled the duties day in and day out. In this class there was one or two very smart children, and there was always one who was looking at failing the grade each year. Everyone else fell into the 'average' category.

Currently researchers are looking for the reason that ADHD is on the rise in children in North America. They are looking at environmental factors as well as food etc. But they are missing one very important item, that is lifestyle! Today children are far more sedimentary. They play video games, (which does stimulate the mind) and watch TV (a huge waste of time). They do not however play the physical games that I did as a child. Now I know what some of you are thinking, your child plays soccer, hockey, karate and other activities but is still struggling in school. The reason is simple, the physical and mental must be put together in a proper sequence to see a result.

In the martial arts, and again I must say if taught by a professional martial arts instructor, the physical and mental are combined together, then we see growth in the child's mental capabilities.

Now here is an interesting experiment you can do with your child. If you have a swimming pool at home or access to one, this summer play this underwater game with your child. Take a golf ball or any other item that will sink to the bottom. Play a game to retrieve this ball from the bottom of the pool. Work at having your child swim underwater for longer and longer periods of time. This will very quickly increase your child's lung capacity. Retrieving the ball, as a game will also engage the mind. When the game is finished sit down and do some mental activity with your child. Anything, like a board game, reading etc. Over time you will see an increase in your child's focus during normal everyday activities.

Try this for July and August, you will be amazed at the difference in September.

In part 2 of this article I will explain more as to how this works. In the mean time parents, pay attention to how you breath when you are focusing to accomplish a task. Look for changes in your breathing pattern.



Yours in raising strong, confident children,



Master Art Mason
Founder: Art Mason's Peaceful Warriors' Martial Arts Institute

Are your children in danger?

Attention Deficit Disorder can affect far more than just classroom participation at school. It can affect how safe your child is on a day to day basis. The world is full of predators looking for an easy victim. Sadly, a distracted child is that easy victim.

So, what do you do? Lock your child in the house to protect them from the bad element? Certainly not! You do, as parents need to arm yourself with the information needed to keep your child safe in today's world.

Check this website out; it is totally FREE and has a wealth of information to help you out.

Kid's Safe Canada - not just for Canada either!

Parents; resist the temptation!

Parents, you must resist the temptation! For a great part of the world school is now out. It is a relief at first for the parents having to deal with homework, lunches and getting your child off to school each morning. But if you believe your child suffers from ADD/ADHD you cannot just let them have the summer off!

As a martial arts teacher I do encounter those parents who actually believe that their child works very hard during the year and deserves to do nothing during the summer months. BIG MISTAKE. First instilling a good work ethic in your child by having them continue to learn and work a few hours per week during the summer is a benefit that will last them a lifetime. Second, if you are dealing with a learning issue, the teacher will not have the need to re-teach a lot of material, thus saving time and keeping your child growing!

Each child who takes the summer off from martial arts needs about 1 month to get back on track. If there is a learning disability present it takes longer!

Parents, enroll your child in a martial arts program this summer, or get them involved in some type of private learning activity to help them in their weak areas. Shut the video games off, and keep them learning! You will be amazed at the results you will see!

Master Art Mason

Attention Parents! Is your child safe?

Attention Parents! Is your child Safe?


Our world is becoming more dangerous by the minute. Children are being molested, abducted, murdered and hurt in our cities and on our streets. Is there anything that can be done to make our children safe, aside from taking the law into our own hands? Yes there is! Education is the answer. The more you and your children know and understand how predators work and think the better.

Surprisingly there are few groups in Canada and the United States that are really interested in helping children, until now. On Sunday June 22nd 2008 Art Mason's Peaceful Warriors' Martial Arts Institute launched their new information website called The Kid's Safe Canada Network.

This website is dedicated to providing FREE to the public information on how to teach your child to be "street smart" and avoid problems with predators, and even school yard bullies!

It doesn't matter were you live in this world, the information provided on this website will benefit you! Bookmark the site and visit often!

Go to http://www.kidsafecanada.net

If you register for this site you will be added to a mail list which will keep you apprised of workshops and seminars in your area.

Registration, like the website is totally FREE.

Yours in building strong confident children,

Master Art Mason
Founder: Art Mason's Peaceful Warriors' Martial Arts Institute
Founder: Kids Safe Canada Network

This Blog is busy

I host several blogs and many websites, all dealing with martial arts, children with different learning issues, bullying and marketing for martial art school owners. Of all the sites I have this is one of the busiest!

Back when I was growing up there was no such thing as ADD/ADHD. In a class of 30 there was typically one or two children who had poor grades and just did not get the work. There was however no 'label' for these children as there is now.

Since WWII psychologists have come up with literally hundreds of different ways to raise and teach your children. But sadly and obviously their ideas don't work! Doctor resort to drugs to control children's behavior after telling the parents that the child cannot do it themselves. What a pile of cr**!

Dealing with ADD/ADHD requires a solid foundation of behavior be set for the kids, boundaries set, consequences put in place. Once this happens learning and development come next! This is no where near as difficult as some would believe. I have taught martial arts to thousands of children with amazing results, all using this simple idea.

Parents, there are a lot of resources out there! Some good, some great and some bad. Here are a few links that will help you. Don't be afraid to spend a few dollars to increase your education on these subjects. Parenting is an important task, likely the most important one in your life. Your education needs to continue also.

http://www.thepeacefulwarriors.org/adhd.html

http://nomanual.thepeacefulwarriors.org/

At these 2 links you will find some amazing information and resources. Join the mail list at the first one if you do nothing else!