Attitude makes all the difference...

This past Wednesday I had a 12:52 pm flight from Phila airport to Atlanta Ga.

The day went as follow:

At 8:00am I recieved an email that my flight was rescheduled for 3:25pm. At 1pm I recieve a message that my flight was rescheduled for 8:25pm! Then I recieved a message that it was rescheduled for 4:35pm... then it was rescheduled to 3:20pm...then, at 2:25pm we recieved an announcement that we were to board the plane "now" and get in the "air as soon as possible"!

Needless to say there were many people who were frustrated. Who could blame them. Of course I wanted so much to be one of those frustrated ones. But I was too busy working on my notes for my speech the next day at Fort Mcphearson. My message was to be about living like a champion and more than a conqueror...and living life with the "right" attitude!

With this, I found myself challenged by my own message! It took all my martial art and black belt training & abilities to overcome the desire to complain and rage about how horrible the airlines are at organization and....blah, blah, blah

In martial arts (and in life), the right attitude comes first. The development of a positive attitude is the first conscious step toward becoming an effective black belt leader. Successful leadership cannot be constructed without this crucial building block. Check out some "attitude" truths:

1. Our attitude determines our approach to life.
2. Our attitude determines our relationships with people.
3. Our attitude is often the only difference between success and failure.
4. our attitude at the beginning of a task will affect its outcome more than anything else.
5. our attitude can turn problems into blessings.
6. Our attitude is not automatically good just because we are black belts!

A positive attitude does not happen by accident. It happens on purpose!

NEW: "The Last Airbender" Winter Olympics TV Commercial

Here is the latest commercial for "The Last Airbender". It aired during the winter olympics in Canada.

SNOW'D IN! --- Some thoughts from Master Liciaga....

SNOW'D IN? Classes Cancelled? No karate? Kids at home?

If your child's karate classes are cancelled and they are "stuck" at home, there is no reason why they cannot still practice their martial arts! This is the perfect time to remind our children on the importance of helping out at home.

First, know that your child can make up any classes missed! You can even schedule a short private lesson (10 to 15 minutes) with one of his instructors.

In addition to that, here are some suggestions for kids stuck at home:

1. Review being a "first-time listener"
2. Practice the "Focusing Rules"
3. Review/Practice warming up or strength training (ie, push ups, sit ups, and jumping jacks, etc.)
4. Practice basic techniques: high blocks, palm strikes, front kicks, etc. (see sample videos below)
5. For Leadership Team members, review this months leadership skill, "Confidence".
6. For students that are intermediate or advanced, they can review their one-step or forms dvds. NOTE: Ask us about purchasing the dvd's.

Here are some samples videos...

"Focusing Rules"

"Warming Up"

"Strength Training"

"High Blocks"

"Plam Strike"

"Front Kick"

Black Belt Leadership @ DKC

Greetings everyone.

I thought that I would give a brief description of what black belt leadership is at dkc.

First of all let me say that my opinion (personal & professional) about what martial arts IS has developed and expounded considerably since I first started martial arts 38 years ago. For me, martial arts is about becoming the best human you could be. Committing to developing yourself on all levels (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually). When someone expresses their desire to train in martial arts, I am excited because at that moment of declaration I am convinced that I am looking at a future black belt. My assumption is that this person is going to seriously consider martial arts as the strategy to become the greatest person they could ever be.

Anyway, what is a black belt? The following is taken from one of my leadership workbooks.

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BLACK BELT LEADERSHIP BASICS

What is a black belt?
A black belt is someone with a basic foundational understanding of the moral and technical qualities of a martial art system.

What is a master black belt?

This is the highest level of moral character and technical proficiency of a martial art practitioner. Because master black belts train black belts, they must know everything the black belts know, as well as understand the history and theory on which the respective martial art is based. Masters must be able to exemplify the characteristics of a black belt leader in day to day life in general.

What is a leader?

From the American Heritage Dictionary, a leader is:

1. One that leads or guides

2. One who is in charge or in command of others

3. One who heads a political party or organization

4. One who has influence or power, especially of a political nature

From the same source, we hear that leadership is:

1. The position or office of a leader

2. Capacity or ability to lead

3. A group of leaders

4. Guidance; direction

Don Clark, of Big Dog Leadership defines leadership in this way:

"Leadership is a complex process by which a person influences others to accomplish a mission, task or objective; and directs an organization or group in such a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent."

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My challenge to everyone is to watch your instructors (myself included) and evaluate our actions and our words…see how we live our lives and see if there is a congruency between the two.

A Martial Arts Resolution for 2010!

Everyone is writing about New Year's Resolutions! When January comes around, everyone and their momma will be preaching about goal-setting and resolutions. Dr. Phil and Oprah focus much of their attention on resolutions.

You also see segments in the news, specials on TV, and newly published books on the shelves of your favorite bookstores.

Martial artists seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to resolutions ... both because not much is written on the subject and also because martial practice is the desired habit that is the first to fail.

We desperately try to keep our promises about dieting and budgeting. And so, the lowly martial arts goal is soon forgotten.

An Easy Martial Arts Goal (Resolution)

I have a quick idea for you:

Get a poster, photograph or small statue that inspires you in a martial arts way. It could be your Bruce Lee autograph under the photo of him kicking the snot out of an actor on Enter the Dragon. Or maybe your favorite punching poster. (here's one of Bruce Lee, and for the ladies, one of Ms. Kathy Long)


Put this poster up in your home in a prominent hallway ... or maybe in the kitchen. In other words, don't hide the martial arts poster out of the way.


Now, pick one simple exercise -- choose something that you know you should do, but have been procrastinating about. Maybe daily punches or kicks or pushups.

Every time you pass your poster or statue ... punch, kick, or pushup 5 times. Quickly.

Great. Done, now continue on about your day.

The next time you pass the poster, five more reps.

Martial Arts Reminder and Inspiration


Use the poster as both your reminder and as your inspiration.

Are five reps too many? How about two reps each time? Or even one rep? !


The point is that all of these mini practices will add up during the day. Imagine how much you will punch, kick or pushup in a month ... or a year.

Simply combine a visual representation with your mini-practices. They make a great combination.


Now, how's that for making a New Year's Resolution painless?

If you would like to get a quick private lesson, contact me at masterliciaga@dinotokarate.com or visit my new website at http://www.americanblackbelts.com/


See you on the training floor.


Peter Liciaga

Leadership Skill for November - Courage

Hi everyone, here my presentation for Courage, our leadership skill for the month of November. We will be discussing this leadership characteristic in our Leadership Programs. If you are interested in participating in our leadership program please contact us at contact@dinotokarate.com .

Dr. Oz learns karate from little Hunter!

Young Hunter Williams teaches Dr. Oz the basics of martial arts. The Williams family explains that when they signed Hunter up for martial arts classes, they knew he would gain physical fitness from the cardiovascular workout from martial arts, but they were hoping he would also learn focus and self control.

See video here http://doctoroz.com/videos/karate-kid

The structure of the martial arts classroom combined with the positive encouragement from his instructors made this an activity from which Hunter and his parents benefitted. Today, Williams is a 2nd Degree Black Belt with the American Taekwondo Association (ATA), a two time ATA World Champion, and a member of the organization’s elite World Demo Team. For more information about our fun, focused and fit martial arts programs for the whole family, visit us at http://www.dinotokarate.com/