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/

Halloween Costume Party Pics

Thank you everyone for a great costume party!

Pumpkin Painting Pizza Party!

Hi everyone. We had such a great time at the pumpkin
painting pizza party this past Saturday.
Here is a 5 minute presentation for your enjoyment...:)

Below you will also find a presentation that speaks about anger
management. I did this during the Pumpkin Painting Pizza Party
event. The kids had so much fun learning how anger is a normal
feeling and how to express it in a healthy and safe way. I know you'll enjoy this great information.

To find out about other up coming events or our community programs
please visit us at http://www.dinotokarate.com/ .
Pumpkin Painting Pizza Party Presentation

"Get The Angries Out" Presentation

Print the Get Your Angries Out flyer by following this
link http://dinotokarate.com/pdf/get%20your%20angries%20out%20flyer.pdf

Email me at masterliciaga@dinotokarate.com
If you would like to contact me personally.

have a great day and I'll see you on the training floor!

Peter Liciaga

Congratulations to DKC NEW Black Belts!

Congratulations to all our new black belts.
Everyone did an incredible job!

After the black belt testing presentation Mr. & Mrs.
Dinoto hosted a "black belt" celebration at DKC. Everyone had a great time.

Please watch the presentation below for some high-lights!

S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting & Effort Increases Fitness

Email me at MasterLiciaga@dinotokarate.com or call me direct at 856-235-0414
ARTICLE: Effort Increases Fitness
Why are some people drenched with perspiration after a workout while others are barely winded?
Fitness level and body chemistry are two reasons, but another that is seldom discussed is effort. The amount of effort each person exerts during a workout varies. This is especially true when the workout has become so tedious that no concentration is needed to complete it. It doesn’t matter if you are doing kickboxing, aerobics, weight lifting, yoga or martial arts, if you are not concentrating on the required movement, then you are not putting forth 100% effort.

Laborious effort is necessary during workouts to benefit the heart, circulatory system and muscles. As you become fit, you will need to increase your resistance, time, weights or an element that will make the workout harder to get the same benefits that you got when you started. This means that if a very fit person does the same exercises at the same intensity as an unfit person, the fit person will not garner the same health benefits. Each person should work up to 60 to 80 percent of his or her maximal heart rate (220 – current age). The unfit person will work out closer to the 60 percent and the fit person will work out closer to the 80 percent.

Many people think that personal fitness trainers don’t have to train anymore, because they work out during their job. Most trainers work out before or after work to get in their target heart rate zone to stay fit. If the trainer is used to running a five-minute mile, but the client runs a 12-minute mile, then the trainer is not exerting enough energy to break a sweat.
The trainer is burning calories, but the fitness level would actually decrease if this were continued. If a martial arts black belt only trained with white belts, then the white belts would benefit by being highly challenged, but the black belt would not be challenged enough to progress.

This also means that people just starting a fitness routine should find their target heart rate and work up to it. Don’t think that you have to start there or you may find it so difficult that you give up. Plan ahead and start slowly. Tell yourself this is for the long haul, and you are going to increase your endurance level slowly so you do not hurt yourself or become discouraged. Build up to your target zone slowly and then increase as needed. This will not only help prevent injuries, but will also keep you motivated.

When a fitness routine becomes so easy that it can be done with no effort or without breathing heavily or feeling any exertion, then it’s time to train harder. Increasing the time or the level of training can help a person climb to a higher level. The old workout may be comfortable, but the routine should be changed every six to nine weeks to maintain a proper fitness level.
Let me help you take your training to another level. Schedule a private consultation and I will develop a plan to bring your fitness or martial arts training to the next level. Call me at 856-235-0414 or email me at masterliciaga@gmail.com .