Youngsters Earn Next Rank Belts in Rutherford NJ TheDOJO

Youngsters earn next rank belts in Rutherford

OCTOBER 30, 2014   SOUTH BERGENITE

Youngsters earn next rank belts in Rutherford

TheDOJO, in Rutherford, continues to unleash human potential as evidenced in the recent children’s martial arts program belt test in which 25 4- to 6-year-olds were awarded their next rank belts. As part of their belt test training, the students were taught a robust, interactive curriculum covering topics such as fire safety and prevention and personal hygiene self-defense. But passing the belt test also requires some very impressive and measurable physical achievements: In the last eight weeks, the 4- to 6-year-olds each did more than 150 pushups and sit-ups. They also mastered self-defense techniques in the context of lessons concerning bullies and stranger danger. They learned how to punch, block and kick in order to protect themselves and in order to strengthen their bodies and their minds. Accordingly, they also learned about health and proper nutrition. Most of the youngest students also participated in an annual food drive which was completed in August. At TheDOJO, martial arts education is comprised of an intelligent curriculum specializing in wellness of the whole person: body, mind and spirit. Pictured: TheDOJO’s children’s martial arts Program (4- to 6-year-old) belt awardees celebrating their achievements with Sensei Dan Rominski and members of TheDOJO’s Leadership Team.

Operation Jersey Cares Food Drive at TheDOJO

Project Based Leadership Training also known as PBLT teaches a student HOW to develop leadership qualities such as communication skills while managing people & resources. This builds confidence to engage in interesting projects & ideas that make a difference. This food drive project from student Maria at TheDOJO is a WOW! Maria mobilized resources inspiring donations local media. The artwork commissioned by Maria was created by fellow student Natasha, age 16. This is a fine example of how to manifest the qualities of the martial arts such as focus & confidence out of TheDOJO & into the WORLD! This takes the martial arts beyond the realm of a kick, punch or throw. http://www.thedojo.org/operation-jersey-cares/
Learn more click the link above Sensei Dan

OPERATION JERSEY CARES FOOD DRIVE
SPONSORED BY THEDOJO

TheDOJO, located at 52 Park Avenue in Rutherford, New Jersey is collecting non-perishable food items for Operation Jersey Cares, a non-profit organization which relies on community support and donations as they provide food and other items to our men and women serving in our military. TheDOJO sponsored food drive will accept items until Monday, March 28, 2011. Aiming for excellence, the school is looking to collect 2000 plus non-perishable food items by the end date. TheDOJO is asking for community support as they aim to reach their goal.

Project Leader and Martial Arts student, Maria Scala said “Supporting the military has always been extremely important to me and my family. The troops rely so much on support from home for morale purposes.” When asked why she chose to focus on the military for her second DOJO leadership based project, she responds by saying when her sister began dating a Marine two years ago the support for military men and women took on a whole new meaning. In a few months Maria will stand up as maid of honor for her sister at her May wedding. Her new brother-in-law will be the very same Marine. “When I was promoted to my current rank and tasked to lead my second project, I turned to the veterans because of the Marine in our family. I began to research organizations like Operation Jersey Cares. Their mission is simple, to provide our men and women a little piece of ‘home’ during their tours. Being part of something like the DOJO, knowing we’re making a difference in the world through projects like the food drive, among other successful community based projects, is like your birthday and earning your black belt all at one time; it’s an incredible feeling.”
For further information, please contact TheDOJO at (201) 933-3050.
Below is a list of items requested most by our troops:

Beef Jerky/Turkey Jerky Breath Mints
Candy (not chocolate) Cereal (single serving size)
Cereal Bars Coffee
Coffee Creamer Cookies (sandwich type)
Dried Fruits Granola Bars
Gum Hot Chocolate
Kraft Easy Mac Microwave Foods (non-perishable)
Nuts Powdered Drink Mix
Pringles (cans only) Pumpkin/Sunflower Seeds
Slim Jims Soup (cup of soup/soup at hand)
Sugar Tea Bags
Trail Mix Tuna (can or foil)
Twizzlers


A discussion about Love...

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day 2011.  At TheDOJO our words of the week were Confucius said, “Love”.  Some of our discussions with the children, parents & adult students included HOW to love & HOW to become a whole human being capable of expressing love towards others sustainably.  3 ideas about love were taught.

Idea number one.  Becoming a whole human being.  It has been said that in a loving relationship two people are a half circle coming together to make a complete circle.  Let’s evolve this idea to a higher level.  What if each person was a whole circle, a whole human being.  Rather than being dependent on the other for completion, as a whole independent circle the two can come together & overlap forming a third circle as if 1+1=3.  They interdependently create something that was not there before.  A loving relationship based on trust & trust worthiness, temperance, conviction a virtue of unconditional love.  This is not to be confused with infatuation, a vice & common feeling mistakenly thought to be love but is not.  

Idea number two.  What constitutes a whole human being?  We taught the children that self-love is just as important as outwardly expressing love to someone else.  A healthy environment inside ones own mind & heart can create or attract a healthy loving relationship with another on the outside such as with a spouse, family member or friend.  Self-respect, self-worth, self-discipline, self-esteem, self-control, self-confidence all cultivate self-love.  A person who loves themselves too much or too little will not be able to serve another in a loving way sustainably, therefore a balance in self-love should be reached.

Idea number three. Love is a verb.  It’s Hollywood & commercial holidays such as Valentine’s Day that teaches that Love is a Noun.  We get Love the noun by performing Love the verb.  In other words to love someone is through action, to treat them with respect, honor them, be trustworthy & affirm their worth & potential.  

Children as young as 4 years old picked up very quickly this introduction to Love.  Although incomplete this discussion inspired intelligent thought & to use one’s mind in a form of self awareness.  Practice & pondering deeply one can explore love in a healthy & sustainable way.