Sweet Salute! TheDOJO 5th Annual Candy Collection for Operation Jersey Cares

Come and support TheDOJO’s 5th Annual Halloween Candy Drive in support of Operation Jersey Cares (www.operationjerseycares.org).  We will be collecting excess Halloween candy again this year at TheDOJO from 3-7pm from November 1 - Nov 13.  This candy will be donated to our armed forces as a way to provide a little sweetness.  The military will pick up the candy at 6pm on Thursday, November 13th.  Come and meet Sergeant Gunny Mario Monaco!

This Project was first created by Maria Scala a former member of TheDOJO for her Project based Leadership Training.

10 Lessons for Girls Self-Defense

10 Lessons for Girls

Here is a very intelligent resource for teaching/opening up a dialogue with young girls about Self-Defense.  

This piece was created by one of my teachers & mentors Master Teacher Tom Callos.

Click this Link to be taken to the 10 Lessons  http://10lessons.tumblr.com 

Over the years at TheDOJO we have been teaching Intelligent Curriculum such as this piece.  From time to time I like to re-send these powerful messages out to everyone as a reminder these resources are available.  You may find more topics on our website under the Everything Self Defense tab atwww.TheDOJO.org

"In the following 10 lessons, I will touch upon these primary topics:" -Tom Callos

1. Attitude
2. Exercise
3. Diet
4. Self-Image (and the media)
5. Relationships, Dating, and Boys
6. Dangerous and Emergency Situations
7. Alcohol and Drugs
8. Environmental Self-Defense
9. Education
10. Sexism / Discrimination

Master Teacher Tom Callos may be reached at TomCallos@Gmail.com

Type 2 Diabetes 

Awareness & Prevention

One in three children will develop Type 2 diabetes so it just makes sense to discuss the awareness & prevention of this disease. This is a unique component of our modern day self-defense lessons for children, teens & adults. Through education we create awareness & through action we create a means for the prevention of Type 2 Diabetes.  We discuss, educate & inspire a lifestyle of Healthy Eating & Regular Exercise.  This is yet another component of Intelligent Curriculum in our Martial Arts Education taught by Sensei Dan Rominski at TheDOJO.

Did You Know?

Type 2 diabetes is on the rise. By the year 2050, one in three people will have diabetes. Children from certain racial and ethnic groups are at higher risk, including African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander and Native American children.  If you have a family member with Diabetes you are more at risk in developing the disease.

What is Diabetes?

In type 1 diabetes, the body can no longer make any insulin. Insulin is a hormone your body needs to use glucose. Glucose is a sugar your body uses to give you energy. People with type 1 diabetes inject insulin every day in order to live. At this time, type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented.

In type 2 diabetes, the body makes insulin. But, it may not make enough, the insulin it makes may not work well, or both.

Type 2 diabetes may be prevented or delayed for many years. 

Preventing Diabetes in Teens

Risk for Diabetes goes up if you have a family history or if you are overweight.

Age is also a risk factor for diabetes as a person’s risk increases after age 45.

However, the number of teens diagnosed with pre-diabetes and diabetes is growing.  For this age group, being overweight is their number one risk factor.  Risk for diabetes goes up if you have a family history or if you are overweight.

Preventing Type Two Diabetes In Children

Children and teens may be able to prevent diabetes or delay its onset for many years. Small changes can make a big difference. Even a small amount of weight loss can help prevent or delay diabetes.

Losing weight is hard, especially if you’re trying to do it by yourself.  Get the whole family involved.  After all, a healthy diet for preventing diabetes is a healthy diet for everyone.

Lose Weight By Eating Healthy

Here are some healthy eating tips the whole family can try.

Drink water — Limit sugar-sweetened drinks including, sodas, juices, sports drinks, and coffee drinks. These drinks add calories with little or no nutritional value.

Eat more fruits and vegetables — If fresh is not available, try frozen or canned fruits (in natural juice, not syrup) and vegetables. They’re more affordable, easy to cook and they don’t go bad!

Make healthy snack foods easy to find in the kitchen — Place grapes, carrots or plain popcorn on the counter.

Limit fast food — When you do choose fast food, make healthier choices:

Choose salads with dressing on the side

Choose foods that are grilled or broiled

Choose to eliminate Soda

Hold the mayo

Choose baked chips, salad or apples slices instead of french fries.

Order the kid-size meal

Learn how to Create Your Plate — Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables. For the remaining side, fill half with a lean protein, and the remaining quarter with carbs or starches, like brown rice or whole grain pasta.

Lose Weight By Getting Active

Limit sitting in front of a screen time to no more than 2 hours a day — This includes TV, computer, phone and video games.

Get moving — Children and teens should get 60 minutes a day of exercise most days of the week. Here are ways your family can be more physically active:

Walk, bike, or scooter to school. Try a “walking school bus” or supervised bike rides.

Attend Martial Arts lessons with a qualified instructor

Turn up the music and dance

Walk outside, in a mall, at a park, or in a museum

Join your local YMCA

Take the stairs instead of the elevator

Get off the bus a stop early and walk

Park at the far end of the lot

Walk around while talking on the phone or watching TV

Set Goals — Challenge your child, and yourself by setting small goals. Reward your successes with non-food items. (Ex. Having a sleepover, renting a movie, going shopping)

Get more tips on setting goals, healthy eating and staying active.

Warning Signs?

Children and teens with type 2 diabetes often feel no symptoms at all. However, be aware of some common symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

Increased thirst

Frequent or nighttime urination

Blurry vision

Unusual fatigue

If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, contact a health care provider.

What is the A1C Test?

The A1c test is a blood test that provides information about a person’s average levels of blood glucose, also called blood sugar, over the past 3 months. The A1C test is sometimes called the hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c, or glycohemoglobin test. The A1C test is the primary test used for diabetes management and diabetes research.  Individuals with diabetes and those at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes can have a regular A1c test, also known as HbA1c, performed by their doctor.

Learn more about how our Intelligent Curriculum with Sensei Dan Rominski at TheDOJO

Visit our Website www.TheDOJO.org  Email us at SenseiDan@TheDOJO.org or call us at TheDOJO (201) 933-3050 from 3 pm to 8 pm EST.  

Article contents from www.Diabetes.org & www.DefeatDiabetes.org

Teaching Children Safety

Teaching Safety to Children

The 5 Questions of How to Make a Good Decision

Making a good decision is Self-Defense.  Did you know that accidents are the number one cause of death among children?  Did you know that children who take swimming lessons are actually more prone to drowning due to overconfidence in their ability?  Children are impulsive so what if as parents & educators we taught them to “Think before they act”?  Teaching children HOW to slow down, think before they act & listen to their conscience makes sense to stay safe.  This is another component of Intelligent Curriculum in our Martial Arts Education taught by Sensei Dan Rominski at TheDOJO.  Also, these 5 questions work well for teenagers & adults.

1.  What Would My Parent’s Say?

Think before you act!  Making a good decision is about thinking before you act.  This usually results in a safer outcome.  Not thinking before you act is called being “Impulsive”.  Being impulsive can lead to something bad, dangerous or foolish to happen.  One is to be mindful the other is to be mindless.  Before doing something ask yourself, “What would my parent’s say if I…?”  Consider what your parent’s would say & then make a “good” decision.

2.  What Would My Teacher Say?

“It takes a village to raise a child”,  Parents & teachers are like the tribal elders of a village who have lot’s of life experience.  This means that when we listen to them & their wise advice we don’t have to re-invent the wheel. We can however learn from their past mistakes & successes.  Before doing something ask yourself, “What would my teacher say if I…?”  Consider what your teacher would say & then make a “good” decision.

3.  Could I Hurt Someone?

It’s easy to think only about ourselves, but that is a little selfish.  When we think of others we expand our awareness beyond ourselves & consider how our decisions may affect other people.  What we choose to do has a good or bad consequence.  Before doing something ask yourself, “Could I hurt someone if I…?”  Consider how your choices & actions could result in something good or something bad for others & then make a “good” decision.

4.  Could I Hurt Myself?

Look before you leap!  This idea can prevent something bad or dangerous from happening.  Think before you act & ask yourself, “Could I hurt myself if I…?”  Consider the answer & then make a “good” decision.

5.  Should I Do It?

The question of questions!  Ultimately ask yourself, “Should I do it?”Consider if your actions will be morally correct & how they affect the rights of other people.

After considering your answers of these five questions to Think Before You Act & Make a Good Decision go ahead & decide.  Think wisely…use your common sense & good sound judgement.  Trust yourself that if you thought deeply about it chances are you’ll come up

with the right answer.

Parents could give examples of something bad or something good, these questions actually apply either way.  Teach the child to go through all five questions for each scenario.  Be patient & let them come up with the answer, allow them to learn to listen to their own gut feeling or conscience.

Some ideas might be…

Bad Things

“What would your parents say if you climbed up that couch?”

“What would your teacher say if you cut in line while waiting your turn?”

“Could you hurt someone if you played rough?”

Good Things

“What would your parents say if you cleaned your room?”

“What would your Teacher or coach say if you ate all these vegetables?”

“Could you hurt someone if you share?”

EZ Defense for Children-Setting Verbal Boundaries, Non-Violent Conflict Resolution and HOW NOT to be an Easy Target for Bullies and Predators.

EZ Defense for Children-Setting Verbal Boundaries, Non-Violent Conflict Resolution and HOW NOT to be an Easy Target for Bullies and Predators. 

EZ Defense & The 3 Colors of Awareness

Setting Verbal Boundaries & Nonviolent Conflict Resolution 

The Three Colors of Awareness are Yellow Alert, Orange Alert & Red Alert.  Each color represents a different action one takes for personal protection.  In Self-Defense Awareness is key to staying safe.  Whether one is warding off a bully, a stranger or a grown up which makes us feel uncomfortable knowing what to do & how to do it will protect us & could even save our life.  

Yellow Alert

The first Color of Awareness is Yellow Alert.  Yellow Alert is when there is no danger but there could be, in other words paying attention to our surroundings & environment.  Children could be in Yellow Alert while riding their bike such as paying attention to cars or driveways to prevent or avoid accidents.  Grown ups could be in Yellow Alert while driving like paying attention to the road or cars around them to prevent or avoid danger.  We should always be in yellow alert, always looking to prevent accidents or dangerous acts from happening to us through paying attention to our environment & surroundings & what is going on around us at all times.

Orange Alert

Orange Alert is when one gets that weird gut feeling in their stomach like something is wrong and they LISTEN to it.   We also know this as having “butterflies” in our stomachs.  This feeling could happen when we are scared or nervous such as the first day of school or getting on stage in front of an audience.  It could also happen when we are being picked on by a bully or a grown up makes us feel uncomfortable.  In orange alert we take some sort of action when we feel something is wrong.  We might assume a self-defense stance, we might assertively set a verbal boundary or we might leave a dangerous situation & tell a grown up.  Usually something bad occurs when we get that gut feeling like something is wrong & we ignore it.  A great example of orange alert is setting a verbal boundary for either a bully, a stranger or to anyone when they make us feel uncomfortable.  Here is more information on to how set a verbal boundary correctly.

The Verbal Boundary a Tool for Non Violent Conflict Resolution

When it comes to communication it is important to say the right thing in the right way. Be aware of using the right body language, the right tone of voice & the right words for the a situation.  If we are too passive we might unintentionally make ourselves out to be an “easy target”.  If we are too aggressive we may escalate a situation to become worse than it started.  Assertive communication is not too passive nor too aggressive but is just right to show that we don’t want any trouble but are willing to protect ourselves if we have to.  There is a physiology to every emotion we feel & body language is the biggest form of communication.  The next biggest form of communication is our tone of voice & last are the words we use.  In self-defense we want to become aware of our verbal & non-verbal communication.  

Passive Communication

Examples of Passive Communication might be avoiding eye contact, looking down, hands in the pockets or the body sunken in as if we are “shrinking away from the trouble”.  The tone of voice would be speaking quietly or sounding “mousey” projecting a lack of confidence or willingness to protect oneself.  The words used in Passive Communication may be in the form of asking instead of telling such as “please don’t hurt me” or “please leave me alone”.  Passive Communication could make us seem more like an “easy target” & unintentionally invite more trouble towards us.

Aggressive Communication 

Aggressive Communication is not good either.  While it may display more confidence than being passive if we are too over the top we might invite trouble by escalating a confrontation rather than deescalating it.  Also if we lose control emotionally we will not be able to “think straight” & make good decisions.  Examples of aggressive communication might be shaking our fist at someone, pointing a finger at someone’s face or standing with fists up looking like we are ready to fight.  Shouting & yelling uncontrollably while saying mean or derogatory things is not an effective way to communicate as well.  We might “set someone off” to lash back at us out of anger or embarrassment.  This may start a fight rather than preventing one.   

Assertive Communication

Assertive Communication is as if to say through our body language our tone of voice & our words “Look I don’t want any trouble but I will protect myself if I have to.”  It may be as simple as “standing up” or “speaking up” for yourself or it may be setting a verbal boundary.  How do we set a Verbal Boundary with Assertive Communication?  We need to include the right body language tone of voice & words.  The Body Language is a self-defense stance with one foot back, both hands up & the palms open as if saying “stop” while making good eye contact.  The tone of voice is loud & sharp projecting confidence.  It might be like a “Bad Dog” tone of voice like when yelling at a dog after it goes to the bathroom on the rug.  The words we use change for different situations.  

Orange Alert for a Bully

When confronted by a bully we might shout “Back Away!” or “Stop!” or “Leave Now”.  Tell them exactly what you want them to do but don’t say anything that might embarrass or anger them.  Always allow them an honorable exit especially in front of peers.  It’s also smart not to “get into it” by getting drawn into an argument going back & forth with an aggressive discussion.  Be loud to set the verbal boundary & show you are not an easy target & also to attract the attention & help from a teacher or parents nearby.

Orange Alert for a Stranger

When a stranger either aggressively or quietly approaches a child or signals them or asks a child to go with them somewhere we assume the same self-defense stance & loudly shout “This is NOT my mom this is NOT my Dad, Stranger Help!”  Be loud to attract attention & then look around & go for help.  Tell a grown up immediately.  Go back inside a school, into a house, find a parent, friends parent, teacher, police officer, fireman, paramedic, security guard, life guard & life guard station or someone who wheres a uniform at a store, a mall or an amusement park or find a mom with kids.  The main thing is to be loud & to attract attention, get help & stay in a place with lot’s of people.  Never allow yourself to go with anyone.  Sometimes getting away is not an option.  If this is the case wrap your arms & clasp your hands together around a bicycle, street sign, park bench or some object to make it difficult for someone to pick you up.  All the while shout the right words & attract help by being loud.  A stranger may give up & leave if you are a difficult target.   Also if a grown up, teenager or peer who is not a stranger but someone we & our family knows & trusts is making us feel uncomfortable through touching us also set a verbal boundary. Be loud & clear yelling “STOP!” or “NO!” then leave & tell a grown up right away.  You might tell your parents or a teacher at school.  If the grown up who you tell doesn’t do anything about it, tell someone else & keep telling someone until you get the help you need.

A quick video demonstrating how to teach children to latch on to objects -Deterring child abductors by being a difficult target.  By Sensei Dan Rominski teaching a children's class from age 3 to age 12 at his martial art school TheDOJO in Rutherford, NJ


Turn Fear Into Power

When we become scared or nervous we experience the effects of adrenaline.  Adrenaline is something natural our body produces when under stress which can make us stronger or run faster to get away from danger.  It can also cause us to “Tense Up” or “Freeze Up” at a time we don’t want to.  It can produce effects like “Tunnel Vision” which is when we become fixated visionally on something while under stress staring at a fist, a finger pointing at us or a weapon.  “Auditory Exclusion” is when we “Block Out” all sounds like instructions.  We keep control by remembering to breathe.  Breathe in & out.  This helps us to remain calm & make good decisions.  When we shout we naturally breathe out & it forces us to breathe back in & is another great way to break “The Freeze Response”.

Whenever we set a verbal boundary be sure to breathe & keep a safety distance.  Don’t let anyone inside your “Bubble”.  “The Bubble” is the safety distance to keep away from a Bully or Stranger.  If we are too close they could reach us to do harm.  For bullies keep back at least three arm lengths away & for strangers at least ten.  Extend your arm out in front of you & imagine counting these arm lengths from an object in the room or practice stepping back from an object in the room so you know how far away to stay back.  Never let anyone inside your bubble you don’t want to be there.

Red Alert

Red Alert are the physical self-defense techniques of the martial arts & are used only as a last resort.  If we do Yellow Alert & Orange Alert correctly we may never have to get to Red Alert.  Preventing something dangerous from happening is always better than dealing with it after something bad occurs.  That being said never let anyone harm your body.  Always use as much force as necessary to protect yourself or to get away but don’t go beyond that, this is called Justifiable Force.  For instance if a bully calls you a name & you push him that is not justified because you are using more force than is needed to protect yourself.  Perhaps it would be better to leave & tell a teacher.  However if a stranger tries to take you away you can use the techniques of the martial arts to defend yourself against the stranger.  When it comes to strangers & grown ups hurting children or anytime you fear for your life in this case there are no rules in self defense.  You do what is necessary to protect yourself.

A quick self-defense video of Sensei Dan Rominski teaching children how to physically defend/protect themselves. 

 “Children Protect Themselves with their Knowledge.”  This is why as a part of our Martial Arts Education at TheDOJO Sensei Dan Rominski teaches through our Intelligent Curriculum The Three Colors of Awareness.  For more information regarding this & other self-defense concepts please contact Sensei Dan Rominski.

Visit our website http://www.thedojo.org   We teach Self-Defense to children. The DOJO curriculum is based on children's ability to defend themselves. Dog Attack Protection 101 falls under that category of building a defense against the dangers of unexpected attacks.

Sensei Dan Rominski Chief Instructor at his martial art school TheDOJO in Rutherford NJ teaches Dog Attack Prevention 101 to Children.  

Sensei Dan is available for Scheduled TALKS & PRESENTATIONS. 

Get more information about our Martial Arts Education of Intelligent Curriculum involving Everything Self-Defense at TheDOJO located in Rutherford NJ. 

Contact Chief Instructor: Owner Sensei Dan Rominski at (201) 933-3050 or email SenseiDan@TheDOJO.org

Visit our website http://www.TheDOJO.org

TheDOJO -  52 Park Avenue, Rutherford, NJ 07070 - Phone: (201) 933-3050 - Text us for info here: (201) 838-4177

Our e-mail address: SenseiDan@TheDOJO.org- Our Facebook page: Like us at TheDOJO or Friend us DanRominski

Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/DanRominski - Our Twitter http://www.twitter.com/danrominski 

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/danrominski

A link to where our school is on Google Maps: http://www.google.com/maps/place/TheDOJO/@40.828037,-74.103237,1...

If you live in the Rutherford, NJ area and would like to inquire about our programs, reach out to us at the phone and/or e-mail or text addresses above. -Sensei Dan

Learn more at http://senseidanromisnki.blogspot.com/2015/06/dog-attack-protection-for-children.html 

Read our blog at http://www.DanRominski.Tumblr.com

Credits

Written by Dan Rominski

Content complied from

Dan Rominski

Tom Callos

Tom Patire

Bill Kipp

Think Fast Under Pressure

The other day while with some friends, one being 95 years old, we were standing outside of a farmers market in 90 degree whether when suddenly our elder friend fully collapsed & passed out. Reflexively my wife (a second degree black belt) & I caught her & lowered her to the ground protecting her from hitting her head & other joints. Someone that age can easily break a hip & may never recover. All in a matter of a few moments a flash of thoughts popped into my mind...protect her from the fall, don’t let her bang her head or joints, be careful not to squeeze too tightly as I may crack her rib bone, check vitals, call 911. All of these thoughts flash into my mind while staying calm & alert. We also had our 19 month old twins at our side as well. For a martial artist this comes easier than most people. Free style sparring & grappling is great for this kind of thinking fast under pressure deveoplment. When one spars they are multitasking mentally & learning how to control their emotions. Think about it when a 7 year old is sparring a 13 year old someone almost twice their age & size they are focused on prevailing in the match not on letting their emotions run wild. They practice, dodging, blocking, countering, strategies all the while keeping a calm & steady mind when they may actual feel like running (althought in self-defense is that the first option). The children welcome the task that makes them go beyond themselves. This character strength is intrinsic. In Japanese martial arts it is called Heijo-Shin. When a parent enrolls their child it is difficult to explain these type of intrinsic, subjective character strengths but they are there. They will also be there when a child needs to think fast under pressure when faced with a bully, when faced with a child abductor, when faced with a difficult test at school, when faced with speaking up against unhealthy peer pressure. Martial arts training in our program develops the body mind heart & spirit for both children & adults. When you need it will be there, we develop it by coming TheDOJO.

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