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I can’t explain just how amazing this place is! My daughter was born at just 23 weeks, 1lb. She just turned 3, and is doing well but had a long bumpy road. With said, she has some visual impairments, mild cerebral palsy, and severe anxiety issues. We are four classes in now, and although my daughter cries each time we get to the school, the instructors (every single one) ALWAYS treat her like their own and take their time with her. She comes out of class so happy and oh so proud of herself! They do not treat her differently because of her impairments, they are all patient and kind, and above all understanding. We are BEYOND pleased with GEMA, and the staff to include the wonderful families we have met. Thank you GEMA for creating a better world for my daughter!
An awesome martial arts school that truly cares.
I have had a blast. I look forward to continuing to learn each form.
We love the instructors and family atmosphere! Thank you!
I've tried a bunch of martial arts over the years, but it wasn't until I got to Gentle East that I realized that the art itself doesn't matter so much--it's the attitude of its practitioners. These people aren't learning and teaching how to kill, but how to live. How to live despite trauma and illness, and to keep practicing their art even if it's just in their hearts. The tenets are courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit, and they mean every word. They teach the kids that other dojangs won't. Autistic, physically challenged, special needs, you name it. They're fully engaged with the messy business of life. A whole lot of families are glad that Master Barbara Robinson followed her vision. Ours is one.
Love, love, love this place! The staff is incredibly kind and supportive, and the family atmosphere is palpable the moment you walk in the door! I am so impressed with the work being done with autism spectrum kids, as well as other kids with physical challenges. No one is made to feel like they don't belong here! I even joined the mommy class and my toddlers are allowed to run around us while we work out. I've lost a few pounds, and gained some amazing (non-judgemental) mom-friends! An oasis of kindness and support in the middle of what is often a 'keep up with the Jones's " area of town.
With school starting, it’s an extremely busy time of the year. The arrival of a new school year also comes with new stressors (and relief) for families. Coordinating drop-offs, pick-ups, and generally developing your family’s new routine always takes some time to get used to. Children are also adjusting to new schedules, a new school, […]
Best Parenting Tips for the New Year If your like most people, you’ll start 2022 highly motivated. You might have purchased a new gym membership and prepared meal package. Or maybe you’ve decided this year you’re going to reduce your debt or finish the degree you started towards several years ago. And while those are […]
Teaching With Purpose Exploring the Role of the Adult in the SKILLZ Learning Environment Take a few moments to pause and reflect. Let your mind return to the carefree days of your youth. Perhaps the rustling of autumn leaves crunching beneath your feet as you smell the crisp, cool air stirs your soul. Or maybe […]
As we know, children can lose control of their emotions for various reasons, and the behaviors we witness are generally unplanned. And since anxiety can often look like defiance, adults often respond in counterproductive ways. When children are stressed, the amygdala, located in the downstairs brain, is triggered, and the “fight or flight” response takes […]
Closures of schools and businesses have led to major disruptions in the daily routines of families. Children are trying to adjust to doing school at home and parents are trying to balance their work from home life with their role as teachers to their children. To cope, it’s important for families to implement daily routines […]
On any given day, we may experience moments of high emotion in reaction to an event, or we find ourselves trying to control everyone and everything around us. Either way, our mental well-being is in danger, especially if we find ourselves stuck in either scenario for long. It can be difficult for children to get […]
In today’s world competition is everywhere and it often starts at a young age. It begins as a fun, skill-developing event but quickly becomes time-consuming and competitive. While some parents want their children pushed to help them learn the hard lessons of life, others want to protect their children from the disappointment that can come […]
The C.O.A.L. Method – 4 Quick and Easy Steps to Dealing with Children’s Negative Behaviors Guest Post By Jennifer Salama When it comes to parenting, emotions can run high. When children act out negatively, parents often become frustrated quickly and react by trying to fix the behavior immediately by yelling, punishing, etc. However, this approach […]
We are currently faced with all sorts of unknowns, most, of which, are completely out of our control. And while we cannot dictate how others choose to move forward, what we can do, as parents, is prepare our own families for what may lie ahead. Currently, the most pressing matter is preparing children to return […]
The news can be full of scary stories and information, especially for children. Our current situation has brought about even more concern for everyone in the world. If adults are feeling panicked, imagine how children must be feeling. And no matter the age, children can be emotionally affected by the news and begin feeling anxious […]
As we continue through the current pandemic and re-opening efforts present real challenges, school districts everywhere are trying to devise the best plans for children, teachers, and staff to return. And while there will be no perfect solution for each family, parents must consider all the information and choose the option that works best for […]
Getting active can be challenging when your favorite gym or yoga studio is closed. Fortunately, you can enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities to keep your family healthy and happy. Here are 12 ideas to try for engaging all ages in healthy activities while you await loosened restrictions on the lockdown status. Make Home a […]
Summer Brain Gains – Helping Children Prevent the Summer Slide For years, parents and children have been faced with the dreaded summer slide, a time when the school year ends and summer learning loss begins. And as if it wasn’t detrimental enough in its own rights, this year the summer slide has been accelerated […]
Is It Rude, Is It Mean, Is It Bullying? Some people say kids will be kids. And yes, children and teens can be unkind to their peers and, feelings can get hurt. The problem is when these behaviors become common and target the same person repeatedly, it crosses the line and becomes bullying. And while […]
The world of business can be downright brutal. Whether you are dealing with a cutthroat salesman trying to shake your corporate money tree or just the day to day office politics that hide behind the politically correct plastic smiles of the cubicle jungle, you need to be able to stay on your toes and survive […]
Resilient Martial Arts of Midlothian, Virginia, is proud to announce that we added Spectrum Skillz to our class offerings! This program was designed to target children ages 7 and up who are on the autism spectrum. The program introduces specialized skill-based training for children who have limited physical, intellectual, social, and emotional abilities. With that […]
Realistic Behavioral Expectations Children between the ages of 3 and 4 are growing at a rapid rate in all areas of development, are discovering new things daily, while also learning how to cope with new challenges. Additionally, they are in pursuit of autonomy, which can lead to behavioral issues that the adults in their lives […]
How valuable would it be to your home security and peace of mind to be able to look inside the mind of the burglar trying to break into your home so you can prepare in advance? Self-defense includes securing your environment and preventing the need to ever protect yourself physically. Thanks to our friend and fellow martial artist, Cliff Pleger at […]
Emotional Development for Children on the Spectrum Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is most characterized by the emotional and social difficulties that people living with this disorder possess. And while these two areas have much cross-over in relation to the development of an individual, it is important to understand the emotional challenges as a separate entity. […]
Social Development for Children on the Autism Spectrum Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is largely characterized by social dysfunction. The social problems that are related to this are often assumed to be a choice by the individual, however, this is not the case. Children with ASD want to interact with others but they do not possess […]
I finally got around to making a video of the last day of Taekwondo. I am extremely proud of these students for trying a new activity and embracing it. Thank you Master Eric Rangel-Ribeiro for dedicating your time to teaching our students Taekwondo. You have helped build not only their skill level, but also their […]