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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.
As parents, we want what’s best for our children, and we also want our children to give their best when they participate in extra-curricular sports and activities. The problem is, that we sometimes get caught up in our desire to see our children perform well and we speak up at the wrong times. With that […]
“Mommy, it’s okay to have big feelings.” These were the words a six-year-old ever so calmly and wisely whispered to his mother as he gently climbed up upon his stool to wipe away the tears from her cheeks. You see, just a day prior, the family lost a dear loved one. The pain was fresh, […]
“Dear Proud Parent, On my hard days, remember I am small. When tears run down my cheeks and I don’t even know why remember I need you to grab a tissue and dry my teary eyes. When something happens that I didn’t expect and I yell, scream and fuss, remember even in my anger, confusion, […]
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 […]
Have you ever taken a moment to truly admire the incredible beauty of watching a child at play? Their fully engaged spirit, drive, imagination, and passion are all completely engaged in the mission of the moment. Whether it’s tinkering with their next greatest creation or saving the day as their favorite superhero, children demonstrate freely […]
Over the last year, sports programs have had shorter seasons, if any at all. Because of that, training time for athletes of all ages has dropped significantly. Now, with sports returning to a more normal duration, young athletes are working hard to regain lost skills and recondition their bodies. The problem, however, is that lengthy […]
Summer break is typically viewed as a time for relaxation, fun, and no schedules. However, considering the dramatic change in our lives over the past year and seeing communities begin opening back up in a full capacity now, this summer would be the perfect time to get children back on track. As unfortunate as it […]
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 […]
Let’s face it, conflict is hard and is bound to happen. Whether it’s on the playground or right in our own homes, children will clash. And while it can be challenging situations, it is a normal event that occurs between children and a learning opportunity for them. This is why conflict resolution is an essential […]
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 […]
Every child is born with their own unique way of interacting with the world. Some are flexible with change while others may experience stress when presented with new situations or a change in schedule. This is what is referred to as temperament. And while some temperaments are easier to handle than others, it is important […]
These it seems that children are only interested in their video games, smartphones, and social media platforms. Parents may be frustrated with their children’s lack of motivation for and attention to other activities and could be at a loss about what to do. Usually, parents respond by taking devices away and punishing their children. And […]
Although not new, virtual instruction has become a more widely used approach, especially in the wake of the current pandemic. Nearly everyone has been directed to stay at home, which initially seemed like a vacation but quickly became a stressful situation. With routines upended and everyone having limited access to activities, children are filled with […]
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it has taught us the importance of slowing down and appreciating the moments we have with our loved ones. On the flip side, it has also caused some additional stressors for parents as they have had to play the role of teacher while also fulfilling their work demands. […]
The development of a child is one of the most fascinating things to watch. From infants mirroring the movements that they see to toddlers and older children mastering high-level developmental skills, the growth they experience in a short time is astounding. And while it’s important for children to master many skills, bilateral coordination is important […]
When we think of human behavior, we often first focus on the problems or deficits that people have and how this affects their achievements, or lack thereof. Rarely is the first thought of what motivates someone and how to utilize that to help them grow and develop. Abraham Maslow’s development of the “Hierarchy of Needs” […]
Guest Blog Post by Jennifer Salama Raising a child can be one of the most rewarding jobs around. And while it’s exciting to watch children grow and develop into caring humans, parenting definitely brings about its fair share of challenges. Fast forward to 2020 and we are now faced with parenting during a pandemic which […]
Over the past few months, we have been inundated with information that seems to change almost daily, making it hard to resolve what should and should not be done. Everyone has their thoughts and feelings about the challenges ahead, especially regarding starting school. And while there will be no one answer that satisfies everyone in […]
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 […]
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 […]
Most kids are not naturally self-motivated. When your child’s mindset is not in the right place, even the most fun activities can be a struggle to get to. With that said, here are some strategies to help you work around a lack of motivation when trying to get your kid to class. 1. Be attentive […]
Good behavior is a learning process for children, and we are their roadmap. Children usually behave based on their own emotions and impulses. At the same time, being a parent is also a learning process and sometimes we rely on our own emotions and impulses to teach. Usually, that means we often resort to punishments […]
25 Tips to Help Foster Holiday Gratitude The holiday season can be a frenzied time of shopping, presents, and sugary foods. It is important that we help our kids navigate the whirlwind of temptation and indulgence by helping them to learn about gratitude, and why we actually celebrate holidays. A strong sense of gratitude has […]
There are numerous benefits of martial arts for kids, including improved physical health and a boost in self-confidence. Martial arts can also teach children self-defense skills that can help them ward off bullies and protect themselves from violent attacks. More importantly than fighting off others, however, martial arts teaches kids how to become masters of […]
Guest post by martial artist, childhood development specialist, and Skillz creator, Melody Johnson Adaptability Adaptability is about how you respond to your child, especially when things do not go as planned. Your child will have a variety of great days, bad days, and everything in between. Here are a few ways you can apply adaptability […]
Recently I have had a few conversations with parents about what we are teaching students in class, so I thought it might be a good opportunity to expand the discussion to include everyone. Watching class from the outside, it sometimes looks like lots of fun for the children, but we are actually developing all sorts […]
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 […]
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 […]
Resilient Martial Arts of Midlothian, Virginia, is proud to announce that we have 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 […]
~~~~~ One day a man was passing by a garden when he saw a butterfly cocoon which was about to get open. He saw a small opening on it and watched the several hours of struggles the butterfly came through to get the body out of it. After many hours, it seemed that the butterfly […]
Shark Bait or how to avoid letting setbacks become barriers to your success. During a research experiment, a marine biologist placed a shark into a large holding tank and then released several small bait fish into the tank. As you would expect, the shark quickly swam around the tank, attacked and ate the smaller fish. […]
Spectrum Skillz – Curriculum designed to address the specific needs of differently- abled children. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a brain-based syndrome that is characterized by impaired communication and social interactions. However, ASD can also impact a child’s development in other areas. Since ASD affects communication, cognitive development is affected, and difficulty with learning can […]
As defined by the American Psychiatric Association, “Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that involves persistent challenges in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors.” And while this is at the core of ASD, what tends to get overlooked are the significant difficulties that some with ASD face in relation […]
Resilient Martial Arts in Midlothian, Virginia, is proud to announce that we have 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 […]
Resilient Martial Arts in Midlothian, Virginia, is proud to announce that we have 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 […]
Resilient Martial Arts in 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 […]
Everyone likes PIES! This is pretty much a true statement in my opinion! And at Gentle East Martial Arts we take our PIES to a new level! What do we mean when we say “PIES”? Science reveals the every individual has capabilities in these areas: P – Physically I – Intellectually E – Emotionally S […]
Punishment vs. Discipline and Good Behavior Good behavior is a learning process for children, and understanding that we are their models and the roadmap the follow is important. Children usually behave based on their emotions and impulses. At the same time, being a parent is also a learning process and sometimes we rely on our […]
This week we are sharing tips on helping children to develop: SELF-DISCIPLINE. Parents and teachers both overwhelmingly agree that self-discipline is one of the most important skills anyone can have – yet relatively few believe they’ve been successful at helping their own children demonstrate it. However, it goes without saying that children can and will […]
Teamwork Overview: Teamwork means working together. You can best achieve this by cooperating and helping each other. Good teammates practice communication by listening and talking respectfully to one another. A great teammate always shares and takes turns. They are unselfish and think of their team’s needs first. They are willing to compromise to do what […]
Focus: Means to pay attention. Overview: The four elements of optimal focus are, “Eyes, Ears, Mind and Body”. By definition that means, “Look with your eyes, listen with your ears, think with your mind and do the right thing with your body.” Any act or action can involve these four elements. For example, when you […]