The children's program helps students to grow and develop in
three main areas:
Overall, our classes are taught in a positive, supportive manner
that challenges kids. As coaches, we give them guidance and present
strategies that will help them overcome the challenges they face. The
classes are high energy and fun, but they are run in a structured,
clear, organized fashion. By having clear expectations and procedures we
increase the chances of success for our students. Aliveness (timing and
motion) is incorporated into all our drills, activities and requirements
as much as possible. This is the Straight Blast Gym way.
In trying to help students to associate more
to their rank / level than just the color of their belt, a
particular Straight Blast Gym animal is related to each level.
This is intended to make the connections with mental and
spiritual development more readily available. Each animal
represents specific character traits and attitudes that we
want the student to understand and emulate.
So, what can our animals teach you?
(kid or not, everybody can learn something from this)
As you notice, we do have pictures of certain animals -
rat, fox,
cheetah, wolf,
bison, cougar and
wolverine - on the wall in our gym. Sometimes
during the training we do refer to them and we say to you: "you should
be like this or that animal by doing this motion....". So, let's take
a closer look what can you learn from these animals.
Rat - although small, the rat is a big survivor. He can live
almost from nothing, always in the move to find what he needs, to look
for what is available. He teaches us that it doesn't matter so much how
big or how small are you, what matters the most is how resourceful
you are.
Belt color: white, trait: resourcefulness
Fox - always gets what he wants. Even if he doesn't succeed
the first time, he persists, trying different approaches, testing
weak points until he finally finds his way in. As foxes, you should
never give up, no matter what. If you can't do your move right now,
try a different one or wait and be ready to act at the next occasion.
Belt color: blue, trait: tenacity/persistance
Cheetah - the fastest animal in the world, she can achieve
incredible 95 km/hour and maintain this speed for 10 seconds! If you
want to win, you, too, you must be faster than your opponent!
Belt color: gold, trait: speed/quickness
Wolf - an old Indian legend says that wolves and humans were
once brothers. Wolves were much more clever than humans at that time.
They taught us how to hunt, prepare food, make tee-pees. Wolves showed
humans how to live in harmony with other animals, taking from them only
what needed, since any abuse brings no good. As wolves, you should have
a clear vision of the situation, your needs and the consequences of your
actions, never abuse your power.
Belt color: green, trait: intelligence/integrity
Bison - the most powerful animal of America. Once they were 60
millions of them roaming across the Great Plains! When the bison charge,
he is like running locomotive, nothing can stop him. But, in spite of
his "cumbersome" look, he is able to change the direction in seconds,
striking from any angle he wants to. That's what you should do, too.
Belt color: brown, trait: power
Lynx - living a solitary life in cold northern mountains, lynx
has to look after himself. There are other predators in woods, bigger
and much stronger than he is - cougars, wolves, wolverines, grizzlies.
Many times he has to defend his food or territory against them. Small as
he is, he does so bravely and fiercely. He teaches us that even small
person should defend her/his rights against bigger ones. He teaches us
that the victory starts in your heart.
Belt color: red, trait: bravery
Wolverine - small but one of the most feared animals. Wolverine
can (and does) defend her food or den against some of the most powerful
animals around. Wolves, evengrizzly sometimes yield her way or give up
their food rather than to risk a close encounter with her dangerous
fangs and claws. Wolverine's power is in her full commitment, whenever
she charges, she means it and goes until the end. Like a wolverine, you
should always be fully committed to whatever you do!
Belt color: black, trait: fierceness/intensity
