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Participation in sports, including martial arts, can be an excellent way for children and young people to develop physical fitness, discipline, and confidence. However, the importance of parental support in sports cannot be overemphasized. Parents play a crucial role in their child’s development, both inside and outside the sports arena. In this blog post, we […]

Last Thursday I asked Jason to write down what a Master is to share with everyone, so he asked Grand Master Wadley to explain what a Master of Taekwondo is he wrote down the following statement to share: “A person of superb martial arts moral character. Is seen as a sage or wise person who […]

What is the true meaning of kindness? Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. … Whereas, being kind is doing intentional, voluntary acts of kindness. Not only when it’s easy to be kind, but when it’s hard to be. How can you be more kind?  Check out these 20 ways […]

We all have idols, people we look up to.  Whether those people are our teachers, our instructors, our industry experts, or leaders in the community, we all have at least one person who inspires greatness in our hearts.  I have a few, and I met most of them this week.  The entire reason I bought […]

Maybe you’re still not sure that studying martial arts is right for your child. That’s okay. I understand. There are lots of activities to choose from, and you want to pick the best. Of course, I’m biased. I started studying martial arts when I was young, and I know firsthand that martial arts classes offer […]

Memorization is a key skill for learning. Without the ability to memorize, your child wouldn’t be able to learn any subject in school. It’s what lets them learn how to solve math problems, understand the scientific method, and recall important dates in history. For some kids, a lack of focus can impede their ability to […]

When was the last time you wanted something? Really wanted it? Did you get it? Did you achieve your goal? If you didn’t, then you know what disappointment is. You might have felt sad, defeated, embarrassed, or even ashamed. Those aren’t good feelings. What does any of this have to do with martial arts classes?  […]

It’s time to talk about the fifth and final core tenet of martial arts. In many ways, this tenet brings all the other tenets together – and it explains why kids who study martial arts have a light in their eyes that other kids don’t. We call it Indomitable Spirit. What does it mean to […]

We’ve been talking about the core tenets of martial arts instruction, and today’s tenet is one that a lot of kids need to learn. I’m talking about self-control. Control is something that’s hard for kids. Their brains and bodies aren’t fully developed, and from the time they’re babies, we give them what they need. In […]

If at first, you don’t succeed…. You know how that saying goes, right? Try, try again! And that brings us to our next core tenet of martial arts: perseverance. Perseverance is what keeps us going when it would be easier to give up. It’s what makes us get up when we fall down – and […]

It’s time to talk about our second core tenet, and it’s an important one. It can be hard to teach kids about the importance of honor. Every day, they see celebrities and other public figures behaving dishonorably – and if you want your child to learn why integrity matters, then signing them up for a […]

Martial arts instructors talk about core tenets – things that dictate our behavior inside and outside of class. These are things that we teach our students. Their value goes far beyond martial arts instruction. In other words, these are life skills. There are five core tenets that our students learn. The first tenet is courtesy. […]

Please use this link to schedule your in-person classes: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19966771  

The Positive Effects of Martial Arts for a Child in School Grade school can be quite an experience for any child. It is a place where a child not only learns academically but one where a child must learn to socialize and function in the world. Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative experiences that […]

Best friends? Worst enemies, buddies, adversaries, confidants, competitors? There’s no relationship like it–  siblings! One minute they’re getting along and the next minute they are fighting tooth and nail like lions and tigers! Some parents might even wonder under the most extreme duress, will there ever be a day when they just get along? Important […]

You know how good it feels to set your sights on a goal and then achieve it. It’s empowering and invigorating – and it’s not just a matter of chance. Goal-setting is an important life skill. The good news is that studying the martial arts can help your child learn: The importance of setting goals […]

It’s Valentine’s Day and February is all about the heart. Every year, the American Heart Association celebrates Heart Month to raise awareness about heart disease and heart health. What you may not know is that martial arts are great for the heart. In fact, the cardiac benefits of martial arts give a whole new meaning […]

As we get older, we tend to become less flexible. Kids are very flexible. They can contort their bodies easily. That’s because their connective tissues and joints are healthy. They don’t feel sore or rusty when they get out of bed in the morning. It’s important to do what you can to keep your joints […]

You know how that saying goes, right? Try, try again! And that brings us to our next core tenet of martial arts: perseverance. Perseverance is what keeps us going when it would be easier to give up. It’s what makes us get up when we fall down – and it often means the difference between […]

Bullying has become an epidemic in recent years. Yes, there have always been bullies, and yes, those bullies have always caused serious and lasting damage to their victims; however, bullying in the 21st century has changed – and not for the better. According to Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, one in four students has reported […]

Let’s talk about a major health benefit of martial arts, and it’s one that everybody should be thinking about. As you’ve probably guessed, I’m talking about your heart. Specifically, I want to talk about cardiovascular fitness, why it’s important, and how martial arts classes can make your heart healthy and strong. You might know that […]

As adults, we think a lot about stress. Modern life is difficult. We worry about paying the bills, doing our jobs well – and we worry about our kids. That’s part of our jobs as parents, but we don’t want our kids to be affected by stress. It’s not good for them physically or emotionally. […]

One of the things that I hear a lot from parents is that their kids are acting up in school. They have outbursts during class or simply don’t listen to their teachers. That affects their grades – and their parents’ peace of mind. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And you’ll be happy to […]

Both in school and in life, kids need to learn how to work well with others. While they’re young, they must collaborate with fellow students on group projects – and play with them at recess. And when they grow up, they’ll need to know how to work with colleagues and clients to build success. You […]

Welcome to Millcreek Karate by: Ellie Wagner There is a place in Erie, Pennsylvania called Millcreek Karate and I go there. In fact I just got back from Millcreek Karate about an hour ago. We don’t actually do karate we do taekwondo but can you imagine “Millcreek Taekwondo.” (Ha Ha Ha!!) My friends and I […]

Every parent wants to keep their children safe. We watch the news and it can seem like the world is nothing but danger. We worry that our kids are vulnerable, and we wonder what we can do to keep them from being hurt or taken advantage of. One risk that kids face is stranger danger. […]

It’s amazing to me that so many activities separate boys and girls. Admittedly, there are some benefits to single-sex activities, but later in life, we all need to know how to interact with one another. One question I get frequently from parents has to do with gender. They want to know if girls and boys […]

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a common condition exemplified by impulsiveness, hyperactivity and inattention, according to the Child Development Institute. Because many children diagnosed with ADHD have a short attention span and struggle with socializing and emotional control, a lot of parents don’t know what sorts of extracurricular activities will be enjoyable for their child without adding […]

We all want to have fun, and our classes at Millcreek Karate are a great place to meet new people and socialize. Of course, the study of martial arts is an individual pursuit. When you earn a new belt, you’re the one wearing it – not the whole class. But that doesn’t mean that there’s […]

Maybe you’re not sure that studying martial arts is right for your child. That’s okay. I understand. There are lots of activities to choose from, and you want to pick the best. Of course, I’m biased. I started studying martial arts when I was young, and I know first hand that martial arts classes offer […]

Bullying has become an epidemic in recent years. Yes, there have always been bullies, and yes, those bullies have always caused serious and lasting damage to their victims; however, bullying in the 21st century has changed – and not for the better. According to Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, one in four students has reported […]

At Millcreek Karate, our Tigers (ages 3-6) have their very own special ranking system.  Each rank has a special character who teaches students about important life skills.  Please check out the link to learn more! ATA Tigers Animal Meanings   Would you like your own Tiger to enroll in our program? Check out our Tigers […]

The New Year is here, and with thousands of goals and resolutions in sight as well, 2019 is the year you should try something new! Martial arts is an established system that can better the entirety of your being. Whether you need mental benefits like furthering your discipline muscle, physical benefits like getting in shape, […]