An Adult's Guide to Handling Your First Karate Class!
Martial arts offers an incredible variety of benefits for adults such as building self-esteem, confidence, physical health, longevity,...
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Honor Tradition. Embrace the New.
Find Your True Strength.
[Formerly U.K.G.A. Fort Smith]
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Shihan Dan Smith
Jul 313 min read
When Things Don't Go as Planned
As a young martial artist, I spent years searching for the "magic bullet" that would give me the edge in any confrontation.
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Shihan Dan Smith
Nov 20, 20234 min read
The Problem with Using Violence to Stop Bullying
The Problem with Using Violence to Stop Bullying Let's face it, being bullied can cause very similar traumatic stress responses to being...
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Shihan Dan Smith
May 18, 20233 min read
Did You Forget Your Superhero Suit?
Did You Forget Your Superhero Suit? I will never forget the first martial arts tournament I attended where I was able to wear a black...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Jan 12, 20233 min read
Philosophy of Balance: Power vs. Precision/Accuracy
The attributes a martial artist needs to be their best are very broad. It is quite unique when compared to other types of athletic...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Jan 9, 20234 min read
Overcome the Fear of Rank Testing!
Rank testing is an extremely important part of the martial arts experience. Unfortunately rank testing can be a major pain point for many...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Dec 2, 20223 min read
Using Softness to Overcome Adversity
Using Softness to Overcome Adversity - A Life Lesson Learned from Gung-Fu Training in martial arts teaches us many paradoxical lessons...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Oct 11, 20222 min read
A Warrior's Mission is to Seek out Discomfort
A warrior's mission is to seek out discomfort! "Do not seek out comfort but rather seek out discomfort" is a samurai philosophy worth...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Sep 8, 20224 min read
Why Practice Chi Sao in Chinese Martial Arts?
The Chinese martial arts practice of chi sao or "sticky hands" is often misunderstood by onlookers who are not well versed in what is...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Jul 24, 20223 min read
Belt Rank and Titles Don't Matter?!?
In the last few decades, the coveted black belt has become a revered title and rank among martial artists and non-martial artists alike....
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Shihan Dan Smith
Jun 13, 20223 min read
Learn to Inspire Others!
A black belt is not like most people. Someone that becomes a black belt has a responsibility to inspire others with their actions and...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Mar 28, 20224 min read
Using Martial Arts to Win the Battle Within
Using Martial Arts to Win the Battle Within In martial arts every challenge you face whether it is a live flesh and blood opponent or...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Feb 7, 20222 min read
Essential Life Skill to Teach Your Child: Everything is Earned!
(Pictured above: Shihan Smith presenting a member of U.K.G.A. Kids their white belt!) Everything is Earned! An essential life lesson that...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Jan 19, 20223 min read
What Does it Mean to Be a Champion?
What Does it Mean to Be a Champion? Being a champion isn't just for when you are winning. Being a champion is a full time job. You could...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Jan 10, 20222 min read
What Does Being a Black Belt Even Mean?!?
What does being a black belt even mean? Having a black belt is not the same as being a black belt. It takes years of facing your own...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Dec 22, 20214 min read
Develop Your Instincts to Improve Your Sparring!
Develop Your Instincts to Improve Your Sparring! We all want to improve our sparring, or more directly, improve our ability to apply the...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Nov 16, 20213 min read
Never Make it Easy for Your Child to Quit!
Never Make it Easy for Your Child to Quit! One of the biggest reasons why you should never make it easy for your child to quit is the...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Oct 25, 20214 min read
Self-Control: The Path to True Strength
Self-Control: The Path to True Strength The way to become truly strong lies in self-control. Most of us are much stronger than we know....
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Shihan Dan Smith
Oct 18, 20214 min read
What are the First Steps to Bully-Proofing your Child?
Learning the unspoken soft skills of dealing with a bully will benefit your child for the rest of their lives. Let's face it, having to...
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Shihan Dan Smith
Sep 28, 20213 min read
Don't Fight the Shark!
There is a lot of value for any martial artist to learn about the characteristics and weaknesses of other martial arts styles other than...
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