Weekly task

     Aim High different than most martial arts schools.  If you ask people what they want out of a martial arts school, chances are you will get a lot of people just hoping to learn how to fight.  At Aim High, you do learn combat skills, but also much more than that.  At the end of every class, we recite the purpose of Aim High, which is, "to develop ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually, with good character."  The combat part of martial arts is part of developing ourselves physically.  We also develop ourselves mentally and spiritually through everything else that we do.  An important part of this is a focus on giving back to the community.  Instead of just teaching students how to kick and punch, we really try to make them better members of the community.

     At the last belt test, students were required to do 3 acts of kindness prior to being awarded their belts.  This was a good way to show students early on that helping others is an important part of being a martial artist.  On our black belt test, we are required to do major acts of kindness, as well as major environmental acts.  This allows us to interact with our community instead of just focusing on our own circle.  

     As a beginner belt, you mainly focus on your ability to perform the techniques taught in class.  Once you get to the intermediate belts, thats when you begin to interact even more with your peers, and this turns into healthy competition.  An advanced belt focuses more on expanding their martial arts training out of the dojo.  They make it a habit to be mindful of their acts of kindness and realize what the acts of kindness mean.  

     Black belt testers must really understand what it truly means to give back to the community.  These major acts of kindness help us become aware of others in our community and it also helps us with our martial arts journey.  In the Warrior classes at Aim High, we teach the students to say "respect" when they bow.  This helps them understand that respect is a big part of martial arts.  Martial artists are taught to be respectful to their teachers, their parents, and their peers.  A part of showing respect to the community is by helping others.  Whether it's by picking up trash at a park, helping out at the food bank, or even holding a fundraiser to help those who are less fortunate, helping out the community is a big part of our black belt journey at Aim High.

     What makes Aim High different is not the fact that we are good at kicking, tricking, breaking, or forms.  It's not that we have lots of different colored mats, a big fan, or hundreds of students and a small parking lot.  What makes Aim High different is our focus on becoming not just a well-rounded martial artist, but also a better person.  We take our training and apply it to our lives not just in the dojo, but out of it too.  Earning a black belt at Aim High doesn't mean that you are the best kicker in the world.  What it means is that you understand that your training in the studio follows you even when you leave.  A well-rounded martial artist is one who "develops themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually, with good character."  That is what an Aim High Black Belt means.