At Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Sugar Land, Age is Just a Number! Here's Bruce working the mitts. Bruce is very close to achieving his lifelong dream of earning his Black Belt. Whether you want to earn your Black Belt, Lose Weight, or Hit the bag for stress relief, Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Sugar Land has the class for you. Our classes are divided by age, Teens and Young adults have their own lessons, and Adults have their own lessons. 

Marketing Martial Arts in Sugar Land, TX

new strategies for the new millennium

 by Rick Ellis

Nothing ever stays the same. In fact, some people say that the only thing that is ever the same is the presence of change. I think this is true. When I opened my first business (today I own three), which offered lessons in Martial Arts, in Sugar Land, TX, I was a young idealistic new business owner, I did what anyone would do, I purchased an ad in the local phone book, and entered into an expensive lease on the busiest corner in town That should have them beating the door down right? Well, it did for a while. It didn’t last forever though. 

Slowly, this strategy became less effective. As the 1990’s faded it became clear that there were two dominant ways that were the future of any business, one was business networking. The other (a topic of a future blog) was internet marketing. These two seem to be opposites of each other. One is faceless and one is face to face. But you’ve got to go where the people are.

Today more than ever it’s  important to be visible in a more tangible way. One way I’ve found to tell me people about the wonderful job we do teaching martial arts in Sugar Land, TX is to get out and meet people. I’m speaking of course about business networking. I am a proud member of Texas Community Referral Network (TCRN)  which specializes in network marketing in Houston, TX and it's surrrounding communities.  Business networking can be a difficult task for any new entrepreneur. You may worry about leaving your business when it needs you, but if you have some trusted associates like I do, it’s easier. If not you’ll have to choose opportunities that coincide with your schedule. For me that meant morning and lunchtime business networking events. You may prefer to leave work and meet others for a cocktail mixer, in my group (TCRN) these are productive, but some cocktial mixers are less productive than those held earlier in the day, becoming more about the coctails and less about business!

Now you can’t just walk up to someone at a networking event and say “Hi I”m Rick, I teach martial arts in Sugar Land, TX!” No my friend, this is not the way to go about it. The first and easiest place to start is to find members of your networking  group that offer services that you need now or might need in the future. If you need a new roof in the next few years, say hello to the roofer and ask him some questions about your roof. Learn now long you should wait for replacement and find out when you should have your own roof inspected for possible replacement. Never fake things like this. If you just bought a new roof, it would be a waste of your new contacts time to come and discuss let alone inspect a roof that won’t need replacement for a long time. If you’ve done things right however, you’ll have a chance to get to know each other, and when the time is right you can suggest your services to him.

The second way, is to get to know your new networking contact, their goals for their business, and what kind of customers they are looking to attract. If you can be of service to them by giving them a referral immediately or more likely in the future, then you have a friend for life, and someone who will be glad to reciprocate. Once the ice is broken, be creative.  Just because I offer martial arts in Sugar Land, TX, doesn’t mean I should just invite him or his family to attend a classes. Instead, I might offer to teach his employees some flexibility exercises that will lower their incidence of lower back injury. Maybe I can teach his female employees a safety class for free. All of these things lead to more people seeing me do what I do the very best...teaching martial arts in Sugar Land,TX. The second strategy is similar. 

Rick Ellis is Sugar Land, TX based entrepreneur who owns several businesses. He is a sought after public speaker on a wide variety of subjects. If you would like to know more about his martial arts business visit his website www.trmasugarland.com

Adult Martial Arts Sugar Land TX

how the classroom experience has changed 

I've been teaching and training in  Adult Martial Arts in Sugar Land, TX for the last 15 years. One thing I've learned, is that the only thing constant is change.  In the beginning only men wanted to train. Oh and kids too, thanks to ninja turtles.  Back then women were welcome to train but few actually did. Today however, the mat we use for Adult martial arts in Sugar Land, TX  is packed with women of all ages and backgrounds. Housewives train next to college students, who train next to those who are executives.  

The motivation for training has changed along the way as well.  In those old days the emphasis was on learning an art form and being connected to an Asian philosophy.  Today we teach adult martial arts in Sugar Land, TX  to students who are primarily focused on getting in great shape and who want to learn how to avoid becoming a victim of violence.  In truth there are still students who study adult martial arts in Sugar Land, TX because they love the artistic aspects, just not as many.  I myself, truly love the artistic aspect of the training. When I began my training, all I wanted to learn was how to fight. However, under the guidance of a great instructor or two, I’ve learned to appreciate the internal benefits of training.

Group fitness is the new craze. But us martial artists have been doing it forever! I absolutely love the intensity of the non-combat training I go through. When I take a class devoted to adult martial arts in Sugar Land, TX, I know that I’m going to be pushed, and I like that! My trainers are going to be helping me become fit on a level I could never get on my own. My trainers don’t baby me, but they also are aware of my true limits, and make sure to always push me to reach my true potential without exceeding my true limits. When I’m on the mat training, there’s no time to consider the stresses of my day. Oh no sir, there is not! I’m focused. If I’m not focused on the lesson and it’s details, I will not be able to execute a kick or strike in a way that might save my life one day. How’s that for motivation?  My trainers require me to be on task and progressing. I love the way they make me feel when I get it right, and I want to impress them because they are working so hard to make me better.  I’m also not focused on what I’m going to do after my lesson. I’m too focused on where I will find my next breath! 

All in all I will tell you that whether I’m a student or an instructor, training in adult martial arts, in Sugar Land, TX is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I’ve watched it do the same for many many people. 

Rick Ellis is a martial arts instructor, business owner and entrepreneur. He is happily married with 5 children and resides in Sugar Land, TX . To get the type of training he describes, visit www.trmasugarland.com 

Kid’s Karate in Sugar Land, TX

the benefits for kids who train in martial arts

There are many reasons that families choose to enroll their children in martial arts. Rick Ellis is a 6th Degree Black Belt and Master Martial Artist. Rick teaches TaeKwonDo,a Korean version of Karate, in Sugar Land, Tx. After seeing all the kicks and punches and brick smashing featured in TV and movies, many people wonder how on earth these acts of violence could teach my child anything worthwhile? It’s important to start by realizing that what you’ve seen in the media is a far cry from what real martial arts is all about. In fact when Ellis trains kids in karate in Sugar Land, Tx, it’s based on non-violence.

Discipline
 
Training requires discipline of both the mind and body. Parents might worry that their child would become aggressive and violent, the lessons are geared around respect for your opponent. Progression through the different colored belts requires meeting of set requirements. This will teach children as young as 6 years old the value of hard work in attaining the level while exercising control over mind and body.

Socialization

Your child will likely call their instructor “Master” or by their last name as in “Ms. Adams.” As your child ages they will interact with more and more adults as teachers. As they will be giving the utmost respect to their martial arts instructor, students who take Ellis’ lessons in karate in Sugar Land, Tx are taught how to properly introduce themselves to an adult, how to shake hands properly and look someone in the eyes. Martial arts is unique in that it provides a valuable opporntunity for an individual sport with the benefits of training in a group.


Confidence

When children feel badly about themselves, they might lash out in undesirable ways, such as bullying. Joining a martial arts class can help give your child confidence so she doesn't feel the need to cause problems or belittle other children for attention. When your child receives positive attention and feedback from parents, adults and other children, it raises her confidence level. Similarly, a child who knows how to properly defend herself and wield that power appropriately and with respect can be more confident in her abilities, spurring better overall behavior.


Well Rounded

The great part about learning a martial art is that it includes not just the physical aspect of the “sport”, but also mental and emotional learning too. “A qualified instructor should be teaching not just the physical skills of the art, but a well rounded lesson that includes moral teachings” says Ellis. When compared to other kids activites and sports, where fierce competition often leads to a “winning at all costs” mentality, it’s no surprise that many children stuggle with issues of self-esteem and misplaced agression. Now instead imagine your child learning valuable life lessons, skills that she will take throughout her life. This very well could lay the foundation for a happy, well adjusted adult life. If only they were teaching Karate in Sugar Land, Tx when I was a kid in the 1970s!

Rick Ellis is a 24 year veteran of the martial arts mat. He is happily married with 5 children! If you would like more information about how to take lessons at his academy, visit his website www.trmasugarland.com