How to Eat an Elephant

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. We all know the saying, but we often fail to apply this lesson in our lives. If you view the elephant as one giant goal that your whole life depends on, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Why not enjoy the bites along the way?

If you ask somebody what goal they're working on, what kind of answer do you think you'll get? Assuming they even have goals, they'll probably say they're working on something really big, maybe even something that will make them feel like they've achieved their life purpose.

It's not just about big goals

Many people make a major mistake in being entirely focused on big goals. If your goal is to become a best-selling novelist, great. But that's a really big goal. If you base too much of your life satisfaction on achieving it, you'll be unhappy for a very long time (possibly your whole life).

Long term goals are great, because aiming high lets us strive to be the best we can be. But for every long term goal you have, you want to have many short and medium term goals. If being a best-selling novelist is your long term goal, what smaller goals can you come up with that you should achieve along the way? Maybe for now, you'd be happy to come up with an idea for a character you want to include in your first novel.

Back-to-School Success
Teachers' Tips for the Best School Year Ever

The lazy days of summer are coming to an end, and whether your child is just starting kindergarten or finishing her last year of middle school, the beginning of a new school year signifies a time of transition. To help you prepare, we asked the back-to-school experts - local teachers - for some tricks, tips and resources to help ensure your child has a successful school year.

Don't be a stranger at school. "It's very important for parents and guardians to show an interest in their child's schooling by attending events such as back-to-school night. It's a chance not only to meet your child's teacher, but also to find out what subject topics will be covered during the year," says Jonathan Moses, a fifth-grade teacher at Rio Vista Elementary in Bay Point. "Equally important is having a daily check-in with your kids, since they spend half their day at school. Find out what they are studying in class, and hold them accountable for any homework or assignments."

Keep the lines of communication open. Moses also encourages parents to ask their kids each evening about their school day and to find out what projects their children are working on.

"We all know how that conversation goes," Moses says. "The parent asks, 'What did you do at school today?' and the child replies, 'Nothing.' But as one of my colleagues, Deborah Meylan, taught me, don't ever accept 'nothing' as an answer; at the very least, accept the answer of 'something.' "

Yoga: Tap into the many health benefits

Your kids are demanding the latest video game, your boss wants that report done yesterday, and your partner wants to know what's for dinner. Stress and anxiety are everywhere. If they're getting the best of you, you might want to make like a cobra or a mountain and try yoga.

Yoga's series of postures - some with names from nature - and controlled breathing exercises are a popular means of stress management and relaxation. Today, yoga classes teaching the art of breathing, meditation and posing are offered nearly everywhere - from trendy health clubs in big cities to community education classes in small towns to hospitals and clinics.

Understanding yoga

Yoga is considered a mind-body type of complementary and alternative medicine practice. Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve peacefulness of body and mind, helping you relax and manage stress and anxiety. Traditional yoga philosophy requires that students adhere to this mission through behavior, diet and meditation. But if you're just looking for better stress management - whether because of life's daily hassles or a health problem you're facing - and not an entire lifestyle change or way of life, yoga can still help.

Yoga has many styles, forms and intensities. Hatha yoga, in particular, may be a good choice for stress management. Hatha is one of the most common styles of yoga, and some beginners find it easier to practice because of its slower pace and easier movements. But most people can benefit from any style of yoga - it's all about your personal preferences.

Our next Belt Presentations
will be held on a special split schedule;

Children: Lil Dragons & Goshin Juniors will be presented on Friday 9 September 2011

Adult Martial Arts & Jiu Jitsu testing will be held on Saturday 10 September 2011 and belt promotions will be awarded during our 1st NEW "SUPER SATURDAY" class on Saturday 17 September 2011.

ALL Adult students are invited to attend a SPECIAL combined class for Martial Arts and Jiu-Jitsu @ 10:00am on that Saturday to learn Weapons disarms.

At the end of the class Belt Promotions will be presented and then we'll kick off Picture Day with special group pictures.

Please review the testing schedule, exam roster, and upcoming events to see how it may affect you by visiting our website @ http://www.americanblackbelt.org/student.html

SEPTEMBER BBC DATES !!

FRIDAY 2 SEP 11

FRIDAY 16 SEP 11

FRIDAY 23 SEP 11

FRIDAY 30 SEP 11



DON'T MISS IT !!!

DEMO TEAM

FRIDAY 2 SEP 11 @ 4:30 pm

TUESDAY 6 SEP 11 @ 4:30 pm

THURSDAY 8 SEP 11 @ 4:30 pm

FRIDAY 9 SEP 11 - BACK TO SCHOOL BASH

TUESDAY 13 SEP 11 (RBES Demo)**

THURSDAY 15 SEP 11(RBES Demo)**

FRIDAY 16 SEP 11 - Rocky Branch DEMO**
**select participants only

FRIDAY 23 SEP 11

FRIDAY 30 SEP 11

Bring in a friend
to enter & WIN our VIP referral contest

You are invited to participate in our VIP Referral Contest. Because we get our best quality people, like yourself, referred by other students at the Academy we'd like to show our appreciation with a chance to WIN PRIZES.

Over 80% of new students at the AMERICAN BLACK BELT ACADEMY come from your referrals!

Know someone who could benefit from the the healthy lifestyle and positive influence, both physical and mental, gained by the Martial Arts?

Your sponsored guest will receive a FREE Two Week Trial Membership in our Martial Arts program at Absolutely No Cost or an extended Trial Program in our Jiu Jitsu program at regular price! Special discounts will also be available to any sponsored guest who qualifies for entry into our regular program.

For every person you refer that completes the FREE Trial Program and Two Week Trial Membership you will receive an entry into our contest to win our monthly drawing for a $100 Gift Certificate; good for merchandise from our ProShop or toward Private Lessons.
If that person becomes a regular member you'll receive another chance to win and be entered in our grand prize drawing in December for a FLAT SCREEN TV.

BE AT BACK TO SCHOOL BASH for the award to our 1st $100 Gift Certificate WINNER !!

We will be having our annual picture day on SAT, 17 SEP from 12pm-3pm. Start practicing your best martial arts poses today.

**Please schedule your appointment at the front desk**

VOTING HAS BEGUN!!

Log onto our Facebook page and start voting for the 2011 Logo on Location winner!

Make sure you "like" all of your favorite pics to cast a vote for them. We will announce the winner and Award Prizes on 17 SEP at SUPER SATURDAY.