Mums On A Mission
Did you know that there more mums on a mission than ever before. I remember when I first became a mum, never in a million years did I think I would have the time or energy to start training again. But it’s still hands down one of the best decisions I have ever made. Beginning my journey in judo in my younger years and now achieving my 3rd brown belt in shotokan karate.
It’s easy to see so many women are taking on this amazing journey. Martial arts is more than just learning how to achieve powerful punches, throwing an opponent, submissions or even executing the perfect kick. It’s about building a strong mindset and realising how to take all these amazing benefits and principles into your day to day life. Train with your kids and grow together.
Here at Women Aware Defence I just want to start by saying that I seriously appreciate all of the dedication & patience that goes into being a mom. Being a mother myself to 2 teenage boys. I understand just how much of that role can weigh on you. It doesn’t matter if you stay at home, work, single mum, in a partnership or even a foster care mum. It’s a stressful but rewarding job.
MUMS ARE THEIR OWN WARRIORS
Let’s face it mums are incredible. They are always there if you need support or even if you just need someone to listen. Moms are always putting themselves last, this is why taking martial arts is so valuable for women to empower themselves. Everybody needs their own team of people who are can to cheer you on, help you crush your dreams and help celebrate all your achievements. No matter how big or small. It is comforting to find individuals who share the same interests as you. Where you also become part of a community or as most martial artists have discovered a second family.
WHY IT WORKS
Are you like me when you turn on the news and have heard about another poor woman, who has lost her life due to domestic abuse or sexual assault. It’s a really sad truth that women need skills like martial arts and self-defence just to feel safe going about our daily lives. Just like that saying goes “It’s better to have a skill and not need it, than need it and not have it “ A lot of moms and even teenage girls I have had the privilege of training with, said they found it rewarding and they felt more confident in their bodies and more confident in their abilities to protect themselves.
MUMS ON A MISSION THRIVE TO SURVIVE
Also, ever heard of that term “Mumma Bear”? It’s this that primal feeling that all mothers get when someone’s threatening the life or even when your kids get hurt. Even in the animal kingdom mothers protecting their young like a bear or a lion. Attacking any threat or even killing them to protect the ones they love. As humans we have self defence laws that prevent us from taking things to far. But anyone would not want to be at the receiving end of a mums wrath if someone ever came after you or your kids. In the long run you’ll be grateful to know how to protect your life and theirs through martial arts.
Plus, you are have the perfect opportunity to teach your kids vital life skills. Such as self defence, resilience, dedication, staying healthy and building a strong character . Training this way will create a ripple effect with life-changing skills that will not only impact your life but also strengthen theirs. Passing down one of the best skills you can is the ability to defend yourself in any given situation. Trust me your kids will thank you for it one day.
BREAKING THROUGH THE BARRIERS
This has impacted a lot of mums and young women out there. Living in the world we do now where body shaming is everywhere on social media, magazines
, models are skinny than ever. Unfortunately it has become the social norm, where we actually criticise each other, instead of being building each other up Like we are supposed to. These days from, a young age women are being taught to criticise their bodies constantly and even “hate” parts of their bodies in ways that men don’t understand. This causes to women to be less confident in their physical bodies and their mental capabilities.
Martial Arts gives you the power to help you tone up, get fit, and enjoy yourself. While also giving you the added benefits of building a stronger mindset and an inner confidence that makes you feel unstoppable . Think about this. If you knew without a shadow of a doubt that you could handle any challenge that comes your way, wouldn’t you too feel more confident? Imagine walking into the dojo for the first time and realising your mind and body was capable of doing things you never thought possible. This is what mums on a mission is all about.
CONFIDENCE IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS
In karate one of the mottos that you hear all the time is “ A blackbelt is a white belt that never gave up “. A great martial arts instructor will educate you about how to set and achieve manageable goals, persevering through difficulty, and other important life skills that helped them go from beginner to sensei.
This is where confidence and success start. By believing in yourself, even when you have some self doubt. Trusting yourself to go outside of your comfort zone and powering through. You automatically become more confident physically and mentally and you start to glow from the inside out.
BENEFITS OF MUMS TRAINING WITH YOUR KIDS
One main reason I started my martial arts journey again. Was due to one of my kids was being bullied in their final years at primary school. So I decided that we could take on a united approach and start our journey together. At that stage my dojo didn’t offer family classes. Therefore, I enrolled them in the junior class and I trained in the Senior Class. As my eldest entered his teenage years and got more advanced he started training with me. My youngest has now joined us. By doing light sparring with each other and encouraging each other. I can say without a shadow of doubt. We have developed a bond and a huge amount of respect for each other that will last us a lifetime.
RAISING KIDS WHO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES
Just like adults, kids need to feel they can achieve their goals and have pride in their abilities. This is where having a common ground when in training in martial arts. Can help your kids build their confidence and connection with you as a parent. Kids will learn how to protect themselves both physically and mentally. But if you train too, not only will you be able to spend quality time with them. But they’ll also learn what it’s like to be an adult that commits, perseveres. Helping them develop discipline and confidence.
Mums on a mission develop the necessary skills to help protect yourself and your family. Training with your kids is a great way to develop healthy habits, and grow together as a family.
COMMON GROUND (MUMS ON A MISSION)
As most parents know that it’s often difficult making family time. This can especially hard when you have teenagers. But it doesn’t have to be that way, as training together helps you stay accountable. We all experience moments when you feel lazy, demotivated, or even distracted. That’s why it’s perfect to have family members who encourage each other when the others need it most. Learning how to stay on track, and work towards your fitness goals together. Regardless if that’s earning your next martial arts belt, perfecting your side kick, or improving building your endurance.
One of my favourite sayings is a “A family that kicks together, sticks together” i believe it’s true. It’s the perfect way to build a bond with your children. You’ll have more to talk about at the dinner table and family gatherings too.
Mums on a mission shows that you’ll build a deeper connection with your children that will last years. Helping them improve their confidence in knowing you will always support them.
INSTILS MUTUAL RESPECT AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Martial arts practitioners are more self aware, this means learning how to read their training partners and adjusting your power or techniques to match their own. No wants to spar someone in karate, who has no self control.
Your children will learn how to respect their parents, while the parents learn how to respect their children and let them find themselves. It has been documented that the more invested a parent is in his or her child, the better chances the child has to become successful later on in life.
REDUCING STRESS IN A HEALTHY WAY
It’s not surprising the levels of stress and anxiety that children are facing these days. They face increasing levels of stress to succeed at school, social pressures and are constantly exposed to the negative impacts of social media.
When you enter the dojo it’s a great stress reliever. You can forget about your stressful day at work, the mountains of housework and your kids can forget about the pressures of exams. For just in that moment you are doing this for yourself and that in itself is empowering.
I can remember multiple times when I gone into training feeling stressed after a hard day at work. Being able to just let go and focus on the present moment. Then walking out like you could take on the world. Like all mums we all worry about our kids mental health and wanting them to become the best versions of themselves.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON MUMS ON A MISSION
As a mum if you have children of different ages, you know how challenging it can be to find sports or hobbies to satisfy everyone. Training in martial arts together as a family will naturally build stronger bonds. Not only do you train together in class, but gives you a common goal. I found this beneficial as my kids got older, because naturally that want to be more independent. While at home I was their mum but in the dojo I was equal to them, all of chasing our own individual journeys.
I would love to see more women enter the dojos discovering the benefits in mastering your mind, body and your spirit. Martial arts encourage you to dig deep, uncover where you’re stuck, and move through mental blocks. It helps you identify what you want to improve in your life and gives you the confidence to make positive changes. As stated in previous posts I am survivors of emotional and verbal abuse and I know first hand that martial arts gave me the power to establish boundaries by redirecting feelings of powerlessness. Empowering me to find inner strength and heal past trauma.