Black Belt Leadership: What Mount Laurel Youth ARE DOING!

Hey look what our youth are doing in the community! Great black belt leadership and character development at work! Visit us at www.MountLaurelMartialArts.com to find out more.

Video Link: http://youtu.be/89ZSfmha0Oc

Building a Positive and Productive Future (child, youth, teen, adult)

A Report on Black Belt Leadership Training.

In this study, I’m going to explore the benefits that you have (not “should”) experienced in participating in a “black belt” martial arts course. Please feel free to add your comments, suggestions, and/or questions below.

I started martial arts when I was nine. That’s 41 years ago! Wow, I can’t believe it’s been that long. I never knew that I would one day be using martial arts training as the heart of my personal development and growth.
Today, at 50 years and 9 months old, I find that my martial arts training, discipline, education and activism is what keeps me growing and moving forward daily.

My ability to process (and handle) every day successes and stresses is credited to the integrity and discipline that martial arts training challenges me to live.
Whenever I am confronted with a challenge, my first thought is, “what can I DO to overcome this challenge?” What resources are out there? Who can I connect with? What can I learn from this?

Martial arts training allows me to be “successful” as a man, husband, father, son, brother, friend, student, educator, activist, and citizen.

How has black belt training helped you? Please feel free to add your comments, suggestions, and/or questions below.

Peter Liciaga is a member of Tom Callos' The Ultimate Black Belt Test (http://www.ultimateblackbelttest.com/), an undertaking of The 100 (http://www.the100.us/), and a part of Dinoto Karate Center's master instructor staff (http://www.mountlaurelmartialarts.com/)

To find out more about Peter Liciaga, visit www.PeterLiciaga.org

Peter Liciaga doing 5th degree Black Belt Presentation (video)

Your Mount Laurel Martial Artist, Peter Liciaga, shares an 8-minute video from his three hour 5th degree black belt test presentation for Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan at Dinoto Karate Center's October 2011 Black Belt Spectacular. Master Liciaga demonstrates basic techniques, kicks, hyungs/forms, one-step sparring, self-defense and endurance requirements for white belt through 5th degree black belt.





Peter Liciaga is a member of Tom Callos' The Ultimate Black Belt Test (http://www.ultimateblackbelttest.com/), an undertaking of The 100 (http://www.the100.us/), and a part of Dinoto Karate Center's master instructor staff (http://www.mountlaurelmartialarts.com/)
To find out more about Master Liciaga's work with his ultimate black belt test, visit http://www.peterliciaga.com/projects/my-black-belt-test/

My Black Belt Test Countdown: Carbohydrate-Rich Eating

One sign that my black belt test date is starting to feel closer is my mental focus becomes keener and "tunnel-vision-like". It's the feeling I would get when I was getting close to opening night of a show or the beginning of "shoot" date on a film project.

I’m down to just 12 days!

My diet still won’t be that far off from my usual carbohydrate-rich eating. However, I am paying even more attention to ensuring my diet is very rich in carbohydrates in preparing for the test day. This heightened attention to carbohydrates begins for me about 3 days out from the test.

Today I will take you through my early morning breakfast routine.

My day starts with breakfast about 7:00 am. I begin with a 6 egg white omelet, a cup of oatmeal with about 1/2 c. milk, raisins and cinnamon. I drink about 24 ounces of water. I also let caffeine slip in before my first training session. I just wanted the energy boost for my mental preparation during the workout. I included 1 cup of black coffee with the meal (boy was it good having been without). This pre-run meal provided about 100 grams of carbohydrates.

After seeing the kids get on the bus for school, checking my schedule and emails for the day, a quick view of the days news, a conference call with Master Dinoto, I drink a post-workout protein shake with whey and water. I then do my first training of the day that usually includes an MMA class (which includes resistance and cardio training), a BJJ class. After these sessions, I run to Dinoto Karate Center to do some forms (hyungs) training. I drink a lot of water during my training sessions!

When I finish my training, I drink probably about 30 ounces of water and have another whey protein shake with skim milk, and 2 to 4 bananas.

So far for the day I’m at about 150 - 250 grams of carbohydrates. Based on my body weight I’m going to aim to consume at least 400 grams of carbohydrates today – while staying close to my overall calorie needs.

Preparation for "the final days of rest and fueling" are here!

The ultimate black belt test is not the day but the days leading up to the "day"!

You are invited to see me test (along with 24 other black belt candidates):

When: Saturday, October 22, 2011

Time: 12:30 pm

Where: Easton Gym - Easton Bible Church at 2407 Fostertown Road

This blog is part of Peter Liciaga's effort to promote the Ultimate Black Belt Test Program ( http://www.ultimateblackbelttest.com), which is an undertaking of The 100. (http://www.the100.us/), and a part of Peter Liciaga's Dream 100 Project.

UBBT Coach Tom Callos training in Bangkok

Here is my ultimate black belt test coach, Tom Callos' first training session in Bangkok! Go Tom...Go Tom...Go Tom!!!
http://www.tomcallos.com/

6 Months of Martial Arts Training - What To Do, What's Been Done, How to Proceed

A student (name will remain anonymous) pointed out the other day, that it had been 6 months since he joined the martial arts program ---and, I'm assuming, he was making a statement about what's been learned, not-learned, done or not done, as the comment was said during our short conversation about the Student Creed, Black Belt Excellence and a commitment to black belt training.

What has or has not happened in the last 6 months is already a mute point, as there's no getting time back. What you are capable of doing in the next 6 months (or 3 years) is where the focus MUST be, as it's worth a healthy life-style, confident and peaceful mindset --or so --to you.


Some suggestions:

3 martial arts classes / 1 journal entry or 1 video of you training a week for the next 6 months

= 114 GREAT stories to share with your family, friends and co-workers

= 114 opportunities to talk about how you improved your health, your mind and that so elusive “indomitable spirit” we always talk about in black belt training (you know the one that will give you what you need when you need to get through one of life’s challenging moments!)

= 114 chances to talk about the highly committed people you meet in your black belt training

= 114 things you did to improve your ability to serve your family, friends and your community

= 114 chances to support and help other people, just like you, live the life of a black belt in training, and the 114 things that are important to you and those that love you.

6 months is 114 teaching moments for you and your family, friends and co-workers, using something I/we have discussed, or written via our blogs / newsletters, or seen via our video tutorials/stories, or are currently working on (Kids teaching Kids, Diabetes, Bullying, Verbal Self-Defense, Societal issues, etc...).

6 Months is your chance to share your lessons learned (and taught) on your own page here on the Dream 100. It could be 50 journal entries of you sharing about your training, what you want to achieve, and the posting of questions to make you/us think about challenges and solutions.

6 months is 114 opportunities to focus in on the different aspects of your growth.

6 months is 114 reasons how martial arts has changed your life.

If 10 of our students make 1 post a week, in blog, twitter, or film, that's 360 posts about their journey to black belt and our schools’ value to the community.

6 months is more than enough time to completely master your schedule and time management skills --and to exemplify and motivate everyone in your circle of influence to the same level of commitment.. to life.

6 months is in-depth, open discussions of your ups & downs in your martial arts training to black belt, to really, I mean, REALLY focus on what to do each and every day of your life (different action, different results).

6 Months is time to educate yourself in self-defense, healthy eating, communication skills, healthy learning habits, in bullying issues, and to train yourself to represent ANY material, excellently, in your community.

6 months is time to shed the need to do it all yourself --and learn the power of delegation and people management. It's also time to help 6 other school family members or neighbors to overcome their weaknesses, as they help you overcome yours (reach out).

6 Months is six (at least) invitations to your friends to come and observe and watch you train.

Every single day you have a chance to renew your focus, pay attention to details, and change your course.

The 4 things that can/should occupy your days are:

1. Healthy Mind, 2. Healthy Body, 3. Healthy Spirit, and 4. Healthy Relationships.

This blog is part of Peter Liciaga's effort to promote the Ultimate Black Belt Test Program ( http://www.ultimateblackbelttest.com), which is an undertaking of The 100. (http://www.the100.us/), and a part of Peter Liciaga's Dream 100 Project.

This is a "brain" race! The Mastery Mindset, I Can...I Will!

“This is a brain race,” said MSNBC contributor, Jenny Lynn Zappala in her article "Where will the jobs be in 2012?".

As we parents prepare for back to school and for what might be an interesting (and dare I say it "challenging") future, it's more important than ever that we empower ourselve and our children with the mindset that they WILL need as we move into our new tomorrows.
 
Commitment to lifelong learning will be the key to unlocking the future, today. It’s not warm and fuzzy. Lifelong learning, techological savy and progressive thinking partnered with a balanced, healthy lifestyle AND the right mindset will be --in this education activist's humble opinion-- the great separator. If you don't have the right mindset and stop learning, you will become unemployed and unemployable very quickly.

What does this have to do with martial arts? Well, I'm glad you asked...

As yours truly works to meet the everyday challenges of life in our new world, I am constantly drawing on my discipline and my master's mindset.

As a Martial Artist and an education activist, I continue to work on ways to strengthen and develop myself, making sure that I am in the best shape I can be - mentally, physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. In the past few years I have placed a special emphasis on refining and embracing a set of mental exercises that will help me and my students practice and benefit from the power of proper focus. What has evolved is a series of nine affirmations designed to improve the way we view our life. These affirmations are called,
"The Mastery Mindset”.

Let’s begin by discussing the first Mastery Mindset affirmation. It is “I Can. I Will.”

“I Can. I Will.” refers to your Attitude, your Belief and your Commitment. It is an affirmation that you WILL get through any challenge that you are currently facing. It is about being stubborn in a positive way. Allow me to illustrate this mindset with a story.

Last Christmas, I decided to purchase the cedar chest my wife has been asking for for over 10 years. I one that that happened to be the exact one my wife wanted. It was on sale, so I bought it on the spot. When I brought my receipt to the warehouse for pick up the clerk asked me what kind of vehicle I was driving. It hadn’t occurred to me until that moment that I had driven my Toyota Carolla that day. Upon telling the clerk this, he said that there was “no way” I would be able to get my cedar chest home in "that" car. Normally, I would have agreed, but something in his voice caused me to take this as a challenge and I knew that somehow, some way, I would get the treadmill home in my Toyota – no doubt about it.

So, with all the seats moved forward and the cedar chest out of it's carton, I squeezed and maneuvered that bad boy in my back seat. With my face nearly pressed against my steering wheel I drove out of the parking lot. I couldn't see out of my rear view mirror and I was barely able to move my legs for the gas and brake pedal, since the big box was jammed up against the back of my seat which was pushing me forward... but I made it home. I still remember stopping at red lights and seeing other drivers shaking their heads, obviously thinking, “What is that guy doing?”.

Now I’m not claiming it was a very bright thing to do and I would probably try to discourage friends from attempting similar endeavors today. But I think it illustrates perfectly the concept of “I Can. I Will.”

Every one of us at some time in our life, has shown the ability to be stubborn, to refuse to take “No” for an answer. To be fully committed to the completion of a task.

As for me, being stubborn comes naturally; the concept of “I Can. I Will.” is part of the way I’m wired. What I’m working on is using it in the right way for the right reasons. Instead of insisting on carting home a cedar chest in a pocket size car, can I insist on teaching the very best class possible? Can I refuse to lower my standards regarding my diet and exercise habits? Can I be absolutely committed to taking care of my team, my family and my community? I don’t always get it right, but I like to think that I’m mindfully trying.

What about you? What are you stubborn about? What are you fully committed to? I challenge you to take some time to figure it out. I’m sure that in some ways you are just as stubborn as I am. Are you channeling this attribute in the right direction or wasting it on trivialities? I challenge you to adopt the first Mastery Mindset – “I Can. I Will.” – and apply it to the things that matter most in your life.

To see the other 8 Mastery Mindset affirmations, visit the Mount Laurel Martial Artist's Dream 100 resource site HERE.

This blog is part of Peter Liciaga's effort to promote the Ultimate Black Belt Test Program ( http://www.ultimateblackbelttest.com), which is an undertaking of The 100. (http://www.the100.us/), and a part of Peter Liciaga's Dream 100 Project.

For Mount Laurel Martial Artist ONLY - This Morning I Am Doing What You Must Do, Too

This morning I am engaged in something you must do, can do, should do, every so often --if not every day...

And that is I am redefining what MY black belt test is about --what it's for --why and how I make my idea of it a reality ---and how I use the test, all of it, every single ingredient of it, to make change, to evolve, to improve, and to inspire.


By redefining my black belt test, don't I automatically redefine all the time that passes BEFORE the test itself? Yes, I must do that, as it's not the day of the test that creates a black belt, or can I say represents my very best work, but the PROCESS of how I get to that day.

Allow me to explain my black belt test, which is called The Ultimate Black Belt Test (UBBT).

My UBBT is a 1-year (or longer) trial by fire, a 1 year test involving daily activities, "tasks," that are, in part, designed by my instructor Master Michael Dinoto, my coach (and creator of the original UBBT) Tom Callos --and in part designed specifically by me.

My UBBT requires DAILY activity, daily practice, and no small amount of self-dicipline. To earn my new rank with the UBBT process, I must fulfill 80% to 100% of all pre-determined tasks.

By the time I finally "test" for my 5th Dan, I want to have used my experience, my understanding of the martial arts world, my energy, my influence, my education, and everything I am, currently, as a result of my journey, to bring something remarkable (and indicative of the rank) to the martial arts community in Mount Laurel NJ --and the world.

I want my "test" to serve as one fine example, if not the best example, of what a 5th dan test could and should be/do. I want my "test" to inspire other martial arts teachers / practitioners to raise the bar on their own testing requirements. I want my personal test to affect the lives of as many people as I am humanly capable of affecting.

My UBBT is my answer to "What did you do to earn your 5th dan?" And I want the answer to be, "I changed the perception of what it is to live and train for black belt mastery --and for the better."

So, This morning I am engaged in something you must do, can do, should do, every so often --if not every day...if you are a martial artist committed to black belt excellence and personal mastery.

I am redefining my mission, beginning anew, starting the process as if today were, again, the first day. You may see the work I am doing for my UBBT at http://www.peterliciaga.org/.

Action Plan Suggestions (for those of you interested in creating your own Ultimate Black Belt Test)

1. What is the test you're currently living? And how does it manifest itself in any sort of daily practice? Think about this, make notes, and start to DO something. Understand that at some level, this is the base "stock" of the soup that is your answer to the question, "What did you do to earn your black belt?" The better you understand and daily live your "test", the more value it brings to your black belt ---and YOU as a martial artist. The better you are, on all levels, the better your family, martial arts school/instructor and community will be.
2. Make "your test" a public spectacle. Why? If your test is hidden from view, how can it inspire and affect others? * (see note, below) A private test is a practice in narcissism and self-absorbtion. A public test is an opportunity to inspire and affect the world. A private test is a bit scary, but a public test, where people actually SEE what's going on, is VERY scary, as showing what's going on, genuinely, exposes the truth of what is --or is not --taking place.

* The "new" black belt test is NOT about "the tester." It is about everyone in the tester's "sphere of influence." Anyone can change themselves, but making that change a catalyst for change in the world? That is the mark of the kind of black belt I aspire to be (and create).

And, from a "telling a story" perspective, I ask you to appreciate and recognize the value of a training process that isn't focused on one person, but on everyone in that one person's "sphere." Show me a "black belt test" that transforms (for the better) a family, an organization, and a community, and you're showing me a black belt test of a genuine, authentic MASTER of something that might just transcend the label and idea of a "martial artist."

This blog is part of the Ultimate Black Belt Test Program (http://www.ultimateblackbelttest.com/), which is an undertaking of The 100. (http://www.the100.us/), and a part of the American Black Belt (http://www.americanblackbelts.com/) experience.

Happy 4th of July! The Reading of the Declaration of Independence

Dinoto Karate Center, Mount Laurel's
martial arts family center wishes everyone a
Happy & Safe 4th of July!

Mount Laurel's Master Dinoto training at Garaguso Karate

The Power of Enthusiasm - Success in Mount Laurel

I just had a wonderful tele-conference with Master Dinoto (we conf every morning!) and both of us got so excited about how great our students at DKC are doing. Not only those that tested this past weekend, but all our students. They are doing such a great job making a difference. Not only in the their own lives but in the lives of people in their communities.

We talked about one of our 8 year old students (no names here)  that has done a 180 degree turn-around when it comes to paying attention and is now making a difference in our Little Champions program by helping out.

We discussed a former student that works special ops for the military and credits his training at DKC for getting him through challenging situations.

We also got excited about how our CIT and Leadership students are making a difference in our community by teaching others about self-defense (bullying). Those students are now mentors to other students. It's all very exciting!

As a full-time martial arts instructor, it's so easy to get caught up in the every day details of teaching that I forget to just STOP and SEE what our students have achieved are accomplishing. As teachers (and parents) we MUST stop and see how the work and effort that we are investing in our children and our students are making a difference. It is invaluable!

This is the reason why I teach...to make a significant difference in the lives of others! To me this is SUCCESS!!!

It's never (read NEVER) in vain.

See you on the training floor.

Peter Liciaga
Parent & Master Martial Arts Instructor

Wisdom Beyond Their Years! Essays from our Children.

Dinoto Karate black belts serving our community

This would make a great poster.  Yes?

Community Activism -- and What May Be The Most Important Work a Martial Artist Will Ever Do

Building a home for someone in need. Master Liciaga meeting with Ms. Goergia. Greensboro, Alabama.

Being a master martial artist is MORE than just knowing how to kick, punch and block! It's about being an active part of a community and making a difference!

I am proud to be a part of a martial arts school that supports community activism. Thank you to Master Dinoto, Mrs. Dinoto and all DKC students for giving me the opportunity to travel to one of the poorest communities in America and put my master martial arts skills and leadership to good...not EXCELLENT use! We not only raised over $14,000 to build a home for Ms. Georgia, but we were able to help build a 4500 square foot school!

This is what being a martial artist is about to me...

Thank you.

To see more pictures from the Alabama building project visit http://gallery.me.com/rjlphoto

DKC students testing for black belt share their essays!

Students from Dinoto Karate Center will be testing for their black belts this Saturday, April 16th at the Easton Bible Church gymnasium on Fostertown Road in Hainesport.
Below is one of our students sharing her essay for her black belt test.

Peter Liciaga is full of it!

Full of what?

Full of Good and Great and Ingenious ways to stay in shape, educate and protect his family...and the community.

Not enough discipline to start a healthy lifestyle, you ask? Maybe. But if you don't try to implement the best way to develop discipline you have only yourself to blame. You have to start with one idea -- martial arts. Watch, listen and read all the blogs and videos on our website (http://www.dinotokarate.com/) and listen to your heart about what is the right thing to do.

Discipline. The ability to teach. Self-Discipline: The ability to teach YOURSELF.

Discipline. This is the thing that you need to commit to and should concentrate on developing. Martial arts training with a good -- I mean GREAT -- martial arts instructor that LIVES the disciplined life IS the place to start. Don't try to do it with someone that is not living it.

Remember it takes time to develop discipline, but this is ONLY when you find that right teacher and environment. Martial arts is the RIGHT environment...well, at least at Dinoto Karate Center! Check them out at http://www.dinotokarate.com/!

Rome wasn't built in a day. Niether was the discipline of Peter Liciaga (http://www.peterliciaga.org/) one of DKC's full-time senior instructors.



Do you need discipline? How about your children?
We are the best at teaching discipline! Find out for yourself.

DKC students "live" the leadership team oath!

This short-short video shows you Dinoto Karate's most outstanding students --living and breathing Leadership Program superstars. What I think about when I see this video is that 10 or 20 more kids like the ones Dinoto Karate is cultivating in their leadership program – is a very, VERY unique way to serve our families and community in a very, VERY powerful way!

And note: You CAN'T cultivate the kind of success we are talking about in a “kicks & punches only” karate school; nor can you find a book/report that shows you exactly how to find and cultivate kids like the ones in the video --who will go out and make "stuff" happen, remarkably—from great, GREAT grades to powerful & positive choices to fund-raising!

I CAN tell you that Dinoto Karate is doing their part (and all that goes on behind the scenes), to cultivate and develop real BLACK BELT LEADERS (in today's world), because actions speak louder than words.

What I like about the work that these kids are doing is that there's no "formula" behind it. It's REAL stuff. I like it because I think about what it means to these kids --what they'll remember, what they'll take from it, and what it means to the other kids around them ("home-grown" heroes...something I've/we've been talking about for awhile now.)

It's so clean and pure and perfect. Its kids doing something cool. Something they care about and something that's good for EVERYONE involved. I Love that.

Remember folks: We are here to KEEP IT REAL --working with kids (and their families) --for the right reasons. Show them how the confidence they're practicing on the mat can be applied to, well...ANYTHING they care about. Show them how to organize, how to lead, how to write, how to film …how to tell their story. We use our leadership skills and experience to connect them to the right tools, the right people, and to encourage the heck out of them.

We talk to our children about what their efforts MEAN. What it means to their life, to the lives of people around them, to what it means to their community, and what it means to the world.

We work really, REALLY hard to teach our students to bring GREAT small projects to fruition; to smile and enjoy the process …and show them that what they are doing is really, REALLY good work.

Help us to pave the way for the new / next generation of real black belt leaders who cultivate "out of the dojo and into the world" kind of work --and all of us will play a significant part in a better, smarter, powerful, purposeful and more evidence-based-black-belt-leadership kind of education for our world.

With these kinds of stories and kids around the academy, we are simply no longer a martial arts school teaching life-skills --we're a life-skills school that uses martial arts to teach. This IS what brings the most value to our family, community, and the world …yes?

Peter Liciaga
Education Activist and Master Martial Arts Teacher

PS...visit us at http://www.dinotokarate.com/ and see what our students are doing in our community!

Attention April Black Belt Candidates

Dinoto Karate will be conducting a "Catch Up" Clinic for those candidates eligible for the April Dan Shim Sa. The clinic will be held on Saturday, March 5th from 1:30PM to 3:00PM. This is a great opportunity to catch up on any missed material. Master Dinoto will review the ENTIRE TEST!!!! (Wish I had that when I went for my Black Belt).

If you are interested, you must enroll and pay the fee with me before March 5th. Space is limited.