Adapting to People and Places

Adapting to people and places

Here at True Balance Karate in Downers Grove, Illinois, we have a social-emotional learning program called True Character. I’m Master H, the owner and chief instructor here at the studio. I have two master’s degrees in education, and we developed this curriculum to meet the needs of students, ranging from our youngest at three or four years old to our oldest at 85.

This month, we are talking about adaptability. We began the month discussing what adaptability means—being willing and able to change—and summarizing what it might look like. Last week, we explored how observation, gathering knowledge, focus, and flexible thinking are key to showing adaptability.

Social Interactions

Today, we’re focusing on adapting to people and places. At the studio, we do a lot of partner work, encouraging everyone to read facial expressions, body language, and emotions to understand how their partner might be feeling. If your partner is crying, scared, or timid, adaptability means adjusting your actions—perhaps moving slower, speaking softer, or explaining before acting—to provide comfort and understanding.

We also need to adapt to our surroundings. For example, we don’t do karate in a restaurant, school, or workplace, as that wouldn’t fit the context. Instead, we modify our behavior based on the place. At a restaurant, this might mean using kind words like “please” and “thank you,” speaking quietly, and avoiding disruptive behavior.

Similarly, at school, we focus on academic tasks like math and science experiments, adapting our mindset and actions to fit the activity and location. As a former grade school teacher, I helped students build flexibility in thinking. One student, a clock-watcher, needed to finish math precisely at 11. To help him adapt, I occasionally extended the lesson by a minute or two, teaching him that flexibility and patience are valuable skills.

As adults, we model adaptability, reminding others to ask, “Where am I? What am I supposed to do here?” This helps everyone understand how to behave appropriately in different spaces.

Next week, we’ll discuss adaptability from the perspective of setting boundaries and what happens if we’re too adaptable.

Thanks, and I’ll see you on the mat!

True Balance Karate was founded in 2012 by Master Sue and Paul Helsdon.

We offer kids karate lessons for pre-school children ages 3-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up. These lessons are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need — specialized for their age group — for school excellence and later success in life.

Our adult martial arts training is a complete adult fitness and conditioning program for adults who want to lose weight, get (and stay) in shape, or learn self-defense in a supportive environment.

Instructors can answer questions or be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 630-663-2000. You can also contact us here. True Balance Karate is at 406 Ogden Ave Downers Grove Illinois, 60515 (next to CVS) Check out our Facebook!