DashStrom Fitness Program
8 Core Principles
Power
Words
How we talk about ourselves define who we are.
Words have the power to wound or lift our hearts. Our children are taught to use words such as kind, generous, helpful, friend, in school. These are all valuable words. However, at Run Club we teach them to refer to themselves with power words such as: STRONG, BRAVE, MIGHTY, FIERCE. All running drills use these words and consist of children repeating them and saying “I am _______.” There identity is being shaped by repeating these words throughout the program, hearing them for our coaches, and learning kinetically through running how to use them to power through obstacles. Ultimately, they learn to refer to themselves with power words both in running and outside of the field.
Positive
Thoughts
We are what we think we are.
The science of positive thinking creates an impact in the lives of both adults and children. Teaching children how to cope with the negative thoughts and emotions they will inevitably feel is a transformational lesson. This principle helps them build skills, boost overall self-confidence and improve academics.
Aggressive
Goals
We dare to believe anything is possible.
Goal-setting helps improve kids’ motivation and commitment, stay focused on what to accomplish, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and track their performance. We teach children there are many types of goals: long term, short term, bold and conservative. We also give them tools to set appropriate goals, and most of all, to aim high.
Personal
Resilience
Setbacks are welcomed as an opportunity to grow.
Resiliency means being able to bounce back easily from a negative situation, such as disappointment or failure. Our little runners learn resilience techniques that are important in sports, just as it is in life. Here we build upon what we introduced in “Aggressive Goals” infusing children with a growth mindset where making mistakes is viewed as another step in reaching their goals, not a disqualifier.
Teamwork
We can do together what we cannot do alone.
Even though running is an individual sport, at the DashStrom our teamwork drills involve children working together towards a common goal. Most drills require different children to use different skills, thus seeing how everyone can contribute to the team in their own way. At DashStrøm, we believe that teamwork is essential to manage conflict in every aspect of life.
​Individual
Integrity
We do the right thing even when no one is watching.
Our runners are taught that acting with integrity is not only good for the greater community, but ultimately it allows them to be trust worthy. And with trust, you are allowed to do more of the things you like. The benefits of the drills are individual, and doing the right thing pays off in all aspects of life.
Community
Vision
Our actions affects our community.
Children, who are self-centered by nature, must understand they belong to a greater community. We emphasize through games and running drills that the action of one can have a positive or negative impact on the group. These skills are invaluable for conflict resolution and working around barriers that may be faced in life.
New
Beginnings
A finish line is just the beginning of a new journey.
Just because the season is over, the goal is reached, or a medal is received doesn’t mean it’s over. A new journey begins. There is no final destination because as soon as we get there, like the end of the rainbow, it moves. The joy is in the journey of getting there.