From Ninja Turtles to The Karate Kid
You and your kids have all seen the flying kicks, battle
cries and mighty chops of your favorite TV characters,
as they beat the bad guys to submission - but, you may
ask, how on earth can these acts of violence teach my
child anything worthwhile?
First, know that what you see on
television is a far cry from what real
martial arts are all about. The fact is, Martial Arts
training is based on non-violence.
Originating in Asia (mainly Japan, China and Korea,
although Thailand and Vietnam have their own practices
as well), martial arts range from a variety of types and
styles, all of which are based on well-rounded, moral
teachings. The beauty of learning martial arts is that
it encompasses not just the physical aspect of the
“sport”, but mental and emotional lessons as well.
Comparing that to other kid’s activities and sports,
where fierce competitiveness and “winning at all costs”
seems to be the order of the day, it’s not surprising
that many children grapple with issues of self-esteem
and misplaced aggression.
Now imagine your child actually learning valuable life
lessons, skills that he will take throughout life,
laying the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted and
fulfilled adult life. If only karate for kids was
popular when I was growing up!
The Advantages
• Karate, and other martial arts for kids,
builds
confidence and self-esteem as well as self-discipline,
respect, concentration and courtesy.
• Many martial arts schools also offer leadership
courses for kids, in conjunction with their karate for
kids programs, or similar lessons.
• Martial Arts is ideal for children who do not do well
in team sports, giving them the ability to flourish this
activity, while combining physical and mental practices.
Martial Arts training for those participating in sports
helps them to be better athletes.
• Many do not realize this, but it is a fact that
martial arts training is much safer than most school sports.
• Children with special needs, such as ADD (Attention
Deficit Disorder), learning difficulties and
hyperactivity are often recommended to participate in
martial arts for kids because of the clear benefits in
its structured training techniques.