BENEFITS OF TRAINING IN MARTIAL ARTS
You
and your children have probably seen the flying kicks, battle cries and
mighty chops of their 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 (save perhaps the Karate Kid) 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. 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. • Many do not
realize this, but it is a fact that martial arts training are 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.