April 17, 2019 | 0 Comment(s)
Many parents wonder if it is a good idea to have their children learn martial arts. They have questions about whether it is just for some children, or if their child can benefit as well. One really important reason for children to learn martial arts is to boost their confidence.
The following are the ways in which the Asian fighting arts boost children’s self-confidence:
Self-Defense –
Children who have been trained to defend themselves have the poise and courage that comes with knowing they are ready to defend themselves whenever they may be called upon. Many children today are the victims of bullying, maybe more than in the past, because of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying empowers groups of children who don’t have good self-esteem to tear someone else’s up to get their “fix” of cruelty.
Children who are trained in the Asian fighting arts are prepared to defend themselves. That does not always mean a physical altercation. We teach children all of their options and provide a lot of practice so that they will automatically be able to make the right choices for self-defense when the time comes. This girds children with incredible self-esteem and poise.
A child who has no idea how to defend himself may live in fear each day of one or more bullies. Living in such a situation tears up one’s physical security needs every day and tears apart children’s self-esteem. Sadly, sometimes children who are living through this daily hell at school keep this to themselves. Their parents don’t even know, and their children carry around the shame each day, as though what is happening to them is their fault, which it is absolutely not. Self-defense training stops the bullying cycle, allowing children to go about their day free from harm and free to flower and grow in whatever way they desire.
Setting Goals –
Many employers today are having trouble with the new generation that is entering the workforce. Employers complain that employees from this newer generation don’t understand that you can’t just show up and get a gold star. These young workers have been conditioned by unwarranted praise when they were younger. Everyone was given awards in the mistaken belief it was helping their self-esteem, even when they did not earn the awards.
These young adults have not learned the value of hard work in order to achieve. They easily get discouraged when things don’t immediately go their way. They realize that they were operating in a system that was rigged in their favor, and they often feel like frauds. Giving everyone a reward backfired and produced the opposite of self-esteem and self-confidence. It produced a generation prone to failure.
Children who attend our classes learn that things are not just handed to people in life. They will have to work hard and practice diligently in order to learn the many moves that help them succeed in Asian fighting arts. They will learn that they don’t live in a vacuum and that achievement comes through practice, hard work, and devotion. They will receive the instruction and support to make that connection between hard work, practice, and results in a caring atmosphere.
When children know the value of their hard work and practice, it gives them the self-confidence that they can surmount other obstacles in the same way. This gives them discipline and tough strength to succeed in life.
Physical Strength, Agility and Fitness –
Children who are physically fit feel better about themselves. Children in Asian fighting arts classes become strong, agile and develop good cardiovascular fitness. Asian fighting arts classes are not seasonal, like other sports, so children who participate in our classes are fit the entire year.
Learn How to Achieve Under Pressure –
Children in Asian fighting classes have to demonstrate their learning in front of their class. This will likely be the first times of many in their lives that they will be called upon to achieve under pressure. They will quickly learn that those who take the time to prepare and practice are rewarded by growing achievement. This increases their discipline, confidence, and poise.
Learn Socialization Skills –
All Asian fighting arts classes are taught in a social setting. This helps children to feel more poised as they interact with others. In fact, since Asian fighting arts courses can be taught with a wide range of ages in one class, it helps children to learn how to present themselves to other children and adults and know how to socialize.
So often in the Internet Age, children are spending too much time in front of big and small screens. They often know how to deal with a virtual setting, but life is not like what is on those screens. For children to be able to achieve in the world, they are not going to just look at and interact with screens. They will have to interact with people. In fact, more employers today are looking for people with great “soft skills.” The “soft skills” are the skills about dealing with people in a respectful and positive manner. Too many young people today are coming out into the job market lacking those skills since they don’t interact enough with each other and the adults in their lives.
Children that learn Asian fighting arts must interact with their instructor and their classmates in their dojo. They first learn about respect for others in class and then feel that others are respecting them as well. Everything is learned and practiced in a social and safe environment.
If you would like your child to develop his or her confidence and self-esteem in a caring environment that emphasizes physical health, strength, and agility; self-defense and the importance of discipline, practice, and dedication towards achieving goals, then contact us today about enrolling your child in our martial arts training.
August 14, 2018 | 0 Comment(s)
Children being mean to one another is nothing new; instead, it’s an ageless tradition born of insecurity and power struggle. Fortunately, our children are growing up in a time where public awareness is ever-increasing and children are taught empathy, confidence, and respect. School-wide anti-bullying programs are the norm, and it’s on nearly every parent’s radar. Despite these efforts, it still pervades our children’s day to day life. Rather than feel powerless against it, we need to educate ourselves to strengthen our children’s confidence and ability to prevent bad behavior before it happens.
One way to do this is through martial arts. The value of self-defence classes are timeless, with participants from all over the world singing its praises. Self-defence teaches awareness, composure, strength, grit, and confidence. Less obviously, it is a proven measure to prevent torment.
Fitness
The physical benefits of self-defence are tremendous, with students exercising their core, their limbs, and their heart as well as their mental strength. While other aerobic activity can be fun and is also an important component of fitness, the benefits of self-defence merge both aerobic and anaerobic functions. Students will jump rope and perform jumping jacks to get their hearts moving, but focus more on the anaerobic functions of stretching, resistance, and gravity. This affords the participant enormous benefits in toning and strengthening their muscles. Students are typically lean, strong, and fit.
Confidence
One of the best things we can do for our children is to help them build confidence. Having faith in yourself and feeling strong and empowered creates stability in relationships, jobs, sports, and school. If a child is constantly doubting their own abilities, they will suffer in a myriad of ways including being more prone to bullying. Unfortunately, bullies look for easy victims, and insecurity is pretty easy to spot.
Consider enrolling your child in a taekwondo or karate class and you will quickly see their confidence grow. The tools they learn in these classes will help them stand up for themselves early and often.
Focus
One of the foundational components of all self-defence classes is focus. Students are taught to use their whole bodies and whole minds to execute precise techniques. This is not the realm for generalized or imprecise movement. Since this requires such intense focus, self-defence students improve their ability to focus. This translates well to playground politics where antagonistic behavior can cause children’s mind to overload. They will find a remarkable composure the next time someone tries to mess with them. In turn, they will be able to make better decisions in those intense moments.
Individual Achievement
One important aspect of self-defence is the focus on individual achievement. Team sports promote relying on your peers in a group arena, while individual sports promote self-awareness, grit, confidence, and motivation. Your student will be determined to learn the skills to reach the next level, whether that is moving from a yellow belt to an orange belt or to a higher level of black belt. This process offers students a unique opportunity to finetune their sense of self. In turn, they will face conflict directly and with resolve, giving bullies no chance to pounce. self-defence students see themselves as self-reliant, a formidable opponent for a potential bully.
Respect
One of the first things you learn in self-defence is that the space where you study is sacred and requires a sense of reverence. Students call this place dojo, a word that encomapsses both the physical space and the practices and behaviors expected within it. Dojo promotes the importance of respect as a primary function in practice.
Most often, when we think of martial arts as a method of self-defense for the child who is receiving the bullying. However, it is also beneficial for preventing children for those prone to asserting power in the wrong ways. Since self-defense encourages respect of others, it engenders a more balanced power relationship amongst its students. Rather than trying to beat someone or win a game, students are taught to work on their own skills and consider themselves equal to those around them. In turn, this discourages the unnatural idea that your peers need dominating (an underlying subtext of bullying).
Anyone can do it!
Some children feel they are not athletes or may say they are not “into” sports. When they self-identify this way early on, it can be a difficult pattern to break. They may have joined a soccer team when they were four or attempted little league in first grade, only to determine that they lacked the hand-eye coordination or interest to continue. Break this cycle by introducing self-defence. One of the absolute best parts about being a student of self-defence is that it is so inclusive, meaning anyone can do it.
With no expensive or intimidating gear and no experience needed to jump in at any age, self-defence offers an attractive and inviting option for people of all ages. You will find that your child claims to not like sports, but takes really well to karate or taekwondo. Since there are few cost or gear barriers, this is a great way to foster confidence and health, thereby bolstering self-esteem.
Lifelong Possibilities
How many adults do you know who still play football? Not many, I’m sure! Some sports are fun while you are young, but torture on your bones. One of the best attributes about self defence is that we can (and do) participate for life. Most martial artists never stop practicing and still attend classes as senior citizens. The classes are designed to be gentle on your body while you are gaining strength, so there is very little concern about blown out knees and torn rotator cuffs. Encourage your child to look at fitness as a means to initiate lifelong learning and health.
Teach your children to be strong throughout their lives with the power of martial arts.
