Many children join martial arts because they think it will be fun. They want to learn the moves and break boards and such. Parents think that allowing their child to join martial arts will teach them discipline and self defense. A child will learn how to protect themselves in a number of ways from attackers and those looking to cause harm to them. There are many benefits of joining a martial arts class as a child and self defense is one of them.
Self Defense
When a child learns martial arts they will be placed in real world situations where they will learn how to defend themselves. They will learn how to escape from a standing position, when someone is attacking them in front or from behind, when they are faced with a fight, and how to defend themselves from an attack with a weapon. There are different self defense curriculum and skills that the child will learn as they progress through their training. They will also learn how to block punches and kicks. The child will be taught that violence is not the answer to a problem and they should avoid a fight with another person if possible. If the child is placed in a situation where they are being threatened they will have the skills needed to get out of it safely.
Focus
Focus is very important in all aspects of life. From the classroom to the outside world it is important to be focused and pay attention to the task at hand. In martial arts training a child will learn how to focus on a task. They will work on related skills as well such as listening and reaction skills. They will be able to handle themselves physically if threatened. They will be able to prepare for an oncoming assault and take measures to defend themselves. They will also learn how to listen to others as well. This is a skill that is useful in both the home and the school settings.
Self Control
Just because a child has the skills needed for fighting and defense this may not always be the answer. If the child is not in a situation where they can get hurt they should not resort to their skills. Training will help the child learn self control. They will work on this every class period. They will also learn how to make good decision. They will learn the importance of listening to their parents and their teachers. This is often difficult for smaller child to learn and to use and that is why the martial arts teachings will focus on this .
Proper Posture
Posture is needed for some of the techniques and it is needed to help the child stay healthy. Not only do they need to be in the correct form to defend themselves they need it in just about every other activity in their daily life. Poor posture has man effects that people do not even thing about. The organs inside of the body can become cramped, they will do breathe properly, and this can lead to other health conditions. The training will help a child develop their balance as well as proper posture. They will learn this through forms and drills.
Personal Safety
In addition to self defense training the child will learn about safety. They will learn how to interact with others and the dangers of going off with strangers. They will learn how to say no to peer pressure as well. All of this is done in an age appropriate way. The child will learn these skills without being frightened. They will learn what to do if they are approached by someone they do not know. The child will also learn about meeting others as they age and what to do if they find themselves alone. Personal safety is important for all children to know and they need to be prepared when faced with unsafe situations.
These are some of the skills including self defense skills that a child will learn in martial arts. They will learn how to defend themselves and they skills they need to be a well rounded person. All of these skills are taught in a fun ways. The child will like learning these new skills and the parents will know that their child will be safe.
People might wonder whether there are other components to martial arts other than defense. It is difficult to know how every person frames the individual experience of this practice. And even more debatable whether other more abstract concepts should be taught during the lessons. Some people say that respect should be a basic discipline, while others argue that martial arts is only about fighting.
The traditional martial arts that originated from the East incorporated both a psychological perspective, a spiritual component, and a set of offense and defense techniques for fighting. These lessons were deeper than just physical movements. The teacher was viewed as someone who had mastered all the holistic areas of one’s life. This person had mastery in learning to respect one’s body, one’s opponent, and nature. There was a mindfulness that the teacher had to be in the moment and almost at one with everything around. This meant that the teacher modeled deference to the student, and the student respected the philosophy behind martial arts.
Now as martial arts have come to the West, the practice is somewhat subdued. All of the same motions and movements are taught. However, the practitioners might shy away from some of the deeper lessons that the practice of martial arts once held. This may be because spirituality is different for people in different cultures. It is respectful to recognize that people have the right to their own beliefs. However, respect is a universal concept that has been shown to be positive. It is something that would be valuable to reincorporate back into martial arts.
People who know how to teach this skill should be given proper respect. This means that they can also give lessons to others in the class about the tradition of respect in martial arts. There might not be a space for spirituality, but respect is more of a psychological component of martial arts. Parents who have children in martial arts will appreciate this lesson because they know that their children need to be taught respect in order to function well in life. Sometimes it is better to give respect than to fight, and respect to others can often prevent physical fights.
Since martial arts is mostly about defense, people should learn how, in any culture, to take measures to avoid violence. This means mannerisms that display that a person does not want to have confrontation, and would like to respect the other’s dignity. Recent studies show that people often engage in violence when they feel disrespected. This is especially true in poor communities where the people have little left materially. These topics should be addressed in any form of self defense because violence should be a last resort. People should not fight with respect, but choose not to fight at all if possible.
In all cultures now, violent clashes might be unavoidable. However, people can try to respect the dignity of human life even when faced with violence. Martial arts teach people how to engage in conflict with the attitude that respect is always important. Even when fighting, learning how to take an opponent out while trying to respect their well being is valuable.
The term martial arts often conjures up vivid images of “Kung Fu Theater” and other popular martial arts tv shows, but in reality, self defense and martial arts can be more beneficial than most people realize.
For many adults as well as children, self defense training promotes confidence, reliance and trust in one’s own self. When a person challenges themselves to do something new, they have never done before, and succeed, they develop mental focus and feel better about themselves. For most people, young and old, it can be a form of courage, and the willingness to persevere in the face of fear, and overcoming that fear to build confidence.
When a person is involved in a self defense course, you have to be focused on the task at hand, and thoughts of work, family situations are put out of your head. You will find that your mental focus becomes sharper, and everyday tasks actually become easier.
Unshakable Self Confidence
Although the practice of martial arts and self defense is often done as a form of exercise and strength training to help one’s body become toned and strong, it also gives one a sense of self worth and complete trust in oneself’s confidence to handle any situation in which you may find yourself. The knowledge that you can protect yourself and your loved ones, and the ability to handle any situation that you may face, gives one a great deal of self respect and courage. You may notice that you stand a little straighter, feel calmer and more in control of situations going on around you, as you go about your daily tasks and unexpected challenges.
Many other benefits of taking self defense or martial arts classes may include, but are not limited to; a strong sense of integrity, respect, honor, self discipline, and self determination. Self defense provides balance in one’s life, something that you work hard to accomplish and no one can ever really take it away from you. People learn to be kind to one another, treat others with respect and dignity, yet not be afraid to stand up to other people or bullies, and to help defend and protect those weaker than you.
Fun
Since there are many different types of martial arts and various types of self defense training courses available, one needs to look for something that fits them. Self defense should be easy and fun to learn. One should be able to enjoy practicing the martial arts, even though one continues to challenge themselves as they learn and grow stronger. You should have different partners, so you can learn how to deal with many different situations, as well as your new found skills becoming an initial and natural reaction to unexpected and difficult situations, secure in the knowledge you have something to fall back on.
Both children and adults are surprised to realize that learning martial arts or self defense is an amazing journey, as they begin to discover many things about themselves as well as the release of the ego.
Children and teens
Most children and teens face unique challenges in today’s global world, one of the best resources to accomplish these goals is the learning self defense or martial arts lessons to insure your child or teen is happy and well rounded.
As a child learns about the world around them, they will invariably face difficult situations throughout childhood and into becoming an adult. Self defense can provide a safe environment that they need to learn to deal with emotional, physical and mental challenges of the young adult.
Children often have tons of excess energy to burn, as they grow and develop. What better outlet to help them release the energy, as well as develop strong, healthy bodies, and fine motor skills they will need as an adult.
Teenagers need to develop a strong sense of self worth and confidence as they grow into responsible, confident adults. This also will instill a sense of belonging as the martial arts community also promotes a strong sense of family and community. Teens often struggle with identity and where they fit into the world, they are often drawn to like minded people, who understand them and who they can relate to on many levels. Martial arts gives teens a responsible outlet to focus on rather than gangs who provide the negative atmosphere that should be avoided.
Social networks
A good quality martial arts school can provide the support of the martial arts community, giving children and teens a strong sense of responsibility, focusing their personal development as well as sense of self worth and good health habits that carry them into adulthood. Teens need the feeling of belonging, and often find themselves drawn to unhealthy gangs or other negative influences, like drugs or alcohol.
Martial arts and self defense teaches one to be responsible with their new skills, and to responsible for their actions. They also learn to know when to use their new skills and are encouraged to defend and protect others.
Children, teens and adults alike can find the many benefits of self defense can enrich and bring so much so to their lives. They can learn to rely on their own intuition to carry them throughout their entire lives.
Many children join martial arts because they think it will be fun. They want to learn the moves and break boards and such. Parents think that allowing their child to join martial arts will teach them discipline and self defense. A child will learn how to protect themselves in a number of ways from attackers and those looking to cause harm to them. There are many benefits of joining a martial arts class as a child and self defense is one of them.
Self Defense
When a child learns martial arts they will be placed in real world situations where they will learn how to defend themselves. They will learn how to escape from a standing position, when someone is attacking them in front or from behind, when they are faced with a fight, and how to defend themselves from an attack with a weapon. There are different self defense curriculum and skills that the child will learn as they progress through their training. They will also learn how to block punches and kicks. The child will be taught that violence is not the answer to a problem and they should avoid a fight with another person if possible. If the child is placed in a situation where they are being threatened they will have the skills needed to get out of it safely.
Focus
Focus is very important in all aspects of life. From the classroom to the outside world it is important to be focused and pay attention to the task at hand. In martial arts training a child will learn how to focus on a task. They will work on related skills as well such as listening and reaction skills. They will be able to handle themselves physically if threatened. They will be able to prepare for an oncoming assault and take measures to defend themselves. They will also learn how to listen to others as well. This is a skill that is useful in both the home and the school settings.
Self Control
Just because a child has the skills needed for fighting and defense this may not always be the answer. If the child is not in a situation where they can get hurt they should not resort to their skills. Training will help the child learn self control. They will work on this every class period. They will also learn how to make good decision. They will learn the importance of listening to their parents and their teachers. This is often difficult for smaller child to learn and to use and that is why the martial arts teachings will focus on this .
Proper Posture
Posture is needed for some of the techniques and it is needed to help the child stay healthy. Not only do they need to be in the correct form to defend themselves they need it in just about every other activity in their daily life. Poor posture has man effects that people do not even thing about. The organs inside of the body can become cramped, they will do breathe properly, and this can lead to other health conditions. The training will help a child develop their balance as well as proper posture. They will learn this through forms and drills.
Personal Safety
In addition to self defense training the child will learn about safety. They will learn how to interact with others and the dangers of going off with strangers. They will learn how to say no to peer pressure as well. All of this is done in an age appropriate way. The child will learn these skills without being frightened. They will learn what to do if they are approached by someone they do not know. The child will also learn about meeting others as they age and what to do if they find themselves alone. Personal safety is important for all children to know and they need to be prepared when faced with unsafe situations.
These are some of the skills including self defense skills that a child will learn in martial arts. They will learn how to defend themselves and they skills they need to be a well rounded person. All of these skills are taught in a fun ways. The child will like learning these new skills and the parents will know that their child will be safe.
“Mommy, John hit me while on the school bus.” Or “Mommy, I want to be like Po from Kung Fu Panda.”
These and many other questions have bombarded parents of young children over the past few years. For example, the first question tries to highlight a bullying incident while the second one shows the admiration and yearning a child has towards learning martial arts.
Regardless of the reason, children should learn self defense techniques. Not only will they be prepared against attacks and bullying but they will have skills which will enable them to fight off abductors. Furthermore, they will gain the much needed exercise finally eliminating a sedentary lifestyle.
In this article, we discuss more reasons why your child should learn self defense techniques.
Learn how to deescalate a situation
Bullying has been around for so many years even the parents of today experienced it when they were young. Problem is today the intensity of bullying has been on the rise. In some cases, not only have other kids bullied others using words but they have gone to the extent of being suspects in their murder. No parent wants to lose their kid just because another kid was not taught manners and how to handle problems.
In case of a bullying incident, it is common for kids to defend themselves. They end up fighting each other which will result in injuries. Furthermore, it will escalate the situation and result in more fights in the future and away from the school.
Students who have attended self defense classes have been taught how to deescalate a situation. Instead of attacking the offender, they end up talking themselves out of the situation. This is achieved by calming the attacker and explaining to them that they don’t need to engage in combat.
Self preservation
There are many self defense classes. In these classes, children may learn one of the following: karate, tae kwon do, judo, jujitsu, aikido, kung fu, T’ai chi and krav maga. Each of these classes incorporates different movements which is great for your child’s body. For example, in karate they will learn self development using kicks and punches. As a result, your child will be able to make quick and sharp actions.
On the other hand, judo is competitive and will teach your child how to throw an attacker using balance and leverage. This will allow them to learn respect, self preservation and self protection techniques.
Improves the development of your child’s body
As said earlier, self defense classes teach children self preservation and self protection. As a result, your child will develop strength, stamina, coordination and flexibility. In order to achieve this, your child must attend all the self defense classes, learn keenly all that is taught by the master as well as practice what is taught.
Unlike cardio workout where you may need the use of a machine, self defense classes help with the development of cardio vascular strength and stamina through movement. This is great as it allows your child to exercise.
Self discipline
Enrolling your child in a self defense class has the positive effect of improving your child’s self discipline. The advantage of this is that your child will have the ability of coming up with solutions for problems that he or she may encounter. Self defense classes do not concentrate in teaching children how to kick, how to punch or even how to defend themselves against attackers only but they impart knowledge allowing your child to make the smart choice when faced with a situation.
For example, one of the bullies may learn that your child attends self defense classes. Just to taunt him or her, they arrange a fight with one of their bullies. Thanks to the knowledge your child has learned, he she will take the high road – walk away from confrontation. Even as your child gets older, he or she will make smart decisions.
Final Thoughts
In a world where danger is lurking not only in the streets and schools but in homes too, enrolling your child in a self defense class is the smartest choice you will ever make. Not only will your child learn self discipline but he or she will develop confidence, assertiveness, learn respect, better communication, listening and social skills too.
That is not all.
Your child will learn how to make smart choices not only now but in the future too.
Many children join martial arts because they think it will be fun. They want to learn the moves and break boards and such. Parents think that allowing their child to join martial arts will teach them discipline and self defense. A child will learn how to protect themselves in a number of ways from attackers and those looking to cause harm to them. There are many benefits of joining a martial arts class as a child and self defense is one of them.
