How To Fight Good

Ten Things You Should Know about Martial Arts Summer Camps for Kids

By fight good on Friday, November 6th, 2009 | No Comments

Would you like to see your child gain self-confidence, learn goal setting skills, concentrate, gain self-discipline, and acquire life skills that he or she will have for a lifetime? Of course you do; we all want the best for our children.

A Martial Arts Summer Camp is a complete success enhancement program for your child, which will challenge his or her mind and body. Here are just ten of the many benefits you can expect your child to receive in just one summer.

Concentration: Your child will learn to increase his or her attention span. Focusing is major problem for children; especially for boys, but martial arts are completely filled with concentration drills.

Stress Management: Kids are taught how to constructively deal with stress. Just by getting some physical activity, behavior will improve when children come home. Without recess and physical education, children have a lot of “bottled up” energy.

Self-Discipline: Your child is taught how to set priorities and get ahead. Children have to multi-task, but martial arts training will give them perseverance and the ability to prioritize their daily lives for success.

Respect: Your child will demonstrate courtesy and respect at home. How? Once he or she practices courtesy and respect all day – this habit will be carried home.

Anger Management: We provide a safe outlet for dealing with anger. Kicking and punching bags is very safe, if supervised by a qualified martial arts instructor. This allows kids to “blow off some steam,” without hurting themselves.

Motivation: Your child will be inspired to achieve. Positive energy is rampant, within a martial arts setting, and this inspires children to excel in every aspect of their lives. As you already know, motivation is what turns dreamers into achievers.

Self-Defense: Every child will learn physical and non-physical self defense. As a by-product of attending a martial arts intensive, such as a kid’s summer camp, every child can adequately protect him or herself.

Total Fitness: Children receive a complete workout every day they attend a martial arts summer camp. It is not natural for children to sit in front of a television set all day. It is much healthier for them to run, kick, jump, and yell. This also helps them sleep better, too.

Time Management: Your child will learn many time saving drills that make your life easier. Children need to have structure and order gently reinforced, so that it can be ingrained within their consciousness.

Goal Setting: This is contagious in a Martial Arts atmosphere. When your child earns his or her first colored belt, he or she realizes goals by continually putting forth effort. This skill is also applied to an academic setting for maximum success.

These are ten of the many life skills your child, will gain from a Martial Arts Summer Camp.

Paul Jerard is director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in RI. He’s a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He teaches that along with fitness. He wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students who want to be a teacher.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Kids, Martial Arts, And Self-Defense

By fight good on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 | No Comments

Parents instinctively know that the safety of their children is under constant threat. More kids than ever before are abducted and victimized by predators each day. Plus, playground bullies, older children, and others prey upon the young, thinking them defenseless. By enrolling your child into martial arts classes, you can equip them with the skills to ward off an attack or evade it altogether.

In this article, I’ll describe how learning karate, judo, kung-fu, and other styles can help your child feel more confident, approach potentially threatening situations thoughtfully, and ultimately preserve his or her safety. While most parents would prefer not to think about their children needing to defend themselves against others, it is very real possibility.

A Persistent Threat

Long ago, children were seldom victimized or abducted; and it was practically unimaginable in small towns. Times have changed. In 2002, over 58,000 children were kidnapped by non-family members. What’s more, the number of cases reported in communities with sparse populations has escalated. In effect, every child, regardless of location, is susceptible to the threat of predators.

Young kids are also vulnerable to older children. They can easily – and without reasonable justification – become victims of bullying or physical abuse. Sometimes, the circumstances can swing wildly out of control, leading to injury or worse. Parents are understandably concerned and are becoming increasingly aware that they need to take preventative measures.

Kids’ Self-Defense Through Martial Arts

Kids martial arts classes are not designed to train children to fight. Instead, they focus on developing a number of mental and physical skills that provide lifelong value. Kids learn to concentrate more effectively and think more clearly. They also learn the value of respect and emotional restraint. The training will also include self-defense strategies that your child can use to ward off threats.

One of the most important elements in kids martial arts classes (in the context of self-defense) is the ability to disengage from situations that might lead to violent confrontation. In many cases, a child can find himself embroiled in circumstances that could have otherwise been avoided. Learning the martial arts can help a child identify and avoid those circumstances.

Styles Of Kids Martial Arts

Parents have a number of martial arts styles from which they can choose. Some styles, like karate, are more aggressive than others. For example, aikido focuses on techniques that help students disable an attacker without actually fighting them. It emphasizes throwing moves rather than striking. On the other hand, karate and kung-fu involve a number of striking tactics; both approach self-defense from a far more aggressive perspective. Judo, like aikido, stresses the development of physical and mental control; the style involves very few striking moves.

Finding A Dojo

Parents who are interested in exploring martial arts classes for their child should visit a few training facilities in their area. They should speak with the instructors and ask about each dojo’s respective philosophy. They should also observe a few classes to become familiar with each instructor’s training style. For example, one instructor might emphasize aggression while another stresses mental and emotional refinement. The style you and your child choose should be consistent with your values and goals.

Protecting Their Safety

In the end, your child needs to develop the necessary physical and mental discipline to help ensure their safety. That includes learning techniques of self-defense. It also involves learning how to approach potentially hostile circumstances thoughtfully with the goal of either diffusing or avoiding them. Kids martial arts classes are designed to train young people to develop these skills. If their safety is threatened, they should have the training and discipline to respond in the best possible manner.

The Dojo of Karate combines the ancient art of Wado-Ryu Karate with modern teaching methods in a convenient Denver karate school. The Dojo of Karate is online at http://www.TheDojoOfKarate.com

Finding the Right Martial Arts Instructor For Your Kids

By fight good on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 | No Comments

The most common mistake that parents make when enrolling their kids into martial arts classes is choosing the wrong instructor. You can select an inappropriate style for your child (for example, karate versus aikido) and make a change later. But, the wrong trainer can stifle the excitement a young person feels for learning the martial arts. What’s worse, a bad teacher can unwittingly discourage their participation. It is not enough that a teacher has a black belt; proficiency in the various styles does not suggest competence in training children.

In this article, we’ll discuss four factors that every parent should consider before choosing a martial arts instructor for their kids. Each factor requires asking questions and observing classes. You’ll need to uncover the trainer’s philosophy as well as their style of training and the regimen they follow. You should also consider your child’s comfort level with the trainer and their approach to safety issues.

Philosophy

Every dojo has a guiding philosophy and they vary by facility. Some academies emphasize self-defense and may teach an aggressive response to hostile situations. Other schools stress personal growth, physical and mental discipline, and cultivating respect for others. The school that you choose for your children should encourage principles that are consistent with the values you want them to learn. While most teachers will conduct their classes under the dojo’s philosophy, you should ask in order to be certain.

Training Style

Every martial arts instructor will have their own style of training kids. Some styles may be inappropriate. For example, a trainer might be verbally abusive if a child makes mistakes or otherwise fails to perform. Some instructors will merely explain moves rather than demonstrating them. Still others will overcompensate for their students’ age and speak in a manner that is more appropriate for smaller children.

The problem is that a child’s appetite to learn the martial arts must be nurtured in the right way. If an instructor’s training style fails to do so, that child can often become discouraged. Eventually, they’ll lose interest.

Level Of Comfort

Allowing your son or daughter to meet the teacher before enrolling them into martial arts classes is critical. The dojo’s trainer might be proficient and use an encouraging training style, but your child can still feel uncomfortable in his company. Eventually, that lack of comfort will affect how much they get out of the classes. Visit the dojo with your son or daughter and encourage them to ask the instructor questions about the training. That exposure will help them gain familiarity with the teacher.

Safety

Of course, ensuring your child’s safety is the most important factor when choosing a martial arts instructor. You might be surprised by the differences between trainers. Some teach children to break wooden boards with their limbs. Keep in mind that young people’s bones are still growing; board-breaking might pose a problem. Other teachers routinely encourage their students to “shake it off” in the event they’re injured. While that might be appropriate in circumstances where a child simply wants attention, the teacher must be able to identify when a real emergency exists.

You’ll need to observe a few classes in order to truly understand a teacher’s approach to safety issues. Take note of how they treat children who claim to be injured. They should use a balanced approach that is neither too dismissive nor overly protective.

Long-Term Instruction

Philosophy, training style, level of comfort, and approach to safety… each factor is critical to ensuring that your child gets as much out of his or her martial arts classes as possible. These factors play an enormous role in kids’ physical and mental development during training. The teacher who provides the right balance often establishes a bond with students that becomes an integral component of their progress.

One of the challenges of finding a great instructor is knowing that they’ll teach at the dojo long-term. Smaller academies typically offer trainers who have been there for years; some are even owners. Larger schools may experience higher turnover. Keep that in mind while you’re visiting different studios with your child.

Kids martial arts classes often serve as the springboard for a lifelong pursuit. The instructor that you choose in the beginning can play an important part in encouraging that pursuit.

The Dojo of Karate combines the ancient art of Wado-Ryu Karate with modern teaching methods in a convenient Denver dojo. More information can be found at http://www.thedojoofkarate.com

Martial Arts is Great for Kids!

By fight good on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 | No Comments

Admit it. When the going gets tough at home, we’ve all plopped the kids in front of the television and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, we can get started on dinner, maybe check email or sort that massive pile of laundry.

But when your five-year old yells at you “Mom, Kids Rule!” or your ten-year old horrifies you with language that would make a sailor blush, you realize there must be something amiss with what these family programs really teach our kids. And sadly, it’s happening all over the media today, from sports to cartoons, and our children are learning things that we, as parents, vowed we would never teach them. Old fashioned values like respect and self-discipline, seems to have been forgotten, replaced by the dreaded “bling bling” pop culture of today.

Just the thought of your angelic three-year old morphing into a designer-clad, smart-mouthed, money-worshipping, me-obsessed, lay-about is enough to make any parent consider that threatening military school brochure, but there is a solution out there to consider, Martial Arts training!

From Ninja Turtles to The Karate Kid

You and your kids have all 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.

The Advantages

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 excel in this activity, while combining physical and mental practices.

Many do not realize this, but it is a fact that martial arts training is 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 a martial arts program because of the clear benefits in its structured training techniques.

Now imagine your child actually learning valuable life lessons, skills that they will take throughout life, laying the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted and fulfilled adult life. If only karate for kids was popular when we were growing up!

Steve Doss has taught self-discipline and focus to thousands of children through the martial arts. Find out how your child can grow up with both confidence and a respectful attitude at http://www.pmaaustin.com.

Facts about Martial Arts for Kids – Part 5

By fight good on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 | No Comments

“Will my child become more violent from learning karate, jujitsu, or another martial art?”

In a word, “No.” Children learn self-control by practicing martial arts; and the code of conduct that is enforced, within the studio, is carried outside into every day life. The average martial arts school works with parents, and academic teachers, toward the goal of optimum student success.

When you see a Karate demonstration team perform, that is not an indicator of the life skills taught within the Karate class. It is the “flashiest” component of Karate training, presented to capture the public attention. Ten minutes of kids using ancient weapons, breaking, and working in synchronized choreography, is more interesting to the public, than a lecture, by me, about dealing with bullies without violence.

However, let’s take a closer look at the ten minutes of flash. The next time you see a martial arts demonstration team, remember those children have to practice those techniques over and over again. This requires self-discipline, goal setting, perseverance, and each child being a team player.

There is no room for a “one way” personality on any martial arts demonstration team. Such a personality would work against a good public performance. In a typical Karate class, all of the above-mentioned life skills are learned and much more.

Children learn much more about violence on the television, playing with video games, and dealing with daily life, than they will ever learn in a karate class. Even if a Karate teacher was the classic “evil sensei,” that you may have seen in the Karate Kid movie or on Kung Fu Theatre, most children can think of far worse violence.

All you have to do is watch the news, cartoons, listen to the radio, or read a newspaper, to see things worse than unsupervised hand-to-hand combat. So, the self-defense methods taught to children actually pale in comparison to school shootings, bombings, wars, and drive-by shootings.

Karate was created by unarmed civilians on the island of Okinawa and was taught in secret among family members for their personal protection. The philosophy, within a martial arts school, will not always be the same, but the seeds of violence are not sown within a martial arts setting.

All you have to do is look around you to see more, and far worse, violence than learning self-defense – integrated with constructive life skills. The fact is a martial artist is not a “street fighter.” If that were a requirement, we would recruit the toughest kids in North Providence.

As I explain to the children in my Karate and Jujitsu
classes, “Never forget the word, “artist,” means to be
creative, to be an innovator, and to think for yourself.” Children who learn martial arts are more apt to be well adjusted and defuse a potentially violent situation.

On top of that, most children who study Karate, or any other martial art, will not be “trouble makers.” The children we teach from the Greater Providence, Rhode Island area have learned enough about leadership, in our Karate and Jujitsu classes, to think for themselves. For parents, the gift of martial arts training to their children has many rewards, right now, and into their future.

Paul Jerard is the director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in RI. He’s a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness. He wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students wanting to be a Yoga teacher.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Martial Arts Classes are Great for Kids

By fight good on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 | No Comments

Martial arts are great for all ages but many people do not consider taking their children along to local classes. Mainly considered as an adult activity, kids often miss out on the opportunity to learn Martial Arts and learn the vital skills that they teach. So just what exactly can Martial Arts do for your kids then?

Martial Arts and the Skills it teaches

There are a variety of different martial arts and each one offers its own advantages. Overall though there are some advantages which all of the various Martial Arts practices give to children. These advantages include:

• Higher Self Confidence

As Martial Arts teach you to look after yourself and to protect yourself, it can give kids a higher self confidence. This is great especially for kids who are quite shy. It introduces them to others and it allows them to become stronger and to feel stronger mentally. So, if you do have a child who has low self esteem, one of the best things that you can do is enrol them in a Martial Arts class.

• Keeps Them Fit

All Martial Arts involve some kind of physical activity and that can help to keep kids fit. Many kids these days simply prefer to sit around and watch television; however with Martial Arts it gives them something to do. It is fun and they will actually like doing it so what more could you ask for?

• It Keeps Them Out of Trouble

As the activities give kids something to focus on, they learn to become more aware, more grown up and they will also keep themselves out of trouble. All Martial Arts tend to focus on the mind and body and the ethics behind them are really good for kids to learn. If your child has something to focus on they are less likely to get into trouble.

Overall there are many reasons why kids belong in Martial Arts classes. They meet new people, they have something to focus on to keep them out of trouble and they also learn how to protect themselves. It is all about giving power and a sense of belief to the kids and teaching them that you do not always have to react with violence when something attacks you, but you can use physical contact to restrain the opponent and protect yourself.

Kids certainly seem to love all forms of Martial Arts and there are more advantages than disadvantages of signing them up for a class. So, if you have never thought about enrolling your child into a class near you, you may want to reconsider.

Bjjtapes.com is a producer of martial arts videos. Please go to www.bjjtapes.com.

Martial Arts Can Teach Kids More

By fight good on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 | No Comments

As adults also have problems paying attention at times, it is therefore unsurprising and altogether natural for kids to have similar difficulties in concentrating. Unless your kid is suffering from ADHD, those problems can be easily rectified when you enroll him or her in a martial arts workshop.

Martial Arts Are Good for Kids
Many parents are reluctant to have their kids enroll in martial arts classes because they suffer from the same mistaken assumptions shared by the public.

Martial arts do not teach kids violence. It is, in fact, very much against violence and for a martial arts student to use his skills to commit violence or inflict physical harm violates the most basic code of martial arts. When you enroll your kid in a martial arts workshop, he learns skills for self-defense but more importantly, he learns the importance of self-control: he learns that such skills should only be used as a last resort and only to defend himself and nothing else.

How Kids Acquire Concentration Skills in Martial Arts
Before kids are taught high-flying kicks and impressive karate chops, all martial arts classes begin with relaxation and concentration exercises. Every move you see in martial arts are rooted in learning concentration and self-discipline.

Your kids will be taught how to relax their minds and bodies. They will learn how to best channel and shape their thoughts and achieve their goals in the most effective way possible. There will be lots of practice and exercises may be individual or by group. Most assuredly, they’ll not only benefit from these activities but have fun with them as well.

What Kids Can Get from Improved Concentration through Martial Arts
Once your kid starts developing his concentration skills, you’ll see a gradual impact of his newly acquired skills on his life outside the dojo.

Better School Performance
Your child is sure to be a better student once he starts martial arts lessons. Because of those concentration exercises, he’ll find the patience required for reading through textbooks he doesn’t care about and solving complicated problems. He will have better grades not just inside the classroom but out in the field as well because improved concentration can also improve one’s accuracy, speed, and flexibility in sports.

Better Social Interaction
Improved concentration will also make your child happier and more confident in dealing with his peers. With improved concentration, he becomes more sensitive, if not more mature, towards other people’s feelings, allowing him to enjoy deeper friendship with other kids.

Make the Right Decisions
In cases of emergency, the concentration skills he’s picked up from martial arts could also be a big help, allowing him to act and make the smartest decisions possible instead of staying rooted to the ground because of fear and helplessness.

If you worry about your child’s safety, there are a lot of ways that you can protect them. You can hire a nanny to look out for them when you have to leave home and you can also have a nanny cam to keep them safer.

Facts about Martial Arts for Kids – Part 2

By fight good on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 | No Comments

In this continuing series, let’s address more issues and frequently asked questions that concern parents who seek to enroll their child in a martial arts program. The first question in this part is possibly the most important one of all.

How do I find the right martial arts teacher for my kids?

You will know when you have a face-to-face meeting and
observe him or her teach a martial arts class. The
chemistry between a prospective martial arts teacher and you should be good.

After all, your child is supposed to learn courtesy,
respect, self-discipline, goal setting, and many more life skills from his or her martial arts instructor. If the martial arts teacher you are considering displays none of the above-mentioned qualities, please continue to shop around.

It makes no difference if your child is learning Karate, Jujitsu, Aikido, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, or Kung Fu, when the teacher is not a good role model. You don’t need to expose your children to hazards or questionable characters in order for them to learn martial arts. The martial arts school philosophy, and the instructors, should meet your standard – never settle for less.

Are you looking for discipline, academic improvement, life skills, tournament competition, self-defense, or a positive activity? Martial arts studios are not created equally. A life skills school may not meet the needs of a competitive parent or child. A “tournament school” that teaches Sport Karate, Sport Jujitsu, or enters many competitions, may be lacking in life skills and so forth.

This is not meant to take away the value of any aspect in martial arts training, but to make you, as a parent, aware that the emphasis will be different from one type of school to another. Also, the self-defense aspect will be taught differently within each martial arts school. Some martial arts schools teach more of one technique such as: punching, kicking, joint locks, sweeps, and throws.

At our wellness center in North Providence, Rhode Island, we teach all of those aspects, and we also teach self-defense through communication. For example: Wouldn’t it be better to prevent a physical conflict by talking it out? If a child is fully capable of defending himself or herself, why should he or she pursue a physical fight?

As adults, we know that the diplomatic approach to a
physical conflict will not always work, but it is worth a try. Our children need to look at social skills, awareness, and courtesy as survival tools. Whether they are walking down a street, or entering the workplace, these skills are extremely important.

Know your goals and your child’s needs. Please make sure your reasons for enrolling your son or daughter in martial arts classes are sound. Martial arts for your child, is his or her personal endeavor. You can share in the feeling of accomplishment by being supportive and watch them grow to be successful. Success is one of the most important gifts we can give to our children.

The ideal martial arts instructor should have knowledge of sports medicine and CPR training. This may be one of the reasons why serious injuries are rare. Make sure that the safety of each child is a priority with the martial arts school you choose.

Some parents may feel I play it too safe within a karate class, but they have not seen a child knocked unconscious, a broken nose, or loss of blood, in my school. When I was a Sport Karate coach, referee, and judge, I saw all of those things in tournaments, and children were all wearing protective equipment.

Therefore, safety precautions are a very important factor, when deciding which martial arts school you should choose for your child.

Facts about Martial Arts for Kids – Part 1

By fight good on Friday, October 9th, 2009 | No Comments

There are many myths about martial arts training, and the general public accepts some as fact. In the following article, I have outlined general guidelines, and precautions, for parents who are considering enrolling their child, or children, into martial arts.

Below, I have listed some common issues and questions that parents often ask about martial arts for their children. Also, you will be much more informed about the benefits of martial arts, the structure with a martial arts school, and know what to realistically expect.

What should I be looking for in a martial arts school?
Safety comes as a first priority for parents who seek
martial arts instruction for their children. Here are a number of key factors to consider:

Is safety equipment used when children are performing
exercises and drills that require contact? This is
especially important when children are sparring in martial arts. In many martial arts schools, sparring equipment is required, or the child cannot spar. The number of injuries resulting from sparring in Karate, Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon Do is surprisingly low in comparison to many league sports.

Never the less, I once had a father pull his son out of our martial arts school because he found a karate studio that would let his son “fight” without protective equipment. In our school, it is mandatory to wear martial arts equipment for the safety of the students. Sparring equipment has come a long way, so why not use it?

The flooring surface should match the martial art. If take downs, sweeps, and throws are required, there should be some kind of matted floor available. Many of the state-of-the-art martial arts schools have a floor surface specifically designed for martial arts. It makes no sense to have anyone throw a classmate on a hard floor, with the type of flooring available, as this can result in long-term injuries.

Can parents watch Karate classes?

Let’s put it this way, if you cannot watch your child
practice karate, or any other martial art, you should find another school. I can appreciate the fact that some martial arts instructors don’t want to deal with interfering parents. This is the reason for rules and signs.

Remember the “hockey dad” incident? There are a few people who, through their own conduct, create rules for the rest of us. However, you are the parent and are entitled to see your child train in karate or any martial arts class.

Fire exits, fire extinguishers, and someone who monitors visitors, as they enter a karate studio full of children, should be standard features. We have three fire exits and one main entrance, in our studio, but only one door is used for an entrance. Kids understand security because they see the same precautions in elementary school.

Also, watch out for poles in the middle of the room. Adults will spot them, but an excited child in a karate class may forget and end up crashing into one. Make sure that you feel secure about the studio, surroundings, rules, and the staff before you make a decision to have your child take martial arts classes.

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