subject: Involving Children In Martial Arts [print this page] Over the past decade, study after study has shown that sports are an important part of the mental and phyiscal development of children. Alison Hendrie, of Parenting, says that enrolling in martial arts is an excellent way for children to receive the beneficial effects that a sport can have on the mind and body.
Apart from the more obvious benefits mentioned above, beginning a program in martial arts will give kids the chance to make new friends and have positive role models. Most kids love action films, and they love to see the good guys beat the bad guys using their martial arts training. This can be a great way to make the idea of training in the discipline appealing to them. Once they get more involved in the sport they will learn that there's a whole lot more to it than just kicking and punching, and that these arts focus just as much on mental clarity, emotional balance and self-discipline as they do on jumping and striking. If you live in Fairfax, martial arts studios in the area have programs that have been especially designed for children. This article will talk about a few of the programs on offer in the region and what the curriculum offers.
Lil' Warriors Program
In Fairfax, martial arts programs called the Lil' Warriors are classes which are designed specifically for younger kids from four to six years old. These classes teach a wide range of different styles, from Thai Kickboxing (an aggressive system focusing on strikes and kicks) to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (which allows a smaller opponent to fight a larger opponent). This wide range will help young students develop their balance, hand-eye co-ordination, and stamina. In Fairfax, martial arts instructors are keen to work with children, with one instructor, Pat Tray, saying that martial arts helps your kids develop self-discipline, self-respect, dedication and a high-level of personal fitness. Qualities attained in youth remain with us for life. Strong words with a strong meaning.
Junior Tridents
Also in Fairfax, martial arts programs called the Junior Tridents offer training for students between seven and twelve years old. Similar to the Lil'Warriors program, this level incorporates several different styles to give young learners the best possible foundation for advanced martial arts, and other sports, training. This program also offers a good transition stage into more "grown-up styles of learning, as the classes are structured and delivered in the same way as the adult classes. This way, they can move easily at the end of their time to the next level. Apart from self-defense training, the Junior Tridents are interested in building self-confidence and discipline within their students.
Making exercise a part of regular life helps to create a routine of fitness and healthy living that will be carried on into adulthood, and martial arts is a great way to combine great physical health with good mental health.
by: Pat Tray
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