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Kid Health

An ancient discipline There are many benefits of martial arts. By Emily WatsonPublished: August, 2009

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We’ve all seen famed martial artist Jackie Chan’s killer kung fu kick. But martial arts practice has sweeping benefits for children that reach beyond their physical fitness into their character traits and confidence.     Dating back more than 4,000 years in China, martial arts is a broad term encompassing worldwide self-defense and dance forms. Martial arts forms include taekwondo, karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, American Kenpo and kickboxing – each with a different technique for combat.     “[Parents] will ask if one is better than the other, and I say, ‘We only have two arms and two legs,’” says Master Daniel Wong, instructor at Elite Fitness Taekwondo in Irvine. “For the most part, martial arts in general have the same character-building and lifestyle philosophy.”     Most studios begin children in the practice of martial arts between the ages of 2 and 4. Students can practice in group exercise classes, family classes – where Mom and Dad join in – or private lessons.     Younger children benefit from the structured environment of the class while developing their motor skills and coordination.     “Parents see it as a nice environment to make transitions,” Wong says. “A lot of the times, parents appreciate that their kids learn respect. In the first week, you’ll have a 3- or 4-year-old going home and saying ‘yes, sir,’ ‘no, sir,’ ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’”     The practice helps older children develop perseverance as they earn higher belt levels, working from the beginner’s white belt to the coveted black belt – a feat that takes about two and a half years of regular training and commitment.       “When they have a really difficult goal and they accomplish it, it gives them a greater sense of who they are,” says Mihail Genchev, chief instructor at Olympia Martial Arts in Tustin. “Also, they see adults struggle through it and know that they can do it themselves. Usually, there is the adult’s world and the kid’s world. But here, they’re the same.”         As they work hard and earn higher belt levels, students develop a sense of accomplishment, which leads to greater self-confidence. Children learn more than how to defend themselves; they develop character traits of discipline, perseverance and focus, which bring greater success in school and home life.     “What they’re learning is a life skill,” says Master Daniel Kang.     “Everything we teach them in here can be applied to the outside world.” For example, parents have found their children excelling in their school presentations after completing the required oral exam, in which students recite a manners-related creed.     Wong says he’s had parents tell him, “My child had to give a presentation, and it was like they took acting class; they were the most comfortable they could be.”     Many parents worry that the practice of marital arts will increase their child’s tendency toward violent acts or cause him or her to start fights.     “It’s a common misconception,” says Genchev. “One of the main reasons people start fights is because they want to prove something to themselves or establish themselves with their peers.”     He believes that through the practice of martial arts, students become confident in their strength, making the need to start fights unnecessary.     “Kids see that the strongest people, the bullies, pick on everybody and push them around,” says Genchev. “We hope to build a different role model: someone who can be strong but chooses not to show it.”     Martial arts also keep children active year round, since it’s an all-seasons sport. In addition, the practice is gender neutral.     “We all wear the same uniform,” says Genchev. “The concept of ‘punching like a girl’ is thrown around, but that’s because people haven’t experienced black-belt girls.” Emily Watson is an intern at OC Family magazine. The tenets of martial arts A martial arts practice cultivates a child’s character traits:  > Courtesy – As children develop respect for their instructors, they extend that politeness to their friends and family. > Perseverance – Children increasing in belt-level rank learn to persist through life’s difficulties as they achieve their goals. > Self-control – Children develop mastery over their emotions, desires and actions as they acquire discipline.  > Indomitable spirit – Children develop energy and focus. > Confidence – After accomplishing difficult goals, kids gain confidence in their strengths and abilities. n Source: elitefitnesstkd.com

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