Children and Martial Arts

The benefits of martial arts training, especially for children and teenagers, are much more than simple physical improvements. Martial arts benefits span a spectrum of physical, mental, and social attributes, all of which are learned and improved through martial arts training. What are your goals for your child? Here are some reasons why children study karate.

Self Defense
Karate training teaches us the physical skills and techniques that are necessary to defend ourselves. We teach all of our students to use these skills and techniques constructively and defensively, rather than in any offensive or abusive way, not for fighting, but rather to be used only in situations that demand self defense.

But, self defense goes beyond acquiring physical skill and ability. Competent martial arts instructors will teach "playground safe" tactics that allow children to disengage from situations and seek help from the adults in authority. Our cirricula emphasize awareness and avoidance. Children don't need to be taught how to "fight". Rather, they need to be taught to be aware of the surroundings, how to avoid or escape and where to go for help. Self-defense is vastly different than fighting.

Focus
Karate training helps young students learn to sharpen their focus. Karate helps improve the attention span and focus of children.

Positive Role Models
Karate instructors and senior students are individuals that have acquired unique skills through commitment, hard work, and dedication, and represent positve role models for children.

Self-Discipline
In order to become proficient in the appliction of karate techniques, and to advance in rank, karate students must have the the discipline of practice and more practice. This is where the hard work comes in. Outside the dojo students must practice on their own to gain the full benefit of their study. Parents frequently enroll their children in karate classes specifically because they want the child to gain the self-discipline of martial arts.

Self-Control
If you watch the senior students in most karate schools, you will see that they exercise high levels of self-control and courtesy toward their instructors, peers, and new students. One of the benefits of karate is that self-control is something that is emphasized, and over a period of time becomes second nature to the diligent practitioner. Children learn self-control by witnessing its application by the instructors, and the senior students at the school, and from the reptition of various exercises that train both mental and physical self-control.

Memorization
Like most traditional styles, Uechi-Ryu teaches kata (stylized patterns of attacks and defenses done in sequence for training purposes). Kata is wonderful for memorization, as well as aerobic exercise, balance and coordination - just as any sport is valuable. In performing kata, a student must memorize many complicated moves and techniques.

Discipline
Karate classes are structured to include discipline from the participants. The study of martial arts must be disciplined in order to keep participants from hurting each other or themselves. Traditional styles, like Uechi-Ryu, place emphasis on discipline in the conduct of study, and classes reflect the priority that the style lends to discipline.

The Eight Virtues of Black Belt
Children also learn the importance of the eight virtues of Black Belt.
Modesty • Courtesy • Integrity • Compassion • Gratitude • Self-Control • Perseverance • Indomitable Spirit