Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Pros of Enrolling in Karate Classes for Kids

In this digital world, where children are more distracted, they often miss out on learning skills that will be helpful in building their personalities. These practical life skills will help them become more independent, make informed decisions, and learn a lot more about self-management skills. There is no better program than karate classes for kids for both the physical exercise part of it and character development.

In karate classes for kids, children can learn a lot more than just how to do a kick or defend themselves at their karate class. The most important aspects of karate training for kids is the improvement in their health and also a huge impact on their mental health which then contributes in building self-confidence.

Karate, or any kind of martial arts, teach many skills. Working collaboratively with others and respecting others are some of the essential traits that kids can acquire from learning martial arts at a very early age in their lives.

Here is a list of the top benefits of karate for children:

   Children have the tendency to lose their focus in a short span of time but karate training can help them to pay attention while also teaching them to focus on the job and improving their listening skills. Karate and other martial arts have been very helpful to children who have a hard time staying focused on one things. It is also a huge benefit for kids with even more severe difficulties related to attention. As a result, your child will not only excel in physical activity but this will also improve their ability to stay focused and become focused in home and at school.

  Self-control can be defined as listening to parents, paying attention in class or behaviors like listening to teachers rather than talking to fellow mates. These may seem basic, but it can help kids to attain a certain task if he or she is unfocused. Learning self-control will not only help them to succeed in school but in life as well. This toughness should be given priority and parents should help them pursue this above all physical attributes. The most successful way to ensure that they learn self-control is by taking your kids to karate schools so that they can accomplish any task positively and be successful in what they do now or later in their lives. The longer your child is involved in karate classes it becomes more beneficial and attainable in long term goals.

   Discipline, one of the core principles of karate or martial arts in general. In karate, kids are taught to perform a series of lessons when they start their first lesson. One of the lessons is to learn to bow to the karate master. The various movements like kicking, throwing and punching are all taught to them to be well thought before acting which can help improve self-discipline. They will also learn to behave with their fellow classmates and resist urges to misbehave or skip classes, which helps shape and impact how the interact with company culture in the future.

Karate classes are best at providing opportunities to your kid to take part and indulge in communication with others. While other kids would be spending time in front of the screen or a smart phone your child will be utilizing that time to socialize and build connections. They will be more active when they’re in school, surrounding their classmates or in social gatherings. You as a parent won’t have to make an extra effort to teach them to appropriately react to emotions and express their thoughts. Enrolling them to karate classes will help do this for you.

Monday, 20 April 2020

Karate Classes for Kids: A Parent’s Guide

If what you’re looking for is to cultivate discipline, build strength, and empower your child with an arsenal of effective self-defense moves, then you ought to enroll them in karate classes.
Whether you have young children or young adults, karate classes for kids offer them a fun way to improve their physical health while they learn useful self-defense skills. It is also likely to aid in the development of their character.

 
Through consistent practice of karate or any martial arts, they will cultivate confidence, increase focus and it will help to develop valuable conflict resolution skills.
Exercise is great for every kid. But kids who learn and think differently can have a hard time finding a sport that suits them. Find out why karate classes might be a good fit for your kid.
You may be wondering, “What is a good age for my kids to start martial arts classes?”
This depends on a long list of factors, including the type of martial art, how mature your child is, and the specific martial arts studio you are looking at. Below mentioned are all of the benefits to starting early to help you make an informed decision.

Benefits to enrolling your child in karate classes for kids at an early age:

Mental Focus

Youth classes are some of the most amazing, fun, and energetic to watch. Yet, youngsters learn to focus when the instructor is talking. Kids soak up information like sponges; they follow their peers in class and learn to follow directions, and to sit up straight.
In many martial arts schools, students receive a structured, well-rounded education in physical fitness, mental alertness, humility, and respectful social interaction. They will also gain confidence to face an increasingly scary world with a desire to avoid trouble- and with the ability to deal with it if the need arises.

Character Development

Respect is an important trait for everyone to have, and it requires some learning. Martial arts classes teach youth great values. In many martial arts traditions including karate, students of all ages must show honor (often bowing) to their instructor as well as other classmates. Such a simple gesture sets the tone for what’s in store. It serves as a reminder to everyone that martial arts demand focus, and self-restraint- all things that qualify as excellent life skills.

Physical Development

You can probably remember back to how awkward and accident-prone you were as a youngster as you got used to your body. Children learn how to master their body in the studio.
Unlike youth basketball or swimming lessons, your child will learn to punch, kick, grapple, block, and more. Even though it takes place in a controlled and monitored environment, the very nature of martial arts is, to various degrees, aggressive. The benefit of karate is that it redirects their natural impulses toward aggression and channels them in constructive, helpful, and beneficial ways.

Fitness

Childhood obesity is a pandemic that is on the rise. The first step in preventing obesity is to address it before it starts. By introducing your child to the world of martial arts, you will help them beat the odds.

Goal Setting

Like many individual sports, martial arts students often set measurable personal goals.
The belt system in most martial arts disciplines provide tangible goals for kids to work toward and achieve. Many martial arts traditions use a colored belt system of ranking. Each belt represents a certain level of proficiency and often requires some test or qualifying examination to obtain. Seeing other students wearing higher-ranking belts often compels kids to strive for the next level.

Wednesday, 25 March 2020

What Would You Like Your Kid to Learn? Martial Arts Classes for Kids

If you have a little Bruce Lee fan at home who wants to try some martial arts, the idea of enrolling your kids to martial arts studios near you seems like a good idea. Consider reading the points below on how martial arts classes can help your kid’s psychological, physical as well as behavioural development.   


What is Martial Arts?

Martial arts is a combination of fighting techniques, mental discipline and physical exercise. These self-defence techniques help in the holistic development of an individual as it involves the coordination of mind and the body. Kids gain both physical fitness and mental strength by learning martial arts. But with a dizzying array of martial arts options, it can be tough to pick one. Each discipline requires slightly different skills and techniques in order to be successful. Finding the right match begins by understanding each discipline and philosophy.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is one of the most popular martial arts and is even recognized as an Olympic sport. Attacks involve kicks, punches and throws; making it a well-rounded option.
The discipline is heavy in sparring, so you will need to commit to buying protective gear to get started. On the flip side there are a lot of opportunities for competition because of the popularity of the martial arts. If your child is competitive this should be on the top of your list.

Karate

Karate is the most common martial arts in the whole world, created as far back as the 1300s. There are no weapons involved and the focus is on full body workout. Most traditional martial arts classes for kids teach their students to incorporate martial arts as the way of life with the emphasis being on self rather than opponent.
The discipline is suited for kids interested in learning striking techniques with hands and feet. Breaking boards and forms are major elements used during training.

Judo

Also a well-known Olympic sport, Judo was designed to defend against strikes and use the opponent's attacking mentality against them. Concentration is the main thing and involves timing and controlling your opponent’s body weight. If leaning throws and defence are high priority, Judo is one of the best options out there.

Kung Fu

The focus of Kung Fu is on balance and relaxation techniques. Strikes are usually performed moving forward in close proximity to your opponent.
If your child does not do well in close personal spaces or has slow reflexes, this probably isn't the martial art you should choose for your kid. If you want a sport that teaches balance and concentration, then it is a good fit.

Benefits of martial arts classes for kids

  • One of the central tenants of all forms of martial arts is an absolute focus on self-discipline. Today’s kids are so accustomed to receiving instant gratification that lessons in self-restraint and discipline are not always easy to come by. With a martial arts background, kids are always reminded of how essential self-discipline is.
  • Confidence comes with achievement, so your child’s self-esteem levels will get a boost with every new move they master and every new step they reach. Kids who suffer with low sense of self-worth usually become more confident as time progresses while they are enrolled in a martial arts class.
  • Whether they are breaking boards to get a new belt or sparring in practice to master a new maneuver, there are few things in martial arts classes for kids that your child does alone. Working together to learn new things and accomplish goals in an important life lesson for kids to learn, and martial arts can help your child to learn that lesson.

Wednesday, 4 March 2020

Tired of searching “Taekwondo studios near me” and not finding what you need? Here is what to look for.

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a Taekwondo studio near you. Unfortunately, there are many schools open it is hard to find one that has the right classes to fit your schedule and the right instructor for your family needs. How do you find a school that gives you (or your child) belts based on the progress of your abilities, rather than your ability to pay? How do you avoid a Taekwondo studio that teaches a watered-down version of martial arts?

Before making a decision, consider the following criteria:
     Who is the instructor?
     Is the taekwondo studio near me or near where I live or work to make class schedules easy?
     How much is it going to cost?
     Which types of Taekwondo does the studio teach?



Since Taekwondo is booming in every corner of the world, many academics and studios have appeared in the market offering their training programs. Some of them may be taking advantage of a good business opportunity with little experience. It’s important to find a studio near you that has a real interest in passing along real teachings, philosophy, and techniques of accurate Taekwondo.

How do I find the right Taekwondo studio near me?

  1. First you have to understand that there are different styles of this martial arts. The most recognized styles are ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) and WTF (World Taekwondo Federation), which are the two main taekwondo federations in the world and have a lot of history behind their rivalry. The ITF has evolved with time but at its original form you will find traditional Taekwondo.

It’s not just about choosing the right studio but the most important thing to keep in mind is to define and recognize what to expect and what you want to achieve.

  1. Now filter all the Taekwondo studios near you in the style you have picked, for instance, type “taekwondo studios near me”. Check their website, social media, and reviews to have an insight into how the culture is and will it be suitable for your preference. Since this hopefully will be a long term investment for you or your children look for a studio that is convenient from where you are coming from, whether that’s work or home, look for a location that you won’t mind going to regularly. If you chose a studio that is out of the way or far from you when you start out it might sound like a big deal and you won’t be consistent in attending your training.

  1. A complete Taekwondo curriculum includes philosophy, meditation, basics, forms, self-defense, sparring, leadership skills, and fitness. A studio that doesn’t adhere to these rules may still be the right school for you but the further the teachings stray from tradition, the more careful you need to be in selecting the studio. At the very least, inquire as to why these discrepancies exist. Check the following:

     Taekwondo is Korean martial art. But they might include weapons such as staffs, nunchucks, etc that may be from other martial arts.
     Taekwondo teaches self-defense. Physical fitness is a prerequisite for self-defense but each person should be allowed to make progress at their own pace. Limited contact sparring is also an essential step in learning self-defense skills. Beware of the Taekwondo schools that do not use sparring.

  1. Not everybody is qualified to be a Taekwondo instructor. Do a little research on the instructor. Find the instructor’s certification and the organization that issued the certificate. How long has the instructor been practicing? What is the rank of the instructor? Get professional references and verify them. Don’t make a mistake of thinking that all of the martial arts classes in a particular school will fall under the teaching expertise of the owner or the instructor. That is why it’s essential to ask plenty of questions, read reviews and verify them before making a decision.

How to choose a karate studio near you?

The typical gym routine- running on a treadmill and lifting weights, can get pretty monotonous. If you are looking for a new way to spice up things, why not try some sidekicks and roundhouse kicks into the mix? Karate classes are a good way for both adults and kids alike not only to get in good shape but learn how to whoop a butt or two in the process.

You might have searched on YouTube or other search engines: “karate moves” or “karate studio near me”. But karate isn’t something you can effectively learn simply by watching a YouTube video or any other instructional videos or tutorials. You need someone to guide you through the training and guide you through the process of learning. Then you need practice over the practice, with that guidance and correction, on a regular basis, in an environment that promotes and develops your skills.



Now you might be thinking that there are oodles of karate studios near me and not all of them are great. So how do I choose the right karate studio? What should I look for in a karate school? Our karate classes good for kids? Here are a few points to walk you through the process of choosing the best karate studio:

Introspection
First, you need to do a little introspection. Knowing what you want will affect what you should go for. If you are just looking to get in shape and not necessarily focusing on self-defense, it doesn’t matter what type of martial arts you are going to learn. Some of the martial arts are considered more of a sport while others are wholly practical.

Research
Make a list of all the karate studios within the distance you are looking within. But first, we need to answer the following question: “what is the purpose of joining a karate class and what do you want out of it?” This is probably the most important question to ask yourself to save time and choose the right karate studio.

If an institute offers free introductory classes, take one. The teaching style might vary from each school from being very regimented to overtly loose. If you haven’t ever been trained for karate you might find this process a bit overwhelming. But exploring is worth it if you don’t want to end up learning from a not-so-good studio and prick a hole in your pocket.

Instructor
Your dedication to the training will be influenced by the people surrounding you. If your teammates and trainer inspire a sense of camaraderie and family, then you’ll find it easy to learn and improve over time. And then the most important thing is the instructor. Your ideal instructor is someone with whom you can build a strong and close relationship. Is he knowledgeable about art? Does he/she answer your questions? And above all, is this the person with whom you feel you could learn?

Is the team concept important? Of course. Learning to work together in the pursuit of a common goal is worth the skill to have. And if you find your child always separated from the crowd, sitting on a bench or stuck out in bonnie-weeds, is he developing to the fullest?


 Karate classes are one of the few avenues that are available for children, that is 100% about them, their success or failure lies solely on their shoulders. A good karate school will make and learn your child just as quickly your child can learn and grow. It will show a child how training builds focus and evolves him to be a better person and eventually lead to better grades and better performance in school.

Thursday, 6 February 2020

Top 5 Benefits That Martial Arts Classes for Kids Provide

Martial arts has always had a fascinating mix of self-defense and body expressions. Legends such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan helped bring martial arts from the big screen to real life, popularizing it worldwide. While martial arts may seem like a sport for adults, many parents are choosing to enroll their kids in martial arts classes because martial arts are not just for self-defense; they come with many mental and physical benefits for those practicing it.

Getting a martial arts trainer is as easy as typing ‘martial arts studios near me' ,but parents who are skeptical of sending their kids for martial arts training should also know that martial arts is a lot more than just flashy punches and kicks. Here are top 5 benefits of martial arts classes for kids:


1.  Generating Focus and Calmness

Typically, kids have yet to develop the ability focusing. We can’t blame them; most kids are active and cannot just stay calm for extended periods of time. Training for martial arts helps them generate focus not only when practicing it, but also during everyday tasks and activities. Improved focus means improved calmness, helping them find their inner peace and keep their head cool.


2. Self-Discipline

Training for martial arts requires a great deal of self-discipline in order to master the moves. In fact, self-discipline is the very first thing kids learn, so they can put in their focus and intensity on training. It also helps them give a sense of responsibility and confidence. 

3. Self-Defense

Parents always want their kids to be safe and are often worried when kids are outside, alone and not in their field of view. But no matter how safe one may feel, it is better to have self-defense skills that can protect themselves from harm. Having the knowledge of martial arts means they can protect themselves and those around them from basic, non-threatening attacks. 



4. Coordination & Motor Skills

Training for martial arts helps improve coordination among kids. For example, constantly practicing their punches and kicks with an equally skilled opponent means they need to be constantly aware to hone in their reaction and hand-eye coordination skills. It also enhances their motor skills, allowing them to move around more freely and properly apply their strength.

5. Physical and Mental Fitness

One of the most important benefits of training for martial arts is that kids can greatly improve their physical and mental fitness. Physical fitness includes strong heart, toned muscles, efficient blood flow and regulation inside body, and proper exercise. Mental fitness includes increased confidence, better awareness of surroundings, efficiently handling tough situations, improved self-esteem and many more. 

Everything You Need to Know as a Parent before Signing Up Karate Classes for Your Kids

Many parents sign up their kids for karate classes so they can learn ‘self-defense’ and protect themselves from bullies and assailants. However, sending your kids to karate school to learn how to hurt others is never a valid reason. Karate has always been projected as a self-defense sport, but there is a lot more to it. Then there’s common misconception that karate and martial arts are interchangeable terms. While karate is a form of martial arts, martial arts is not limited to just karate; it encompasses many other fighting styles such as jiu-jitsu, taekwondo, Kung-Fu, Judo, Muay Thai, etc.

Not all martial arts schools teach these styles. Some teach only karate, some teach mixed martial arts that blends different martial arts styles into one, while other schools only teach advanced martial arts. Karate is often deemed as the perfect sport for a kid to get into martial arts because it is the easiest to learn, plus the intensity is not as much as other specialized martial arts. If you are planning to get your kid into a karate school, searching for ‘karate studio near me’ can bring up relevant karate schools near your home.
Prior to enrollment, you need to know some things before signing up your kid for karate. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself (and your kid) before signing them up for a karate class.

Do I Need Only Karate? Or Mixed Martial Arts?
The first question to ask is whether you want your kid to train in karate only. If your kid is under 10, then only karate would be the preferred option because the physical demands are not as great as other martial art styles. For example, Tai Chi requires a lot of patience, which most kids that age have yet to practice. Kung Fu requires one to be in the same posture for a long time, which kids in that age often cannot do. Brazilian jiu-jitsu requires split-second thinking and heavy memorization, which most kinds under 10 cannot commit to. This leaves only karate as the best possible option.

What Kind of Karate I Want My Kid to Learn?
Martial arts consists of two major types. One that specializes in self-defense, and one that focuses more on being able to attack. You need to figure out which kind of karate you want your kid to learn. Karate is its entirety is a wholly self-defense style sport, meaning if your kid learns only karate, then he/she will be only able to defend aggressively with minimal focus on attack. But if you want your kid to be prolific in attacking, they need to be trained in other styles too. For this, you require a martial arts school, not just a karate school that teaches nothing other than karate.

What Kind of School I Want?
The final question describes where you want your kid to be trained. Do you need a serious school that emphasizes discipline over everything, or a casual school that allows your kid to learn at their own pace? The outcomes will be slightly different, so it is important to do research before choosing the karate studio for your child. .