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.

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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?

Why karate classes for kids?

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.