Are the martial arts right for your child?
· An alternative to team sports: There are many advantages to participating in martial arts instead of team sports, such as Football and Netball. If you have a child who does not enjoy team-related activities, martial arts provide a way for your little competitor to learn not only the physical skills of athletics but also the mental skills such as concentration and memory.
· Safer than other activities: Study after study has shown that participation in a well-run martial arts school is far safer than nearly any other physical activity your child is likely to be involved in, including sports such as Football.
"Kids are always showing up for class with injuries they received in another sport, like rugby or horse riding. "I tell them, 'You ought to stick with something safe -- like karate.'"
· Confidence builders: Some kids begin martial arts with self-confidence problems, because they are small or fragile or being bullied, and they quickly begin to look and feel more confident. Martial arts training can even be an introduction to good manners.
· Working out the aggression: Another advantage of the martial arts disciplines, according to instructors, is that they discourage aggressive behavior outside of class. Because children who "bully" others often have self-esteem issues, the martial arts helps to strengthen self-confidence.
Who can participate?
Age: Some say a child is never too young to begin a martial arts program. The Goju Ryu Martial Arts Academy offers programs for children as young as 5. These classes offer basics in coordination, motor skills and following directions
If you are 7 or 8 then your classes offer a more challenging set of training methods which include harder katas, more complex motor skills, as well as team work, cooperation and fitness work.
The 9 -11 year olds work on Traditional Katas, sport Karate, selfdefence and are taught an understanding of fitness training, nutrition and a healthy life still which shows how Karate training is a key part of a balanced approach to your life.
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