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What are martial arts?

Martial arts - a collective term for a grouping of fighting disciplines fromAsia - not only provide your child with an outlet for excess energy but also for gaining self-confidence, developing a healthy respect for others and an ability to protect themselves.

Most of the martial arts systems taught today are methods of self-defense and, ultimately, emphasize avoiding conflict through self-control, self-discipline and improving self-confidence.

"Many kids think they'll learn to kick butt and that their instructor will help them," says Dakin Burdick, a Bloomington, Ind., instructor who holds a black belt in tae kwon do. "But I teach kids that the most important thing they'll learn is respect" for themselves and others.

Various martial arts styles

The martial arts comprise a huge range of styles and systems, and the list grows longer each year as new styles are developed. The styles come from Korea, Japan and China, and the name of each martial art has a meaning that is important to its history and objectives. All of the styles reinforce the same mind-body disciplines, so when choosing the best one for your child, you must consider the physical aspects of each style.

The six categories generally considered best for children are Tae kwon do, Jujitsu, Judo, Aikido, Karate and Kung Fu.

Tae kwon do comes from Korea and means "the way of the foot and fist". This style relies heavily on striking and fancy footwork to keep opponents at a distance, and the form is famous for its high kicks. Tae kwon do became Korea's national sport in 1955 and is now the world's most popular martial art. If your child has a competitive nature, tae kwon do may be the sport you are looking for.

Jujitsu comes from Japan and means "compliant art". A well-rounded style that features lots of sparring and weapons training, jujitsu is one of the oldest styles of martial arts.

Aikido comes from Japan and means "way of harmony". This style uses an attacker's movements against him or her. This deeply spiritual style strives to teach how to disable an attacker without causing serious injury. Steven Segal, an aikido practitioner and teacher, shows how personal energy can be used for defense in Under Siege and his other movies.

Judo comes from Japan and means "gentle way". A softer form of jujitsu developed late last century, judo emphasizes wrestling-type moves and is considered one of the safest styles for children. Because its founder was also a prominent educator, judo places great emphasis on moral and mental development. Judo's focus is on competition. Much like wrestling, points are assigned to competitors based on the successful execution of techniques, pins and opponent control. Judo is physical.

Karate comes from Okinawa, Japan, and means "empty hand". With a lot of punching, blocking, throwing and kicking, karate stresses defensive moves. Karate also uses weapons.

Kung fu comes from China and means "well done". Kung fu is a generic term for hundreds of Chinese fighting arts and encompasses sharp blows and kicks applied to pressure points on the opponent's body.

Are 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 soccer and baseball. 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 involved in, including sports such as soccer.

"Kids are always showing up for class with injuries they've gotten in another sport." A Kids' Guide to Self-defense and a karate black belt. "I tell them, 'You ought stick to 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. Some schools offer programs for children as young as 4. These classes offer basics in coordination, motor skills and following directions. For most children, it's probably best to wait until they are at least 7 before buying them that first uniform. "If a younger child wants to try a martial art, fine. "But what you'll probably end up with is an expensive pair of pajamas. Their attention span simply isn't long enough. Can your child even stand on one foot? If not, he or she isn't ready."

Special needs: In addition, if your child has been diagnosed or is suspected of having an attention deficit disorder (ADD), you may way to consider a martial arts class. The martial arts provide an opportunity to strengthen all of your child's body - including the important one housed up in the skull. Using mind-body disciplines, martial arts seem to address the short attention spans of today's children, even those diagnosed with ADD.

Gender: Because martial arts emphasize technique over power, the playing field is more level when compared to many other sports according to some experts.

Choosing a martial arts school

How do you choose the martial arts school that's right for your child? Like anything else, you do your homework, ask questions and visit schools convenient to your home until you find one that offers the right program at the right time and price. Once you've narrowed it down to these basics, you have the most important thing to consider.

How comfortable you feel entrusting your child to the instructors? Learn about their qualifications. Talk to other parents of the school's students, and ask plenty of questions. Visit schools and watch classes. Notice how the instructors act with the children. You are looking for instructors with plenty of patience. Do the other students pay attention when the teacher speaks? Does the instructor seem to have control over the group? Ask how the school addresses self-control, conflict resolution and issues of respect with the children.

Next, you want to make sure that the school offers the proper space. Safety, of course, is key. The physical space and equipment -- mirrors, kick bags and sparring gear -- should be clean and well maintained. The classroom should have a smooth, flat floor, with adequate padding for children.

Price of instruction

Rarely do martial arts schools advertise their price of instruction in the phone book. Prices could be determined on a monthly basis, over several months or by how often you train each week. In some cases, the price is negotiable depending on how many people will be taking classes with you (family package deals, for example).

Important considerations

As with anything else in this life, "Let the buyer beware." Because you are doing your homework, consider these points when making a decision about choosing martial arts for your child:

• Instructor/school credentials: One trip to the local sports equipment store and you will find that it's very easy to purchase a "black belt". When you consider that, you see how important it is to check the credentials of the instructors at your school. Ask which martial arts association each instructor belongs to and where it is headquartered, then call the organization and verify the instructor's rank and background.

• While it's absolutely true that practicing a martial art can tame even the most aggressive child, it's important to note that some schools, however, are less effective than others at emphasizing the importance of self-discipline and respect for your opponent. So parents should always talk to potential instructors and observe classes to see how aggression is handled.

• Lastly, as in any sport, the most dangerous children are the ones who haven't learned to control their own bodies and don't know the rules yet. These things will come with instruction, but you should make sure children wear padding and instructors are closely supervising whenever children are sparring.

For  More   Information:  Please  consult  your   physician  on  your  next  visit.