Ask any Pediatrician and they will tell you, putting your kids in marital arts is the best thing you can do for them. There are so many positive things that can come from training in the martial arts. Improved focus, better discipline, positive attitude, and many, many more…
However, today we are going to talk about one in specific, confidence. How do martial arts classes, like the ones at Synergy Martial Arts in Odenton, help our kids improve their confidence?
Everyone says it does.
But how?
Does it really?
Yes it does. I have, over the last 18 years of teaching martial arts, seen it with my own eyes. I have experienced it 1st hand.
Now there are a lot more ways then just 3. But, I didnt want to write a book, just a blog. So I will limit myself to my 3 favorite.
Hyung
What the heck is that? Hyung is sometimes referred to as Kata, forms, patterns, or poomse.
Simply put, it is a pre-determined pattern of movements that a student must learn and perform to get promoted to the next rank. Some non-traditional martial artists dont see the value in it. I have heard all the arguments.
No one fights in a specific pattern
You cant win in the UFC doing forms
If you rely on forms you will never be able to defend yourself
Every martial artist has their opinion. And they are entitled to them. Just as I am entitled to mine.
Forms or Hyung teach kids to focus. In order to get the form correctly, you must pay attention. You must go in the correct direction. You have to perform it with precision and accuracy. A lot of the forms are difficult to get right. They can be frustrating.
If you have a good teacher. One that cares about your success. They will help you get it right.
And when they do, the students feels that. When they perform it correctly they know it. And guess what??
It builds their confidence.
Board Breaking
Here is another time honored tradition. This is perhaps the biggest one that builds confidence.
We use 1in thick pine boards so our students actually have to hit it to make it break.
They look at that board and think, how am I going to break that?
They think it’s impossible.
A few years back, I had a student, a 9 year old girl that had the worst time breaking a board. She would only break the plastic training boards we had. And they are pretty easy.
So as good instructors, we helped her. We said lets hit the training board blindfolded. She was excited to try.
So when she went to break the plastic board, we replaced it with a real board. What happened?
She went through it no problem. 1st try!
And she never had a problem again. Her confidence soared. This young lady went on to become a black belt and actually took 1st place at the ITF National Championships in, yes, you guessed it, board breaking.
Physical Fitness
Being in shape. Losing weight. Both things that will change a kids life.
Especially after the pandemic.
Kids like to sit around and play video games, xbox, iPad, on their phones. Electronics have taken over. And we are starting to see the consequences of that. Its not just kids gaining some extra weight. When kids go play, they are getting injured. Their joints, bones and muscles are not as strong.
Sitting around kills their confidence. Especially when they try to play with kids that are in other activities.
But, soccer and football are not for everyone.
See martial arts focuses on individual development. They dont need to compete with the person next to them, just themselves. Make yourself better, stronger, more flexible and faster.
Once kids see and feel the changes, it changes them. Their confidence goes up.
These are just 3 of the ways we can change our kids lives (and adults too). In order for your child to get any of the benefits you must have a good instructor that cares about their success. One that they identify with. Not the parent, but the student. If your child likes their instructor they will soar. It is a connection thing.
But, that instructor must put their students success above their own. And that means sometimes being hard on them. Fixing them when they need it. Pushing them to do their best, even when they dont want to. Being strict, but making sure that they always have their students best interest first.
Want to see for your self?
Click here to give us a try for 4 weeks – https://synergykarate.com/offer/kids-martial-arts/
Let us show you how we can build your childs confidence.