Martial Arts - Give Your Child Life Skills for a Lifetime
By Paul Jerard
Many parents struggle with solutions to put their child on the fast
track to success, and one such solution is not usually far from home. It
is your local martial arts school.
How will martial arts change your child's life? The difference could be,
as simple as, keeping your child away from peer pressure that leads to
drug abuse. Although, the answer is much deeper, martial arts will give
any child the tools necessary to become a success in life.
Goal setting skills (a major component in martial arts training) make a
huge difference in anyone's life. By making accomplishments, your child
develops a positive self-image. This "positive self visualization"
develops academic and athletic success.
Children want structure, and they crave discipline. This makes them feel
secure in family, school, and public settings. Within their martial arts
training, they find structure, discipline, and the ability to discipline
themselves.
Social skills, (like good manners), eye contact, and public speaking,
are developed in each lesson. As your child advances through the ranks,
there may be more opportunities with the "Leadership Team" or the
"Demonstration Team." Some martial arts schools have these “elite teams”
for children to develop leadership, and inner confidence, skills.
Leadership Team members learn how to develop the skills necessary to
lead a group. Demonstration Team members learn about showmanship,
humility, and the courage to perform in a variety of public settings.
These elite teams prepare children for life's pressures, and give them
experience, at learning valuable skills.
Let's face it - we live in a time of video games, Internet, cable TV,
and fast food that tastes good. Globally, Type II Diabetes is on the
rise in children due to inactivity, high calorie diet, lifestyles,
physical education cut backs, and lack of time.
Martial arts gives children a positive way to burn calories, and
socialize with quality friends, in a safe setting. It also keeps them
away from the television.
Find a martial arts center that prides itself on the positive
development of its clients. We have many success stories - from academic
achievements, to losing pounds of unwanted fat. If you want to make a
positive change in your life, or that of a loved one, your local martial
arts studio is always there to help.
Paul Jerard, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at:
Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified
Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial
arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials,
and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He
teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors
in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga
Business Right for You? - for Yoga students, who may be considering a
new career as a Yoga teacher.
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