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How Karate Lessons Can Empower Your Child

It is a common misconception amongst parents that karate is simply a form of violence and aggression. The confusion lies in the fact that it is supposed to teach discipline and control but the actual practice involves kicking and punching.

Drawing a comparison between the two, is somewhat difficult and parents question whether they are helping their children or simply promoting technical fighting.

Although karate isn’t rocket science, finding the peace behind the anger is a road worth travelling. In order to make sense of the confusion, exploring the history should shed some light on the subject.

Karate, by definition, means “empty hand” and was developed in Okinawa Japan. The sole purpose of this development was self-defense. In no instance should it be used to attack another person or even provoke violence. Only when the need arises to protect yourself should the techniques be utilized.

The reason for the specific fighting style, is to empower your size, speed and strength in the given situation. The result of a fight should not be victory, but safety. The activity of practicing karate enriches young minds.

There is a subconscious factor that teaches children not only protection and enforcement, but discipline. This has many advantages, especially for the younger generation which seems so uncontrollable and unstable.

Karate is much more than just effectively throwing a punch. Focusing and concentration is most probably the biggest factors in reaching success for this art.

Spiritual awareness, along with meditation, can be found in the physical combinations of a kata. One of the main advantages is learning respect. It’s becoming more common for kids to disregard their innocence and rebel against authority. There is no place for this type of behavior in karate.

Moving forward can only be achieved by accepting your place and respecting those that teach you. Whether parents simply allow disrespect or stand as examples, it’s an attitude which cannot contribute to growing.

Karate is routed in respect, and is even extended to those that might try to hurt you. Self-confidence is a very sensitive issue for many kids. Facing challenges and socializing can be dramatically improved with the interaction in these classes.

Fear gets replaced by feelings of strength and capability. They can start feeling proud instead of worthless by simply showing up. The reason karate classes make it easy to crawl out from under those shells, is that practice is based upon physical action and not discussions. All they need do is listen and react. The rest will take care of itself.

Leadership is a strong skill that can be enhanced with karate. When they reach a certain point they are allowed to take control and teach the newbies. This only adds to self-confidence and developing leadership in the correct way by using the respect they were taught.

In the initial stages, the children might think they are just going to have fun and kick each other, but as the classes continue, they are going to find the deeper meaning that resides in this ancient art.

Michael Marion

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