The Intangible Benefits of Children’s Martial Arts
At the Renaissance Academy of Martial Arts in Lynchburg, Virginia, we understand that there are many intangible benefits to children’s martial arts. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Healthy Children reports that over six million children in the United States take some form of martial arts classes. Kids martial arts training varies widely, of course, and two of the most obvious are the opportunities to learn self-defense and to improve physical fitness. However, those are far from the only benefits kids can gain from learning martial arts. Classes like these can also improve children’s focus, self-discipline and more.
Parents of young martial artists often find that these classes improve their kid’s behavior, academic performance, self-esteem and confidence. The physical demands of the sport also provide an outlet for hyperactivity. These beneficial qualities encouraged by martial arts training extend well beyond the gym!
Learning martial arts helps kids improve their focus by teaching children to listen and to respect their instructors and fellow students. A typical martial arts class begins and ends with a bow to the teacher and stresses the importance of focusing and paying attention to achieve goals.
The environment in a quality martial arts school generally involves people of all different skill levels and ages. Those more advanced students provide for the less experienced martial artists, helping kids learn to set and stick to goals. At the same time, those less advanced encourage each child to be a similarly good example.
Martial arts also teach relaxation through stretching and breathing exercises, helping children learn to relax and calm their mind. After warm-up, students practice a variety of techniques, each requiring the child’s attention and focus. Progress in most martial arts is marked by a belt system; this allows a child to set and achieving goals. When these goals are achieved, the child gains confidence and determination.
Self-discipline is a characteristic also encouraged by martial arts training. While some view martial arts (and similar sports) as promoting violence, the goal of martial arts is to know how to defend yourself if you have to, not to pick a fight. Martial arts teach you to stay calm under pressure and to remember your training, even in intense situations. A good martial arts instructor will also stress the importance of solving problems without resorting to fighting.
Martial arts teaches kids to be honest about areas where they need improvement and to persevere, even when faced with challenges. This self-discipline extends to setting and achieving goals in many other areas of life. It takes focus to set realistic goals and work towards them; it takes self-discipline to keep working toward them, no matter what.
Martial arts training improves kids’ (and adults’) self-discipline, focus, confidence and much more. Perhaps the biggest benefit of martial arts training, though, is the fact that these attributes do not stay at the gym. A self-disciplined person is more likely to stick to healthy eating habits and to consistently work out. A self-disciplined person has self-control and does not tend to get into trouble unnecessarily, in any area of life. The determination, confidence and leadership a child learns as a martial artist can benefit them for the rest of their life.
ABOUT THE RENAISSANCE ACADEMY
Renaissance Academy of Martial Arts is the finest martial arts school in Lynchburg, Virginia. With classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Kids Karate, and Total Self-Defense we have something for all ages and all levels.
