Children & The Martial Arts

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ImageWe recognize the trend for younger kids to be invloved in the martial arts, and in all of our 3 locations, we have the KinderKicks program. Do remember that Martial Arts Centers are not and should not be Day Care! We are not a Day Care! If you need Day Care go to a properly licenced and trained Day Care facility with licenced & certified Day Care providers.

Our KinderKicks program is specially designed for our younger members (3-6 years), to be introduced to the martial arts, in a lighter atmosphere with some degree of fun. Parents are not discouraged to be present at the child's lesson, however if we find it is detrimental to the child's progress, we recommend staying out of sight. Sometimes we get the parent to join in and interact with the child, especially when the child is not confident to be by him/herself. Discipline is always expected, and is gradually introduced to the child. The lessons are structured towards building confidence, coordination, balance, focus, taking instruction, fitness etc. It would be much easier for us to simply keep the kids happy with just play activity, as in a Day Care, but you chose the martial arts for what it can do for your child and that is what we intend to do. Know that since the kids are as young as 3 years old, it will take at least 2-3 months before you see any progress in your child. At that age, the child simply has no real concept of what is being taught and our objectives are just to introduce the child to structure and developing motor skills. Do not expect too much and if you do not over indulge your child, by about the 4th month you should be able to see progress.

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Parents and the Martial Arts

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Martial Arts training for your child is more than just an activity that your child gets into.  There can be lifelong skills and values that may give your child an edge in life.  With that in mind, choose a martial arts school as you would choose which private school you would send your child to.  Take time to pick a school that actually teaches the martial arts instead of a glorified Day Care.  I realize we are all on a tight schedule but take time to be present periodically and observe your child's classes and especially promotion tests.  Assess the performance of your child in relation to your childs potential and the time spent.  There must always be progress and improvement!

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MMA vrs Traditional Martial Arts

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MMA punched, kicked and grappled its way into the Martial Arts world when the Gracie family launched the UFC on TV in the 1990's. It rocked the martial arts world and it certainly grabbed my attention. It made the public at large take notice of the martial arts again. In the early 90's I believe the martial arts was on the decline and becoming somewhat of a joke to many people in contact sports like hockey, basketball, football etc.  Martial Arts schools were so commercialized and many were run by unqualified and inexperienced instructors out to make a quick buck.  Black Belts were churned out a dime a dozen without really knowing what it took to be one and worse, what it meant to be one!  They could not hit effectively nor could they take a hit, but they strutted around with their black belts.  The only good thing the black belts were good for, was to keep the pants up!!!

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Adults & The Martial Arts

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With all the stress of daily life, more adults can benefit from training in the martial arts but do not do so.  Our instincts as parents are to put our children first before ourselves.  We fail to see the importance of keeping ourselves fit and healthy so we can provide for our familly.  I am often reminded of this when I'm on board a plane.  One of the safety protocols should the cabin pressure drop is to put the oxygen mask first on ourselves, before attending to our children.  The reason behind this is that we need to remain conscious for if we were to blackout because we were attending to our kids first, we would not be able to help our kids furthur.  So it is too with our health!  If we don't keep ourselves fit and healthy, we would not be able to support our family or may not be able to enjoy an active and productive relationship with our children.

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