There are several different misconceptions about martial arts training out there and I’m sure you have heard of some basic ones: “If my child does that he/she will become more aggressive” or “I don’t want my kids to learn how to fight” or “My child plays too rough already and I don’t want to encourage it."
Well, let me try to set the record straight on what it’s really about:
Martial arts schools are teaching things that aren’t being taught anywhere in a child’s life. Character building is a huge part of what’s being done. From the moment students walk in they are learning and practicing. From the equipment and uniform that’s being worn and cared for (self discipline). The yes sir, yes ma’am, please and thank you exemplifying respect, the lining up in proper place and proper procedure showing the ability to follow directions in a timely manner. To the trying hard every time a student shows up asking more from themselves. The perseverance of getting through something they may not pick up the first time. Learning patience by going over movements over an extended period of time so that way they don’t have it just memorized but mastered. The self esteem to know that you are good enough and the only person you need to compare yourself with is you. The confidence to stand up in front of people and speak or perform. Over the past 20 years I’ve seen kids who were so shy, evolve into people who could stand and perform in front of hundreds.
Did you know that we teach how to make good first impressions? How to look people in the eye? How to be compassionate? How to help others? Did you know we did a project this summer with the help of students and parents and friends that rose over $5000 for less fortunate children in Haiti? I wonder what our students learned from knowing that kids just like them can’t even get fresh water in other countries without going through a big process. Maybe they learned that a small amount of people working together can make a huge difference in someone’s life? I don’t know.
Bullying is a big thing out there and we are definitely discussing this issue. We talk about how to defuse potentially bad situations. How and when to walk away. We teach them where to go for help. We also teach them HOW to ask for help without being picked on even more. We also teach them how NOT to bully and how to help a friend who may be in trouble. This issue is big and it is evolving and we are at the forefront of helping kids understand it. We have teachers/principals and child physiologists on our team who are authorities on bullying. We are the place to refer to when it comes to bullying. Here is our reference site that will be updated on a weekly basis.
Yes, of course, we are teaching the physical aspect of Martial Arts and we do teach
students the skills they could use when all else has failed. The skills are effective and work but along with those skills we talk about not going overboard and again being compassionate. I believe that those tools are better to have and never use than to not have them and need them.
Next week we will talk more about self esteem and the UFC mixed martial arts craze and how we ARE different.
Manny
Esmeraldo
Owner/instructor/forever
student
The Dojo
A Personal Development Center
203
322 2433
thedojostamford@gmail.com
