We enrolled our son in an after school martial arts program at Chu's Martial Arts http://www.chusmartialarts.com/
this year. As a 4th Dan martial artist and instructor myself, I have learned that sometimes you have to give your child to someone else to teach. What is it that is important for kids from a martial arts school?
Firstly, the after school pick up is ideal for working parents. Instead of sitting in a sedentary daycare kids get a dose of professionally supervised instruction, with a positive respectful environment. Kids today have to fight against many potentially bad influences. Bullying is rampant in schools, poor diet, lack of exercise, and of course video games and TV. Martial arts programs are a bastion of traditional spartan education to counter the flow of modern sedentary life.
Kids need to learn to have confidence in themselves and not be affected by peer pressure. Kids need to learn to work hard and get results from their efforts, via the promotion testing. Kids need to learn that good manners and discipline count.
I have been quite pleased with the results we have received from Chu's Martial Arts after school program. The young instructors are gentle and nice with the kids, and seem to bring out the best in motivation and attitude in the kids. The after school martial arts pick up bus is perhaps the greatest single innovation I have seen in the martial arts in 30 years. Gone are the days of parents bringing their kid for an hour program and then back home again. I have always felt that martial arts should be part of the academic curriculum. The after school pick up brings that one step closer to reality.
While the style of martial arts may be of concern for some, I believe that all martial arts are buildt on the same principles: integrity, indomitable spirit, humility and good sportsmanship. Chus has these qualities as part of their curriculum. Make sure the school you find has it too.
Keep on Kicking,
The Adventure Guy
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