tOver the years martial arts has changed. It changed hundreds of years ago, and I am sure that it will change in the future. The martial arts has evolved from being a way to defend yourself to also being a way for people to stay healthy and develop a stinger moral character. Not to long ago teachers in the martial arts realized that the mental benefits of the training could be very useful to children. The younger students today still learn the same blocks, punches, and kicks, with a great focus on the: fcous, self-discipline, and effort. These qualities we relate to all areas of the students life. Any child could benefit from a lesson on making sure you put good effort into the things you do, for example: homework, cleaning up their room, doing chores...... The list can go on and on. But we encourage to try their very best with each kick with tons of effort. We are hoping to create a habit of trying your very best with everything they do. Now lets go back to the Physical fitness aspect. The martial arts is not a sport, it is something entirely different that anyone can do. Just this past saturday I asked a class who jogs? Who goes out for a 2 or 3 mile jog? anyone? One student said he runs a lot! I said that is great. He then preceded to tell me that he runs from his living room to the dining room a lot practicing his kicks hahaha. But my point with this is these kids don't like to jog, but they love to train, which anyone will tell you is a great cardio workout! This will help keep them in good shape. Who stretched anymore? I do. I stretch when I teach class but I also stretch at home very often. If I ever play a bored game with my family I will usually be in a side split because I view that as a great opportunity, but thats just me. I asked who lifts weights? I dont. And most of the kids are to young to lift weights. But the constant low stances and high kicks will certainly give your legs a great workout and keep them strong and keep you knees strong to. Trust me. What about core strength? Who goes home and sees their child practicing sit ups or leg raises? We do some of these exercises in class, but I can tell you just from kicking high and holding kicks, your core will stay strong. So the physical fitness part of out training is important as well. I tell my students to think about your training like your workout. Punch hard, kick hard, have low stances, sweat, its good for you. That pain in your side is good for you haha.
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