You might naturally associate martial arts with Hollywood stunts and kicks and punches, but the self-defense aspect of martial arts is just part of it. Children that learn martial arts develop the confidence to know that if they are ever bullied, they have the skills they need to defend themselves. However, the real skill we teach is diffusing situations with words before they ever escalate to a physical level.

Martial arts help teach self-discipline and socialization skills. In fact, many parents whose children have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) report great success with these programs because self-control and concentration are commonly underdeveloped skills in ADHD kids.

And did we mention ... martial arts are FUN!

• Fosters self-discipline

• Boosts socialization skills

• Encourages physical activity

• Teaches kids to set and achieve goals

• Increases self-esteem 

• Instills a sense of respect 

• Encourages non-violent conflict resolution 

• Improves listening skills 

• Develops teamwork skills 

• Improvement in other areas of life

What does "improvement in other areas of life" mean? It can mean getting better grades in school, knowing how to use anti-bullying programs to prevent violence amongst peers, or simply the appreciation that comes from learning and mastering a difficult skill through practice.

Perhaps most importantly, students learn that physical activity is a healthy way to have fun. With health problems such as diabetes and obesity affecting more and more young people, parents should take steps to help their children avoid these issues. Children's martial arts gives kids a fun way to exercise, learn essential life lessons and develop a sense of self-reliance.

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