ArticlesReader.com Menu
Newest Articles
Most Viewed Articles
ArticlesReader.com RSS
Submit Article
Login
Signup
Search the articles

Articles Main Categories
Advice
Animals
Automobiles
Business
Career
Communications
Computer Programming
Computers
Entertainment
Environment
Family
Fashion
Finance
Food
Health & Medical
Home & Garden
Humor
Internet Business
Internet Marketing
Legal
Leisure & Recreation
Marketing
Other
Politics
Reference & Education
Religion
Self Improvement
Sports
Technology & Science
Travel
Writing
Subscribe
Receive alert message from us when new articles submitted to our site for free.

Enter your name

Enter your email

Syndicate

















Related Products
Home::Sports

CHOOSING A SELF DEFENSE / MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL: A PARENTS GUI

Author : Eric Gehler & Jim Johnson
CHOOSING A SELF DEFENSE / MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL: A PARENTS GUIDE

“Daddy, I want to take Karate!”
“Mommy, Jimmy on the bus hit me again today”

There are many reasons why parents want to sign their children up for Self Defense or Martial Arts classes. Once you have made the decision, now you are faced with many different options and questions. What style? How much does it cost? Is my child to young?

Martial Arts and Self Defense Styles

There are as many different styles of Martial Arts as there are religions in the world. You have probably heard of Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Jujitsu, and even Aikido, but there are still numerous styles and offshoots of the Major styles.

So what Style is the Best and what style should I choose?

In reality, it is this author’s opinion that the style of Martial Arts your child will learn is not that important. What is important is the method of teaching and training that your child will undergo. With Martial Arts training your child should learn self-discipline, self-respect, and self-esteem, along with the confidence and ability to defend themselves.

The Instructor, (or Sensei) is the key. I suggest that all parents visit several locations with there children to observe the Instructor at work. Make sure you visit a beginner’s class as well as an upper level class. The beginner’s class is where your child will start.

Does the instructor’s personality and philosophy match your morals and ideals? Does the class participate in any “Eastern Religious” practice that doesn’t match your faith? Do you want your child viewing this instructor as a role model? Most children will look up to their Martial Arts & Self Defense Instructors as role models and will be in awe of their skills and abilities. Make sure that this person who will be dealing with your children matches your values.

It is also important to view an upper level class. The beginner classes are usually very tame, and the teaching philosophy is tailored to a younger audience. However, the older the student is, the “real” teaching and training methods are put into effect. You may feel comfortable with how the instructor “teaches” the younger beginning students, but may not be comfortable with how they handle the older students.


Cost
The majority of Martial Arts & Self Defense Locations (or Dojo’s) run their business on a membership basis. Customers must sign contracts, where they are obligated to pay for a certain time period to participate. The locations are run like a gym membership, you pay for a certain length of time and may participate as often as you desire.

Unfortunately, rarely are the “hidden costs” discussed when signing up for a class or membership. What are the hidden costs? The most over looked cost is the “testing fee”. In Martial Arts there are numerous skill levels that are equated to a belt rank. After a certain period of time and training, the student is ready to advance to a new level or belt in their martial arts style, and a “belt test” will be performed. This “belt test” almost always required the student to pay a “belt-testing fee”. I have seen fees from $50 up to $500 depending on the belt rank. Parents, make sure you inquire about these fees and are comfortable with them before you sign any contract.

Another hidden cost is required items to purchase. Some locations require that you purchase a uniform with the schools logo. The average cost of these uniforms range from $30-$50. As the child advances in rank, protective sparring gear is required. Now this is normally mandatory for the child’s protection and safety, but can be expensive. Normal safety gear for Martial Arts consists of Foot Pads, Hand Pads, Head Gear, Mouth Piece, Groin Cup, and optional Spar Vest. Depending on the style and sizes all this gear together cost about $150 retail or higher.

So Parents, factor in the total cost of classes, testing fees, and required equipment when making your decisions.

Age
At what age should my child begin Martial Arts or Self Defense? Now this is an often-debated issue. I have seen children as young as 4 years old participate in Martial Arts or Self Defense training. Some have been successful while others it was just to young. The age of which a child should start Martial Arts or Self Defense classes should be judged on an individual basis and be determined by the parents. Some key points to consider. Does the child have a good attention span? Has the child participated and flourished in other group activities? Is the child comfortable in larger group settings?

If the child is currently enrolled in grade school and has no problem adapting to those settings or conditions then they should be considered old enough to participate and benefit from Martial Arts or Self Defense instruction.

Article written by Eric J Gehler & Jim Johnson. http://www.aimusainc.com/">www.aimusainc.com
Permission is granted to publish all or any portion of this article. Author’s name and website must appear with any publication.



About the Author

Eric & Jim have been in the Martial Arts business for 15 years.
http://www.aimusainc.com/">www.aimusainc.com

Spam emails More free articles

Related articles


  1. The Rich History of the National Finals Rodeo
  2. Hockey Jerseys - One Jersey Many Uses
  3. Basketball Jerseys - Trendier Sports Gear
  4. Throwback Jerseys - Treading Down the Memory Lane
  5. Enter the Enticing World of Sports Jerseys
  6. Cat Litter on Mount Shasta
  7. A Noble And Grand Idea
  8. A Sharper Linebacker
  9. From There To Here: The Offseason So Far. Part One
  10. Snowmobile safety
  11. Give Me A Break, Any Break
  12. Was Eriksson Tricked or Not?
  13. Expectations for the Next Olympic Team
  14. Fantasy Football Information: On Draft Day, Don’t Forget the Curry
  15. The Perfect Putter
  16. Truths about Putting
  17. Power Personified
  18. Youth Sports Specialization: Beware These 4 Dangers!
  19. Tips On How To Buy A Snow Sled
  20. Stop Debating it -- LeBron James is the Best Basketball Player on the Planet!
  21. Where to Race Your Pocket Bike
  22. The Origin of Pocket Bikes
  23. What Exactly Are Pocket Bikes?
  24. Pocket Rocket Mini Bike - For Thrill Seekers
  25. 17 Deadly Mistakes That Keep You Losing At Billiards
More related feeds
amtrack soo line
best defense father shoots son in self defense mother to witness against husband lime and violet yarn laxogenin where to buy big fish lake, mi disceet interracial dating train-wreck-auto pizza pizza music menu on z103 5 gants de golf ...

The View from Taiwan: Nelson Report: Why Bush Adm has Frozen Arms ...
Taiwan's plans to procure weapons systems from the United States remain unchanged, as the nation is resolved to defend itself militarily and needs to beef up its self-defense capability, Chang Shuo-wen, a ruling Kuomintang (KMT) ...

Daffynition(s)
Martial Arts: A family of Asiatic self-defense disciplines consisting largely of sweeping ornamental gestures of the arms and legs - amusing to look at but disappointingly ineffective when one's opponent is armed with a semi-automatic. ...

Chinesisch lernen. Lern-Frust - nicht ganz politisch korrekt
Kickboxer - bloodsport) nella categoria Movies, DVDs, Action, Adventure, Martial Arts su eBay. Members of the chambers of commerce and industry and industrial groups, active participants of exhibitions and fairs have the top rating ...

Fotbal, Liga a III-a - Cetatea nu se dezminte Stiri
Martial Arts Fighting http://7.ofbwgki.com/t Fidel Song Title http://0.ihrxkeqt.com/x Marine Corps Ranks http://6.hspdihmh.com/1j Html Arrow Graphics http://8.islcdvo.com/2k Free How To Read Plasms http://4.vlamxjrr.com/4e ...

Making Light: Logic Puzzle (Open Thread 90)
(I learned how to do them in self defense, I can't have students knowing more than I do.) Our test scores improved. I'm not sure this was one of the reasons, but I suspect it had something to do with it. ...

é‹å–¶ã‚¹ã‚¿ãƒƒãƒ•blog :: リモートデスクトップã§Windowsã‚’é éš”æ“作ã™ã‚‹ ...
http://rhtpyz.in/y6 Monroe Washington Martial Arts http://nwejcc.in/lk Windows Messenger Service http://wescpv.in/aq Louer Automobile Pologne http://rhgqze.in/9a Atlanta Braves Players http://lmbytu.in/ef Middletown High School Pa ...

Tuan Anh - Vietnamese American Broadcasting (VAB 1600 AM): Top 60 ...
This blog/Web site is self explanatory -- it covers municipal wireless events, successes and failures. It's run by American Esme Vos from her office in the Netherlands and she demonstrates that people can work from virtually anywhere ...

What does it mean to be Chinese? | Fool's Mountain: Blogging for China
Imagine growing up under Japanese rule and learning Japanese in school, and then living under martial law by a Chinese government. And now today, the world refers to the mainland as China, and the island as Taiwan. ...

rezkonrse7 blog: For the ethernet to serial convertor lover.
martial arts free training video · movie theater with leather seats and massachusetts · channel golf tv · polyphonic ringtones for t mobile · pharmacy prednisone · adult gay movie rentals · permitted development right ...

 

 

© 2007 articlesreader.com - All Rights Reserved