Karate for Teens

Sportsmanship • Dedication • Leadership • Character Development • Courtesy •

Martial arts is about discovering the path between self protection and self perfection

Enrolling teens in martial arts class allows them to use their time productively. The more time teens spend in activities like martial arts that are associated with positive influences the less time teens spend in risky or unproductive activities. When teenagers are in a positive environment it has a huge effect on what kind of people they become. With so many things pulling teenagers in multiple directions; grades, sports, social and family obligations Martial arts becomes a sanctuary. Karate teaches teens how to be more aware of their surroundings.

7 REASONS KARATE IS PERFECT FOR TEENS

Reason #1

Karate students receive constructive feedback and praise that reinforces their confidence and gives them a better understanding of how to build positive relationships with others. They learn important skills of communicating effectively, listening to the needs of others, cooperation, and asking for help when needed.

Reason #2

Martial arts is a holistic approach to health and wellness, and focuses on the human being as a whole, there is more to it than just physical training. It develops mental strength throughout the training process. Being able to control one’s emotions in social or stressful situations is something many teens struggle with. Karate can help develop this sense of self control.

Reason #3

Teens Learn to Take Hits. In Karate, students learn what it is to take a hit, whether that hit is an actual blow or a disappointment like failing a test. It teaches that we all take hits in life. The key is learning how to take that hit and get back up . In Karate, your kid will learn to fail - a lot. Students learn through taking on physical contact such as in sparring, it enables them to relax and better protect themselves. That acceptance leads to being better able to respond, maneuver, and anticipate. Put another way, learning how to take a hit is possibly the best way for them to learn how to avoid it.

Reason #4

A core value of Karate is respect. This respect is not just for the Sensei (instructor) but also for yourself, fellow classmates, and everything around you. Learning to have respect for people and things helps to develop qualities of control and balance as well. Teens, learning respect tend to improve all aspects of their lives, whether its school, friends, or a job. It helps to establish a sense of dignity and well being.

Reason #5

A martial artist is taught to see, feel, and listen - both internally and externally. Tapping into intuition, fear, and courage are some examples of being able to combine the physical with the mental. Students of the martial arts face difficult and stressful situations periodically all through their training, for example” during testing”, yet are still expected to perform and think rationally.

Reason #6

In Karate, everyone is treated equally regardless of size or gender. Because of this, students face a wide range of opponents. This array of challengers helps to build self-confidence since they may find themselves fighting someone that is bigger or stronger. Sparing with fellow students, learning defensive skills, and achieving goals all give a student a sense of accomplishment and confidence.

Reason #7

The positive culture of martial arts influences students to work toward common goals together, helping them make friends that want to help each other collectively and individually. Interactions with the opposite sex at a young maturing age where there is no pressure to date and males and females are friends establishes a solid foundation for building positive male-female relationships in the future that lead to healthier dating habits

LEARN THE BENEFITS FOR GIRLS WHO TRAIN IN MARTIAL ARTS

• Often people associate martial arts training with something that boys prefer, but many girls love the challenge of martial arts. Karate supports an attitude of perseverance that serves a girl well in daily life. Girls who feel strong and have the skills to defend themselves are likely to feel more confident as they grow up. The martial arts give girls a powerful support group. In school girls may only have a few close friends, and shyer girls may not have a whole lot of friends at all if they choose not to interact. In the martial arts, you have no choice but to interact, doing drills and fighting sparring matches with other students. Friendships form and cliques are rare since everyone shares common experiences, and girls get the opportunity to feel confident and accepted.
  
• Girls who practice Karate alongside their male peers can gain a better understanding of healthy and safe interactions with the opposite sex. In Karate classes, genders are treated equally . When girls hit their preteen and teen years, the opposite sex begins to appeal to them but often times they don’t know how to approach guys as friends first. Martial arts give girls a safe and comfortable opportunity to interact with guys on a first hand basis several times a week and develop friendships.
  
• When sparring, girls learn that if they get knocked down, they don’t cry and give up; instead, they get up and keep on fighting. This attitude demonstrates itself into everyday decisions, girls in martial arts learn to stay at their tasks until they are accomplished rather than simply giving up if the going gets hard. Confidence comes from learning to deal with scary, stressful, anxious situations in our lives. Martial arts training is about putting us into situations that we aren’t perfectly comfortable with, and then helping us to develop the mental and physical tools to work through those issues. That contributes to making them feel more in control, more powerful, and more confident in themselves.
  
• For many young girls and teens, worrying about body image is a huge issue. Karate is not about appearances. Everyone wears the same uniform, designed to fit comfortably and be practical rather than attractive. In karate you are judged mainly on your technical skills. Girls learn the same skills as the boys do, and they earn belt rank for mastering these same skills. A serious martial arts practice can’t perfectly remove all of the unhealthy messages girls receive about themselves and their bodies, but it certainly can offer them an alternate view and a community that celebrates what you achieve and how you treat other people more than what you look like.