My boss originally got his granddaughter involved in an effort to equip her against bullies, but it did such wonders for all aspects of her life (behaviour, school, concentration, respect) that he got his grandson, daughter, son-in-law, and eventually himself involved in it as well. He's 55 years old, goes three to four times a week, and absolutely loves it. I think it's a great thing for people of all ages to get into.

M^3

 

ive personally never done it but i hope to soon. my friend jon talked me into it, but he takes akido (spelling?) this art has no attack moves its all defense, but i was curious so he showed me a few things (he teaches it) and he could have broken my arm 7 ways from sunday and deflected anything i could throw at him when he told me to. i dont have the time or money yet but starting early in the martial arts is a good thing, as he tells me alot of the natural movement with it is better developed young. i would strongly advise it to anyone to enroll their children in it, i wish i had been in it when i was alot younger.

but anyways, it will teach you not to mess with people you dont know, hes 125 pounds and looks like he couldnt hurt a fly, but after 3 seconds of messing with him i guarantee you would leave him alone for life.

 

My 7 yr old just started last week. I hope I see some of those results MUD. I took it for years till I reached my green belt, but that was along time ago before I had kids or responsibility lol

 

You wanted good stories.

While I was taking lessons, once on the way there riding my bike, I got hit by a car that ran a red light. It pretty much destroyed my bike and banged and cut me up some since he dragged me until a DPW dump truck cut him off and forced him over. The guy in the car made the mistake of arguing with the workers while I was still under his car ...

When all was said and done, I walked five+ miles with my broken bike so I would not be late for my class.

You were taught being on time was very important, I was probably still in shock and the only thing going through my mind was not making my teacher mad by being late. I was not allowed to take my lesson once the sensai saw my condition. Martial arts can help teach people to be on time.

 

I took it from the time i was in 5th grade to the end of 8th grade. I must admit it was one of the better things for me. Taught me discipline self respect and honor. Also taught me how to take a punch and leave the guy wondering why it didnt hurt me half as bad as it hurt him for me to pluck him between the eyes.

My renshi always made sure that we had all a's and b's in school and if we didnt then it was 50 pushups(2 sets of 25) 90 sit ups(3 sets of 30) and leg lifts at 6 inches for as long as we could stand.

 

when i was 8 i got a ninja suit for my birthday. loved to run around the house scaring my mom. (almost got hit with a hot frying pan!), but i didnt know any moves. dad signed me up for tae kwon do at the boys club, and i stayed in it until we moved five years later. my instructors were wonderful. they cared about all of us and taught us meditation, respect, perseverence, and i must admit that i still know how to hit something(one) very, very hard if the need arises.(and only if the need arises!) i am very greatful to my dad for signing me up. my older brother joined about two months after i did because i started to best him when we fought. my other two brothers also got involved so it was a real "family"thing. i would recommend it to any parent.

 

I would most certainly recommend that any person, of any age, take an active interest in the Martial Arts. When I was a child, a long time ago, Karate was unheard of, with nothing other than inaccurate judo being sometimes available. I had the amazing fortune to be in the right place, when a Mongolian, who became my teacher, friend, and mentor, came to the very place I was sitting, in August of 1957. Though a man of advanced years, he taught me a form of Karate, Hiniya Hinmsa, similar to Kung Fu. I studied with him during my childhood through adulthood, until his death in 1977. It is true that any Martial Art will increase your chances of defeating a bully by force, but it also teaches a way of life, that will enhance your being so much as to be instantly noticeable by others. Bullies will avoid the student of such Arts, because they prefer a feeble victim. A quest for knowledge goes hand in hand with the discipline, and an eagerness to see fairness, and proper action. Also, Eastern processes such as meditation, mantra, and yoga can be achieved with Martial background.

Though being a person with whom the bad guys do not mess, I am also a person trusted by the innocents, and elderly as a friend - I attribute this entirely to my Martial Discipline. The form that I studied, and to this day teach, is not recognized in the US, so there are no centers teaching it, but Karate, or Kung Fu have similar disciplines, and can lead to a whole life thought make over. Though there are a few dojos of disrepute, where criminal interests exploit the arts, such places are few, and easily defeated by the 'just' student. By all means, go enquire about Martial Arts, for the infirm, or gentle person, to the full blooded macho variety.. It will not only open your mind, but also open your physique to rapid improvement. Willpower becomes something you have, and resolve becomes a standard you live by.

So, guys, go enroll your beautiful children into classes, to allow them to grow inwardly, as well as upward.