Growing up I remember being active in so many different sports that all of my athletic pursuits seem to be a focal point of my childhood memories. I had such a passion for sports that I tried everything I possibly could. Among the sports that I showed potential to excel in were tennis, netball, and cross-country. Tennis and netball fell to the wayside long ago but my love for distance running has returned and it is now a major part of who I am. I say this with all seriousness because running has become such an integral part of my life; it fulfills me in so many ways. Not only does it bring me pleasure (and obviously provide great health benefits), but it has also taught me many things which have undoubtedly played a role in shaping my character. It has taught me what it is to have discipline and endurance, and it has taught me to recognize both my limits and my potential. Now, as I watch my youngest daughter practice karate twice a week I feel gratified knowing that she too, is going to get much more out of her sport than just enjoyment.
Karate is a sport that demands self-discipline and focus, and it’s for these reasons that I initially encouraged my daughter to give it a go. She’s just a baby mind you, still in kindergarten and the youngest amongst her peers, so her ability to follow directions and stay on task is understandably a work in progress. Add to that her hyperactive tendencies (she’s been known to raise a few eyebrows), and hopefully by the time I describe all the positive aspects of karate you’ll see exactly why I thought it would be a great sport for her.
Self-Discipline and Focus - Karate comprises of a series of self-defence moves that can only be perfected through constant repetition and attention to detail; such discipline is not easy for young kids to demonstrate but over time it becomes easier and the behaviors learned in the karate dojo often carry over into other areas of their lives, for example, in the classroom. Furthermore, the “stick-to-it/don’t give up” attitude enforced by the karate sensei can have a huge impact on a child that may help them later on in life to make clear and appropriate choices, as opposed to impulsive choices which are often based on emotions.
Self-Esteem - Karate promotes feelings of self-worth and confidence; it’s a sport which inspires young kids to keep improving and strive for their personal best. As they continue to practice and get better, their progress is marked by colored belts which indicate their skill level. The desire to earn a higher level belt acts as an incentive and bolster’s both self-esteem and self-motivation. Competitive sports on the other hand, while typically very enjoyable, can sometimes diminish the self-esteem of those kids who already lack confidence and who are not particularly good at their chosen sport.
Self-Defense - Parents hope that their children will never be in a position where they are forced to defend themselves, and most likely they never will be, but in the unlikely event that your child is attacked at a young age or later on in life, karate teaches kids to catch an attacker off guard and escape to safety. A child who has the ability to restrain an opponent and protect him/herself is probably going to be a child who also has greater self-confidence. Research has shown that kids who are confident are less inclined to succumb to peer pressure, and are less likely to get into serious trouble.
Fitness - Other obvious benefits of karate include the fitness aspect; the techniques used in karate develop strength, endurance, flexibility, posture, balance, and coordination.
Finally, karate is a year-round sport, which may work well for children (such as my daughter), who prefer consistency and structure. So, if after reading this post I’ve piqued your interest (and “pique” is the correct spelling, I checked), then I encourage you to go forth and check out some of the karate dojos in your area. My daughter practices Seidokan at Stearley Heights Elementary School on Kadena airbase; her sensei is Ms. Lee, a wonderful teacher who is very passionate about her sport and greatly invested in passing on to her students not only the physical techniques, but also the life skills and values that karate offers (Ms. Lee’s husband also teaches when he is available). If you live near Kadena and would like to visit one of her classes, she teaches on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 to 6pm, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4 to 5pm, or from 5 to 6pm. Her classes are for 5 to 17 year olds. For further information, you can also call the Kadena USO.