Why Parents and Kids Should Join a Martial Arts Class Together
Like most parents, you probably spend a good portion of your day driving your kids back and forth from school, as well as chauffeuring them to after-school sports and activities. All of this doesn't take into account the hours you spend on cheerleader duty for your child. What you probably don̵7;t have time for is your own workout. There is a sure-fire way to take care of your kids̵7; needs and your own at the same time ̵1; by joining a fun, physical activity, like martial arts, together. Many martial arts classes cater to students of all ages. Some studios even offer family discounts, and encourage children and their parents to share in the learning experience, along with the many health benefits.
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Stimulating Weight Loss
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Taekwondo burns off 752 calories per hour for a 160-pound person, according to the Mayo Clinic. This means that both parents and kids can get a terrific aerobic and anaerobic workout from taking the Korean martial art, whose name means ̶0;the way of the hand and the foot,̶1; thanks to its combination of punching and kicking. With many kinds of martial arts, you can lose weight and build lean muscle ̵1; a winning combo for the entire family.
Overcoming Obstacles
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According to Healthychildren.org, the American Academy of Pediatrics has observed that overweight children are often self-conscious about being in active environments and therefore, may need the support of their parents to start a martial arts program. Once a child is comfortable in his dojo and starts seeing success with weight loss, stamina and ability, he will regain valuable self-esteem and possibly even make new friends to practice martial arts with.
Increasing Focus
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Children and their parents feel the daily pull for their focus and attention, both at school and in the office. Busy schedules, social media, cellphones, tablets, computers and the constant need to multi-task challenge everyone̵7;s ability to concentrate. Martial arts like taekwondo and tang soo do strengthen both body and mind. They require discipline and precision, and sharpen the mind̵7;s ability to process instruction and information ̵1; all things that are also exceptionally helpful for adults or children who have trouble with executive function skills, including those who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Gaining Respect
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Spending time in a common activity makes family ties stronger. Instead of passively watching their kids do karate moves, offering critiques on the way home to ̶0;try harder,̶1; parents who participate will have first-hand knowledge of just how much effort is involved to perform those jumps, blocks, kicks and stances. Both parents and kids who take class together will enjoy having the shared experience, and will gain newfound respect for one another̵7;s achievements and small victories.
Learning Self-Defense
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Both parents and children can learn how to defend themselves through martial arts lessons. Different forms of martial arts training offer different kinds of self-defense techniques. It is best for you to investigate and try out a studio before you sign your whole family up.
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