by Stefanie Chow

Created on: July 26, 2009

Ladies and gentlemen of all ages are undoubtedly impressed by the amazing legends of Bruce Lee, Jet Li, and other notorious martial artists throughout the years. However, martial arts is more than just entertainment. For all ages, shapes, and sizes, it builds a valuable set of skills that can be accessed in everyday life. Why learn martial arts? It won't help anyone dodge bullets, but it can heighten awareness, agility, concentration, reaction timing, and other life skills that prove beneficial in any situation. Children should especially take martial arts to learn self-defense and become more independent at ages when they are still learning about the dangers of society and what situations to avoid. To get your child started in martial arts, follow these five simple steps below.

Step 1: Research the martial arts style. Yes, there are differences between each cultural style of martial arts, including karate, kung fu, judo, taekwondo, aikido, jujitsu, and kendo. While judo is known for grappling and throwing the opponent, kung fu focuses on self-defense techniques involving both the body and the mind. And so on. Most martial arts styles revolve around the theme of self-defense, but the actual selection of a school and style should be based on personal interest of the child and the parent. Some styles emphasize offensive technique when encountering an opponent, while others concentration on self-defensive technique in various attacker situations. Some incorporate weaponry in training, while many mixed martial arts (MMA) involve performance and tricking in front of large crowds. Schools may offer other activities that relate to the area of study, such as kung fu studios that offer lion dancing or tai chi chuan.

Step 2: Research nearby schools. What are you looking for in a school? How far are you willing to commute? What style are you interested in? Ask yourself several questions before committing your child to a martial arts studio or dojo. Choosing a martial arts school is similar to researching college universities, minus the acceptance rates. Look at websites and magazines for top-rated schools, and ask friends and family for recommendations. Aside from the style, location, and price range, one aspect to consider is the structure of the school. What kind of classes are you interested in? Most studios offer both private lessons and group classes. Many group classes are often divided into age groups, so this may be an area of importance. The most significant

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