Karate

Hello,

My nephew is seven and loves it! It's done wonders for his coordination also (he was the biggest cluts, now not too bad! LOL).

I also participated at a young age and loved it!

I want to get my little man into something soon so he has something to have fun with.

I enrolled my 4 yr old son in karate. It has been great. His behavior and attitude have improved very much.

I strongly suggest you give it a try.

Hi Vanetta,
My almost 5 year old is in Taekwondo. We both LOVE it. It teaches him respect, concentration, amoung other things. I would highly recommend it.
Chris

My 8 year old neice was the same way but underneath it all a delight and charming kid. My sister put her in karate and within a month the difference was astounding. She was the youngest and only girl in the class and flourished. She's more diciplined in every area. It took all her competitive, reckless and verbal energy and channeled it into something really great.

Our son also had problems managing his temper and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis which made us hesitant to enroll him in a really aggressive sport. He attended Christian Martial Arts Fellowship in Clawson. This was several years ago and they may have relocated, but if you're looking for a martial arts class with less focus on the eastern mysticism and more on self-discipline and respect for God and others, I recommend them highly.

Vanetta,

I have 4 children, the oldest are 11 and 8. I have these 2 in karate for the past 2 1/2 years. Yes, it does help their self esteem as they work toward belt advancement. It's a tangible goal that they really get, and my boys are working hard on becoming black belts by the end of the year. It has not, however, done anything for their mouths!

Hey there!,
I started my daughter in Karate when she was in Kindergarten. She wasn't a child with a mouth or with too much energy, but it was what she wanted to do instead of dance. I have to brag a bit and tell you that she is now 10 yrs old and had been going to classes 3-4 times a week for 5 yrs. She has just earned her Black Belt after a 12 hour physical test. I'm more than a little proud of her. It has helped her with using discipline for school work and managing her friendships. She also teaches younger children once a week who do need Karate to help them focus and gain a bit more self confidence. A lot of parents use Karate to help over energized kids. My advice would be to find a Dojang that lets you try it a few times to see if it would be something your child likes. Most places have you sign a contract and that can be rather pricey if it turns out to not be something your child is into.My daughter trains at Professional Karate Schools of America -PKSA We like it because there are at least 7 training centers that we can attend whatever time and whatever day fits into our busy schedule. I know that they have a program that allows a few classes and a free Dobak (uniform) for like $20.00. Anyways, good luck!
L. B.

Several of my piano students also do martial arts at a place in downtown Rochester. One student has been diagnosed wtih ADHD and it has helped with her self-esteem and focus.. I can see it in the lessons too.

Hello there. I have an 8 year old boy (soon to be 9) and he has been in karate for 2 years now. He loves it, and best of all it's good for him both physically and mentally. In my experience, it's been everything you have heard it to be. My husband used to own a karate studio with this guy, so my situation is somewhat unique as I know the owner. But I am sure the studios in your area would allow a tour. The studio my son goes to gives out one free class to potential new students so the student (and parents) can get a feel for the place. I highly recommend it. My son used to be very shy, but now he seems much more comfortable in his own skin - and it's so great to see how happy he is when he earns a new belt. And I can't describe the feeling I had when my little 7 yr old broke a board in half with his fist. Amazing!

I can highly recommend Denny Strecker's Karate School on Ryan, just south of 12 Mile Road in Warren. Give them a call & speak to Denny or his wife, Andrea. Tell them the Alexander's recommended you. They have a lot to offer & we found it to be very rewarding, unfortunately my son had too much homework so he couldn't keep up with both.

My daughter, age 9, started Karate last summer. She loves it. She is almost a green belt. I'm very, truly proud of her. Her teacher is very strict, but, makes kids have fun. Sometimes, she plays mind teasers on the kids, like one time, she had the 2 strongest kids port the rest of the class to the other side of the room without their feet on the floor. I highly recomend it. It teaches self disiplen while the children have fun.
S. F.

Hi,
I too like the other responses would recommend Karate. My son was rather shy and Karate has given him a new found confidence, along with respect for elders, and patience. I have also seen other "very active" kids in his class be able to sit still for lond periods of time for ceremonies and testing. It's amazing. If you live in Saline Ann Arbor area I recommend Saline ATA (TaeKwonDo). Besides the karate, Mr Teboe also teaches the kids about things like Stranger Danger, self defense, what to do if some one tries to grab you. He always make the lessons fun and not scary at all. He is always talking to the kids about such lessons as respect, self control, doing good deeds, etc. He also has many great cardio class for adults. His website is www.salineata.com

Good Luck

I am a 16 year plus karate mom.
Yes it is a good idea. Because if you have an instructor who's on his toes, he'll make disruptive kids do positive disciplinary push-ups. But I will say this too.
1. It will take you reinforcing it at home too. I suggest stay in the class on the sidelines and observe the blocks, punches, kicks, etc. so that you can help him practice at home. Practice practice practice. I've seen too many kids in class that don't put effort in class or at home and the parent knows it. I've seen parents who come to class with little siblings who run around and are very disruptive. That's a bad thing. I've seen parents who drop their child off, don't know a thing what's going on. The more interaction and involvement the better. Some parents think that this is a glorified babysit and if the child is unruly at home, the instructor will whip them into shape. NO. It takes more than that. It takes reinforcement, because
2. Even the instructor has a breaking point. I know a family that the mom wore the pants, dad was a wimp, and the kids were put in karate. They didn't practice at home, they were cheeky and talked back both at home and in karate. One evening the older child was the absolute most disrespective I've ever heard, the instructor calmly responded that he agreed with the student that he doesn't have to do what's expected; especially in the class and he proceeded to tell the student that he would no longer be training in that class or in the instructor's club PERIOD.

A very spoiled brother and sister team. Both very disrespectful.

So if you're in the South Lyon, Milford, Highland, Ypsi, Northville/Novi area, let me know. I have 3 sons, all of them are second degree black belts. I can hook you up with this instructor. I recommend him. He's good with kids, firm, makes it fun to learn and train, and he gets the job done. It's competitive, they offer tournaments (their national tournament is July 11/12 at the RenCen), and other events.
Let me know. And best of luck.

Hi

My son (9 now) took Choi Kwang Do from when he was about 3 1/2 until he was about 8 (right now taking a little time off...too many interests to do everything the whole time). I am wholeheardedly an advocate of the martial arts, expecially choi. There is a wonderful program at Beverly Hills Club (which also has connections to a place in Novi, I think---BHC could direct you if you wanted something out that way). It is very physical...a great workout for the kids...but even more than that, my son has a T-shirt from this class, with this on it: IT'S NOT ABOUT THE BELT. And on the back of the shirt, it says: humility, honesty, gentleness, perseverance, self-control, unbreakable spirit. I couldn't put it any better than that. Good luck...and pilsung (roughly translated: I will always do my very best and never give up)!

A.

Hello Vanetta - School of Eastern Marital Arts in Walled Lake is great http://www.easternmartialarts.com. They also allow you to come try a free class to see if you like it. My son started going there when he was 12 but couldn't keep up because of the homework. They are great teaching the kids self discipline & self esteem. It's also owned by a husband (Howard) & wife (Anna). They have classes to suit everyone & every lifestyle also very reasonable as far as rates. Hope this helps. Have a great weekend!

Hello,
I would really recommend you look into Sanchin-Ryu. It is based in Michigan and there are affordable classes all over. I'm somewhat partial to the art because my Father in law founded it.
But, it is a great style in which is non-competitive and family oriented. There are classes held through Clarkston Community Ed. If you would like more information about the style you can go to Sanchinryu.com. I hope this is of some help. I have done the style myself and really enjoy it and when my children are old enough we look forward to doing it as a family.

If you find the right school, karate is great! I would recommend going on a referel or stopping by and watching a class in action and seeing what they teach and to make sure it is a structured class. My husband and I used to teach karate to adults and children and the transformations that we saw physically and emotionally were astonding! You are right, children become disciplined and their self esteem soars because they are doing something they are proud of.

We put our son in karate when he was 12. He wasn't mouthy etc, but had lots of energy. Smart kid, so smart that when it came to school he was bored. Rarely did his homework or studied, but when it came to tests he would ace them. We put him in karate and it did improve some. At least he made it through high school and graduated. But he dropped out when he turned 18. He's back to "laziness" He's now 21. Married for almost a year, been separated for 4 months, father of an 11 month old boy, has custody of his son, but not working. He's a wonderful father. His son is his life. But when he dropped karate, everything went back to where he was before it. Trouble keeping grades up in college so for now he's not going. He starts at Baker in the EMT program in Sept. He's also gone back to the karate school and is going to teach. He's certified to teach. I guess what I'm saying if you get him in karate and he likes it, don't stop. It helped our son.

Hi Vanetta,

I have to agree with Karen A. I sent my son to Denny Strecker's karate at Ryan & 12 Mile Rd's in Warren. The only reason I quit sending him was that we moved out of the area. He loved it there. He listened and did so well. Unfortunately since moving we haven't had the extra funds. I am thinking of getting him back into it. He is now 13. When he was going to karate he was 5. Bryan still remembers parts of it and has mentioned wanting to go to karate again. I will be looking into a karate place around here (Montrose).