| There are many myths about martial arts training, | | | | this can result in long-term injuries.Can parents watch |
| and the general public accepts some as fact. In the | | | | Karate classes?Let's put it this way, if you cannot |
| following article, I have outlined general guidelines, and | | | | watch your child practice karate, or any other martial |
| precautions, for parents who are considering enrolling | | | | art, you should find another school. I can appreciate |
| their child, or children, into martial arts.Below, I have | | | | the fact that some martial arts instructors don't want |
| listed some common issues and questions that | | | | to deal with interfering parents. This is the reason for |
| parents often ask about martial arts for their children. | | | | rules and signs.Remember the "hockey dad" incident? |
| Also, you will be much more informed about the | | | | There are a few people who, through their own |
| benefits of martial arts, the structure with a martial | | | | conduct, create rules for the rest of us. However, |
| arts school, and know what to realistically | | | | you are the parent and are entitled to see your child |
| expect.What should I be looking for in a martial arts | | | | train in karate or any martial arts class.Fire exits, fire |
| school?Safety comes as a first priority for parents | | | | extinguishers, and someone who monitors visitors, as |
| who seek martial arts instruction for their children. | | | | they enter a karate studio full of children, should be |
| Here are a number of key factors to consider:Is | | | | standard features. We have three fire exits and one |
| safety equipment used when children are performing | | | | main entrance, in our studio, but only one door is |
| exercises and drills that require contact? This is | | | | used for an entrance. Kids understand security |
| especially important when children are sparring in | | | | because they see the same precautions in |
| martial arts. In many martial arts schools, sparring | | | | elementary school.Also, watch out for poles in the |
| equipment is required, or the child cannot spar. The | | | | middle of the room. Adults will spot them, but an |
| number of injuries resulting from sparring in Karate, | | | | excited child in a karate class may forget and end up |
| Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon Do is surprisingly low in | | | | crashing into one. Make sure that you feel secure |
| comparison to many league sports.Never the less, I | | | | about the studio, surroundings, rules, and the staff |
| once had a father pull his son out of our martial arts | | | | before you make a decision to have your child take |
| school because he found a karate studio that would | | | | martial arts classes.Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the |
| let his son "fight" without protective equipment. In | | | | director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness |
| our school, it is mandatory to wear martial arts | | | | Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a |
| equipment for the safety of the students. Sparring | | | | certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a |
| equipment has come a long way, so why not use | | | | master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black |
| it?The flooring surface should match the martial art. If | | | | Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was |
| take downs, sweeps, and throws are required, there | | | | recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of |
| should be some kind of matted floor available. Many | | | | Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to |
| of the state-of-the-art martial arts schools have a | | | | children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence |
| floor surface specifically designed for martial arts. It | | | | area. Recently he wrote Yoga: The Key to |
| makes no sense to have anyone throw a classmate | | | | Self-Mastery. |
| on a hard floor, with the type of flooring available, as | | | | |