| As children in the Maryland, Virginia and | | | | students of martial arts say that karate and MMA |
| Washington D.C. area compete and participate in | | | | is a good way of relieving stress and frustrations, |
| martial arts programs many other children who | | | | it teaches discipline over yourself, it teaches you |
| are interested are not competing and participating. | | | | to set goals for yourself and gives you the |
| For one reason or another, their parents have not | | | | courage to follow your dreams. This "from the |
| allowed them to be a part of this great art form. | | | | mouths of babes!" who are between the ages of |
| I thought it was important for those parents to | | | | 9 and 12. If children this young can understand the |
| know what other children are saying about | | | | values MMA teaches, surely parents of children |
| participating in MMA. | | | | who are not involved in them can understand |
| Martial arts is a term used to describe a number | | | | these values too. |
| of sports associated with combat training styles, | | | | These are lessons these children will carry through |
| self confidence and self discipline. These martial | | | | life with them and use daily. The self-discipline |
| arts are several thousands of years old and are | | | | they are taught, reasoning and other life skills can |
| practiced all over the world, to date. They include | | | | help them become better people and help them |
| karate, ju-jitsu, judo, tai chi and tae kwon doe. | | | | succeed in whatever they do. Let your children |
| Today they are considered an art form and are | | | | talk to children who are involved in MMA to get |
| not used for combat as much as they are used | | | | their opinions. |
| for discipline training, coordination and self defense. | | | | To find the right program for your child: |
| They are an art associated with coordinating your | | | | Talk to other parents of students. Get |
| body with mind control, self control, strategy and | | | | personal recommendations. |
| balance. | | | | Call schools and question them about their |
| Some facts about martial arts are: | | | | teachings. |
| Skill levels are marked by a system of | | | | Sit in on a class and see how the lessons are |
| colored belts, white being a beginner's level and | | | | taught. |
| black being an expert level. | | | | These steps will help you determine which |
| Karate actually means empty (kara) hand | | | | program is right for your child and help you to get |
| (te). This indicates that karate is the act of | | | | a better idea of their teachings. You can't do any |
| self-defense using no weapons. | | | | better for your child than to allow them to |
| Tae Kwon Doe is a competitive sport used in | | | | participate in martial arts. Martial arts, is not violent |
| Korea and has even been a competitive sport in | | | | and can teach your child many lifelong lessons. |
| the Olympics. Head and body gear (protection) is | | | | If you live in the Maryland, Virginia, Washington |
| worn during competition for the safety of the | | | | DC area, you can check out Lloyd Irvin's, MMA. |
| competitors. | | | | They offer a 30 day free trial program on any of |
| Martial arts is more about learning strategy, | | | | the MMA programs, and this a great way to get |
| self-control, balance, self-confidence and discipline | | | | your kids started off, in the wonderful world of |
| than fighting or being offensive. Kids who are | | | | martial arts. |