Martial Arts In Shoreview - Lee's Champion Taekwondo Academy

If your only exposure to martial arts is from Bruce Lee or the Kungfu Panda, it's time to get a more accurate look at this sport -- this way of life -- and what it can mean to you.

There are myriad styles of martial arts, karate, kung fu, taekwondo, jujitsu, judo, aikido, tai chi chuan, and kendo, to name a few. Some have passed through the centuries, while others have been modified and are relatively new.

Whether it's taekwondo or judo, what we teach is as important as how we teach. If you are choosing a martial arts school for you or your child, don't base your decision on what martial art is taught there. Instead, consider what is empahsized in the martial arts program and make sure the school itself meets your expectations. Think about what's more important to you -- that your child simply learns a particular skill, or that he or she becomes more confident, respectful, enthusiastic and a great martial artist?

Selecting just the right school is the most important step. When visiting prospective schools, you should observe a class, meet the instructor or director of the school, and pay attention to the condition of the facility, too.

For children and families, martial arts instruction should primarily be focused on the personal-development aspects of martial arts – rather than the fighting aspects.

All of the martial arts develop self-esteem, self-confidence, focus and concentration, self-discipline, physical fitness and self-defense skills. An emphasis on these benefits of martial arts is what you should look for rather than seeking out a specific style of martial arts based on the techniques used for kicks, punches and/or throws.

You should also consider how the martial arts programs are taught. The practice of martial arts is largely about the development of self-esteem so you want to find a martial arts program where the instructors emphasize the effort as well as the result.

Self-esteem comes from having real successes in doing something you care about. For many children and adults, martial arts can be an important activity that helps build self-esteem but only if the martial arts instructors acknowledge, recognize and reward the efforts of the martial arts student as well as their accomplishments and successes.

To summarize – the most important two criteria in selecting a martial arts school should the level of emphasis on personal development and an approach towards teaching that is focused on building self-esteem.

To evaluate a school against these two criteria, you should discuss them with the martial arts instructor and observe a class, paying particular attention to what is emphasized and how classes are taught.