Best Martial Art for Children

What's the best martial art for kids?

It's a constant debate both within as well as out side of the martial arts community which art is best suitable for teaching kids martial arts.

Most of the times you will be recommended arts like karate, taekwondo, judo, aikido and ju jitsu (or jiu-jitsu). One example is this latest post from scifighting.com. And to be frank, there is absolutely nothing wrong with listing or recommending certain arts like this - we can certainly all agree that these 5 chosen arts (or 6 arts, depending on your point of view) can be absolutely great for children of all ages.

Are you picking an art or a school?

The way I see it, there is something vital missing in the approach of picking an art (or several arts) and stating that "these are the best martial arts for kids!". It is a general statement that may, or may not be true.

The point is that you may have a perfectly suitable art being taught in a way that is not at all beneficial to your child or even children in general. To me, the teacher and the whole environment at the martial arts academy/school/club is absolutely pivotal.

I will argue until my last breath that almost ANY serious martial art can be perfect for a child as long as it is taught the right way - adopted to children in a safe and caring environment.

Agree or disagree? Feel free to comment!

Best Martial Arts for Kids?

Confuse-Us Speaks #27

A yes... our very own old Grandmaster of martial arts weirdness, Confuse-Us, is back with another edition of stage diving into the mixed-up world of martial arts lunacy!

Confucius - Illustration image from fotopedia.com/Google

This time he's found a piece from timesofindia.indiatimes.com, where you will find some (let's called them) "rather interesting" bits and pieces of information.

According to Devadanam, Aikido or mixed martial arts is the best form of self-defence and is generally taught to commandos of special forces.
Sailesh Varma of Association of Mixed Martial Arts India said, "Aikido is an effective self-defence technique that focuses on dislocation of joints and nerve points. On mixed martial arts, Varma said that it was a combination of several martial arts such as Judo, Aikido, Muay Thai and Karate.

Okidoki - It really is good finally to be informed about aikido! Being obviously uninformed, I thought (silly me) that aikido was something totally different. I guess it just goes to prove how little I actually know...

And that aikido is being a part of MMA ... wow, who would have known! These sneaky folks are good to keeping that a secret for so long. Most be some ninja activities for sure.

Or could it simply be that the good folks - here a martial arts instructor - of India knows something which has simply passed the rest of the world by?

Anger in Aikido

Anger in aikido? Image from Wikipedia.org

What are we suggesting here ... anger in aikido? The art of peace, harmony and humanity? Noooh, say it ain't so!

What would O-Sensei say if this was even remotely true?

These nice folks in hakama are supposed to be the very embodiment of cool and tranquility - no room for primal anger or aggression here mate!

We'll it appears that at least one aikidoka takes it very personal that someone dare claim that his hero, non other than movie star Steven Seagal, has been choked out by a "simple" judoka, an old school hard man in the form of Judo Gene LeBell.

True or untrue - keep smiling, and read more about it here.

Fee "Hikeido"

Australia -- Following a fee increase imposed on Melbourne University sports clubs, the kung fu club has reportedly accused the campus sports association of racism and lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission, according to watoday.com.au.

The University Sport claim the increase it was unavoidable due to a revenue shortfall caused by a government ban on collecting union fees from students.

Kung Fu Club students says the clubs most affected are international students - predominantly Asian - who are being shut out of campus sports following the fee hike.

According to policies, a club which is not competing must pay a per-hour room hire fee. On the other hand, free training space is provided free to the clubs which are preparing for competition.

The complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission allegedly includes a support statement from other campus martial arts units, including the aikido and karate clubs.

Kids Aikido

Aikido kids? Aikidoki, why not! And most other responsible martial arts -- with qualified, dedicated instructors -- for that matter. There are simply a vast number of benefits to be reaped.

Arizona -- Ktar.com has a very nice article about the many benefits of aikido for children. Plus, you can read about 72-year-old Claire Conway of Tucson, a 2. dan black belt and and one of the instructor for the kids. Very cool!

Sentenced: Aikido Instructor

Montana -- An aikido instructor from Helena was sentenced in October for felony sexual assault for inappropriately touching a 13-year-old former student at his aikido studio, according to Helenair.com.

The man was 49 at the time of the crime. A psychologist who examined him, told the court he was an emotionally immature man. The psychologist said the defendant relied on his relationship with the young girl to raise his sense of self-esteem.

The instructor was arrested after a female member of his martial arts school confronted him about getting "too close" with the girl, according to reports. When he denied any wrongdoing, the female member told the girl's mother, who then contacted the police.

It is reported how the girl would stay after class and be alone with the man. When police searched his home they found 85 e-mails between the instructor and the girl.

Cuts Hair Chases Criminals

Refugio "Fugi" Escobedo from Atlanta, Georgia is 71 and is leading what seems to be an interesting kind of double life. What else would you be saying about of a combination of bounty hunter and ... are you ready for this ... hair stylist!

The man - who certainly is quite a character with long and flowing black hair - is described as a self-defense expert by ajc.com. As far as the quite risky bounty hunting business goes, he says he often works alone.

Escobedo, who earned a karate black belt in Puerto Rico, says he wanted to attend beauty school in Texas from the moment he looked into a beauty college in Houston and saw "200 or 300 women in this place."

Later, Escobedo expanded his martial arts training to aikido, as well as Muay Thai and other disciplines.

Kicking Out at His Problem

UK -- Michael Squire gets a real kick out of his aikido hobby, despite the fact he is paralysed down one side, suffering from epilepsy and is partially sighted, according to tamesideadvertiser.co.uk

The 45-year-old member of Tameside Blind Association's Young Person's group, has just reached black belt level in the Japanese martial art.

Wristlockido March

UK -- On Wednesday at 11:25 a.m., 30-year-old Ash Scholefield was sitting in his truck at traffic lights in Gomersal.

A van careered on to the pavement to the left of Ash's truck and crashed into a tipper lorry which was waiting at the lights. The driver of the van climbed out of the window and ran off.

Ash instinctively jumped from his own cab and chased the 16-year-old for about 1,000-meters across a school field.

Despite the teenager wearing running shoes and Ash being in his work rigger boots, he managed to catch up and tackle him. Ash knew just how to restraining the struggling youth - he is a black belt instructor in aikido.

He put the teenager in a wrist lock and marched him back to the scene of the accident and restrained him until police officers arrived 15 minutes later.

Aikidorganic

Virginia -- An aikido school planned near Massaponax High School in Fredericksburg has won recognition for its environmentally friendly headquarters development, fredericksburg.com reports

The school was recognized for landscaping that included low-impact stormwater management, an organic vegetable and ornamental garden, wildlife habitat improvement and a small greenhouse.

More Blues for Seagal

Not long ago, Steven Seagal was one of the best-paid action stars in Hollywood. The martial arts master played crime-busting anti-heroes in films that generated more than $1 billion in ticket and DVD sales during the 1990s. Now he appears in low-budget productions that go straight to video.

Seagal says he knows why: Five years ago, he was implicated in a plot to frighten two journalists out of writing unflattering stories about him and his former business partner.

An FBI affidavit detailed allegations that Seagal hired private eye Anthony Pellicano to terrorize one of the reporters, a freelancer working for the Los Angeles Times.

The investigation soon changed course, focusing on allegations that Pellicano spied on celebrities and other members of the Hollywood elite. The onetime detective-to-the-stars is in federal prison, awaiting trial on wire-tapping and other charges.

Seagal and the alleged plot to intimidate journalists became a footnote. The actor was never charged, and federal authorities have privately told reporters they have no persuasive evidence against him. But the FBI has never publicly cleared him.

Seagal said the publicity has been devastating to his career. He wants an apology.

Source

I Do - Ai-Ki-Do

I suppose the matrimonial pledge - If that's what i is called in English (You know the: Do you so-and-so, take so-and-so for your lawfully wed wife/husband ...; you will have to excuse my limited English and matrimonial experience here :) - was open to be answered with aikido, rather than I do?

Anyways - if you're about to do something as scary as getting married, why not do it on the mat? Didn't know they had shoulder throws in aikido though.

Story:
Some people throw rice at weddings. Barbara Stanton, 48, threw her groom over her shoulder and slammed him down. Hard.

Unfazed, Jonathan Klopp, 53, jumped up and flipped his black-belt bride onto her back.

That display of holy acrimony went over well with the wedding guests - so well that about 50 of them rushed the mats of a Federal Hill martial arts studio yesterday and had themselves a celebratory brawl.

Source

No Sticks

"Handling Criminal Without Nightsticks" ...? To me that sounds more like a program on how to handle a criminal who's not using a nightstick :-) But what do I know, I don't speak English (either).

And what is this confusing stuff about "dealing with suspects politely - The techniques taught to confront suspects and possible attackers involve moves from tae kwan do, judo, aikido and karate." :-) Does this mean that you'll beat the daylight out of people in a polite manner? Saying: "Sorry about that, old chap" after breaking someones wrist?

This is so confusing ...

Story:
Turkey -- Police are no longer allowed to use their nightsticks to restrain criminals; instead, they are instructed to rely on defensive techniques -- making one symbol of a policeman’s regalia history.

The Security General Directorate has launched training in a program called “Handling Criminal Without Nightsticks” in connection with EU harmonization.

Police are taught how to deal with suspects politely without resorting to violence or causing physical harm. The techniques taught to confront suspects and possible attackers involve moves from tae kwan do, judo, aikido and karate. European police reportedly use the same techniques.

Source

Rare feat

What started as a mere athletic activity to stay in shape for a man nearing his 60s has evolved into a rare feat.

Guy DeWolf, the 75-year-old owner of Williamsburg Coin & Stamp, last week became likely the oldest person in the state to practice the martial art of Aikido.

Eleven years ago, DeWolf earned a black belt in Aikido at the Peninsula Ki Aikido Club in Yorktown.

However, during the last five years, he has battled through crippling arthritis that has kept him off the mat with regularity. Just three months ago, DeWolf had both of his hips replaced and was unable to walk.

But after a month-long recovery process, he was able to continue his passion and participate in a two-hour Aikido class at the Gloucester Rec Center last Tuesday.

Source

'Street kata'

This class blends elements from tae kwon do, shodokan aikido, capoeira and tai chi with serious dance moves. Imagine "The Karate Kid Goes Break Dancing." Street Kata, according to a class description, is about "understanding movement, which flows into understanding self."

Wow! Really ...
Most of this stuff is plain stupid, perhaps funny at best. Now, I can relate to people making money with martial arts - no problem with that what so ever.

Also, coming up with a 'catchy' name; not knowing that kata is a karate term (that has nothing to do with tae kwon do or aikido); or making up "Grasshopper" phrases like "understanding movement, which flows into understanding self"; I really have nothing but a big smile for all that.

The sad part is all these people that need something new - constantly - not to be bored. Today it is quite OK to be almost anything - even dead - as long as you're not BORING. It's like we have become stuck inside a teenagers 'I'm bored' statement forever.

How do these people intend to become good at anything, when they can't repeat a task over and over? After all that is really boring, you know!

So folks, we have to make martial arts entertaining: No repetitions, always new stuff, just plain fun. Why not put on rubber noses and funny hats while we're at it?

It's showtime!

33 years (quite) old

"Quite old" a 33? Sheez! People are starting in martial arts well into their 60s and 70s.

Story:
Lucio Alejo Jr. is an electrical engineer and hands-on businessman who owns Alecto General Technology Corporation,

Like other typical CEOs, Alejo loves playing golf whenever he feels like going to the greens with his regular golfing buddies.

Alejo’s first love, however, remains Aikido, the Japanese martial art popularized by Hollywood actor and seventh dan black belt Aikido practitioner Steven Seagal when he came out with his movie debut in 1988.

Now the holder of a fifth dan black belt, Alejo started learning Aikido in April 1983, and immediately got hooked on the martial art.

Alejo was actually a late convert to the martial art. He was already 33—quite old to get into the more aggressive martial arts like Karate, Taekwondo and even Judo. Thanks to his workouts, however, his body was able to take all the rolling and falling, required skills for the safe practice of Aikido.

Source

Maroteux

Roland Maroteux is something a mythical figure within European budo.
Skilled in aikido, Hakko ryu jujutsu and aikijutsu, he has trained many years in Japan unders various masters.

It seems his primary art these days is Takeda aikijutsu, of which he is an official 6. dan, shihan.

In this clip he shows various techniques from the style. As you can see it is the major inspiration for aikido, although much more combat (battle) orientated.

You can view/download the clip here (flv file, 13.59 MB)

Get the player here if you need it (small file, fast and easy install).

Football-kido

In football's war of the trenches, New Paltz lineman Danny Le is prepared in the way of peace.

Le has been studying the Japanese martial art of aikido for the past five months. Self-defensive in nature, aikido teaches a person to use an opponent's body against them, directing an attacker's movement aside using circular sweeping moves.

There is a spiritual aspect to aikido that Le appreciates.

"You have to empty the mind,'' Le said. "They say be like water because it's shapeless, it's formless and it can adapt to anything. You have to empty your mind so when something comes you adapt to it. You don't focus on one thing because if you do, you will get hit. Just go past it and attack and learn.''

Football is the same way, and Le said his aikido training — which he does three times a week in Kingston — can come in handy.

"Aikido is more about learning to move an opponent,'' Le said. "A football player comes with all his energy and I will take it and move it to one side.''

Source

Hapkido master

Here's hapkido grandmaster Ing-Sik Whang in action. He may be old (born 1940), but he sure can move!

He's considered one of the true legends of martial arts, and has participated in movies such as Game of Death with Bruce Lee.

Grandmaster Whang has his school located in Canada.

In this clip you will see the resemblance between Korean hapkido and arts such as (Japanese) aikido and jujutsu.

The only downside is that the attacks (punches) are pulled - they would never hit the target. To me this is a major flaw in many demo clips, videos and exhibitions.

You can watch the clip here (flv file, 16.14 MB).

Download the free flv player here if you don't have it installed already. Flv is a flash format which produces smaller files, often used for streaming video. A similar quality clip in other formats, such as wmv, mpg or avi would easily be twice the size.

Not better

Not better, but as good as...

The author here asks what can be better than karate training for children. Make no mistake about it - quality karate training under an experienced teacher is absolutely great for kids.

But - and this is my point - the same goes for judo, taekwondo, jujutsu, hapkido, aikido, kung fu, wushu and a host of other martial arts.

It is not the art, but rather the way an art is taught and presented, that makes it potentially good (or not good) for a kid.

Story:
Today’s children are the leaders of tomorrow. What could be better if they are taught the good virtues of life and are instilled with the spirits of comradeship, friendship and positive attitude so that they become good and helpful members of the society when they grow up?

Children like to play, shout and create a nuisance most of the time. These unharnessed energies can be controlled and directed for the betterment of the society and for the child itself. What can be better than karate training at this young age?

Source