Training Children in Martial Arts
Our children's training program is geared for kids to learn the Jiu-Jits Martial Arts and a lot of other good things such as self-respect, respect for others, recognize others that are not respectful and how to deal with them in an accepted mannor. The methodolgy is to teach them in a constructive creative way without the bantering mentally-hurtfull techniques that are around. A typical one-hour class consists of 15 min. of excercises then breakfalls, static drills, hold-escapes, either ground grappling or padded sparring.
Some may find the exercises a bit tough but even the ones with the least abilities are rising to new levels. Partly to thank for this is our Thurs. "Chart Program", its a hit, as the kids love to push their personal records. Though I have to remind them that having a high number of reps. is nothing if the technique is poor. Better to have a few that are done right and build upon that and be proud of the achievement of their efforts. The classes are designed to be respectful, disciplined (well as much as a kid can handle anyway), positive, motivating, fun, multi-self-defense orientated.
We have a term, "cow mode". Its a term I've been using that attaches a realistic image to a lapse in concentration by the student. They get quite a kick out of it and don't mind doing the push-ups or some other type of motivating exercise to assist them to "break-out of the cow-mode". I tell them its based on the behavior of cows standing in a field as one drives by, whereby the cows seem to be aimlessly standing around with vacant looks in their eyes. (course though if one reads the cartoonist Gary Larson, the cows aren't quite standing around aimlessly). Strangely, lately its been rare to have to invoke the cow-mode mental resuscitating drill. Plus - training kids keeps me thinking of new things and reminds me of my beginning.
Train Healthy and be Healthy - Sensei Allen St. John - St. John Jiu-Jitsu - Port Moody, B.C.