If I had a daughter like me, I would have done things to her (and/or myself) that I will live to regret!Thankfully, I don’t. I don’t have a daughter, period!! (Someone up there loves me, after all)

I spoke very briefly on phone with my aging and lonely grandmother today – and this blog is a result of that conversation.

To say I have regretted my actions and decisions when I was younger is an understatement. We all don’t know how long she has to live on this planet anymore – but one thing is for sure, it won’t be for long. Oh, she’s not really ill or anything. She’s happy (in a very lonely kind of way) and healthy (in an old kind of way) but she certainly has her own regrets as well. I guess a lot of things that I did in past were uncalled for and when she did things out of goodness of her heart, I wasn’t appreciative because I was too self-centered and obnoxious. I ruled world, didn’t I?

I don’t know how long more tenure of her stay here on earth has before it expires, but I hope she will take good memories with her down or up to wherever she’s going after expiration of her stay here.

Thank you, ah mah.

• Uses defensive and aggressive moves

• Centers on building strength and endurance

• Involves chops, punches, kicks, strikes, blocking and sparring

• May use weapons

Jujitsu

• Uses defensive and aggressive moves

• Involves lots of sparring

• Teaches a fair amount of weapons training

Aikido

• Uses a more “spiritual” and harmonious style in redirecting aggression of attacker as form of defense, using throws, pins, rolls etc.

• Taught on premise of disabling an aggressor without attacking, through your individual inner energy

• Does not involve sparring or competitions

Judo

• Uses gentle, “wrestling-like” movements

• Considered one of safest methods of martial arts

• Emphasizes physical control as well as mental development

• Engages in competitions

Martial Arts From China

Kung-Fu

• The generic term referring to Chinese martial arts with a variety of styles

• Involves attack movements as well as defensive techniques

• Teaches kicks, punches, chops, throws, falls, grappling, katas, leg sweeps and blows among others.

• Engages in sparring competitions

Martial Arts From Korea

Taekwondo

• Competitive in nature, involves techniques using elaborate footwork and unique high kicks.

• Emphasizes strength, force and attack methods.

• Engages in lots of sparring and competitions.

Choosing The Right Instruction

If you have an idea of type of martial arts class you’d like your child to participate in, next step would be to find right school. Finding right class that not only matches your child’s and your needs, in terms of teachers you feel comfortable with, price, facilities and so on, are all important factors.

Say you’ve found a local place that specializes in Karate for Kids. What are things you should look for?

1. Good Instructors

Check out their qualifications, teaching methods and watch carefully how they interact with other children. It should be a fun learning experience!

2. Space and Safety

Obviously you would want to entrust your child in as establishment that is safe, well-maintained, and clean with ample space as well as decent facilities and equipment.

3. School Values

Different martial arts schools inevitably go by different values, for instance, one kid’s karate class may handle aggression in one way, while a judo class would have a different approach. Take some time to observe which school’s ideals match your family’s principles.

4. Prices and Schedules

Prices for martial arts training can vary according to school and location, so make sure you instruction you choose represents fair value. Finding most effective way to fit martial arts training into your family’s lifestyle is also essential, knowing what works best with your schedule and other activities.

Baby Blackbelts

Starting your child young in karate training is ideal (children as young as age of four are usually accepted, as it is also a good way to hone fine motor skills), and lots of parents have found that in as little as a year, their children who were involved in martial arts had noticeably gained positive traits such as increased self-esteem, respect and overall physical fitness.

Many parents also opt to join a martial arts training program themselves, making it a great bonding experience for entire family.