Kids Need... Physical Fitness
by Sensei Matt Dorsey of Martial Arts America
By nature, most kids love to be physically active. Running, dancing, playing outside, and climbing are just some of the activities that children everywhere have been drawn to in the past without parental encouragement. But times have changed, and between the rise of video games and now the current pandemic, kids (and adults) are much less physically active. This can lead, of course, to potential health issues like obesity as well as other negative effects such as loss of self esteem and socialization as well as depression.
Parents are already dealing with the full range of challenges that come with raising children, but there's one more role that a parent would do well to add to their list - to be an active advocate for the physical fitness of their child. Here are two ways to do that:
First, be a role model and incorporate a physical fitness routine into your own life with walks, biking, hiking, weight training, sports and games, or other activities. Your child will see and often model your behavior, especially if you find ways to include them in it (a scavenger hunt on your family walks, or "keeping score" of the games you play together).
Second, help your child find a physical activity that engages them so they look forward to and enjoy it for a long period of time, improving their fitness along with their self esteem and socialization. There are plenty of options to choose from.
Martial Arts training offers a wide range of physical activities. Each class begins with a warmup and fitness segment, and the kicking, punching, jumping, and moving that's done throughout the lesson helps tone, strengthen, and stretch muscles while improving balance, coordination, cardiovascular fitness, and flexibility. Martial arts classes also provide the socialization of doing an activity with other children within an environment that's supportive rather than the overly competitive environment that some team sports can engender. Instead, martial arts encourages individual accomplishment (achieving new belts) with the support and socialization offered b y a group activity.
Whatever activity your child finds that gives them the benefit of fitness, connection with others, and the self esteem that comes with making progress, it will bring long-lasting health benefits to your child for years to come.
Sensei Matt Dorsey is the owner and head instructor of Martial Arts America.
He’s been training in martial arts for over 45 years and holds a 9th degree black belt in Isshin ryu karate, as well as a 2nd degree black belt in Iaido (Samurai sword) and a 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He also has experience in jujitsu, kali, tai chi and other martial arts.
His passion for teaching children and adults led him to open his first dojo in 1980 and he’s been a professional martial arts teacher (including teaching our publisher, Debra Ross!) ever since.
This article is part of a series. Follow the links to read Sensei Matt's articles on goals and focus.
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