Would you like to see your child gain self-confidence, learn goal setting skills, concentrate, gain self-discipline, and acquire life skills that he or she will have for a lifetime? Of course you do; we all want the best for our children.

A Martial Arts Summer Camp is a complete success enhancement program for your child, which will challenge his or her mind and body. Here are just ten of the many benefits you can expect your child to receive in just one summer.

Concentration: Your child will learn to increase his or her attention span. Focusing is major problem for children; especially for boys, but martial arts are completely filled with concentration drills.

Stress Management: Kids are taught how to constructively deal with stress. Just by getting some physical activity, behavior will improve when children come home. Without recess and physical education, children have a lot of “bottled up” energy.

Self-Discipline: Your child is taught how to set priorities and get ahead. Children have to multi-task, but martial arts training will give them perseverance and the ability to prioritize their daily lives for success.

Respect: Your child will demonstrate courtesy and respect at home. How? Once he or she practices courtesy and respect all day - this habit will be carried home.

Anger Management: We provide a safe outlet for dealing with anger. Kicking and punching bags is very safe, if supervised by a qualified martial arts instructor. This allows kids to “blow off some steam,” without hurting themselves.

Motivation: Your child will be inspired to achieve. Positive energy is rampant, within a martial arts setting, and this inspires children to excel in every aspect of their lives. As you already know, motivation is what turns dreamers into achievers.

Self-Defense: Every child will learn physical and non-physical self defense. As a by-product of attending a martial arts intensive, such as a kid’s summer camp, every child can adequately protect him or herself.

Total Fitness: Children receive a complete workout every day they attend a martial arts summer camp. It is not natural for children to sit in front of a television set all day. It is much healthier for them to run, kick, jump, and yell. This also helps them sleep better, too.

Time Management: Your child will learn many time saving drills that make your life easier. Children need to have structure and order gently reinforced, so that it can be ingrained within their consciousness.

Goal Setting: This is contagious in a Martial Arts atmosphere. When your child earns his or her first colored belt, he or she realizes goals by continually putting forth effort. This skill is also applied to an academic setting for maximum success.

These are ten of the many life skills your child, will gain from a Martial Arts Summer Camp.

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Yoga: The Key to Self Mastery. http://www.kids-karate.com

If you seriously want to learn kendo, go to a dojo, do NOT try to learn using kendo videos. In order to properly learn kendo, you need to have someone correct you when you are doing something wrong, that is what the sensei does. Aside from the video not pointing out your errors, the are usually made by people who do not know kendo well enought to teach it and are only in it for the money.

You may think that spending 20 dollars for a kendo video is a great way to learn to sport, but it isn’t. Do not fall into the trap the Kendo video makers have set for you! Kendo is a very complicated sport, and if you try to learn from a video, your form will be flawed; and it will be extremely hard, if not impossible, to fix it. However, a sensei can provide one on one support and explain what is wrong with your kendo.

To find a dojo near you, go to the official american kendo website at www.kendo-usa.org and click on "find kendo near you". Then click on your state and go through the list, picking a few that are close to you so you can keep your options open.

For more information about picking a dojo, look for the article written by the I.K. team.

http://www.international-kendo.com is an up and coming kendo site with a wealth of information.

How often do you perform a kata movement and think, ‘What on Earth could this be about?" Times change and so does the nature of karate. We are better off working with kata movements in a modern context than trying to guess the original intention of the technique. So why not do a little research and experimentation of our own?

The term bunkai means to break down and study. Anyone with a little imagination and common sense can contribute to this area of karate as long as you understand the basic principles that hold kata together. You can begin by learning the interpretations created by other people, or better still, discover how they added meaning to the techniques.

We can start with a simple example. One principle of bunkai relates to the angle of your movement. The opponent is not necessarily coming from that angle (although he could do), but the pattern shows you the best angle to stand in relation to him. More often than not the best angle allows you maximum effect while reducing the opponent’s options. A good strategy involves turning the opponent’s centre line away from your own while you maintain an advantageous position. From there you can bring all your weapons into play while he is restricted to perhaps just one side.

Armed with this knowledge and a few examples you can now have a go at creating some interesting applications. Think about the following alternatives.

First, define what your opponent does. You could decide upon a common type of attack, perhaps a lapel grab and punch.

Secondly you could work the technique from your end. Ask yourself "Are there any significant clues in the movement?" - look out for mechanical efficiency, grabs, turns and twists or body movements to amplify the effects of a strike.

You don’t have to take the entire kata movement and use it literally. Get the feel for the movement, the idea behind it or take a small segment. Another good example would be the first set of techniques from pinan shodan/heian nidan. How many options are covered within the three basics movements (raise arms, pull inwards, shooting outwards). Look at the whole body movement including the stance. Do not be locked into the arm actions alone.

Allow your training partner to make his attack slowly. Start by performing the kata movement as you might see it when training solo. Does that help? How can you make the movement more effective without losing the essence of it? How does changing the angle and line of attack affect the application?

You’ll probably find that transition and "in-between" movements in the technique will stop, redirect or off-balance your partner and the end movement represents your counter blow, tie-up or throw. What further options are available afterwards?

Work with a number of alternatives and see which is best. Then swap roles so that you are now the attacker and your partner must find a suitable response. When you are both satisfied test out your applications by showing them to someone else. Can they make them work too?

Incorporate the application into your combat drills, flow drills and progressive sparring. If it still holds out as you pile on the pressure there is every chance you have found a winner. Train as close to reality as possible with a partner you don’t normally work with. Be sure to train under as-near-to-live conditions as you can. It’s better to find a flaw in the application now than outside in the street.

As a final check ask yourself if the application fits in with the essence of the kata or your system and if all the basic principles are adhered to. Is the technique easy to perform? Does it put you at a position of advantage? Is there a back-up in case it goes wrong? Can it be used against variations of the basic attack?

Fun and play are an important part of the learning process. So play with your kata! Training in this way helps you uncover the principles and perhaps remember the form better. And of course there’s the satisfaction of creating something for yourself and your colleagues.

For more information about karate kata training Please visit http://www.thekatabook.com.

Stephen Irwin has studied martial arts since 1985 and presently teaches non-sports wado ryu karate.

Thinking of taking Martial Arts? Choosing a Martial Arts school can be intimidating, but not if you do some research first. Knowing these nine questions to ask before you pick any school for yourself or your child will ensure a positive experience.

1. Do you have belt test fees? And if so, how much are they? If they do, make sure you ask what they charge for each belt, so you know your true costs.

2. Do they mix adults with kids when training? Most schools consider an adult to be 12 or 13. You do not want to pair up with a youth if you are an adult. It slows down your training.

3. Do they allow the public to watch the classes? I really dislike being watched while I teach or practice. Do you really want to be trying to learn an advance move that looks real funny, with people on the side lines laughing at you? Most of my students don’t, so we do NOT allow it, except during the kid’s class. All parents are allowed to watch their kids if they want to. If the school doesn’t allow that - watch out.

4. What type of screening process do they have? Can just anybody train? Remember, you will be learning a martial art, and in the course of things, someone will be punching and kicking at you. It’s nice to know that the instructor screened his students (All my students go through an ongoing screening process, starting with the very first interview and first lesson).

5. How often can I come in? I allow my students full access to the training hall all day long, five days a week. If you can only come down twice a week, that’s ok if that works for you. I just know that working with adults, their schedule is always changing, so we have to change with them. Just be aware of what you can and can’t do. If all the sudden you cannot make your seven o’clock lesson, do they have another time for you?

6. Who teaches the class? Are they paid instructors or just teenage helpers trying to get their next belt? A paid instructor usually knows that they are being paid by the student. The unpaid teenager often doesn’t care if you stay or go, learn or not.

7. Do they have contracts? I love this one. I have done it both ways. I have signed contracts and I have not signed them. Let me tell you, the person that does not have a contract is no professional. They usually are the worst run schools. You must absolutely know up front what is expected from you, the student, and what you can expect from the school. How many times have you heard "get it in writing"? Well do it. The only reason not to sign a contract is the length of time you are committing to. Remember, they are committing to you as well. Contracts are not one sided. If you are not going to be in the area for the term of the contract, don’t sign it. All my agreements have a clause allowing you out if you get sick or move. One last thing, would you buy a house, rent an apartment, purchase a car, or sell a house without some sort of contract? I think not. So don’t fall for "we don’t have contracts here". A month to month club is just that, a month to month club. It takes two to commit. If the school is willing to commit, so should the student.

There are many other things to be aware of, but I feel these are the most critical. If you have any questions about a school in your area or want some advice, feel free to email me at the contact address below. I will be happy to help you make the right decision.

My 3 studios are located in Lynnwood, Kent and Bellevue Washington. If you live near one of those locations and are interested in a FREE 2 week trial at our state-of-the-art studios, please call us at 1-800-508-6141!

For more information on this article or others go to Articles on Martial Arts

Robert Jones runs three successful martial arts schools located in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Kent Washington. He has been helping families make positive changes in their lives through martial arts for over 20 years. He has also written A Guide on How to Pick a Martial Arts School

He can be reached at the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts. 800-508-6141. His schools can be found on the web at Bellevue Martial Arts and Kung Fu.

Playwright Edward Albee, in one of his best works, “The Zoo Story,” says through his character, Jerry, “Sometimes it takes you a long distance out of your way, to come back a short distance, correctly.”

No kidding!

Hundreds of times since I read, acted in, and directed that play, I’ve come back to ponder the wisdom in these words.

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on my eight-year journey to achieving the rank, Shodan, Black Belt, in Kenpo Karate. Am I different than I was in the beginning of this quest?

I’m not sure I can say I am; and I’m okay with that, if it’s true.

I studied Eastern philosophy and Zen since I was a teenager, decades ago, and I thought I had arrived at certain core insights regarding myself, and the universe.

Time and experience would shake these beliefs, and make me seek greater certitude, enhanced self-confidence, and most important, a bulwark against fear. So, I started karate training.

Now, I can see with real clarity, that I don’t have to fear a physical attack of any kind. I’m 6-2, and about 200 pounds, and people like me just aren’t picked on, at least, physically.

I didn’t feel that before; but now, I know it’s true.

So, do I need to be the efficient killer that I’ve learned to be?

Of course, not, and as the Tao, a great book of wisdom, says, I know it would be “the greatest misfortune to have an enemy,” that forced me into a violent response.

A popular, and often cited Zen verse says, before you study Zen a cup of tea is just that—a cup of tea. During your study, it is something more complicated, but at the end of your journey, it is just a cup of tea, once more.

Perhaps, that’s what Albee meant.

Anyway, I encourage you to study martial arts, but appreciate this: If you do it right, you’ll go way beyond fighting and even come to see it as repugnant, because a true karate or kindred art, is one without violence.

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone® and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service, and the audio program, “The Law of Large Numbers: How To Make Success Inevitable,” published by Nightingale-Conant. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide. A Ph.D. from USC’s Annenberg School, a Loyola lawyer, and an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. He holds the rank of Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. He is headquartered in Glendale, California, and he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

Tai Chi is an internal martial art which can be soft and gentle. It can and should be practised in a flowing way for practitioners of any age. Particlularly, in China and the est nowadays, people ove r 50 are taking up tai chi whilst the younger generation in china are not so interested in such a traditional art!

Tai chi has been proven by the 3000 years of Chinese experience and recent medical studies into te benefits of qigong [tai chi is acomplete qigong] to be beneficial to the health of the individual practioner. Complete recovery of from diseases from cancer to colds has been documented through diligent pratice of tai chi.

Tai chi can also be used to control arthritis. It is recommended that you learn under a highly experienced instructor, who has over 10 years of experience and has learned in China or from a well-recognized master with verificable "lineage". This is because you want to be learning the real thing and benefitting by clearer mind, healthier body and gradual recovery from any health challeneges you may have experienced or be experienceing.

Enjoying it so far: click here.

Tai chi chuan means "supreme ultimate fist". What does "supreme ultimate" mean to you? Tai chi is really about the cultivation of mind, body, spirit and also to kinds of energy, which we don’t have a proper concept of in the West. Those are internal energy, or chi which is present in the body from birth and we also get it from air and food. External energy is the energy that is in the universe. We learn to build up the chi in our bodies in tai chi and that helps us to improve our health. This is the medical aspect of tai chi. We learn to utilize the external energy in tai chi which is the martial aspect of the martial art of tai chi.

Tai chi is said to have been invented approximately 5000 years ago, legend has it either by a Taoist priest named Chang Seng Feng or passed to the ancient Chinese people by a group of people reputed to have been 7ft tall and these people - "the sons of reflected light" are said to have taught the arts to the chinese which has made their civilisation so advanced since as long as 3000 year ago as documented by discoveries of the porcelain and silk items in archaeology.

Chang Seng Feng is reported to have witnessed a fight between a crane and a snake and noticed the yielding and striking qualities of these animals and designed tai chi based on observations of nature. Tai chi is thus performed slowly and changingly, "flowing like a river" to promote longevity and health. does the tortoise or the elephant move quickly and fast? And how long do these creratures live for? Is it not possible then that we should slow down in our lives and relax like these long-living creature to improve our own chances of living long lives?

We imitate the movements of many animals in the tai chi form - a sequence of movements or postures which flow into each other. These stretching and strengthening exercises have very poetic names, beautiful such as White Crane Spreads Its Wings, Golden cock Stands On one Leg and Fair Lady Weaves The Shuttles.

Tai chi is a healthy exercise which improves circulation. The author used to be a medical student at Sheffield university and notes that Tai chi was used in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to aid recovery for heart attack patients. Tai chi incorporates breathing and movement as well as internal assage of the body’s organs and stretching of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Keeping a clear mind is important and whilst the exercise is anaerobic, i.e. not strenuous, the body feel invigorated after proper practice and one can feel energy circulating in the body after practice -so don’t overdo it. The key is consistent daily practice and taking responsibility for your health 100%

Sam Beatson Runs Several Websites:
http://www.tai-chi-kung-fu.com and http://www.tai-chi-kung-fu.gods-internet.com

Watch most of the martial arts movies coming from Hong Kong, and you’ll see some unusual hand weapons being deployed.

Some look like striking snakes; others like pecking hens.

Which hand weapons are best?

In my view, we should learn a variety of hand variations, but stick to deploying a just a few simple and solid ones in our training and in combat.

Here are my four favorites:

(1) Closed Fist. There is a reason that many punches employ a closed fist. It is solid, hard, resistant to injury, and it penetrates upon contact with the opponent. The knuckles are the primary striking surface, moving frontally or side to side, but the soft surface, next to the baby finger, can be used as well in a hammering motion.

(2) Tiger’s Claw. This is a five-finger deployment, utilizing curled and rigid digits, useful in facial and eye attacks.

(3) Braced Thumb. Make a fist, bring your thumb up beyond and flush with your index finger, and you have an excellent weapon for soft targets, such as eyes, or the temple area.

(4) Eagle’s Talon or Crab. This is a three-digit deployment, using the index and middle fingers and the thumb, in opposition to each other. Squeezing these together in an attack on the neck and Adam’s apple is efficient because it creates a quick grab and requires very little space for landing in the right spot.

I’m not a big fan of the “shuto,” known commonly as a “karate chop.” I think it’s too easy to damage yourself when using it, especially if you accidentally strike a hard surface of the opponent’s body.

For the same reason, I’m reluctant to launch solitary finger strikes. It’s way too easy to break an unsupported finger, causing pain and distraction in a critical situation.

Let me know what works for you, and why!

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone® and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service, and the audio program, “The Law of Large Numbers: How To Make Success Inevitable,” published by Nightingale-Conant. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide. A Ph.D. from USC’s Annenberg School, a Loyola lawyer, and an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. He holds the rank of Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. He is headquartered in Glendale, California, and he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

There are opportunities in martial arts training to learn to use various martial arts weapons. Many martial arts schools, especially those that teach Japanese karate and Chinese kung fu styles have weaponry as part of their overall curriculum. Popular weapons from karate systems include the bo staff, kama, sai, sword, nunchaku and tonfa. Chinese kung fu styles have broadsword, 3 section staff, kwan do, whip chain, butterfly knives as well as their own versions of staff. Of course, there are many other types of weapons in martial arts but the above are the more common ones taught. Some of the more exotic weapons include the fan, rope dart and the hook swords.

Martial arts weapons can be divided into short and long range. An example of a short range weapon would be a pair of sai. The bo staff would be a long range weapon because of the longer reach. Weapons can also be divided into bladed and non-bladed. Kamas and swords of course would be bladed weapons where staffs and nunchakus would be non-bladed. In most training situations with bladed weapons, the blades are not live. That is, the blades of swords and kamas are blunt rather than sharp. This adds to the safety aspect of martial arts weapons training. Weapons can also come in different weights from heavy traditional models down to ultra light weight versions for forms competition.

Martial arts weapons are considered as extensions of a martial artist’s own body. For example, strikes with a weapon are really extended hand strikes. Blocks with weapons are modeled after traditional martial art blocking techniques. Therefore, it is important for martial arts students to be relatively proficient with martial arts techniques using their own bodies first before learning to use any martial arts weapon. This will help the students understand the applications behind each weapons technique much better. In most Japanese karate schools, weapons training won’t be offered until students reach an intermediate level such as green or blue belt. There are martial arts that are strictly weapons oriented. An example is Japanese kendo which is modeled after samarai sword fighting. Philipino arnis is stick fighting which was developed in the South Pacific islands.

There are many benefits in training with martial arts weapons. Because most weapons have some weight to them, their use will help develop muscle tone and strength. Performing forms or katas with weapons will also develop coordination. In today’s world, martial arts weapons may not be as practical as the days of the past when it was acceptable to carry weapons wherever one traveled. However, with some understanding of weapons techniques, a martial artist today can turn almost any household item such as an umbrella, cane or even a set of keys into weapons of self defense if required. Another important point that shouldn’t be ignored is that most practitioners will claim that training with martial arts weapons is a lot of fun.

However, not all martial arts clubs and studios will teach weapons. Many tae kwon do schools for example do not include weapons in their overall training. This is not to say that Korean martial arts do not have weapons. The Korean martial art kuk sool won features the staff, sword and cane. So if a martial arts student wishes to learn the use of weapons, a school that includes them in their training should be sought after. Another alternative for students who are otherwise happy with their martial arts club that doesn’t have weapons training is to get supplementary private instruction from instructors who can provide it.

Weapons training can open up a whole new dimension to overall martial arts training. Even advanced tai chi practitioners use swords in some of their forms. It doesn’t matter if sometimes the swords are made entirely of wood either since the actual weapons techniques will still be used in the forms. For many martial arts competitors, weapons forms are their favorite divisions to compete in. From a spectator point of view, weapons forms can be very exciting to watch especially when weapons such as whip chains or kamas with strings are used since their presentations are so dynamic and even somewhat dangerous to the user. Such weapons have caused injuries to users when certain techniques were sloppy or mistimed. But like other aspects of martial arts, proficiency with a martial art weapon after much hard training can bring a high sense of satisfaction to a martial artist.

Clint Leung is a lifelong martial artist with over 32 years of training experience in kung fu, tae kwon do, karate, kickboxing and martial arts weaponry. He has won Canadian and world championship titles (NASKA, NBL and WSKF). He is also owner of Free Spirit Activewear (http://www.FreeSpiritActivewear.com), an online retailer and designer of premium martial arts activewear. Free Spirit Activewear has martial arts info articles.

A lot is written about “chi,” or the energy that flows in us and through us, giving us life and power.

Masters at martial arts give demonstrations of chi, seeming to effortlessly deflect attackers in aikido, and making their opponents weaken and freeze in place, in kenpo karate.

Is chi real? Do you have to become a master to tap into its power?

Masters are great at understanding it, and channeling it at will, but they certainly don’t have exclusive right to it. You’ve used chi thousands of times, without being aware of it.

For instance, I was at a meeting of a large group when I spotted a friend sitting thirty rows ahead of me. Instantly, after recognizing him, I focused on the back of his head.

Suddenly, he turned around, scanned the folks behind him, saw me, and smiled!

He knew someone was “flowing on him,” as it’s said in martial arts.

You can’t see chi, directly, or measure it using conventional tools. But we have it, we feel it, and we can use it.

It’s worth doing a few “field experiments” to demonstrate its power. Get some mirrored sunglasses, and go into a crowd. Focus on people, and then see if they look at you.

Can you make them turn around? Do they start scratching where you were looking? These are signs that it’s working.

Remember this adage: Where the attention goes, the energy flows!

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone® and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service, and the audio program, “The Law of Large Numbers: How To Make Success Inevitable,” published by Nightingale-Conant. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide. A Ph.D. from USC’s Annenberg School, a Loyola lawyer, and an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. He holds the rank of Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. He is headquartered in Glendale, California, and he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

Walk into most martial arts schools and you’ll be likely to see classes full of kids. You might even see classes mixed with kids and adults. Sights like these turn many adults away from the possibility of actually training themselves and even reinforce common misconceptions about martial arts. There are so many great reasons that disprove these misconceptions, and you owe it to yourself and your body to read this article and to open your mind to at least the possibility of training martial arts.

1. You may think you’re too old to start.

You’re never too old to start training martial arts – whether your 18 or 78, your body will thank you for it! There are so many physical benefits to training martial arts; it’s difficult to know where to begin. First of all, training martial arts increases flexibility. Increased flexibility will give you better posture, more ability to relax your muscles and lower occurrences of injuries. Even if you’re currently physically active, martial arts will bring your physical conditioning to a new level. You’ll be working your entire body and reaching a variety of muscle groups with each workout. When training martial arts, there isn’t a need to “alternate” muscle groups because the workout is always changing. Finally, training martial arts is a great way to burn those extra calories and to lose weight.

2. You suspect that you’re not in the physical condition necessary to do such an activity.

If you find the right school and the right instructor, your training will move at a pace that’s compatible with your abilities and conditioning. This will allow you to move as fast or as slow as you need to remain comfortable in your training. Training martial arts with the right instructor will also lessen your chances of suffering an injury. Your instructor will be there to monitor your moves to make sure you’re not making a mistake that could potentially be injurious.

3. You think it will be easier to just join a gym and lift weights.

You could get many of the same benefits of training martial arts by joining a gym, but there are some benefits of martial arts that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Martial arts give you a full body workout – both cardio and conditioning – at every session. At a gym, you have to plan ahead to make sure you’re reaching every muscle group during conditioning and still have time to do a cardio workout as well. In addition to that, training martial arts with an instructor is like having a personal trainer with you at all of your workouts.

Training martial arts also gives you a mental workout like nothing else. While most people say that any physical activity can reduce stress, martial arts goes one step further. The inner balance needed to participate in these activities puts you in tune with your body, better than any other physical activity. You cannot do martial arts while reading a magazine or day dreaming about your upcoming vacation. You will be focusing on the here and now and that will help you clear you mind and better be able to deal with the daily stresses of life after your workout.

4. You don’t want to have a class with a bunch of kids.

If you cannot find a school that can give individual instruction, you can look for classes that are strictly for adults. Classes like this often become people’s highlight of the week. You’ll soon find yourself looking forward to the fun and excitement of getting together with your “group”.

5. You don’t think you have the time to spend on a new activity.

The focus and concentration you develop while training martial arts will carry over into all parts of your life. You may not realize it now, but the hours during the week that you spend training in your martial art will actually help you make better use of your time outside of your training. You’ll be able to focus on your job, home and family. You’ll be able to concentrate and get your tasks done more efficiently. Training martial arts is also a spiritual experience that can help you have inner peace – yet another quality to help you get through your busy schedule more easily.

Still not completely convinced that adults can successfully start martial arts training? Do some research and find a great school in your area to give it a try. I’ll even make it easier for you. Just contact me and I’ll send you my free guide on how to choose a martial arts school.

Sincerely,

Mr. Robert Jones
Master Instructor
The Academy of Kempo Martial Arts

For more information on this article or others go to Articles on Martial Arts.

Robert Jones runs three successful martial arts schools located in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Kent Washington. He has been helping families make positive changes in their lives through martial arts for over 20 years. He has also written A Guide on How to Pick a Martial Arts School.

He can be reached at the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts. 800-508-6141. His schools can be found on the web at Bellevue Martial Arts and Kung Fu.