How To Choose a Dojo, Instructor and Martial art Classes for Kids

Our children live in a hurry-up world of busy parents, pressures at school, never-ending lessons, video games, malls and competitive sports. And while we typically don’t think of these influences as stressful for our kids, often they are. The bustling pace of our children’s lives can have a profound effect on their essential joy, and usually not for the better.

Martial arts can help counter these pressures by teaching techniques for self-health, relaxation, and inner fulfillment, to help them navigate life’s challenges with a little more ease. Martial arts at an early age encourages self-esteem and body awareness with a physical activity that’s noncompetitive. Nurturing cooperation and compassion instead of opposition is a great gift to give our children.

Children derive enormous benefits from Martial art classes for kids. Physically, it enhances their flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness. In addition, their concentration and sense of calmness and relaxation improves. Doing martial arts, children exercise, play, connect more deeply with the inner self, and develop a relationship with the natural world that surrounds them. Martial arts brings that marvelous inner light that all children have to the surface.

Following are our tips for choosing a Dojo, instructor and classes.

Step 1: Visit different Dojos.

Before you commit to a Dojo, stop by for an introductory class, or even just talk with the people who are there. Just as gyms range from Planet Fitness to CrossFit, there are numerous options when it comes to martial art classes, so it’s best to get a feel for your choices in person.

Here are three things to consider when selecting a Dojo:

Location and Price:

This might seem like a no-brainer, but the most important part of martial art class is attendance. It doesn’t matter if you sign up for the best Dojo in town – if the location is inconvenient or cost prohibitive, it’ll be difficult to establish a daily martial art habit.

Community:

A Dojo with a good community can deepen your experience. Here are some important questions to ask yourself to figure out the best kind of martial arts community for you:

      Do you want to chat with people from your class, or do you want to run in when you have the time, take the class, and then leave?

      Are you interested in learning more about things like meditation, body work, nutrition, or natural health?

     Do you want spirituality to be part of your practice?

Classes Offered:

If you want to keep your long-term martial arts future in mind, make sure to also choose a Dojo that offers a wide range of martial arts classes for kids. As your practice grows, you’ll eventually want to try more challenging classes or target parts of your practice you feel are lacking.

Step 2: Choose an instructor you connect with.

Going to your first class should be about finding a teacher you connect with, regardless of the style. Look for a teacher who will listen to you and offer feedback on your practice.

Step 3: Start with a beginner’s martial arts class for kids.

The best person to tell you what level your child is at is you. Choosing the best martial arts class comes down to how you feel about it. It’s important to remember that advancing to an intermediate class doesn’t mean they can’t go back to a beginner class from time to time.

Settle into your martial arts habit.

The most important thing when you select a teacher, class, and Dojo is that your child feels comfortable there. Good martial arts classes for kids are a supportive and inclusive community that gives you and your child space to explore your practice.

Interested in more information regarding our martial arts classes for kids? Give us a call or stop by today and we’ll be happy to show you around!