Tae Kwon Do Girls .... Empowerment, Confidence, Health

Besides the ability to kick butt, martial arts training develops all round physical strength and fitness like no other sport.  Overcoming difficult challenges like sparring and breaking boards empowers girls. The end result is high self esteem and an incredible amount self confidence.  Suddenly Nothing Is Impossible!  The tae kwon do girl is more confident than her peers.

Participation in tae kwon do sport at a younger age gives female athletes numerous advantages throughout life:

·         She will have reduced rates of pre-menopausal breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, back problems and osteoporosis.

·         She is academically more successful enjoying a 20-39% increase in grades than girls who do not participate in sports.

·         The TKD girl is more likely to attend a four year college.

·         She is more likely to aspire to leadership roles within her community.

Taekwondo is tough.  Most people only stick at it for a year or two.  And very few adults and even less children make it to their black belt grading.  The bottom line for your child… a TKD girl is physically, emotionally and spiritually healthier.

CHANNELING THAT EXCESS ENERGY INTO AMAZING LIFELONG SKILLS

Activities like tae kwon do are an excellent way for children to achieve fitness and focus.  Although some parents may think martial arts promote violence, experts agree “that’s a myth.”

Tae Kwon Do actually helps to teach self-discipline and socialization skills.  At Professional Black Belt Academy, a typical class begins and ends with a bow to the instructor.  After a warm-up, students practice their skills, which include kicks, punches, and blocks. Each requires concentration and strict attention.  We test for each new level, generally every two months and this encourages setting and achieving goals.

And while physical fitness and focus are key elements, one of the most important benefits your young one will receive is the benefit of learning respect.  Whether from bowing or standing still and waiting for the next command; it will often carry over into school, helping to improve behavior and even grades, according to recent research.
Children in taekwondo get physically and mentally stronger.  Taekwondo isn't just a physical training. It's a mental training.   Taekwondo students learn complicated movements. Which help their concentration and memory. And they learn to coordinate their bodies.  Children in taekwondo learn discipline. They learn to do as they are asked. And they gain the self-discipline to keep going when training is tough.  Another of the benefits of taekwondo for children is that there is great emphasis on respect. And courtesy.  Kids in taekwondo also learn the power of perseverance. 

Children in Sports - Statistics

50% of athletes ages 11-14 will drop out of sports.  One of the top reasons children lose interest in sporting events is because it requires too much time away from friends and that underlying pressure. 

Over 20,000 kids nation-wide, were asked, “Why they participate in sports.”  To have fun and the excitement of the competition were among the top answers.  Over 65% said they participate in sports to be with friends.

I encourage each of you, if you like the results and impact the martial arts have on your child, encourage their friends’ parents to enroll their children as well.  Martial Arts training is a lifelong pursuit that can follow your child well into retirement with continued advancement and challenges.  So while football, basketball, soccer, and baseball are all great team sports; remember, 98 out of 100 high school athletes never play collegiate sports of any kind at any level and only 1 in 16,000 high school athletes attains a professional career in sports.

Source: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Estimated Probability of Competing in Athletics Beyond the High School Interscholastic Level.

THE HISTORY OF TAEKWONDO

By Glen R. Morris