Bullying is a huge problem for many kids in school. Kids who are bullied often lack self-confidence and self-esteem. They are always under a constant fear, and it hinders their overall progress. It is a problem that needs to be tackled before it gets out of hand and causes permanent mental scarring.
There are many ways to tackle this problem, but the best way is to instill self-confidence in your kids. With confidence comes the courage to stand up for themselves. One of the best ways to do this is through martial arts training.
Martial arts instill qualities such as self-confidence, respect, discipline, self-control and self-defense that are keys to fight bullying. Training can not only help your kids to feel good about themselves, but it also helps them to be physically capable of defending themselves.
Here are some ways martial arts training can help your kid to stand up to and face his/her bullies.
1. Building confidence
It is a fact that bullies pick on the victims that they feel are easy targets. If your child lacks self-belief and self-confidence, he/she is more likely to be bullied and pick on. Martial arts training helps your child to build confidence and courage. Children who train in any form of martial arts project an aura of confidence that deters the bullies from picking on them. The kids gain the physical strength and mental confidence that enables them to resist and stand up to bullies. Strong, confident kids and less likely to be bullied and even if they are picked on, they can handle themselves better.
2. Developing leadership skills
Bullies tend to pick on less popular kids who have few friends. If your child is socially awkward and has few friends, he/she may be a target of bullying. Martial arts training can help such kids to be more sociable. The training develops a feeling of camaraderie and teamwork that helps kids to be more social. They can make friends easier and can overcome social anxiety. 3. Learning self-defense
Bullies pick on kids that appear physically weak and unable to defend themselves. They like to overpower kids to submission. Martial arts training can help your children to learn self-defense skills and develop the physical strength. The feeling that they can handle their bullies instills confidence in children that can help them control themselves better.
4. Self-control
More often than not, a particular behavior precipitates bullying. Unfortunately, some kids fail to recognize this triggering behavior. Martial arts training can help kids to realize self-control of their behavior. Self-control can also help the children to control their emotions and prevent the situation from escalating into something ugly.
5. Discipline
Mastering martial arts is not an easy feat to achieve. It requires a lot of discipline and focus. Kids training in martial arts often exhibits a higher level of discipline which helps them to control their impulsive behavior. It is a life lesson that will help your child throughout his/her life. Bullies don’t pick on kids that seem calm and together.
Something to take home
Bullying is an inevitable phenomenon. As long as there are kids, there are going to be the ones who bully them. Instilling confidence and courage is the best way to deal with bullies and martial arts can help your child achieve just that. It doesn’t matter what martial art your child chooses, all of them have the same basic principles of instilling confidence, esteem, respect and focus.
While you may already be aware of the physical benefits associated with martial arts, you may be less familiar with how martial arts can benefit the self-confidence and overall mental health of both children and adults. From helping you develop positive self-speak that carries over to your self-respect to improving your confidence, making communication and interactions with others much easier, here’s a quick look at how martial arts can help you achieve success in your life.
The Link Between Martial Arts and Confidence
For anyone taking martial arts, the knowledge that they are getting stronger can have a significant impact on their overall level of confidence. By exposing yourself to challenging situations that require you to perform at your absolute best, you begin to realize that you have the ability to handle pretty much any type of situation that comes your way. Additionally, as you learn and master new skills, you’ll develop a sense of personal empowerment and faith in your abilities. Both of these things will definitely give your self-esteem a boost.
It’s also worth noting that the physical benefits associated with martial arts, including being healthier overall, weight loss, and having a sleeker appearance, are sure to help increase your self-confidence even more.
The Relationship Between Confidence and Communication
As your confidence and self-worth grows, you’ll notice that you also have an easier time communicating with others both inside and outside of the studio. You are likely to find that you have the confidence needed to go up and start new conversations, as well as the ability to keep them going. In addition, if you are new to martial arts, you can take your ability to step outside of your comfort zone and walk into the studio and transfer it to social situations.
Martial Arts and Your Mood
Research has shown time and time again that regular exercise is one of the easiest and best ways to improve your mood. The endorphins released when you are physically active help reduce stress, frustration, anxiety, and even depression. All of these are feelings that can result in a decreased sense of self-worth. Fortunately, routinely taking martial arts classes will cause the release of these endorphins, leaving you more relaxed and happier in your everyday life. This, of course, will enhance your level of self-confidence.
How Martial Arts Facilitates Success in Other Parts of Your Life
Regardless of your age, one of the greatest benefits associated with martial arts is the confidence it helps you build. These feelings of self-worth and self-assurance will translate to other parts of your life, making it easier for you to approach new challenges with a positive, can-do attitude. The confidence that you have the ability to do something goes a long way in breeding success.
Whether you are entirely new to martial arts or have had some training in the past, there’s never been a better time to get into the studio and start learning new skills. Not only are you sure to appreciate the physical benefits you’ll see, but you’ll also be pleased with the mental health benefits martial arts provides.
Did you know that martial arts originated from the Xia Dynasty more than 4,000 years ago? Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor introduced the fighting system in China. The Emperor was described as the famous general who wrote lengthy treatises of medicine and martial arts. Since then, martial arts has spread around the world with different techniques incorporated not only to train one how to defend themselves but to improve their self confidence, cultivate self control and improve coordination.
A wide variety of classes are offered; from TaeKwonDo to Tai Chi with each lesson designed to evoke discipline, honor and respect among the trainees. Furthermore, it helps to cultivate focus and teamwork among the students.
To ensure success, every martial artist is inspired by different concepts which help them to be successful in the training and life. Here are 5 of the concepts you need to know about.
Humility
Yes martial art imparts skills to help defend yourself. You can learn how to block punches and kicks from your opponents. One attribute that you get to learn from martial arts is humility. Okay you get to train with others as a team but there comes a time when you will be required to step onto the mat, ring or cage to face them as an opponent. Regardless of your mastery in the art, it is wise never to underestimate your opponent. You may originate from the ring or mat a winner or loser but what you need to know is that failure is not the end of the road. Failure is normal and it reminds you to stay humble. Never let your ego blind you from reality.
Goal setting
At the start of the year, every person gets to make resolutions. They are centered on one’s life, health or economic situation. The end goal is simple – to improve every aspect of one’s life for the better. Martial arts is the same, once you enroll for training, you need to stick it out till the end. One way of doing so is setting goals for yourself. Start by writing down your goals. This will act as a guide and eliminate random resolutions which may fade away quickly. Your goals need to be clear and concise. By setting goals in your life, you will get to separate the important stuff from the unimportant.
Discipline
Martial art helps you to cultivate self confidence and to attain all levels; you need to be disciplined too. For starters, you have to attend training each day. Second, respect your team mates and other trainees. Your social status is irrelevant inside the dojo; you are all equal. Lastly, it is important to follow the rules and processes of the dojo. This includes respect for your instructors. To be successful in martial arts, cultivate discipline. It helps to differentiate between the successful trainees and unsuccessful ones.
Passion
Passion is an intense energy or a powerful feeling. It is also when you put your energy into something with the purpose of succeeding. True passion is needed if you want to become a successful martial artist. Passion allows you to put your mind, heart and soul into what you love to do. This is how you become successful. First and foremost, sit down and reflect about your goals. Next, come up with strategies to help you attain your goals. Lastly, keep checking your strategies to ensure they are in line with your goals.
Patience
Rome was not built in one day so you cannot learn everything about martial arts within a short time. Patience is an important virtue and very helpful in day to day life. Since success rarely comes overnight, then you have to persevere and be patient. You will face many challenges in life plus the path to success is long but if you are patient, you will overcome your obstacles finally attaining your goals. This is how you become successful.
Final Thoughts
Life is full challenges but hey, that does not mean that one cannot enjoy it. Everyone has goals they would have to achieve especially martial artists. Not only do they need to learn the skills vital to face their opponents in the ring but they need to be successful at it too. The only way to achieve this is by incorporating different concepts. They include humility, goal setting, discipline, passion and patience. With these at heart, success will be in your hands within no time.
