So Your Child Wants To Kick, Punch & Scream ?

A lot of parent's shudder in disbelief when their child mentions the work Karate or Martial Arts. Broken furniture, mangled brothers and sisters, and holes in the walls are usually the first images that pop into a parent's head. Dispelling these myths and misunderstandings is generally the right place to begin when you first start inquiring about the martial arts.

How Can Your Child Benefit From Martial Arts Training?

Martial Arts is unique in athletics, not just in being a "self defense" form, but because it is a Total Learning style activity. To get a better idea of what we mean by Total Learning activity, let's compare baseball for children and Martial Arts.

While baseball is known for developing competitiveness, most beginning programs must by necessity assume the new players already possess the basic physical skills for the game. The ability to run, throw a ball, and other simple, hand-eye coordination skills are taken for granted. Many children, however, are underdeveloped in these skills, which prevents them from really taking part in the game and they end up as "bench warmers." Only the "naturals" end up receiving a full enjoyment of the sport.

Children learning Martial Arts begin by practicing the basic skills that are the foundation of the sport. These skills, which help build their coordination and balance, let the children become active in their sport as they progress, instead of just sitting on the bench. These fundamentals are the building blocks of all athletic skills and allow every child to progress, no matter what abilities he first brings to class.

Self Discipline and Self Confidence For Your Child

When you first visit a martial arts school, much of what you see may be new to you. One of the more subtle things you'll notice is the air of dignity and discipline in a class.

These traditions are not only a part of the history of Martial Arts, but also help to make it a special activity that retains its excitement of years. The bowing you see in class, for example, may not have much meaning on its own, but this traditional Oriental greeting adds a very special air of dignity.

A great example of tradition and discipline that you are probably already familiar with is the Boy Scouts. Their oath and salute would surely stand out if reviewed separately but together they enhance the total program and give it an order that allows the child to learn more in a shorter period of time.

The discipline you see in your class often turns into self discipline outside of class. Usually, when children first start Martial Arts, it's the parents who love the discipline and the child who is drawn by the fun and challenge of the martial art.

Later, after the child has acquired respect for others and most importantly himself-he will develop a sense of personal commitment. This commitment and discipline can often reflect in things he does in his everyday life. A lot of parents, for example, notice subtle changes in their children's school work and in their self control and patience with other children.

Another benefit associated with our style of training is improved self confidence. Any child can do Martial Arts-all at various levels of proficiency-and everyone can progress and feel a sense of accomplishment. This allows a child to gain confidence in his abilities while learning to deal effectively with peers and adults.

Learning The Techniques

Taekwondo (our specialty) incorporates a variety of self defense techniques such as kicking, blocking, striking and punching. Many of the techniques, such as spinning and jumping kicks, have no counterpart in other martial arts and are unique to Taekwondo. After watching a class it's easy to see why Taekwondo is often referred to as the most athletic of the martial arts.

Translated, Taekwondo means "Arts of the hand and foot", and originally comes from Korea. Taekwondo is the world's largest martial art and has roots based on techniques tested for thousands of years.

Athletic ability increases the longer the child takes the lessons. As it does, the child's overall coordination continues to grow as does his ability to defend himself. What begins as an odd assortment of uncoordinated movements soon turns into a knowledge of self defense that can last a lifetime.

Getting Started

New beginners are starting every day. Each new student starts slowly and progresses at his own rate of speed. Most children should begin by attending twice a week with each class lasting about an hour.

Don't be concerned if your child is a little nervous or thinks the techniques look to difficult; he will be in class with other beginners just like himself. The instructors will do everything possible to make sure this nervousness disappears as quickly as possible.

Thanks again for your interest and we hope you decide to make Homer Martial Arts a part of your child's learning and recreation activities.

Relieve Stress, Increase Fitness and Much More!

With the hustle bustle pace of today's world, it's not wonder that more and more people are feeling the effects of stress. Add this to a lack of free time devoted to maintaining your health and it's easy to see where health problems can begin. We do however, have the perfect solution. An exciting and fun way to stay in shape and reduce stress that only takes a couple of hours a week. You can learn at your own pace and have lots of fun. We call it our executive martial arts program.

Interesting

For over 2,000 years the people of the Orient have looked towards the secrets of the martial arts as the perfect way to stay in shape, increase fitness, flexibility, and stamina. We want to share those secrets with you so you can banish stress and enjoy a long and healthy life.

The best part of all is that while you quickly and easily improve your health, you will also be learning a new world of exciting and interesting techniques. Meditation, proper breathing, stretching exercises, oriental philosophy, and of course, how to defend yourself. Instead of wondering how you are going to pass the time in the gym you will be looking forward to each and every information filled class.

Great Use of Time

As a businessman, we realize your time is very precious. Our executive martial arts program is a great use of time, in each and every class, you will go through a structured program. First we meditate to reduce stress. Then we stretch to increase flexibility and work out to improve your cardiovascular performance. We then discuss self defense techniques and return to a workout using them. In this way, you get a complete balanced work out every class.

The Benefits

These are just some of the many benefits you will enjoy in our executive martial arts program.

• Stress relief and proper breathing for a longer and healthier life.
• Increase stamina for added energy.
• Better health so you feel great.
• Flexibility keeps your body young.
• Weight loss and muscle toning keeps you looking good.
• Self discipline and the confidence that comes from knowing you have the ability to protect yourself and your family should the need ever arise.

Martial arts will help give your child an edge in life

At our Martial Arts Academy we work hard to instill in our children's program the same type of values you stress at home. Things like honesty, self discipline and self control. We also work on a number of other attributes that could really give your child an edge on life.

Our children's martial arts program dramatically improves concentration which often pays off in the form of better school grades. Increased coordination and balance shows up in all other activities. Self respect gives your child the confidence to face up to the many challenges he will face in the future, while the peace of mind you get from knowing he can defend himself will never go away.

Health, defense, fitness and fun... a great combination to improve your life!

If you are looking to get in great shape but are tired of the same old music at the aerobics center or the same old routine at the gym, we have the answer. Our Martial Arts adult health and fitness program.

Designed for busy adults, just like you, it offers flexible schedules and terrific rates. In it, you will learn how to regain your flexibility, increase your stamina and improve your overall health quickly. But that's just the beginning. You will also learn how proper breathing and meditation can eradicate stress from your life. How to improve your concentration self discipline, and attitude so you perform better at work plus enjoy your life.

The best part of all, is it's fun. With so many things going on you will never get bored!

Benefits for your child that will last a lifetime

There are few if any programs available that offer so many benefits in helping a child develop than a carefully structured martial arts program. At the Homer Martial Arts Academy we have helped many children develop the skill and positive traits that will help them through life.

Structured Programs

At the Homer Martial Arts our carefully structured programs are designed to bring out the best in each and every child we teach. Our programs will:

• Build self confidence that will pay off for the rest of your child's life.
• Develop self discipline that gives your child the power to resist the many bad influences that face today's youth.
• Increase concentration that very often pays off in the form of better grades in school.
• Coordination and balance that will improve performance in many other activities.
• .... and much more.