“When children have a solid social support system that encourages physical activity and have role models to look up to, they are more likely to be physically active when they are older. “
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I have trained for a variety of reasons over the years. As I aged, so did my motivations. It has amazed me how the Martial Arts has been able to provide me with this ever adapting motivation to improve myself. At different stages of my life, karate meant different things to me. During my youth, Karate was a social activity.
Activities and events outside of regular classes let kids build relationships with one another. Even as an instructor, you’re able bond with your students: camps, seminars, lectures, workshops, cleanups, and tournaments. These relationships are another reason to go to class.
I see it today with the youth kids that are preparing for Black belt. I saw it when my kids were coming up the ranks. I experienced it when I was training. The students who train the longest and hardest are the ones with the strongest friendships. The students who lose the motivation are the students who come to the minimum amount of classes, do nothing extra and don’t want friendships.
I have a youth blue belt who travels from Windsor to train at events. I am sure there are a few reasons he makes the trek. The biggest one, is because he wants to hang out and see his friends. Life is about the relationships we make. Friends are a special bond of trust and caring that we earn through years of standing side by side in the pursuit of a common goal. The dojo’s ability to fuse two people, through sweat and hard work, is unparalleled.
Shihan Cyr – Head Instructor and Founder – Academy of Martial Arts
