martial arts

[petes_dragon]

Evening all!

Does anyone out there know much about martial arts?

How old to kids have to be to start lessons?....I am interested in maybe sending my son (just turned 4yrs) to classes to encourage his self confidence etc as he is quite shy at times.....do you think this is too young?

Or could dance classes be a better idea?

Thanks
A xXx

[MrBen5]

Hmmm, dont send him dancing. Thats a girls thing. (Unless you want him to turn out gay). You can get him in a karate class from 4 years and upwards, but i dont know about martial arts.It will probably cost about a tenner a time (usually an hour) for the karate, depending on where you live.
He will be able to do kickboxing when he is 6. I did kickboxing when i was 9, then did boxing. But this was a few yeard back now, things may have changed slightly...

[##Wardy##]

I am not a dad, but 4 does seem a little young. Martial arts is teaching self-control as well as defence, is a 4 year old really able to exert mental control over lifes rich tapestry? I doubt it.

When he is older, may I suggest Judo. I tried various martial arts when I was a nipper and found Judo to be the best for strenght and everyday application. Judo has also been the favoured martial art for our armed services and Police force (either Judo of variation such as ju-jitsu or the home office UDT {unarmed defensive tactics}).

In most situations, say a robbery or a barroom brawl, my money will always be on the judo trained man as opposed to karate, kung-fu, thai boxers et al. Also, there is less risk of civil or criminal proceedings against the judo man as there is no striking involved, only holds, take-downs and locks.

Further, judo is the quiet mans choice. The karate kid (no pun intended) will often show off and leap from school tables pretending to be Bruce Lee, but the judo kid is a reserved, dignified child. Safe in the knowledge that he could actually whoop the ar5s off any kid in school.

[Carakeel]

Three of my grandchildren and my daughter are taking Aikido classes. My daughter has a teaching degree (primary school teacher and special needs teacher) and is also a door woman on weekends. Seeing what goes on in the clubs nowadays she has decided her children and she should learn self-defence. Her youngest is only 5 (boy) and the girls are 11 and 13. It is teaching them to protect themselves while also building up their confidence! I think what you chose should also depend on the child. There is nothing wrong with dance. It does not automatically make a boy gay!!! I myself would chose a form of martial arts that is more about self-defence than fighting, like my daughter has. It is great fun for the kids, great exercise, keeps them fit and safe and teaches them to be disciplined. I think she pays �5 a session each for the first two children and the third is free. She pays �10 for herself. The kids and she absolutely love it, so it is well worth the money.

[nursecarla]

Yep judo is ideal karate may look spectacular but from a fitness and defense point of view i believe judo to be better but not at 4 it is a little young, all it would involve at that age is just basic games 7 or 8 would be preferable and i would certainly recommend it xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[nanscamp]

My 2 sons do taekwondo. They have to be 5 to join. (they are now 10 and 13 and have been going 3 years and are both black belt.) I know it is not the main thing but it can get quite expensive. They need a licence to practice - �25.00 per year - helmets and pads �40.00 - �5.00 per lesson 3 times per week - grading every 12 weeks up to black belt - �18.00 - sometimes I think I just go to work to pay for this. Like I say, it is not the main thing and I dont want to put you off but it is a long term commitment if they enjoy it and you are not always told exactly how much it will cost you.

[crosso]

the thing that astonishes me is not that someone should give an answer saying that male dancers are likely to be gay. (Obviously most Flamenco and Salsa dancers are not gay, not to mention Russian dancers and many others - they hope to exude hetero sexuality.) What amazes me is the assumption that NO martial arts tutors and students are gay. Why do some of the answers assume that this is so? Why be homophobic nowadays in any case?