Teen Development is Important
A lot of important development is happening during the teenage years and now that we’re in this new age of technology and social media, it can be hard for teenagers to receive everything they need to have a healthy mental, physical, and emotional development. Fortunately, there are ways that parents can try to ensure their child gains certain admirable qualities and strengths during these sensitive years and one of those ways is martial arts.
Best Martial Arts For Teens
Martial arts is a training class that allows people to build strength, learn discipline, and gain empowerment through several self-defense moves that are effective and useful. For that reason, a martial arts class would be very beneficial to teens because they will learn some necessary life skills while also improving their physical and mental health at the same time because martial arts also helps to develop the character of those who train.
Learning martial arts would be very valuable for teens because those who consistently practice martial arts can develop some great conflict resolution skills, learn how to increase their attention and focus, and gain a high level of self-confidence to make it through the toughest of times. Several martial arts disciplines are suitable for teens and each of them will be described below.
Karate
Karate is one of the most common styles of martial arts and this Japanese discipline comes from a word that means “empty hand” which makes sense because Karate is a combat style that involves blocking, striking, and kicking with one’s arms and legs while being unarmed. This discipline is so safe that children can begin training at around 5 years old, and it is also so beneficial thanks to the emphasis it puts on teaching children to be respectful and wholesome.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ is another martial arts discipline style that is found in Japanese Jujutsu (which means “gentle art”) and Judo. Jujutsu is a combat style made of joint locks and throws, and BJJ is a specific example of this style that has gotten very popular in the last ten years for both children and adults.
BJJ was created by a well-known Brazilian family who practiced martial arts, and they created it to serve as a form of self-defense that would be more effective against adversaries who are bigger. That means that BJJ is great for teens to learn as they grow and develop in size so that they can have confidence to handle bullies or any other troubles that may come their way.
Kung Fu
Kung Fu is another type of martial arts discipline that has become quite common because it was popularized among children for its use in the well-know animated film, Kung Fu Panda. This well-liked discipline has been around for a long time with its rigorous and fast-paced style. Likewise, kung fu is great for the development of teens who are over-active because it allows them to get out all their physical energy while also learning how to be calm and patient in the moment.
Taekwondo
Taekwondo was started in Korea as a martial arts discipline that is used to energize the body with kicks and punches. Taekwondo is also an Olympic sport and teens who train in this special discipline will learn some complicated techniques that improve physical strength and mental strength in the form of gaining more perseverance and patience. Another plus is that Taekwondo uses meditation techniques and breathing practices to help improve the memory and concentration of those who practice and train.
Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do is another Korean discipline and it combines different martial art techniques. Tang Soo Do is taught to children as an art; and its lack of competition makes it ideal for teens and even younger siblings. Another way Tang Soo Do focuses on art is the way it teaches students how they can focus on mastering their own body instead of worrying about what their opponent’s going to do.
Judo
Judo is another martial arts discipline that takes place in the Olympic games and its core combat style is throws that help students develop stamina, balance, and physical fitness. The Judo technique is competitive, and it places emphasis on the competitors getting their opponent to the ground. Training in Judo is allowed at any age, but those under 8 years of age are not even allowed to compete in formal competitions.
(American) Kenpo
(American) Kenpo is referred to by many as Kenpo Karate and this martial arts discipline started in Hawaii as a type of combat style that is modern and hybrid. (American) Kenpo combines different techniques that can be found in the style of many other types of martial arts. (American Kenpo) places emphasis on lower body kicks and fast hand techniques for its use as a system of self-defense that can be very beneficial to real-life situations and conflicts.
Teens can find several advantages in learning (American) Kenpo because the Kenpo training programs teach moves that are broader and useful in helping students to create opportunities that will allow them to escape combative situations instead of having to figure out how they can harm their attacker in defense.
Conclusion
It is clear that any of these martial arts disciplines will be helpful to teen development because of the valuable life skills and positive character traits these unique combative styles will create and foster in those who are ready and willing to learn.