In the early days of martial arts expansion in the US almost all the classes were formatted for adults. In fact, back in the 60s and early 70s, it was rare to find a traditional school that was geared toward children. In the following years, an interesting shift occurred. In today’s world, you often find martial arts schools who train children almost exclusively with very few adult students. Quite often, parents are surprised when an instructor suggests that they try out classes! One of the beauties of martial arts training is that it has something for every age.
Early Childhood
What do children under the age of 6 really need for their development? Most pediatricians would agree that gross motor skills, cross body coordination, cardiovascular exercise, and balance are some of the most important physical attributes to work on with children ages 5-8. If you asked a psychologist, they might mention skills such as problem solving, social interaction, inhibitory control, and the ability to follow multi-step instructions. A high-quality martial arts school will help to improve all of those skills. Not only that, but a good martial arts instructor will also re-enforce the moral training that children should be receiving at home!
Even if children didn’t start training in martial arts prior to the age of 6, they will be able to increase their rate of growth in both physical and mental capacity by leaps and bounds between the ages of 6 and 10 years old. Children in this age group are basically sponges. They are easily impressed, and they absorb the actions of those around them like a chameleon in a flower garden! By placing them in an environment where they are surrounded by people of good character, they will begin to emulate that character at home. Not only will their character grow, but all of the basic muscle groups they need to be successful in middle school and high school sports will be strengthened. Most kids who train at least two days per week in martial arts find that their ability to transition into other sports is boosted because of the hand/body coordination they learn through targeting and balance drills.
The Pre-Teen Years
If you look back at your pre-teen age, I bet you will remember a few key people who were massive influences in your life. Maybe a “best friend” or teacher, coach, or extended family member. The pre-teen years are filled with new experiences and the solidifying of relational boundaries. Most kids struggle with both their bodies and brains during this age and need significant guidance from others. Consistent martial arts training provides stability, positive peer groups, and moral foundations that will help kids to overcome the challenges of the upcoming turmoil in their teen years.
The Teen Years
These are some of the most formative and most difficult times of our lives. We are bombarded by hormones, decisions, challenges, and new ideas. Unfortunately, many people who started training earlier in their lives quit during the teen years. Martial arts has so much to offer to teens, but cultural stigma in the western world has made it “uncool”. If, however, a student continues their training (or begins it) during their teens, they will likely find that the gym is a haven for them. They will be surrounded by people who want them to grow both physically and mentally. They will have a physical outlet for the hormonal stresses that cause so much frustration. They will find stability and consistency in a world that is changing faster than they can keep up with it most days. Martial arts training has the ability to point out both our weaknesses, and our strengths and teach us how to balance those. In a good school, teens will be encouraged to develop their self-control, work ethic, integrity, and communication skills. Most teens who train in martial arts find themselves to be more confident outside of the martial arts school and more capable of managing their emotions in stressful situations.
Early Adulthood
During this stage of life, many people are setting the trajectory for their future. Looking for jobs, finishing education, getting married, and having children. It is an incredibly dynamic part of life that can make it difficult to remain consistent in training. However, our bodies are still young and need exercise to be kept healthy. Not only that, but the teen and young adult years are when people are most likely to encounter a situation that requires the ability to de-escalate a violent situation or the ability to physically defend oneself. A good martial arts school will teach BOTH of these skill sets or will at the very least provide an understanding that both should be developed. Training during this stage of life sets a pattern for the rest of our health journey. Most people die of things like cancer, heart disease, or other health issues. By creating good exercise habits and by solidifying moral standards, young adults can prolong their health for years to come!
Middle Age
By this age, many people have forgotten how good it feels to be active. Whether they are working in an office, or have a long commute, or simply got tired of whatever workout they used to do, people start to stagnate. One of the primary causes for injury in middle aged people is lack of balance and flexibility. This is also a time when our body is exchanging its faster metabolism for a slower, less aggressive fat burn. It can be hard to maintain long term health because people aren’t excited about “fitness” anymore, and the workouts that used to pump them up just hurt now. Martial arts is designed to be adapted to the body you have. A good instructor will take into account any injuries or medical problems a student has picked up along the way and teach them how to work around or through those to maintain long term health and well-being.
The Senior Years
Many people believe that martial arts is only for young, healthy people. Unfortunately, that means they miss out on an incredible opportunity to provide their bodies and brains with vital benefits. One of the leading causes of injury to seniors is falling. In martial arts training, students spend hours working on balance and movement to prevent themselves from falling. As the brain ages, it needs to be pushed to maintain connections with muscle groups and sensory pathways. Martial arts is one the most effective tools for keeping muscle tone, balance, and mental sharpness as people age. Now, training looks very different for a senior citizen than it does for a 20-something. The choices about what arts they train and how dynamically they move are separated by the need for longevity safety. However, by choosing softer style arts, seniors can continue to maintain bone density, muscle tone, and cardiovascular health. Not to mention being able to protect themselves against those who would take advantage of their age!
Regardless of how old you are, the Martial Library has something for you! If you are already training, keep going! You won’t be disappointed with the results. If you aren’t training yet (or anymore), go look for a school to join! If you need tips on what type of school to choose, feel free to comment here or send us an email and we will do our best to point you in the right direction. Happy training!