I was teaching the Red Belt class the other night (these kids have been training in the martial arts for 2-3 years) and after we got done with the kickboxing segment of class, the kids were getting water and taking off their gear. While we were waiting for some to finish up, some of the other students (without being prompted) started doing exercises. Never wanting to miss an opportunity to teach and praise, I jumped on that faster than a ninja. Calling all my “karate kids” around I started talking to them about fitness. I mentioned how proud I was of them for wanting stronger bodies and for taking the responsibility on their own to make it happen. I shared with them the fact that if a child regularly exercises (at least twice a week) for 1 whole year before the age 13, that health and fitness would be important the rest of their lives and that they would regularly exercise as adults. Again, without being prompted and a little to my surprise, they started raising hands and sharing their favorite exercises. At this point I had to move on with class, however, not long ago I was talking about fitness with a class and mentioned that most adults view exercise as a chore. But kids realize that a good game of tag, dodge ball, crab wars, or an awesome karate class is a good source of exercise. Of course I do have to put an extra plug in for the karate since it’s one of the few sports that works out not only the whole physical body but the mental as well.
I forget where I learned this but I really believe it: energy begets energy. If you want more of it start using what you have. Which is how I can teach 7 high energy classes a day.
Master Gilbart
Precision MMA