Strengthening the Family Bond - Parent-Child Martial Arts Classes

There’s a new phenomenon that’s slowly gaining steam around places like Richmond and Fairfax: martial arts classes for both parents and children. And why not? As many parents are finding out, joining their children for these classes offers a multitude of benefits, such as those listed below.

The family that breaks bricks together stays together

In this day and age, there’s hardly ever enough time for busy families to spend time together. Weekdays are often taken up by work, school and other mundane activities, so there’s pressure on parents to come up with fun and meaningful things the family can do together on the weekends. What better way than to join a class designed to teach self-defense? In Fairfax, martial arts teachers have found that children and parents go further in their practice when they learn together. Children are always encouraged when their parents support their interests. By training together, whether in school or at home, spending this time together also gives families the time to talk to one another freely, affording them the opportunity to learn more about each other’s lives. Less Worry

Many parents eschew the idea of this kind of training for their children due to worry that they will get hurt, especially in sessions for the more intense styles such as Karate or Jiu Jitsu. Although no sport is ever completely safe (kids get hurt even playing baseball or Frisbee, after all), there’s a greater fear involved when the sport involves fighting, kicking, and punching. In Fairfax martial arts classes, teachers help alleviate this fear by allowing parents to learn and practice alongside their children. By joining the class, parents can be assured the proper safely safety measures are being implemented by the instructors, and that safety gear and equipment are in play. Plus, there’s the added peace of mind of having your child in view at all times. Saving Time and Money

If you’re used to dropping off your child for their Karate lessons before going to the dance studio or heading off to the gym at Fairfax, martial arts classes together can be the better choice. Taking a class with your child can give you as intense a workout (or better) that you get from the gym or dance class. Many styles incorporate aerobic activities such as bodyweight, calisthenics, isometric, strength-training, and flexibility exercises. In addition, different health goals can often require different classes or programs that are not readily available. On the other hand many of these disciplines can offer myriad health benefits, including increased strength, better coordination, and greater flexibility, in addition to a boost in confidence and improved ability to focus.

Ask your child’s instructor about joining in on a class; it’s an experience you and your child will both surely enjoy, and a memory you can share for the rest of your lives.

If you’re looking to learn Martial Arts, Pat Tray is chief instructor at the Trident Academy of Mixed Martial Arts, the premier training and instruction centre in the region. In Fairfax, martial arts including Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, Combat Submission Wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, can be studied at Trident with the best instructors from across the NOVA and DC area.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.