A Parent's Guide to Martial Arts:

Part One: Choosing Martial Arts

Is martial arts dangerous? Will it make my child violent?
Evidence (see links) suggests that martial arts has a very positive effect on children, and many school boards are now recognizing this, and bringing martial arts into schools.

Why should I enrol my child in a martial arts course?
Martial arts training benefits children in many ways, such as self control, self defense, and discipline. Aside from the physical benefits of the exercise involved, martial arts has been shown to have many psycho-social benefits as well! (See our benefits page).

How do I choose the right Martial Art for my child?
Firstly, consider your reasons for signing up your child, and what the child's interests are. Some styles focus on sporting aspects and are big on competition (some types of Karate and Tae Kwon Do), while other styles may have little or no competition involved, focussing on self defense (Aikido or Jujitsu, for instance). Some styles involve weapons training (like Kendo). Some are hard striking styles involving more kicking and punching (Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu), while others are defensive and teach locks, pins and neutralizing an enemy (Aikido). At Seikido, we aim to combine elements from two main styles, Tae Kwon Do and Aikido. Students are encouraged to compete in tournaments, but it is not a requirement of our club. We also involve occasional training with wooden knives and swords.

Part Two: Choosing the Right School