Ninja Kids!

Does your kid watch TV the whole day? How ever hard you try to make him understand that too much TV is not good for the health, he hardly pays any attention? Here is a simple advice for you. Next time he switches on the TV, switch it to a channel broadcasting the Ninja Turtles show. Who knows your child may get inspired by the turtles and may insist that he also wants to practice martial arts just like the Ninjas. In fact, children martial art is being adopted by many kids to stay fit.

Martial arts are basically certain prescribed movements and actions of the body performed to either defeat a person in a combat or defend one from threat. Martial arts in Austin, Texas are being taught at many institutes. Japanese martial arts taught include judo, aikido, jujitsu and karate in Austin, Texas. Chinese martial art taught includes kung fu. Korean martial art includes Taekwondo in Austin, Texas.

Martial arts are regarded as unfit for children because many people believe that it propagates violence. Nothing can be farther from truth than this as martial art is extremely beneficial if learnt from childhood as it inculcates a lot of positive traits in children.

Firstly, martial art does not teach violence but its antonym, which is, peace, self control and helps one to develop a healthy mind and body. It increases confidence, self-esteem and improves your ability to defend yourself when the need arises. A point to remember is that self defense is not an offence. Self defense is a positive psychological effect as it stresses on the need to solve conflicts peacefully as far as possible but not letting anybody to harm you at the same time. If your child is a school bully or is the one being bullied, both will benefit greatly by learning any form of martial art in Austin, Texas.

Children of this generation are living a very sedentary life watching TV or playing games on the computer. As a result obesity, dullness has become a common ailment in most of them. Learning martial arts will help them to not only break the monotony of school and studies but also help them to develop a strong and healthy body. They will become fit and active and automatically the positive effect will start showing on their mental make-up too.

Martial arts help to increase muscular strength, flexibility and resistance to fatigue. It also helps improve blood circulation in the body. Though martial art is not a team sport, it helps children to start respecting others and value their space as well. It also increases their patience and discipline which automatically starts reflecting in their daily and school life. Martial arts also help in increasing concentration which helps in studies too. Also in martial arts, there is a less chance of getting injured as compared to other sports. Children with Attention Deficit Disorder, learning difficulties and hyperactivity benefit greatly by learning martial arts.

Martial arts in Austin Texas are taught by professionals. They offer leadership courses, body shaping classes, and summer camps and hold classes for entire families too. Some classes teach a fusion of several martial arts which is more fun to learn and challenging as well.

So enroll your child in a martial arts class in Austin Texas. Who knows, he may become the next karate kid!

Kids and Sports Safety Sports are an important part of being a kid. Many teams are available for kids, both in and out of school. Sports participation provides an ample number of benefits to both children and parents, as it teaches children team-building skills, builds self-esteem, keeps them fit and active, and allows them to bloom into wonderful social beings as they have fun participating in an activity they love to enjoy. However, sports are also dangerous. In 2013, more than 1.9 million children were seen by a doctor due to an injury sustained while playing a sport. Minimizing sports injuries is something that any parent can –and should –do to help protect their child as they play in their favorite sporting activity. Eye Protection Glasses and goggles are the two most commonly used forms of eye protection, worn by children participating in sports such as tennis, football, and hockey. While there are several different types of eye glass/goggles available, poly-carbonate eyeglasses provide the best protection against injuries to the eyes. It is the only material that has been tested for use in sporting activities. Mouth Guards The use of mouth guards is recommended for children to protect the teeth, the tongue, and the mouth when playing in contact sports such as volleyball, martial arts, and basketball. A dentist can create a mouth guard custom-fitted to your child’s mouth, however, average size guards are sold at many sports stores. Helmet Use The use of a helmet is important when playing most sports, including baseball, football, softball, and wrestling. Helmets help protect the skull and the brain from injury and serious damage. A number of different helmets are available. Many of these helmets are designed for use by players in a specific sport, so do keep this in mind when making your selection. Additionally, choosing a helmet that meets or exceeds the standards set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is desirable. Padding Padding for the elbows, knees and wrists are available. The guards can prevent strains and sprains, as well as serious bruises and pain from falls to the ground. Children participating in any sport can benefit from the use of padding. A sports cup is an additional form of padding for boys to keep their private areas protected during contact sports. Be a Fair Sport You play to win the game and anything less is very disappointing to most, regardless of the sport. However, teaching your child that it is okay to lose the game sometimes as well as how to play fairly with his teammates is an important part of playing sports. Along with enhancing the experience enjoyed while playing sports, teaching your child how to play fairly can reduce injury and accident during the game. Children whom are upset, anxious, or angry while playing a sport are more likely to cause an injury, even without trying. By avoiding the build-up of the frustration and playing fairly, everyone enjoys a safe and fun game without injuries included. Sports Safety Tips

• Sports physicals are required to be completed before students are allowed to participate in school sports in many cases, but it is a good idea to have a physical performed either way. A sports physical ensures that your child is in good health that allows them to enjoy the sometimes physical extremes brought on by playing sports.
• Hydration is important when playing sports outside and when practicing. When the days are their hottest, water or a sports enhancement drinks (such as Gatorade or PowerAde) ensure that your child doesn’t become overheated. Ensure that your child is aware of the importance of staying well-hydrated when practicing or playing sports.
• Stretching before and after sports are extremely important. Stretching releases muscle tension, reducing the risk of strains and tears on the ligaments and muscles.
• If your child does experience an injury, keep them out of the game until the injury has properly healed. Going back to the scheme of things before an injury has time to heal will only cause more injuries to the area and cause more pain.
• Game rules and techniques are in place for a reason. It is imperative that both you and your child are aware of the rules and follow them precisely. No one is immune to any of the rules and breaking any of them could potentially lead to the injury of a child.
• Attend sports safety clinics held in your area.
• Taking a day or two per week off from playing (including practice) is recommended to give the muscles a break and time to recover.
• The National Council on Youth Sports Safety is a non-profit organization offering additional advice and information that can help you protect your child during sports.