Get your kids in Martial Arts.

• Reason #1: Socialization.

If your child is shy or has a difficult time making new friends, then any extracurricular activity - including martial arts - can have a positive impact on their social life. It's not necessarily a good idea to push this as "the" reason to take a martial arts class, but if your shy or soft-spoken child wants to learn to be more assertive through martial arts, it might be just what the doctor ordered.

• Reason #2: Self-discipline.

The martial arts aren't always easy, and the system of advancement for students - picking up new belts - helps children to learn that hard work and discipline are the ways to get ahead. You can't "cheat" your way through martial arts, which is exactly the kind of lesson many parents want their children to learn. The martial arts can also instill a sense of discipline and obedience and show why sacrifice today can lead to better health and better mind tomorrow.

• Reason #3: Learning the value of habits.

What kinds of habits has your child developed? Do they only seem to excel at video games? It's important to make sure your child is able to learn real-world habits that can help them later in life - whether it be through self-confidence or simply through the realization that they have improved their body through discipline and hard work.

• Reason #4: Self-confidence.

Self-confidence can't be learned or taught in school, or even by parents. It has to come from within - and this is often one of the central messages of martial arts. Your child needs to learn that by facing their own fears, they can make their own way in the world. They need to learn how to overcome challenges and they need to learn to trust themselves in a way that will improve their confidence as they progress.

• Reason #5: Hey, it beats TV.

If nothing else, the martial arts are a healthier habit than many of the routines today's children have picked up.

Remember that none of these reasons is an excuse to push martial arts on your child. You have to let them make their own decisions. But if the topic comes up, keep your mind open to the martial arts and help your children stick to their classes.

Photo Credits: McPig

Originally posted 2009-08-03 05:25:25.

Honor.

1. Having a personal code means more self-discipline. Discipline doesn't mean that you always are motivated to do the right thing - it means that you have the command over yourself to do the right thing, even when you don't feel motivated to do it. Every one of us has this kind of experience, whether we try to work out in the early morning or avoid that second slice of cake. When you place your personal code above your own guilty pleasures, you develop a self-discipline that you don't have without that code.

2. Having a personal code helps determine principles for action. Having a personal code of conduct or honor means that you can cut through some of the ambiguity in life. Sometimes, for example, we don't feel comfortable helping others if no one else seems to be taking notice of those in need. In that case, helping others could put us under a social spotlight. But a person who has a strong personal code knows that helping that person is all the more effective because you're putting yourself out there. Think about the time you saw a waitress spill something and no one helped clean it up. Did you want to help, but didn't because no one else was? A personal code helps you take right action in daily life, not just in the martial arts dojo.

3. People will respect you the more you respect yourself. When you have a personal code, it means you respect yourself enough to live by certain rules. You take care of yourself and those around you. When you respect yourself, others follow your lead. For example, if you take your time management seriously, you'll be more willing to tell others when you need to leave. This makes them realize that your time is something you value, and they don't want to infringe upon that.

Having a personal code doesn't only help you build self-discipline, it helps you lead a healthy and happy life. How's that for self-defense?

Photo Credits: UNC - CFC - USFK

Originally posted 2009-10-19 03:44:40.