Skip to Content

Why do kids and Meiji Martial Arts fit together like a glove?

Wednesday 30 March 2022

The simple truth is that Meiji Martial Arts seems to empathise with children of all temperaments and abilities.

Every child is different, yet almost immediately on arrival they're at home in the Dojo, in harmony with the Senseis and with each other. We have studied this a great deal and can tell you some of the reasons we constantly have a waiting list because the classes are so popular.

Meiji instructors sparring in the St. John's Wood Dojo

They love the discipline

Contrary to popular belief, children are not wayward or badly behaved by nature. They simply have a lot of energy! We 'earth' that energy by focusing them on simple, rote techniques wrapped around 'games', with the central figure of a Sensei in command. It is similar to the teacher/student relationship, but based on the give-and-take of rapport, and much more fun!

Achievement is guaranteed

Every child has a unique pace for developing skills. The belt system plays to this. There is always the next belt to acquire. Some progress faster than others, but this is not a competition - there are tortoises and there are hares, and each can be encouraged towards their next achievement stage. For all of them, it's continuous, guaranteed, exciting and personal.

They learn self-control and self-esteem

Martial arts demands self-control in order to perform its techniques. Arms, legs, hips and torsos have to be co-ordinated. Learning this when you're young isn't just the physical joy of developing motor skills. It has a profound effect on the psyche. Self-control of the mind is a natural consequence, and with it comes confidence and self-esteem.

They learn the structure of things

Meiji Martial Arts is based on a never-ending series of steps. Thus a 'combination' will be a specific order of punches and kicks with the sequence counted out loud. And there are many combinations, as they travel through the system of belts. Children thereby learn to 'build' things with their bodies and their minds. They learn how things are put together. How the finishing touches are added to produce a smooth, flowing result. This is known as 'form'. And these are skills that will stay with them for life.

They learn respect

Bowing in the Dojo, to the Senseis and to each other, isn't just formality. It is a ritual that has meaning. Meiji Martial Arts is based on mutual respect. The strong will bow to the weak. The Sensei will bow to the student. The large will bow to the small. There are no enemies in the Dojo. We learn together while having great fun.

Find out more about our children's program.

Back to Blog Listings