Speaking for your
DEFENSE
Improving Your Child’s Concentration Through Martial Arts by Master Ace Ramirez
CHILDREN HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME comprehending the concept of concentration. It isn’t something that they can see, like a physical action, and so they have no frame of reference. Simply telling a child to concentrate, no matter how many times you tell them, will not improve their understanding of what it truly means to concentrate. While parents can teach a child to do something physical, like throw a ball or walk, it takes a lot more patience, and teaching by example, to describe to a child both what it means to concentrate and how to do it. As you may have noticed, even some adults do not possess the ability to concentrate. One excellent way to teach your child how to concentrate is to have them train in the martial arts. There are three elements embedded within the martial arts that enable students to learn, on their own, how to concentrate. The first element is the physicality of the martial arts – it requires significantly more physical movement than does the simple act of reading a book. This active movement increases the flow of oxygen to the brain, which in turn, allows for clear thinking and improved motivation. The second element involves serotonin, the hormone that focuses the mind, which is released by the active movement. The combination of increased serotonin and increased oxygen allows the mind to focus on a specific task or objective. But the third element is the key to teaching the student how to focus. This element requires that the student focus on a specific, identifiable challenge, perhaps an opponent. The first two elements alone are not sufficient – the student must practice both the physical movements as well as the mental act of focusing on the challenge. By practicing both the physical movements and the sharp mental focus, the student will learn how to concentrate. You may say that there are other activities that can give the same effect as martial arts, but there is one other factor that is thought to make a difference. That difference is discipline. The various training regimes of the martial arts, from agility exercises to response time training, to speed, stamina and anticipation exercises, all require students to focus their minds on something important such as survival. Training in the martial arts can help all children to learn how to concentrate. Martial arts not only builds their physical strength, it also builds their mental strength. Martial arts training should be a part of every child’s development. for weight loss tips & more visit us @ skinnynews.com 17