So many children every year are signed up for a recreational sport that they find themselves absolutely hating. The amount of children who acquire low self-esteem due to feeling like they are not good enough at their chosen sport is one that goes uncounted. Before you send your children off to play basketball or baseball why not consider sending them to a mixed martial arts class? Don’t take MMA as being a bad thing for children, if you’re one of those people who think that MMA is just about kicking and punching things, perhaps it is time to take a step back and learn what MMA really is and why it could be the best thing you choose to instill in your children.
What is mixed martial arts?
MMA is not only a combination of wrestling and boxing, it is also a combination of different martial arts such as kickboxing, judo, muay thai, and jiu jitsu. It is full body contact that allows both opponents to let out aggression but to also gain respect for one another and their crafts at the very same time. It is also a way to burn up to 500 calories in just one single hour long session.
Considering that these martial arts practices date back as far as 2,500 years (tai chi) there have to be some benefits that would help improve a child’s well being other than just teaching them to defend themselves. But what are these benefits that make little league simply look like playing catch with a ball?
Benefits of mixed martial arts
There are many benefits of mma that do not get enough recognition. Here are just a couple of the ways in which mixed martial arts can do wonders for the child who studies it. (and no, it doesn’t just include relieving the two thirds of parents who worry that their child spends too much time sitting in front of a television playing video games.
Discipline
Unlike some sports, MMA teaches students to respect one another, it also shows its students that they only improve in their field if they spend time practicing and honing their skills as best they possibly can. Mixed martial arts is a field where you do not progress by simply being good enough, instead it shows you that the more work you put in the better at what you go you will get. Mma teaches its students that commitment is one of the most important things that can be focused on.
Gender equality
Unlike some sports that have segregated teams for boys and for girls, martial arts do not separate between genders. Instead, all students are taught the same thing and learn that they can all play together on an even playing field. Martial arts gives students the opportunity to see that there are no drawn lines in the sand and that everyone can be great at something if they work hard enough for it.
No stopping for snow or heat
With the fact that these classes are not done outside, there is no pause in these lessons for the tumultuous weather conditions. In fact, these classes can be taken in the dead of winter or in the busy heat of the summer time. With this being done all year round, your kids are constantly learning and they don’t have to worry about when the season stops.
These are just a few of the benefits that come along with your children being enrolled in a martial arts class. There are many more reasons of which your children should be considering taking part in an mma class over doing baseball or soccer. In 2017 alone, 2.38 million children participated in a martial arts class. If you want to see your children continue on their way of being well rounded individuals than perhaps this is the right venue for you. Enroll your children today and watch them strive to master something that they really can achieve their goals with and build skills that will last them a lifetime.
