Kung Fu Tigers - New Kids Martial Arts / Kickboxing for 5's and up.

[inomine]

At Stafford Leisure Centre (don't get me started) from 5pm in the Creche downstairs, Paul Sabin (fully trained instructor) is starting a Kung Fu "Little Dragons" club for the youngsters.

If you have kids, or know kids from age 5 and up (preschool / too young for the mainline Kung Fu lessons on the Wednesday (6 - 7 for beginners upstairs in the spin studio) who'd like to give the whole martial arts / kickboxing thing a try in a safe friendly environment, take a look.

The scheme will be running for the next 5 weeks as a trial, starting this Wednesday (14th May).

 

[gon2seed]

who'd like to give the whole martial arts / kickboxing thing a try in a safe friendly environment

Not criticising, and I am aware of the "postive" aspects claimed for the above activities, but am I the only one who finds this a bit incongruous, with oxtmoronic overtones?

Sorry! not having a dig, I come in peace, did you see the recent TV programme about 5 years olds smacking seven barrels of sh*t out of each other in front of baying parents?

 

[cookie_monster]

Sorry! not having a dig, I come in peace, did you see the recent TV programme about 5 years olds smacking seven barrels of sh*t out of each other in front of baying parents?

i saw it too and i had the same reservations.

i think getting kids involved in sport is a massively positive thing, in terms of socialisation, health and just enjoying themselves....but i think it just depends on how competively the kids and parents take it.

there is also the question of kids 'practising' their moves on other kids in non-sport situations, but ultimately, that control must come from parents with the support of the trainer.

i wish you all the best with this trial and hope you dont attract parents like those scary ones on the tv show.


x

 

[tek-monkey]

I always thought discipline was one of the key things taught in martial arts? I've certainly seen lots of untrained arseholes throw their weight around, yet the people I know who do some form of martial arts are always very reserved about it. Besides, no decent instructor would continue to train those who show aggressive tendencies.

 

[cookie_monster]

I always thought discipline was one of the key things taught in martial arts?

wax on....wax off!


x

 

[inomine]

I didn't see that documentary, sounds fascinating.

Been doing this a long time and seen a lot, and I mean a lot of kids from various ages go through martial arts schools. Some stick at it, some don't,but all learn that there is more to it than just going WHAAAA! with very little consequence. We've all seen the media and cartoons aimed at kids the agegroup being targetted, and it's bloody scary.

First time the kids around my way saw Power Rangers there was almost an all out war. And suddenly they stand there wondering where the flashing lights are and why their friends aren't getting back up again with some kind of quip like in the 'toons.

Oxymoronic it may be if taken literally, but I've seen the fun that can be had, and the understanding at all age ranges, when taken with care. That's what we are trying to aim for, and week number two, seems to be going well Ah, small point probably not mentioned earlier, the kids are fully protected with pads on head, feet, hands and shins, it's not like bare bone and brawling.

Though granted, week one the manager took down the posters for the session that the manager approved personally. Seems they don't want anyone marking their walls.

Additional points:

Quite right, disipline, reservation, courtesy, respect, all required really to be a good student and teacher. We've been lucky, we have rarely had an occasion where someone's become, shall we say, over aggressive, and where it's started to appear, it's been spotted. The instructors have been in this field for a long time.

 

[gon2seed]

I get the martial arts thing and self-discipline, but isn't kickboxing a very different kettle of fish? My only experience of it is watching a former colleague's videos of the contests he had taken part in. Tyrone Herod, a former London and Staffordshire firefighter was the bloke in question. Ty had fought to world level at kickboxing and had done a variety of other martial arts. Now Ty's fighting weight was probably about 16 stone, and to say he cut an impressive figure at 6'3", is like saying, John Terry was a tad disappointed on Wednesday night! Watching Ty fight was pretty brutal, with knock outs from kicks and punches, etc'. I suppose kids contests are very different; but, excuse the naivety, is kickboxing a martial art? It just looks like a boxing match where people are allowed to use their "un-gloved" feet to devastating effect to me!

Genuinely interested, only emphasise that because I seem to be getting a bit of a negative head on recently, and I cannot afford to lose any more skill points,

 

[Mrs M]

I have been looking for something like this for me, hubby and the kids to enjoy as a family but as you can imagine it costs a fortune for all six of us.