The Channel Sounds

You and your kids have all seen the flying kicks, battle cries and mighty chops of their favorite TV characters, as they beat the bad guys to submission but, you may ask, how on earth can these acts of violence teach my child anything worthwhile?

First, know that what you see on television (save perhaps the Karate Kid) is a far cry from what real martial arts are all about. The fact is, martial arts training is based on non-violence. Originating in Asia (mainly Japan, China and Korea, although Thailand and Vietnam have their own practices as well), martial arts range from a variety of types and styles, all of which are based on well-rounded, moral teachings. The beauty of learning martial arts is that it encompasses not just the physical aspect of the “sport,” but mental and emotional lessons as well. Comparing that to other kid’s activities and sports, where fierce competitiveness and “winning at all costs” seems to be the order of the day, it’s not surprising that many children grapple with issues of self-esteem and misplaced aggression.

The Advantages-Martial arts for kids, builds confidence and self-esteem as well as self-discipline, respect, concentration and courtesy. Many martial arts schools also offer leadership courses for kids, in conjunction with their karate for kids programs, or similar lessons. Martial Arts is ideal for children who do not do well in team sports, giving them the ability to excel in this activity, while combining physical and mental practices.

Many do not realize this, but it is a fact that martial arts training is safer than most school sports. Children with special needs, such as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), learning difficulties and hyperactivity are often recommended to participate in a martial arts program because of the clear benefits in its structured training techniques. Now imagine your child actually learning valuable life lessons, skills that they will take throughout life, laying the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted and fulfilled adult life. If only karate for kids was popular when we were growing up!

“Is he Lucky?” was the question Napoleon is reputed to have always asked before promoting an officer to the rank of general. Sir Hugh Gough, the commander-in-chief of the British army during the Opium War (1839-1842), was blessed with the luck of Irish; otherwise he would not have survived fighting in every major battle in the Peninsula War. This general never lost a single battle and won four colonial wars. He died at the age of 90 a field marshal and a viscount.

Born in 1779, Gough came from an Irish army family and was appointed the adjutant of Colonel Rochford’s Foot when a youth of only 15. Military historians and his contemporary generals tended to dismiss him unfairly as a poor strategist and inept tactician, but the basic strategy of the Opium War had already been established when he took command of the British army in China. There was a Royal Navy battle fleet of some 50 warships already in city when he arrived in China. It contained a couple of immensely powerful 74-gun men-of-war, which could blow a hole in the wall of any Chinese coastal city; however the navy’s secret weapon was its gunboats. The best known of these lethal paddle steamers was the Nemesis. She was called the “Nevermiss” by the British and the “Fire devil” by the Chinese. These gunboats could maneuver at eight knots in either direction and were brisling with cannon, rocket tubes and swivel guns. The Chinese had only a few slow-moving war junks that relied on wind power and so were hopelessly out gunned. China had not possesed a national navy for centuries.