Experts agree that family-based fitness has a greater likelihood of becoming lifelong fitness. In fact, our experience shows that training as a family in the martial arts has countless physical, cognitive, and social benefits and is an excellent way to build stronger families.
Here are three ways martial arts builds strong families:
Establish Lifelong Fitness Habits
According to SHAPE America it is recommended that children get 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Learning to be physically active is a habit that must be developed. Children learn best through observation, and establishing strong fitness habits during early childhood can yield positive results for years to come. Experience shows that regularly training in the martial arts not only increases physical strength and promotes good heart health, but it can also improve sleep, and boost your immune system.
Increase Family Bonding
Many times, the family is a child’s first example of what a team can look like. Training in the martial arts as a family is a great team-building activity where parents and children can work together towards the common goal of becoming black belts. Along with making progress in their training together, families also experience a sense of growth and accomplishment that will build stronger bonds and promote closer relationship with one another.
Build A Happier Family
Experts agree that families who train in the martial arts develop improved confidence and self-esteem. Moreover, martial arts training can also lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression by raising serotonin levels. Finally, by training together, families also learn important problem-solving skills, including conflict resolution. Developing these skills creates an all around stronger and happier family. And who doesn’t want that?
Ready to get your family training? CONTACT US today to discover more ways we help develop strong families.
You are probably already aware of the fact that Invictus Martial Arts is a HUGE supporter of our local schools and PTA’s! From generous donations to fun booths to FREE seminars, there are so many local schools we LOVE to support. In fact, Invictus actively sponsors the Rutledge Elementary PTA and hosted a Martial Arts Club at Harmony Public Schools for the 2019-2020 school year… just to name a few.
Fortunately, we took our commitment to supporting our local schools one step further today. Invictus Martial Arts is proud to be an approved agency of Leander ISD to provide Off-Campus PE! This means Invictus members can elect to train in the martial arts that they love while earning PE credit from their school. Total win-win!
Curious to discover more? Check out the details at the LISD website under “Off-Campus PE” here…
In 2010, my world as I knew it changed. As we shared our first of many silent gazes, I embraced his small body and with it, my newest identity: Mom. His Mom. The magnitude of that moment was palpable. It was suddenly up to me to provide for him, to care for him, and to protect him. In the coming weeks, that would mean nursing him every two hours, changing countless diapers, gently washing the wisps of his hair, and above all, showing him what love felt like daily. As he matured into a toddler, it would mean, making sure he was eating his fruits and vegetable, teaching him colors and shapes and manners, wiping away tears and kissing away “boo-boos”- the gifts of curiosity and ambition, and above all else, showing him what love looked like daily.
Before I knew it, I was writing his initials on school supplies, packing his lunchbox, and fighting back my own tears as I watched him confidently walk into his kindergarten class for the first time. And as I watched the door close behind him, questions flooded in: Would he make good friends quickly? What if other kids picked on him? Would he be afraid? Who would protect him when I couldn’t? But as quickly as these questions threatened to consume me, all at once, I felt a calm wash over me. Why? Because I had given my son a pre-school gift: the gift of martial arts training.
You see, I knew a day would come when I wouldn’t be able to protect him, so I wanted to give him the next best thing: the knowledge and ability to protect himself.
My son started training in martial arts when he was only three years old. It began as a fun outlet for his exuberant energy but the value he received from starting his training at such an early age was so much more. As a result of his martial arts training, he learned how to focus on a task and follow directions. He discovered the importance of setting goals and working hard to achieve them. He learned to respect his instructors, his peers, and himself. Additionally, he developed self-confidence and learned about the responsibility that comes with being recognized as a leader. He gained an understanding of how to protect himself and others through various examples of self-defense. And he experienced the value of community and friendship.
So, when is the best age to start martial arts? As soon as you want your child to experience these benefits for themself.
Unfortunately, most martial arts schools will not train children under 6 years old. And even if you happen to find a school that will train a 3-5 year old, most likely, they are expected to train in a class with older children and even adults, and they are taught techniques and skills that may not be as beneficial to them at their young age.
As co-owner of Invictus Martial Arts, it became my passion to develop and facilitate a martial arts program specifically tailored to the unique learning style, pace, and energy of 3-5 year olds. Our Tiny Titans program uses age-appropriate martial arts lessons that target physical, mental, emotional, and social development. Best of all, our unique curriculum employs specific martial arts drills that prepare pre-school aged children to successfully meet the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) kindergarten standards.
Frederick Douglass said, “It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
Our goal with the Tiny Titans program is to do just that: build strong children that embrace challenges, enjoy effort, are intrigued by mistakes, and chose to always keep learning.
Invictus Martial Arts premier training facility is located at the SW corner of N. Lake Creek Pkwy. and Lakeline Mall Dr. across from the Lakeline Super Target in Northwest Austin.
