About Karate
How is training at Powers Isshinryu Karate Academy going to teach how to concentrate, set and reach goals, lengthen span of attention, build confidence, teach respect, and build self-esteem?
Concentration:
Students learn how to concentrate in the martial arts because it stimulates their mind. Karate is all about repetition and memorization. Students must memorize kata, techniques, self defense moves, and history. This all strengthens concentration.
Setting and Reaching Goals:
Students set and reach goals everyday in class from learning a new technique, winning a sparring match, earning a new rank or getting to use a new weapon. From the first day of class students set their long term goal of reaching their black belt so they set a long term goal as well as short term goals. These goals are reinforced throughout training and eventually all goals are achieved. We also have students set a goal to work for good grades because they can not test for rank if they have bad grades; plus if they have good grades they get a special award in class.
Lengthening the span of attention:
Students are expected to pay attention in class and participate in all class drills. Students must listen and pay attention to directions so that they know what to do in class. These drills range from just a couple of minutes to 15-20 minutes. This gradually increases the time that students can focus and stand still.
Teach Respect:
Karate training is based on a ranking structure. Students learn that everything is done by rank order. Most importantly, students learn to respect themselves with having an “I can” attitude.
Building Confidence and Self Esteem:
Karate training is all about individual effort. No one else can help you obtain your next belt. It is all up to the student. There is nothing like the look on a student’s face when they receive their next promotion. They light up with a big smile from ear to ear, and they realize I did this. As students struggle in class with new material, once they finally learn it, they have the same reaction. It is a great sight to see.
What to expect when starting martial arts training?
Students that start martial arts training at the beginning may feel overwhelmed and scared. As a student joins a class, he/she will notice several students on the floor of varying ranks performing acts that may seem foreign. Students at this point tend to want to back out because they are scared, embarrassed and shy. This is perfectly normal behavior for students of all ages. All the student needs is reassurance to give the training a try.
How is a typical class run?
Isshinryu Karate Class: Classes are an hour long. Classes are broken down into four sections. Section 1: Performance of charts. During this section of class, an instructor or his/her designee will teach upper and lower charts. Section 2: Performance of weapons charts: During this time, a black belt will lead Black Belt Club/Masters Club members in performance of weapons charts. While this takes place, if a student does not know weapons he/she will work on other skills. Section 3: Skill of the day. A black belt will teach one of several drills such as Kumite or self defense. Section 4: Forms. Students will practice and be taught the forms required for ranking
As a parent, how can I help my child obtain their next rank?
Be supportive of them. Make sure students have regular class attendance. If a student does not attend class on a regular basis, they do not learn new things. Often times, instructors spend time teaching students skills they have already learned because they have forgotten them. I recommend training at least two times a week.
Also to get promoted in a timely manner, students must practice at home away from class. Students should practice a little bit each day. The amount of time that a student needs to practice varies from student to student. As a general rule, the darker the color of the student’s belt, the longer the student needs to practice.
