At Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense we take pride in being a martial arts child development center teaching children life skills. We are not a kick and punch only martial arts center. After watching “The Karate Kid” this summer I truly enjoyed when Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) told his student Dre (Jaden Smith) “Kung Fu is everything!” Kung Fu literally means something you do good or accomplishment of man. I have always told my students that kung fu is a way of life that teaches you to defend yourself, gets you fit, gives you coordination, self discipline, teaches loyalty yet the most important thing that you’ll master in kung fu is Respect!
I always tell my students that the difference between a true martial artist and a bully or common street thug is Respect. A martial artist has respect. Martial Arts training should teach you to defend yourself and fight. Yet, most bullies, thugs and street fighters can also fight. Being totally honest as a martial arts instructor, honorably discharged US Marine Corps Sergeant and retired prison guard I can tell you that in today’s sport martial arts schools that are obsessed with winning medals and trophies in tournaments the bully and street fighter will have better odds on beating the karate kid. This is due to martial arts tournaments being in a controlled environment with rules for the safety of the athlete and on the streets there are no rules. Yet, that will be in a future article. This article is about respect.
So let’s assume that the martial arts kid can defend himself in a street encounter with the school yard bully. The difference between him and the bully is that he has respect. All Kung Fu Kids at my studio are taught to respect his elders by responding with “Yes Sir, No Sir, Yes Ma’ am, No Ma’ am.” To excel in school they are taught “The 3 Rules of Concentration.” They are also required before they are promoted to their next rank to have their school teacher sign their intent to promote sheet. All of my student’s teachers have access to me via e-mail, text or phone in an effort to have our student in common succeed in school. Last school year we were honored with a “Dade School Partner Award” and the “Dr Rolando Espinosa K-8 PTA Award” for our work with students in Doral.
I would like to share with you what we teach our kung fu champions:
“10 Ways to Show your Teacher Respect.”
1. Be on Time
2. Raise your Hand
3. Always Answer with Yes Ma’ am or Yes Sir
4. Have Supplies Ready
5. Use Eye Contact
6. Demonstrate Self Control
7. Don’t Talk Back
8. Smile
9. Sit Up Tall
10. Turn Homework in on Time
Remember Kung Fu is everything and Kung Fu without respect is not a martial art but street fighting! I would like to invite all Ciudad Doral readers to bring their children to our next Free Community Service Workshop “Goal Setting for Better Grades” on Wednesday, September 15 and Thursday, September 16. To register for this free workshop or for more information call me at 305 599-3649.
