Elite coaches B. E. Brown and R. Miller of Proactive Coaching LLC once conducted a three decade long survey, asking successful college athletes what their parents said that made them feel best when they played sports as kids.

Guess what their #1 answer was?

A simple phrase consisting of six magical words:

“I love to watch you practice.”

That’s it.

Nothing aggrandizing like “you’re the champ,” or discouraging like “try harder”. Not even a deceptively supporting “here’s a couple of things you can improve.”

Just…

“I love to watch you practice!”

Simple, elegant and incredibly powerful.

This 6-word phrase, dear Karate parents, is the key to ensuring your kids will love to practice Karate for years to come – with grades, belts, accolades and trophies acting as natural byproducts – not goals.

The only thing your kids really want is your undivided attention and approval anyway.

So give it to them.

Tell them: “I love to watch you practice.”

Since they love you back, the rest will take care of itself.

Greatness cannot be forced upon anyone.

It grows from the joy of practice.

Coach less.

Love more.

The Importance of Self Esteem In Children

A child who has healthy self esteem is armored against the challenges they will face when they go out into the world. This is because children who feel great about themselves will indeed have an easier time with things such as handling conflicts and overall, enjoying life. Kids who have a healthy level of self-esteem are also likely to be optimistic throughout life.

On the opposing side, kids with low self-esteem will find challenges which may include things such as frustration and anxiety. When a child or even adult thinks poorly of themselves, they may also have difficulty in finding solutions to a problem, and much more. 

Child success with self-esteem is one who has a healthy level of self-worth and is crucial because all-in-all it has a direct impact on their choices and on their life. Self-esteem is directly connected to a child’s self value. It is the idea in which they have about themselves and just how important and valuable they believe themselves to be. It is how they will come to respect themselves. 

Confidence in kids is important for several reasons which include:

1. In order to believe they are worthy of being happy as well as worthy of respect.

2. It is the first step in believing in themselves which builds confidence.

3. A child’s self-esteem will directly impact a child’s thinking, how they feel, what they desire, what goals they may have, and what they value.

4. With self-esteem a child can make a mistake yet still feel proud and respect without getting down on themselves.

5. A child will not have a need to compare themselves to others when their self-esteem is at a healthy level because their confidence is strong.

6. Children with healthy levels of self-esteem are more likely to make good decisions. This is because they will be able to approach problems, use control, and take action while remaining proud of their decision.

7. With self-esteem in kids comes the ability to act independently and to take responsibility for their desires, actions, and goals.

8. New Challenges are easier to take on as well have being able to handle criticism. 

9. It is a crucial part in finding personal happiness and greatly assists in fulfilling relationships and achieving what they desire.

10. Overall, a child’s self-esteem will allow them to eventually be in control of their own life.

So you can see just how important self-esteem is for your child. It is one of the most important building blocks when it comes to their development and in becoming the best individual they can be and become.

www.lakelandkarate.net

Shinkichi Shimabuku

Shinkichi Shimabuku – Grandmaster of Isshin-Ryu Karate

Shinkichi Shimabuku was born in Chan, Okinawa on September 19, 1908 and died May 30, 1975. He began his study of karate at a young age as the pupil of his uncle.

Several years later, feeling that he had taught Shinkichi as much as he could, his uncle sent him to study with Chotoku Kyan. Sensei Kyan was already famous throughout Okinawa as an instructor of Shorin-ryu Karate. Being a poor farmer, Shinkichi would walk the long distance to study with Sensei Kyan for several hours each day, then return home to complete his chores. He did this for approximately four years.

Soke Shimabuku

He later studied karate with Chojun Miyagi of the Goju style of karate, learning at least two kata that he later incorporated into Isshin-Ryu: Seiuchin and Sanchin. He trained with Choki Motobu, who was one of the greatest fighters in the history of Okinawa, learning Naihanchin kata. He also took up the study of the bo and sai, as well as the tuifa forms from Taira Shinken, one of Okinawa’s leading kobujutsu instructors.

During and after WWII, he and his family lived in Japan. He returned to Okinawa in 1947 and began teaching karate. It was also at this time, at the age of 39, that he took the name Tatsuo, “Dragon Man”. The taking of a karate name is an Okinawan custom.

During the next nine years, Tatsuo experimented with karate techniques. He was an innovator, not being satisfied with following the crowd. On January 15, 1956, he held a meeting to discuss his new style of karate, which he decides to call Isshin-Ryu.

Many of the senior instructors of karate on Okinawa at the time did not agree with Master Shimabuku’s decision or his new style. Although he was sometimes shunned, and Isshin-Ryu was not officially recognized for many years, he persevered. It did not help the cause either when Master Shimabuku’s students would win local matches and fights.

During the 1950’s and 60’s, Master Shimabuku was hired to train the US servicemen stationed there.

Master Shimabuku continued to experiment and challenge the traditional concepts of karate until he retired from active teaching in 1971. Those fortunate Americans who were able to travel to Okinawa and train with Master Shimabuku will tell you of a man who enjoyed sake and cigarettes, and loved to joke. They will also tell you of a phenomenal martial artist, who struck awe in his students.

This article first appeared on Order of Isshin-Ryu website http://www.isshinryu.net/about/soke-shimabuku/

Ten Reasons Why Karate Is Better Than Soccer.

Top Ten Reasons Why Karate Is Better Than Soccer - or Lacrosse, Baseball or Field Hockey:

10) You can participate your entire life. Never age out. Only get better.

 9) There is no bench. Everyone participates, all the time.

 8) Classes are never called on account of rain.

 7) No losers, only winners. The only person keeping score is you.

 6) Kicking a soccer ball will never save your life. Karate just might.

             

                                     

 5) No sex discrimination in karate. Girls can, and will, rule.

 4) Never too young or too old. The person twice your age or half your size

     will bring you to the mat.   

         
 3) Size doesn't matter. Determination does.

 2) No spending money on equipment. The only equipment you need: your

     hands and feet.

 1) ITS LIKE RIDING A BIKE. YOU NEVER FORGET. EVEN IF YOU'VE STOPPED YOU CAN START RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN.

WWW.LAKELANDKARATE.NET