Traditional Martial Arts Benefits

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Martial Arts Makes Child Stronger

Holly Hammac, 12, recently earned her green belt at the Cocoa Beach Karate School in the traditional Matsubayashi-Ryu (Shorin-Ryu) style karate. The Roosevelt Elementary student was born with Polymicrogyria, secondary left-sided hemisphere cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and ADD. She is an inspiration to others students in the class.

Holly Hammac is no stranger to a fight.

The 12-year-old was born with Polymicrogyria, a condition characterized by abnormal development of the brain before birth.

It left her with left-sided hemiplegic cerebral palsy, which affects the brain’s ability to control muscle movement on her right side, epilepsy, autism, intellectual disabilities and attention deficit disorder.

Polymicrogyria affects her ability to speak, has caused developmental delays and seizures.

Yet, in spite of her difficulties, Holly has been taking karate classes at Cocoa Beach Karate for more than two years and recently was awarded her green belt, a major accomplishment representing her sixth promotion since starting.

In addition, Holly was awarded a special purple heart medal, which represents Purple Day, the international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide.

“Holly is an inspiration to all of us here at Cocoa Beach Karate,” said Sensei Des Chaskelson. “She has shown just what a warrior she is with an indomitable spirit and we are all very proud of her and her accomplishments in karate.”

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https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2019/11/15/brain-surgery-doesnt-stop-young-karate-kid/4181766002/
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5 Exercise Benefits of Martial Arts

Chances are, you have seen someone participate in martial arts, but you may not be aware of its many exercise benefits. No matter if you are interested in improving your cardiovascular health, losing weight or simply improving your mood, martial arts may be just what you need.1. Improved Cardiovascular Health

One of the most important exercise benefits associated with martial arts is an improvement in your cardiovascular health. Your cardiovascular system is composed of your heart, as well as the veins and arteries that transport blood. A weak cardiovascular system can result in shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, and in severe cases can even cause a heart attack. Research has found that the only real way to improve the status of the cardiovascular system is by participating in activities that stress the heart. Cardiovascular exercise consists of walking, biking, swimming and of course participating in martial arts. For best results, try to get in at least 30 minutes most days a week.2. Weight Loss

Weight loss is another great benefit associated with martial arts. In one pound of fat is equal to approximately 3,500 calories. Therefore, in order to lose one pound of fat in a week, you must eliminate 500 calories from your diet each day. By participating in one hour of moderate intensity martial arts, you can definitely burn 500 calories. You will be well on your way to great weight loss results.

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Grandmother aims to be 3rd generation black belt in family

Hanna Fraser is a 72-year-old Halifax grandmother who can snap a board in two with the palm of her hand.

And that’s just one of the tasks she’ll have to do during her black belt test on Saturday. If she passes, she’ll join her daughter, granddaughter, son-in-law and grandson in wearing a black belt.

“Let’s put it this way, I’m the last hold out in the family,” Fraser said with a laugh. “There are certain expectations.”

Fraser is delighted that she’s worked her hardest and made it to this point. It’s something she never considered years earlier.

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Top 10 Reasons You Should Consider Martial Arts For Your Child

https://cary.macaronikid.com/articles/58acadfcf15c5b757672cccb/top-10-reasons-you-should-consider-martial-arts-for-your-child

You may be unfamiliar with martial arts but you probably know a few people who have done martial arts before and benefited greatly from it.  While it is a fun activity for all, it is also an education that provides significant benefits for children that other activities simply cannot match.  Here are the top 10 reasons you should consider martial arts for your child:

1 – Discipline
-Parenting.com recommends martial arts for children as it teaches them to wait patiently for commands from their instructors and classmates.

2 – Confidence
-Children gain more confidence in their abilities as they gain strength and stamina and are able to pass tests for new belts.  For this reason, many parents bring their children in to help with bullying issues.

3 – Focus
According to Additude, a support magazine for ADHD and LD, the complex physical activities of martial arts strengthens the neural networks in the brain. This really is a great benefit for all children.

4 – Family Activity
With an increasing number of media devices and organized activities that seem to divide families, martial arts is quickly becoming one of the very rare activities that children can participate in with their moms, dads or other loved ones.

https://cary.macaronikid.com/articles/58acadfcf15c5b757672cccb/top-10-reasons-you-should-consider-martial-arts-for-your-child
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The Transforming Power of Martial Arts For Children

After twenty years of teaching martial arts to students from age three to eighty, I have observed that the benefits to every age has been nothing less than astonishing! Some include control of aggressive behavior and the gain of self-respect, self-control, self-defense, self esteem, focus, confidence, and courtesy. As an additional benefit, the child will also excel in other athletic endeavors. Martial arts training gives your son or daughter the chance to strengthen in mind as well as body. It encompasses not just the physical aspect of the “sport”, but mental and emotional lessons as well.

Comparing that to other youth 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.

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The Importance of Martial Arts During a Pandemic


MOREHEAD CITY, Carteret County — With Governor Roy Cooper’s decision to leave gyms out of phase two of reopening the state, one area martial arts studio says staying closed hurts more than just their wallets.

Phillip and Shannon Henry own Grandmaster Dong’s Martial Arts in Morehead City say martial arts is a form of therapy for some of their students because 40 percent are on the autism spectrum.

“Some of them have even been prescribed by doctors to come here and train with us, to help them mentally deal with those problems,” says Shannon

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7 Reasons Why Your Child Should Practice Martial Arts

Recently on a visit back home, I met my one of my close friends at his son’s martial arts studio so I could drop in and see what young Ethan was up to. Ethan was one step away from getting his white sash in Poekoelan, an Indonesian martial art. He beamed with pride as we watched him do various forms and drills. Shortly after I left town, Ethan earned his white sash, upon which he got to join the big kids in the adjacent room. There the big kids practice more advanced forms, techniques, and even some sparring. He was thrilled.

Ethan’s always been a good kid, but from what I observed the martial arts gave him quite a healthy dose of self esteem and self respect – two of the many benefits one gains with participation in them. Whether your kid is too bossy, too shy, or perhaps just a little hyper, the martial arts can help your child learn many important life lessons. (And, of course, those same lessons apply for all of us, not just kids.)

Here are seven reasons why your child should practice martial arts:

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