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confidence Archives - Crawley Fitness

Why our Kids Muay Thai Classes are great for confidence

By | Kids Martial Arts, Martial Arts Clubs in Crawley, Muay Thai | No Comments

Kid Muay Thai at the Crawley Martial Arts AcademyWhile our classes might look like they’re all about punching and kicking… running and jumping… press-ups and squats…

They’re not just physical skills our Little Champions learn.

During our classes our students have to be able to listen carefully and follow instructions.

They learn to have the confidence to put their hands up and ask if they’re not sure or need extra help.  They’re asked for opinions and suggestions (… it takes a brave person to put their hand up in public, most adults are too scared) and participate in class.

We have our students volunteer and help demonstrate.  They’ll be in charge of exercises… they’ll count our reps and lead by example.

All of which are MASSIVE confidence builders and make our classes much more than just punching and kicking.  And if our adults find classes good for their confidence then imagine what it can do for your kids!

There’s a lot more going on too.

Sure children improve their physical skills and learn to help out in class, participate and engage but here’ something else they do.

They learn to take responsibility for themselves and the other members of the class.  We have partner drills where (… yes) the kids practice techniques on each other. They punch each others gloves and learn to place their kicks and knees on each others bellies.  That all takes control and it takes trust from us – the instructors.  And guess what?  The kids have never let us down because they listen… they respect their instructors and they respect the other children in the class.  Their training partners and team mates.

Our Kids Muay Thai classes are great for confidence… they’re great for skill, co-ordination and control and with a little hard work they’ll be where the next Champion Thaiboxer from Crawley starts their journey!

To find out more about kids martial arts classes you can call us on 01293 522 511 or enter your details in the enquiry form on this page >>>

See you in the gym!

 

 

 

Getting Kids into Martial Arts

By | Kids Martial Arts | No Comments

I’m a massive fan of martial arts.

I know I’m biased but I’ve experienced it and I’ve seen it – over and over again.

I’ve see kids (and adults) come out  of their shell, grow in confidence and watch people start to like themselves all courtesy of that feeling and sense of achievement you get from martial arts.

There’s something very different about martial arts when it comes to learning about discipline and respect.  Sometime that’s often lacking in modern team sports (I’m thinking football in particular) as parents roar from the sidelines, shout at the referee and the kids emulate their favourite players with diving and dissent.

Like I said – I’m biased – plus I wasn’t a great football player at school and “Yes” I know that not all parents or children are like that – Alan

Kids Muay Thai Private LessonYesterday I had a lesson with Kira who’s been coming on leaps and bounds during her time here and who promised to go light with me when we sparred during here private lesson yesterday.  There was no head contact – I needed to make sure I had a fighting chance of surviving 😉

One of the nicest things about getting kids into martial arts is that I have a chance to help and guide them.  And while I can never overwrite the lessons they learn from their parents I can be a positive role model for them.

Plus I’m proud to know that I’m helping the next generation of Muay Thai enthusiasts, fighters and – one day – instructors.  I’m helping to shape my future replacements and – fingers crossed – they’ll be better, stronger, nicer, more helpful and surpass me.

So Kira – well done, keep up the good work and YOU are the next generation of Muay Thai!

You can find out more about our Kids Martial Arts classes HERE

 

Beating Bullies…

By | bullying, Kids Martial Arts | No Comments

Beating the BulliesI’m 35 and bullying existed when I was a kid.

It still exists today and a trap adults and parents who saw bullying during our times at school is that we almost accept it like a phase you go through in life and will one day leave behind.

Unfortunately that doesn’t make life and school any more pleasant for our children.

They still have to face it, go through it, fear it and – in my humble opinion – suffer the negative consequences bullying can have on children that will carry through to their adult years.

So…

What do you do?

As a instructor at the gym, and teacher of martial arts – yep, the art of punching and kicking – the last thing I believe children should do is start fighting.

And I also don’t proclaim to have the solution to bullying – if it was that easy to solve it would have died out many years ago.

But what I do KNOW and have witnessed on multiple occasions is that CONFIDENCE and re-assurance that you’re an alright person is one of the best ways to tackling and beat bullying.

Kids who have confidence are harder prey to target.

Bullies like an easy target, someone who doesn’t stand up for themselves and someone who doesn’t have the confidence to say “Stop“, tell a teacher or just walk away.

And kids with confidence who believe in themselves and know that they are alright – by that I mean they like themselves, kids with confidence are kids who don’t hate themselves.

They’re kids who appreciate they were born perfect – that’s what I tell my daughter – because she was.

So sure, a bullied child might be upset but if they understand the bad things bullies say and do aren’t true and aren’t a true opinion of the bullied person – that’s a massive weapon in fighting back.  It means bullies just don’t and can’t have the same affect.

While there are lots of ways to build confidence and self-esteem – and yes, of course I’m biased but then I have seem so many kids benefit from this – is through martial arts.

I like martial arts for children because it’s about working as an individual and working as part of a team and I like martial arts for children because they build key physical characteristics — strength, co-ordination, agility, dexterity, balance and much, much more — and these physical characteristics make us feel good.

I like martial arts because (adults and) children feel like they can look after themselves.

And I like martial arts for kids because it’s exercise and we all feel better after exercise.

Even kids.

To find out more about our kids martial arts classes and how they can help your child’s confidence, self-esteem, discipline, focus and concentration click HERE for information on our classes.

NEWS: 15year old Liam Lambourne fights for the UK in Turkey

By | Kids Martial Arts, Teens Martial Arts | No Comments

 

Crawley Teenager Liam Lambourne of Crawley Martial Arts Academy

Local martial artist Liam Lambourne in Turkey at the IFMAA games

Teenage Martial Artist and future sports star — Liam Lambourne — travelled to Turkey to represent the UK at the International Federation of Muay Thai Juniors  last month

The 15 year old graduate of our kids martial arts classes who lives in East Grinstead and trains at the Crawley Martial Arts Academy, travels to the Manor Royal Gym 5 times a week to rack up the hours and make sure he’s at the top of his game for the international squads trip to compete on the world stage.

Liam qualified for the UK team last Summer after he was required to travel up and compete on an almost monthly basis.

Liam with his Turkish Opponent

15 year old Liam with his Turkish opponent

For each bout Liam fought he was awarded points based on his performance, whether he won or drew and he scored well enough to make the team and win his place in the 2013 IFMAA Junior Competition.

Travelling to Turkey with the UK team, his dad and John Jarvis, the head coach at Crawley Martial Arts Academy.

Fighting in the 15-17 year old category, Liam was one of the youngest in the group and lost his first fight to a stronger, older 17 year old Turkish opponent.  The fight was under full Muay Thai rules which allowed knees and elbows to the head in addition to punches and kicks.

Fortunately for Liam all is not lost.

The travel to Turkey only adds to his experience and at only 15 years of age he can come back to fight in the same competition and fight in the same age group for another 2 years by which time he’ll have grown in stature, strength and experience.

We’ve high hopes and it’s good to see him back in training for his next outing this weekend in Manchester.

Good luck Liam!

If you’d like to find out about getting your child started in martial arts for fun, for confidence, self-discipline or for sporting competition  you can find out more by calling the Crawley Fitness & Martial Arts Academy on 01293 552 511 or enter your name and email address in the box on this page.