Happy-kid-o

Hiiii-ya!

Ask a kid what they like about martial arts and you’ll hear about high-flying kicks, board-breaking chops and ninja-like stealth. Ask a parent and they’ll likely say everything from strength and flexibility, to discipline and respect.

Bet you didn’t know karate wasn’t the only martial art—especially when it comes to signing your kids up for a lesson, though. Another discipline that’s becoming very popular is called Hapkido, a Korean version derived from karate and combined with elements of other ancient martial arts. You’ll find kicks, strikes, throws and rolls at any level of Hapkido.

Tao of Peace, Martial Arts and Life Skills Centre is a do jang (school), located adjacent to the Dalhousie C-Train station, dedicated to teaching Hapkido to children five and up. A typical class consists of a warm-up (push-ups, jumping jacks) followed by a training session, game playing (tag) and two Coaches Corners or short talks in language kids can understand, which focus on life skills, positive communication and assertiveness.

Classes for five to seven year olds run Friday afternoons for 45 minutes. Children wear a gi (uniform) and follow the same structure as classes for older children.

At around age seven, children move into the regular program. Classes are one hour in duration and run Monday to Friday. Children of this age group usually attend two classes per week and test for the next belt level after three to four months in the program. Instructors make a point of pre-testing belt-ready kids, so failure is literally not an option.

Kids are grouped not only by age, but by belt level within their age group, so your child will always work with kids the same age and level as themselves. Parents can also attend classes at the same time as their children (in the same room) on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Registration is on-going, and children are required to participate in a free trial class before investing in the gi and training.

Owner and head instructor Chris Leigh-Smith has been studying martial arts for over 30 years and taught physical education and health for the Calgary Board of Education prior to opening Tao of Peace. Like all instructors, he holds a black belt in Hapkido.

We love that kids show respect with the required ‘yes sir’, are reminded to hang up their clothing, and learn how to deflect a playground push in a non-aggressive way. And of course we love that over time kids develop coordination, focus and self-confidence.

Peace, Mom.

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