Bullying at schools across the nation have become a grave concern for the children who must face the probems associated with it as well as the parents, teachers, adminstrators, and school boards that must find a way to address it.

Studies show that in this nation's schools bullying occurs nearly every 4 minutes to 1 out of every 4 youths every day.  Children know what bullying looks and feels like because they see it frequently every day; name calling, pushing, shoving, teasing, spreading rumors, keeping one person out of group, ganging up on a child etc...

As a martial arts and self defense expert, the highest use of martial arts training is to teach the student how to defend oneself not only physcially, but emotionally and spiritually, but more importantly without the use of physical force.

The aspect of empowering a young person once they have been repeatedly bullied and put down is to teach them their unique ability to develop inner strength and utilize several creative ideas to resolve conflicts peacefully and without violence.

Awareness of oneself and others and the triggers that cause conflict to arise is the first step to developing anti-bully tactics. A child needs to recognize when those situations arise and develop tools to diffuse the potential for increased conflict.

Remaining calm is a skill that takes practice for any one facing increasing agressive behavior from another.  A child can be taught that they can not control someone else's behavior, but the one being bullied can learn to respond creatively to deflect, reduce, and redirect the insults and mean treatment from the bully.

Making physical, emotional and spiritual boundaries is a skill that takes practice and planning.  Martial arts training for children should include this important aspect of training for bully -proofing children. 

Yes, at USA Karate Academy of Shoreline, WA, children will learn all the physical aspects of self-defense, but as the great Gichin Funakoshi stated, "Subduing the enemy without fighting is the ultimate victory".