Karate for Kids 1: Self-Control, & Focus

In this interactive video students can follow along as they learn to punch and block through interactive drills and games. Included are important lessons on learning to focus and gain self-control. Below is an excerpt from this lesson’s life skill theme, Self-Control & Focus.

Self-control is extremely important for a karate student to have. If you don’t know what self-control is, it’s basically doing things that you know you should do and stopping yourself from doing things you know you shouldn’t do. For instance, one way of showing self-control is by sitting up straight with your body still while you are listening to a parent or a teacher talk.

Let’s talk about three ways we can show self-control and improve our focus. One way is to focus your eyes. We kind of did this earlier when we where punching the pads. You want to make sure that if you are trying to focus on one thing that you are not looking all around the room. If I’m talking with someone, I don’t want to be looking outside, I don’t want to be looking at the tv, I don’t want to be looking at my phone, I want to be looking right at the person I’m talking with.

The second thing you want to do is focus your mind. So again, I don’t want to be thinking about a ton of stuff at the same time when I’m trying to do one task. If I try to throw a punch while thinking of my favorite flavor cake or ice cream, I think that may make it difficult to do some good punches. So when you are doing a task, try only to focus on that one task and don’t be distracted by things going on around you.

And the third thing you want to focus is your body. As a karate student you want to be in control of your body at all times. That means if we are sitting up like this, we are not flopping around, we are not waiving our arms when we are doing our punches and kicks, instead we are safe and aware of our surroundings – not flailing and hitting anything around us.

So the three things you want to focus are your eyes, your mind, and your body. Say it with me one more time! Focus your eyes, focus your mind, and focus your body!