Building a strong character in children

Practicing a sport is not only a great way to build a healthy and fit body but also it helps a person develop a strong character. And in the case of children, this aspect is more than welcomed. By taking your child to be a part of a team and get a proper training, not only will you save him from the dangers of suffering due to various illnesses, but also you can be sure that he will develop a great personality. Sports are a form of discipline as well, teaching a child to be social and respect each other, to collaborate in achieving great results, to be of help when the situation needs it and support his team members. It teaches him responsibility and builds in him the desire to be the best and never give up.

Martial arts are probably some of the most disciplined sports. And this is not achieved by imposing harsh rules, but because there is a code of moral conduct and ethics, passed on by the teacher to his students. The rules of the code are not applicable only in sports, but also in the everyday life, contributing to the creation of a strong and reliable character. Take a look at the following 8 rules that compose the Code of Cuong Nhu martial arts:

1. The student should strive to improve themselves and their abilities in the martial arts in order to serve the people.
2. The student should remain faithful to the ideals of Cuong Nhu. They should attempt to spread and develop these beliefs in the younger generations so that they too will be morally and physically fit.
3. All members of Cuong Nhu are unified in spirit and respect each other and their instructors.
4. Only by an absolute discipline of mind, body and spirit do students maintain honor in Cuong Nhu.
5. The Cuong Nhu student should respect all other branches of the martial arts and should only use martial arts techniques for self-defense and to protect truth and reason.
6. Cuong Nhu students through dedicated daily practice increase their spirit, stamina, and moral character.
7. The goal of the Cuong Nhu student is to maintain a pure, simple, sincere and noble life.
8. Self-confidence, self-control, modesty and a non-defeatist attitude are the mental keynotes for students of Cuong Nhu.

As mentioned before, these rules will have a positive impact on the way a child will develop himself. He will learn that it is not necessarily important what you achieve, because the road to the achievement is the one that will teach you the most and that there is always room for improvements. He will also learn that his trainer is the one that will teach him the best methods and that he should respect him and accept to be trained, this is a very important aspect. If his teacher will make a negative observation is not out of meanness, but due to the desire to make his student better. A critique should always be regarded as being constructive, as every kick in the back is one step forward.

The child will also learn to be perseverant, as he will find out that results and higher performances do not come without effort and work. Each failure should be a lesson for him, as it will show him where he did wrong and how to improve himself. When practicing a sport, positive attitude is continuously reinforced, as it can weight a lot, especially after a failure. Even at home, it is important to praise our children when they have a positive attitude regarding something since this can be a great ability in the adult life. Respect and self-esteem are another two values that will be a part of a great character. When practicing a sport, like Cuong Nhu, the child will learn that if he is prepared well enough, he will make it, without the need to use cheats and tricks. To be respected, he will also have to learn to respect the people around him. And the efforts and work he is going to put in everything he does, will help him build a reliable self-esteem.

*Black Belt in the picture is amazing world champion Ariel Torres Jr. with two of our best students!

Sensei Luis Costa
CTX Evolution Academy
8100 SW 132th Ave,
Miami, FL 33183
(786) 329-9818