Karateen
Martial Arts for Young Adults
Many teenagers have a genuine interest in the Martial Arts, probably because of the images they encounter on films and television. These images have a huge influence on them and through programs like Karateen, this attraction can be taken advantage of and channeled into positive outcomes.
The program, conceived by our Chief Instructor Gary MacRae 7th Dan Black Belt, is designed especially for teenagers and young adults and uses the martial arts style of Karate as the learning platform - hence our name Karateen.
The martial arts is highly regarded by Primary, Secondary and Tertiary educators as a way of developing positive attitudes within teenagers and young adults. Karateen is also seen as a valuable method for expressing youthful exuberance under controlled conditions, balancing both physical and psychological goals.
These goals are to develop and build respect, discipline, confidence, fellowship, co-ordination, balance, fitness & self-defense. Those people, who have had the opportunity to observe the Karateen program in action, have noted the many positive aspects that make the program unique.
Inter-personal skills are refined and developed, as those who participate develop friendships across different age groups. Our qualified, experienced adult instructors also provide strong role models to the students and help build their confidence and relationship skills.
A sense of responsibility is achieved when more experienced students of Karateen are given leadership roles to teach others new skills. We generate and encourage our students to set a good example to fellow students, as well as their parents, teachers and friends.
The manner in which the Karateen students are taught the complicated moves and techniques of the martial arts enhances their cognitive powers and sequential memory. This is vital for their intellectual development and reinforces a sense of pride and achievement.
The formula, for the success of Karateen, is to simply treat these young people as adults and to take advantage of the natural energy that they have and to creatively engross them in this novel but empowering activity. The emphasis is on 'HAVING A GO' and individual development, rather than focusing on success or failure as in many other competitive sports.
Both boys and girls gain equally from this program.
The positive approach and modeling of the instructors helps the young people to be more receptive to thoughts and ideas they may have rejected in the past, such as self discipline and appropriate behavior. It is common for parents, with teenagers training in our classes, to report the overall improvement of attitude and behavior of their children at home and at school.
Karateen students gradually develop their inner strengths. The confidence derived from this training teaches the young people that they can rely upon their personal integrity and convictions and can accept the responsibilities of maturation. Truly, confidence is a teenager's first defense when facing the realities of life.
Some of the movements in Karateen, which are used for self defense, are often so graceful that (to the outsider) they can appear as much an art form as a sport. These movements are also good for mental discipline.
Both teenagers and adults who take up the martial arts find it a very important part of their life as it keeps them both physically and mentally fit.
Karateen is a multi-dimensional experience, and if those who become involved maintain an active interest, in time they will reap the benefits, physically, mentally and emotionally.