How Taekwondo and Martial Arts in Surrey and Delta Delivers True Meaning into the lives of kids?

How Taekwondo and Martial Arts in Surrey and Delta Delivers True Meaning into the lives of kids?

As a taekwondo expert for more than 50 years, I asked myself why some of my students stay for years; if not decades with me as their Taekwondo instructor?  Sure, some students stay for a season or two but still there are many that have been with me for 10 or 20+ years!  I outline my assumptions in the following breakdowns.

• Major kids study asks what kids really need and want in life?
• Martial Arts instructors act as a second parent figure.
• Martial arts is more than kicking and punching!
• What really matters in life? And how Taekwondo delivers?
• The end result of a nourishing Taekwondo Master?

 
Major kids study asks what kids really need and want in life?

As parents, our primary concern in life is the well-being of our children.  Making our kids feel safe means we need to offer nurturance, care, concern, warmth, and affection. Navigating on the myriad of options of how to achieve this momentous task can seem overwhelming at times!  Take heed!  There is an answer!  Kids, in martial arts in Surrey and Delta, are extremely astute in observing slight nuances in how people treat others.  They are very perceptive and take in everything. They quickly can ascertain if someone is using them or if someone offers genuineness.  I sometimes ask my long-term students why they stay so long at my taekwondo academy?  The most common reason is they say, “ because you are kind and sincere.”  I get blown away by this because it really humbles myself.  Initially when a student joins, I think of several things in my reasoning on how I can satisfy my child clients.  I ask are they here because they are bullied?  Are they here because martial arts is cool?  Are they here because they didn’t get fulfillment from playing team sports such as soccer or football?  Then I ask the deep question.  How can I make this kid feel better about themself and how to use Taekwondo as a conduit to achieve the end goal in order that the students is nurtured properly. 
I really do try to sincerely care for the needs of each of my students! They are here for a reason that is much deeper than the outward perceived notion that they want to defend themselves or just learn cool taekwondo moves.  I tell everyone that I do not teach kids how to kick and punch; of course I do but I use taekwondo as a conduit to develop a student’s life to be more fulfilled and to have a greater sense of purpose in life! 
Every spare moment I have at the dojang, I try to ask insightful interactions with my students.  Whether it be before class or during class or after class.  I try not to ask questions where the answer is a simple yes or no.  I believe this is a common mistake parents make; I am guilty of this also.  Instead, I ask more thoughtful questions such as , “who made you smile today at school?”  These are truly the questions kids want from their parents.  I believe the reason is that it shows you want to really see life from the child’s perspective.  And moreover, it shows you are genuine and sincere!  At my Jong Kim Martial Arts school in Surrey and Delta, I ask such questions in which the student becomes front and center and I , as their taekwondo instructor, takes a back seat.  This is paramount in my opinion.  It opens a dialogue of sincerity; from which, a stronger bond develops.  I become more than just someone who teaches them cool karate moves; I become someone who can now really influence and shape a child’s mind.  I use this to develop their confidence, self worth, and self esteem.  Kids who feel valued and cared for often have a higher propensity to perform at high levels in life; whether is taekwondo kicks or academics or just having pride in keeping a well-kept bedroom.  Kindness is a superpower!  It builds people up!  Anyone can quickly destroy someone with some hurtful words; but one who builds others up are usually encouragers. To have this mind set takes an instructor who is emotionally balanced and one who has deep empathetic nature to care for others; sometimes at the expense of themself.  Healthy minded people can do this!
This is why I place utmost importance on kindness and sincerity in the way I teach and mentor my kids martial arts in Surrey and Delta area.  The same philosophy holds true in my Surrey and Delta Taekwondo programs.
Depression has taken on an uptick in society.  It is one of the most destructive forces right now in the lives of kids and adults alike.  As Surrey’s population continues to explode, so does loneliness.  You would think that people would have more friends in a bigger city; but actually the opposite is true.  In addition, technology also has its hand in creating more solitary lives.  This is all the more reason, I believe the kind of community a martial arts school in Surrey and Delta becomes so important! The reason I hand pick who is allowed into my school is not because of elitism.  I carefully decide that only kind people and kids gain admittance.  I believe atmosphere and quality of the hearts of kids will foster others to become so much more!
My students tell me, “ I wish you were the principal of my elementary school!”  I say why?  They reply because then school would be a place I would want to go to!  I think kids just want a small inner circle of friends who really support each other.  Isn’t this what we all want and need?  When we go through some rough patches, don’t we want a consoling and objective confidant who can support us?  This is what I and my taekwondo students attempt during our interactions at the Surrey martial arts school.
Encouragement and a supporting atmosphere is where taekwondo students can develop resilience in life.  As they reach physical challenges in learning new taekwondo technique, students realize they can achieve through not giving up!  They ascertain that effort counts in life! As Rocky says, “ it’s not how hard life hits you!  You gotta get up and keep moving forward!  That’s how winning is done!  You got a dream? Go get it! Do whatever needs to be done to achieve it!”  To me, success and failure is not dependent on whether you actually achieve something necessarily;  TRUE SUCCESS is how much EFFORT one puts into solving challenges in life.  To me, these are true winners of life!  People who digest the true meaning of perseverance! 
At Jong Kim Martial Arts in Surrey and Delta, I do not teach taekwondo!  I use Taekwondo to develop self confidence, discipline, and PURPOSE! A kid who has true purpose, never fails!  But instead, has a very bright future lying ahead!  This is what Taekwondo really should do for each student that walks through the doors!  With the support of parents, every child CAN DO IT!  I am so thankful to the great hearted kids God has brought to me!  I am the richest instructor, at heart, in the world because of my students!!  This is true living in my opinion.
 
Sincerely,
Master Edward Kim
9th Dan Degree Black Belt
 
www.jktkd.ca
 
Jong Kim Martial Arts – Surrey – Taekwondo.
Unit 136 – 7536 130 Street,
Surrey, BC,
V3W 1H8.
 
604-590-1000