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For a lot of you working
parents out there, things can get a little hectic once summer
arrives, your children’s schedule changes, and suddenly they
have a lot of free time, but yet your schedule is still the same.
While most of you strive to spend as much time with your children
as possible, they still require productive activities to fill
their days while you’re at work. This can challenge many
busy mothers and fathers to find the right activities for their
kids. That is why this edition will focus on just that—summer
programs for our most valuable asset, our kids.
Every now and then I’m going to mention a person or a business
that I feel has earned recognition in San Diego County for their
humanitarian efforts within the community. The person being honored
in this edition is currently starting up a children’s summer
program in East County. Charlie Kohler of the San Diego Fight
Club will offer a mixed martial arts program teaching children
basic offensive/ defensive techniques. Set in a positive learning
environment, the children can focus their energy into sporting
events and competitive martial arts, and in the process develop
leadership skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
I am a huge advocate of martial arts programs, especially for
children, and I feel that this avenue doesn’t receive enough
recognition as an outlet for the kids and as an alternative to
school sponsored programs. During the school year, parents generally
have more options available as to how they would like their children
to spend their free time, but the options are limited somewhat
during the summer months. Martial arts are a way for children
to develop a sense of awareness for their surroundings, which
I feel is becoming more important on a daily basis with an increasing
number of crimes against children. The self-confidence and teamwork
they will learn will help to pave the road for skills that the
child will benefit from all of his or her life.
While it is important to set good examples in health for our children
to follow, it is equally as important how we set those examples.
A child client of mine reinforced to me the importance of making
fitness fun for kids. No one wants to do something that they hate,
and if children learn to hate exercise when they are young, well
you can imagine the patterns they will struggle to break their
entire lives. That is why we need to focus on exercise being fun
for the child so that he or she will want to do it, rather than
have to do it.
Charlie’s Summer Martial Arts Program will teach self-defense,
self-discipline, boxing, jiu-jitsu, grappling, and kickboxing
to kids in a safe learning environment. They will also have the
opportunity to compete with their fellow students and test their
skills. Charlie’s instructors are knowledgeable and professional,
with his own personal credentials cemented in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu,
boxing, Muay Thai kickboxing, and wrestling.
Charlie is currently raising funds for the purchase of equipment
and uniforms to help under-privileged children who would like
to participate but are limited due to economic reasons. You will
see his donation stations set up at local 7-11s, Rita’s Mexican
Food restaurant, and the Yogurt Mill. If you would like to give
a donation or would like more information on the children’s
program or the upcoming eight-week women’s self-defense/
rape prevention course, you can contact Charlie directly at:
San Diego Fight Club
941 Broadway
El Cajon, CA
(619) 447-1100
Remember to set good examples for your children in regards to
general health, nutrition and fitness by actually doing, not just
saying. With overweight children, special focus should be put
upon making fitness fun and exciting, rather than on the child’s
weight itself. Remember, it’s not just a child’s outward
appearance that is affected by his or her physical condition;
it’s their self-esteem and confidence that are being shaped
for their adult lives.
Melissa Allen is a certified
personal trainer, Blackbelt & fitness consultant, as well
as the owner of Optimum Condition— personal fitness training
and kickboxing instruction. She is a regular columnist with various
newspapers and welcomes input from her readers. Please contact
her with any questions or comments that you may have by calling
(619) 252-4993, email her at Opticondit@aol.com, or visit her
website at www.optimumcondition.com. |
