Martial Arts: Self-Defense for your brain!

The human brain, one of the most complex 3 pound masses of matter out there. While there is a lot we still don’t know about how it works, we are finding out more all the time. Especially when it comes to its development in adolescents.  Recently I came across this fascinating article: (Click here to read) that explains some of the research that has been done and what they can conclude based on its findings.

While there are many good reasons for parents to invest in martial arts training, I think the one of the most compelling has to do with its ability to take advantage of the growth process of the brain. Studies are finding that as kids hit their “tween” years (around 11 and 12) the brain has already built a large amount of connections and pathways related to organizational, strategizing, judgement, and planning. As kids progress through their teens the brain starts to go through a kind of “pruning” stage. Weeding out the connections and pathways that they don’t need/use and strengthening the ones that they do. The old adage ”use it or lose it!” shines greatly here.

Evidence suggest that whatever kids are involved in (music, academics, sports, video games, or sadly pursuing a path of self-destruction) will determine the course of the rest of their lives. What they do in their teens will greatly affects what they remember, are good at, and what they will migrate towards in their adult years. To me, this is even more of a reason for kids to pursue an activity like martial arts.

If kids are getting consistent exposure to values like focus, teamwork, physical fitness, perseverance, goal setting, overcoming fear, and all of the other things that martial arts does so well, then that is 2-4 hours a week of hard neuropathic wiring taking place with skills that will serve them the rest of their lives.

As I write this I reflect on how martial arts effected my life. I started at a time when I needed it the most (age 14) Many of the positive habits I have how were because of my constant exposure to the values that martial arts can promote so well. So regardless of whether you or your child ever give martial arts a shot, remember that what they do and are exposed to in their early years will affect them for the rest of their lives.