Therapeutic Martial Arts Introduction

            Martial Arts originated over 4,000 years ago.  There are many different systems of Martial Arts that have been developed through many countries over its history.  Some of the most popular and well known are Karate, Kung Fu, Kempo, Tae Kwon Do, and Tai Chi. People train in Martial Arts to achieve their own personal goal.  For example: Buddists monks studied Martial Arts to achieve the highest level of meditation, common Chinese people practiced for self control and self defense, Korean people, practiced to compete between different tribes, and Japanese people practice to achieve honor and self respect.

             In the modern world Martial Arts is practiced for similar reasons.  Most European, African, and North and South American countries, including Australia, have practiced Martial Arts since the beginning of the 20^th century.  Although the fighting aspect of Martial Arts has become popular through the movies, the basic principals of self-control, self respect, and respect to others has remained the same. 

            The practice place or Dojo has a special meaning.  It represents structure.  By placing a student in this setting, the student, no matter how unruly he or she may be, becomes compliant with the structure of the Dojo.

            Though Martial Arts teach discipline, self-respect, and respecting authority, some children, especially those with emotional difficulties, are unable to function in this structure with children who don’t have similar emotional problems.  When Martial Arts training are combined with therapy, there is no end to what could be accomplished. 

Philosophy, Purpose and Goals

            The program is designed around a therapeutic intervention using group structure and Martial Arts.  The Therapeutic Martial Arts will help children and adolescents to experience therapeutic change through structure of the ancient art, group dynamics, and other therapeutic interventions.  Participating in this program students will be able to thair physical conditioning, social skills, control anger, and awareness of their actions and effects towards other people.  Students will also be able to improve their self-esteem, communication skills, and performance in school.  Through out the program, students will be able to earn certificates and various other awards are given for group and self-improvement.  There will be guests that will visit the program such as other instructors with various special skills. 

            The skills of Martial Arts will not be taught or used for destructive purposes.  In fact, intentional outward aggression towards self or others will be strictly prohibited.  The Martial Arts will be taught with the emphasis on safety and the use of Martial Arts outside the Dojo will not be tolerated.  However it is recognized that children that participate in this program have emotional difficulties and at times may exhibit severe psychiatric symptoms.  It is not the intention of the program to punish children’s emotional difficulties.  Each situation is unique, and it will be resolved and processed individually. 

            The philosophy of the Therapeutic Martial Arts is to create an environment where children can experience psychological growth through the structure and techniques of Martial Arts and therapy, to create an environment where they can become more functional at home, in school and with peers, where they are able to resolve conflicts with better skill, and where they can increase their self esteem by becoming aware of their weakness and turning them into their strengths. 

Program and Group Structure

            The entire program will run approximately 10 months.  The training will be broken down in to three stages.  Each stage will be completed within 2 to 3 months.  The completion of each stage will depend on the students progress and willingness to continue.  In each stage a student will complete set goals.

The group will be conducted once per week.  It will run between 1 ½ to 2 hours.  The class will be divided in to three portions:

1.     The beginning of the class will involve physical activity.  This will include calisthenics, stretching and conditioning.  This will last between 30 to 45 minutes.

2.     The second part will involve learning techniques and therapeutic interventions.

3.     The last ½ hour will be devoted to discussion and meditation. 

Therapeutic Techniques

            The structure of this group will be behavioral.  However, several other therapeutic modalities will be utilized in order to supplement structure.  Some of these techniques will be similar to those used in “regular” Martial Arts school.  The following techniques are behavior modification with positive reinforcement and consequences, group dynamics, Gestault, relaxation/meditation, social-cognitive techniques, and crisis intervention (if needed).

Martial Arts