Coral Gables Martial Arts School Promotes Child Safety With Anti-Bullying Program

Sifu Sandor Urban, owner of Sandor Urban’s US Kenpo Kai announced today that the school’s Child Safety Program will help students understand the effects of bullying and provide instruction in self-defense techniques and avoidance strategies. More than one hundred students annually participate in the school’s Child Safety Program, which is also supported by parents and interested members of the community.

According to Sifu Urban, studies show that more than 5.7 million American children (almost 30%) are estimated to be a bully, a target of bullying or both. Although many adults may consider bullying a traditional part of a youth’s life experience, it may also be one of the precursors for the gun-based crimes perpetuated by youth during the high school years. Bullying over relatively petty issues becomes a rationale for revenge or extreme intolerance that festers from the elementary years through high school. There also appears to be a strong relationship between childhood bullying and adult legal and criminal problems.

“Children must have the ability to defend themselves by learning how to avoid confrontations and the martial arts techniques to fend off bullies when those confrontations become physical,” said Sifu Urban. “Anti-bullying instruction also contributes to children’s confidence and self-esteem because now they are prepared for what may happen as youths and adults.”

Sifu Urban stated that martial arts training is not only a solution for those children more likely to be victims of bullying, but also for those children who are bullies. He said children and youth who are bullied are typically anxious, insecure, and cautious and suffer from low self-esteem, rarely defending themselves. Bullied students often have problems concentrating in school. Our martial arts curriculum addresses those issues directly with the education and tools to transform victims of bullying into smart kids who now have the fortitude not ever to be victims again.

“It may not surprise anyone that studies show that bullies are generally physically aggressive, hot-tempered, easily angered, and impulsive, with a low tolerance for frustration, continued Sifu Urban. “That is the kind of challenge my instructors and I relish, however, because martial arts training channels the bully’s aggressiveness and anger into healthful physical activity, discipline and a positive attitude.”

“I invite everyone in the community, even those who are not parents, to join with us to stop bullying before it starts by participating in our program or starting and promoting anti-bullying programs in conjunction with local schools, churches, youth groups and other related organizations, said Sifu Urban.

Sandor Urban’s US Kenpo Kai is located on Red Road between the cities of West Miami and Coral Gables, Florida (305) 261-4787. For more information contact Sandor Urban at (305) 261-4787, or go to the school’s website at http://www.uskenpokai.com/. Sandor Urban’s US Kenpo Kai is a member of the National Association of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA). Together, they promote and strive for the highest standards of age-appropriate curriculum, instructor’s training, child safety and security, business integrity and professional ethics.