Martial arts programs for youth that are based on sparring, tournaments, trophies, badges and belt rankings distort the original purpose of martial arts education. I believe the problem with martial arts programs for youth in this country is that parents do not insist on quality, educational based instruction because 1) they do not know anything about the martial arts except what they see on TV and at the movies and 2) they do not initially see the value of paying for quality instruction without gimmicks. As such, they are easy prey for unscrupulous studio owners who make a very good living using bait and switch tactics that have, unfortunately, proven very successful. Parents should choose a martial arts instructor for their child with as much care and concern as they would in choosing a pediatrician. Many parents do not initially realize that their child will learn to emulate the qualities and characteristics demonstrated by their martial arts instructor when not on the training floor. In ancient China, parents were honored when their child was accepted as a student at a traditional training hall because they knew that their child would get the training that they needed, not necessarily the training that their child wanted. Parents knew that quality martial arts training molded the character of their child in a positive way. Their child wasn't focused on gaining temporary ego-gratifications such as trophies and belt rankings, but on attaining permanently the qualities of honor, respect and self-discipline - teachings which would last their child a lifetime.


     Dr. Anne Marie K. Pai (Pai, Ming Yue) is the Assistant Director of Dragon Moon Martial Arts Association.  She is the senior student of Dr. Makia L. Pai.