Karate Kid: Where are they now?

We all remember the Karate Kid movies. NYDailynews.com recently posted a where are they now that shows where they all went. Here is the link. It was interesting to read through the list and get an update.

When Should Kids Learn Kung Fu?

Although I don't teach a regular children's class at this time, I have often been asked what age is ideal for kids to begin Kung Fu training. The real answer is as soon as they are able to focus for an entire class and understand instructions.

My recommended earliest age for children to begin training is around age 5. Some kids are able to start younger if they show the maturity to stay mentally engaged throughout the class. The best situation is to have them training in a class designed specifically for kids instead of having them in with a group of adults but sometimes there is no choice.

Kids Are Made of Rubber

As you get older you realize that being a kid makes training easier. Kids are more flexible, recover faster from workouts and are sponges for information. To give them a further advantage on adults, they do not have the mental distractions that adults have such as finances, work, home, etc. The only thing they have not developed yet is power. This is why it is great to get the kids training early...as soon as they are able to focus for a whole class which is normally in the 5 year old range. It is much easier to maintain their natural flexibility than to try and gain flexibility later.