by Marichelle Rocha
Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Karate
Comparing
Martial Arts Classes
Unlike many youth sports, martial arts are not team-based or season-specific. Children as young as age 3 can enjoy the benefits of most martial arts styles. And therein lies the question: What’s the difference between karate, tae kwon do, and kung fu? How are they similar?

Common Traits
The various styles of martial arts classes have many more shared traits than differences. Speak with instructors to learn more about how their specific programs can enrich your child’s life.

Physical benefits: fitness, weight control, self-defense and an outlet for energy.

Emotional and social benefits: confidence, self-discipline, respect for others and appropriate behavior.

Costs range from $85-$125 per month, usually for two weekly classes. Some schools offer rates as low as $60 per month for preschoolers. Others charge an initial fee, with lower monthly rates. Some disciplines charge sparring fees and for belt tests.

Commitment: Although some schools charge by the month, most offer an initial period of one week to one month, then require a commitment ranging from 3 months to a year.

Equipment: Younger students often need no equipment and some schools provide robes, safety equipment for drills. Ask about required purchase, which can include robes, boxing gloves, headgear, shin guards and a mouthpiece.
Students per Teacher: Expect between 5 and 10
students per teacher. Some schools use assistants to
lower their student-teacher ratio, so ask about masters and assistants.
Tae Kwon Do
Tae Kwon Do or Taekwondo, meaning “the way of the foot and fist,” is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. A form of it, Kyeorugi, or sparring, is an official Olympic event. Tae Kwon Do emphasizes kicking techniques, though it does include punches and hand strikes.

Special Benefits: According to Master Mary Destolfo of Premier Martial Arts in Conshohocken, PA, Tae Kwon Do provides personal development through physical discipline, coordination, and focus and improves kids’ ability to learn. Training incorporates monthly life skill themes, such as respect or self-discipline. Successful students exhibit high confidence and leadership skills.

Muay Thai (Kickboxing)
Muay Thai originated in Thailand, and is referred to as “The Science of Eight Limbs” because the hands, shins, elbows, and knees are used extensively. It is similar to kickboxing practiced in the U.S. Europe and elsewhere in Asia, but allows certain kicks and strikes that other forms don’t.

Special Benefits: Sensei Aka of Budo Full Range Martial Arts in Voorhees, NJ says Muay Thai kickboxing, along with boxing, Japanese jujutsu and karate ”teach functional defense and athletic movements and fitness.” Students are challenged “to become stronger emotionally, mentally, and physically.” They gain focus, respect for themselves and others and fitness, and learn dedication and consistency in their training.

 Kung Fu
Kung Fu, meaning “acquired skill through hard work,” is used to describe martial arts styles of Chinese origin, though the term actually can refer to any hard-earned accomplishment. In
Chinese, “wushu” is a more precise term for martial arts.

Special Benefits: The benefits of Kung Fu are its diverse styles and techniques, says Master Ron Succarotte of American
Martial Arts Institute (AMAI) in Bear, DE. Animal-named styles teach self-defense and keep classes fun. Children are encouraged to use their imaginations. “One of the greatest areas of success is in children that are labeled or diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, hyperactivity, or with physical or learning disabilities,” says Master Succarotte. Students develop better concentration at school, home and play.

Kenpo Karate
Karate refers to a martial art developed in Japan’s Ryukyo Islands. Kenpo (or Kempo) karate, means “empty hand,” and places equal emphasis on the use of hands and feet, and stresses defensive moves.

Special Benefits: Judy O’Neill, co-director of the American Karate Studio in Newark, DE, says karate promotes better attention span, peer interaction, coordination and balance, healthy eating habits, social skill development and learning how to learn. Successful students improved grades through concentration, learn to deal with bullies and other life
challenges.

 Combinations
Some schools combine more than one martial arts style. For example, New Castle Martial Arts in Delaware combines Tae Kwon Do and Wing Chun Kung Fu in some classes.

Special Benefits: Students learn control safety, leadership, teamwork, balance, memory and to project “the right way of life.”

For More Info
American Karate Studio,
Newark, DE, 302-737-9500,
www.aksnewarkde.com

American Martial Arts Institute, Bear, DE,
302-834-4060,
www.usawushu.net

Budo Full Range Martial Arts, Voorhees, NJ 08043,
856-435-8110,
www.budo-frma.com

DeStolfo’s Premier Martial Arts, Conshohocken, PA,
610-834-8533,
www.destolfos.com
New Castle Martial Arts,
New Castle DE,
302-328-3977, www.nckarateplus.com