By Rochelle E. Brenner
The question: Would investing in martial arts benefit the city of Philadelphia?
Is there a way that the city would embrace the positive benefits of martial arts to help tackle bigger initiatives: enhanced education and fitness for children, character-building lessons & strategies to prevent violence.
As a martial arts instructor, I’m leading and walking alongside a team of dedicated instructors. We are professionals in inspiring and encouraging kids, personal development and de-escalating conflict. Is there anything we can do to encourage expanding martial arts as part of a solution to some of the city’s goals?
That was my question to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker when she took audience questions after her keynote speech at the 2024 annual Mt. Airy Business Improvement District meeting. Her response was encouraging. She talked about community team sports in general being a proactive approach to reducing violence as a positive outlet for children.
Then she spoke specifically about martial arts.
“What you do with teaching martial arts, guess what, that’s preventive as well. You want to see a man or woman, a boy or girl, get a sense of dignity and pride? How about learning and having the ability to be able to protect yourself and others. And then the character, learning morals, a sense of morality about when you should use or shouldn’t use the skill and the talents,” Parker said, advising that I reach out to anti-bullying and anti-violence programs. “It’s proactive. Let’s not wait until a young person gets in trouble. It’s preventive.”
The purpose of this blog is to thank Mayor Parker for her thoughtful, validating response at the standing-room only event at Cliveden in Mt. Airy. The other reason is to write what I wanted to say in a monologue in that room, to expound on the benefits of martial arts and why I believe so strongly that it is the most underrated, valuable avenue to any city, but especially Philly, to reduce violence and improve opportunities for children and families. I actually believe the most innovative, insane, powerful thing a city could do is make it possible for every child to earn their black belt.
According to medical research, martial arts provides physical exercise as well as significant mental health benefits including:
Stress release. Karate provides an opportunity for deep breathing, mindfulness, and meditation by training your mind to stay alert and calm while performing physical
activity.
Confidence. People who practice martial arts demonstrate increased confidence to avoid fighting and walk away from an escalating situation with their self-respect intact.
Emotional regulation. Martial arts develops emotional stability, assertiveness, and
reduces aggressive feelings.
Resilience. Karate is physically and mentally challenging. Martial arts teaches grit.
Forgiveness and healing. Because karate establishes boundaries, it allows participants to redirect feelings of powerlessness and gives them the ability to find strength and regain strength after trauma.
Positive mindset. The student creed spoken daily is, To build true confidence I must have knowledge in the mind, honesty in the heart and strength in the body.
Goal-oriented development. Students work toward goals and earn belts based on their progress as well as having the opportunity for healthy competition.
Public schools can use martial arts curriculum to help fill in for education gaps or add-ons in after-school enhancements. Martial arts instructors are certified and trained, background checked and insured.
The karate community has plenty of evidence to support our belief, from national research to hands-on observations and feedback. We’ve done programs in dozens of schools, both public and private, during the school day and as an after-school enrichment. We even start in pre-school ages with a curriculum geared toward getting kids in the top 10 percent of developmental milestones. Action Karate has 6 locations in the city (Northeast, South Philly, Mt. Airy, Manayunk, Fairmount & Northern Liberties) and we have a network of connections to other positive martial arts programs throughout the suburbs and New Jersey. We’ve also connected with the mission of various non-profits serving children and underserved communities.
Action Karate supports the Action Scholarship Fund, a non-profit based in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia.The non-profit gets its money from fundraisers and donations in the karate community, and has applied for several grants.
Here’s a sample of the plea that the non-profit has included in grant requests: “This injection of positivity will help pull kids out of the rut that leads to boredom, rebellion, anger and violence. Students will set goals and have fun while learning important lessons to gain self-discipline and self-defense strategies to avoid conflict. Classes are even beneficial for students with developmental diagnoses who struggle to keep up in traditional sports and classroom settings. What’s most amazing is that the skills developed in martial arts help improve respect at home, listening in class and enthusiasm for extracurriculars. Students in martial arts are less likely to sit in front of a screen for hours at a time or get discouraged if they meet a challenge. They rise up and keep going and try new things. Martial arts students are some of the most respectful, thoughtful people who are concerned about the well-being of their peers and aspire to improve their community.”
Students in our karate classes have faced down horrifying experiences: domestic violence, rape, bullying, death of a parent or sibling, major family disruptions, devastating diagnoses, mental breaks, abuse, extreme poverty. Just about any trauma or disadvantage, the karate setting can be an escape and a support system. We also have national competitors and world champion coaches. And no matter what each person is going through, we train side by side, all working toward our individual improvement. We are not therapists. But we have an environment and expectation for people to feel strong and empowered and rebuild their sense of self.
The same night I posed the question to Ms. Parker, she talked about a lot of big issues: funding for public transportation, shortage of public service applicants… the stadium. Parking. I know there are major decisions a mayor has to make. I also know this one suggestion could be remarkably successful, one kid at a time.
At her speech, I ran into a father of a former student. She’s in 8th grade and she had earned her black belt, but struggled with an ADHD diagnosis. “Karate was perfect to get through that time in her life,” he said. Karate was exactly what she needed as she managed her classwork and struggles before the therapy and services kicked in. The more that kids have that opportunity, the more likely they will have a better shot of overcoming the struggles of life and making Philly better.
We want to make sure every kid here has a shot, to get a shot like Rocky. To hit targets, not people, to fall down, and get up. To get better, not bitter. To take steps forward as a community. Like Rocky said:
“It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward.”
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