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Martial Arts School Promotes Child Safety With Anti-Bullying Program

Martial Arts School Promotes Child Safety With Anti-Bullying Program

(PRWEB) August 11, 2005

Julio Anta, owner of Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense and certified Bully Buster instructor 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 300 students annually participate in the school’s Child Safety Program, which is also supported by parents and Local schools. Anta is the Martial Arts Child Development director of Eugenia B. Thomas Elementary School and Divine Savior Lutheran School were he also teaches the Bully busters curriculum.

According to Mr. Anta, 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 Anta. “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.”

Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense is the only Martial Arts for Peace, Bully Busters certified school in South Florida. Anta was certified by Bully Buster creator and award winning author Dr. Terrence Webster Doyle. Students at Anta’s are required to read books by Webster Doyle such as “Why is Everybody Always Picking on Me.” Anta the 2003 Florida Martial Arts Hall of Fame Instructor of the Year was awarded in December 2004 by County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz The Miami Dade County Martial Arts Leadership Award. Anta has conducted seminars from Miami to North Carolina and a speaker at NAPMA’s World Martial Arts Conference. Last school year Anta was invited to speak to students of Doral Middle School about the bullying issues in middle school by Principal Ms. De Miranda.    

Anta 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. The 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 Anta. “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 organization, said Anta.

Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense is a member of the National Association of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA) and Florida’s state representative. Together with Martial Arts for Peace, they promote and strive for the highest standards of age-appropriate curriculum, instructor’s training, child safety and security, business integrity and professional ethics. Is your child repaired to go back to school? For more information call Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense at 305 599-3649 or log on to http://www.doralkungfu.com.

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