Martial Arts In Northbrook - K.H. Kim Taekwondo

- National Poomsae and Sparring Champion
- National Poomsae Team Member
- 2009 U.S. Open Gold Medalist
- 2006 U.S. Open Gold Medalist
- 2006 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships Participant
- 2004 World Hanmadang Championship Team
- 2003 U.S. Open Gold Medalist

Master Il So
Head Demonstration Master
5th Dan Black Belt Taekwondo
2nd Dan Special Force Military Martial Arts
1st Dan Black Belt Judo

- 2004 Graduated Korea National Sports University (KNSU), Taekwondo Department
- 2001-2004 KNSU Demonstration Team Member (3rd)
- 2003-2005 Seoul City Adult TKD Demo Team member (7th)
- 2003 World Hanmadang Mu Yae Championship Team 3rd place
- 2004 World Hanmadang Individual All Around Breaking Participated 2006
- Pan Am Open TKD Championship Poomsae Division 3rd Place. 2005
- Over 200 TKD Demonstrations Between 2001-2005
- Taekwondo Instructors License 3rd Class 128th Kukkiwon (2004)

 

Master Alfred Paloma
Head Master Sparring
4th Dan Black Belt Taekwondo


- National Sparring & Poomsae Champion
- Southeast Asian Sparring Champion
- 2007 U.S. Open TKD Champion – Sparring & Poomse
- 2003-2004 Illinois State Champion – Sparring & Poomsae
- 4-Time Undefeated TKD Sparring Champion University League
- 5-Time Undefeated Regional Sparring TKD Champion
- 4-Time Undefeated Champion, University League 1993-1996
- 3-Time Undefeated Champion, National Poomsae Championship 1994-1996
- 2001 - Present U.S. National Championship Head Coach
- National Demonstration Team Member
- 1991-2001 Head Coach, University of the East
- 1992-2000 Head Coach, Philippine Women’s University
- 1992-1997 Head Coach, Malate Catholic School
- 1999-2001 Coach, Olympians Training Center
- 1998 Chairman, Demonstration – World TKD Championships
- 1991-1994 Philippine National Team Member
- Medalist in Various International Gymnastics Competitions

An effective and charismatic leader in the martial arts community with the highest credentials. A successful entrepreneur as founder and business owner of several martial arts schools and programs in the U.S. since 1979. Executive level management experience, holding both State and National offices. 30 years of hands-on teaching experience which began with the Korean Army Combat Police.

• 8th Dan Grandmaster, World Taekwondo Federation, (WTF)
• 1st Class International Referee, WTF
• 2007- Present Treasurer, United States Taekwondo Committee (USTC)
• 2000-2003 President, Illinois State Taekwondo Association (ISTA)
• 2000-2004 Treasurer, United States Taekwondo Union (USTU)
• Member, United States Olympic Committee (USOC)
• President and Founder, K.H.Kim's Taekwondo
• Licensed Grandmaster Instructor, USTU
• Chairman, Finance & Fundraising Committee, Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU)
• 1996-2000 Referee Vice Chairman, USTU

About Grandmaster Ki Hong Kim

If you are interested in bettering your mind and body, don’t you want to learn from someone who can provide the support, guidance, physical tools, knowledge and experience to get you there?

Just like many kids today, Grandmaster Kim’s mother urged him to study Taekwondo as a child to eliminate his lack of self-confidence and fear. Taekwondo helped Grandmaster Kim to overcome those fears and develop the skills and self-confidence to succeed in life. Because he has never forgotten how Taekwondo has changed his life, he is on a personal mission to help build that same sense of self-confidence in others through Taekwondo.

Grandmaster Kim believes that anyone can use martial arts as a tool for growth. Meet him and you will realize that he has not only dedicated his life to Taekwondo, but that he cares deeply about the students, family and instructors. He believes everyone can succeed and provides the encouragement to do so. Students from age four through senior citizens have benefited from the programs. Everyone from state and national champion athletes, people suffering from asthma, learning disabilities, discipline problems, heart attacks and cancer have benefited from the various programs at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo.

His early passion for Taekwondo led him to leave home and become an instructor for Master Byung Chun Oh. During this period, Master Kim exchanged his teaching skills and maintenance of the school for food, clothes and a place to sleep for the privilege of studying with Master Ku and Master Young Woo Lee. As a young adult, his passion for learning led him to continue to build the depth and breadth of his knowledge of the martial arts. For example, as a student at a Jillson Buddhist temple, he learned various healing techniques and meditation as well as lessons from studying animals and nature. In contrast to his temple experience, his understanding of the practical nature of martial arts led Grandmaster Kim to teach a Korean Army special combat police squad how to prepare for hand-to-hand combat with North Korean infiltrators.

What this all means is that you will learn at a school that values you and the growth of you as a whole person, not just the physical.

If you are interested in advancing to the highest levels of the art of Taekwondo, doesn’t it make sense to study under someone who has experience and knowledge with international competitions to take you there?

As an 8TH Dan with the World Taekwondo Federation and a licensed Grandmaster Instructor for the United States Taekwondo Union, Grandmaster Kim’s achievements span from being the 1971 International Asian Kickboxing Champion and a Taekwondo champion in his youth to becoming an International leader of Taekwondo today.

Direct involvement with the Olympic Games is reserved for Taekwondo leaders with the greatest skills and dedication to the sport. Grandmaster Kim is one of an elite group certified to be a 1st Class international Olympic referee. From tournament director to United States team leader to international referee, Grandmaster Kim has been selected to lead and represent the United States in various capacities at international level competition. Grandmaster Kim knows what competition at the highest level is all about and he knows what it takes to get you there.

In addition, having been Treasurer of the United States Taekwondo Committee and the President of the Illinois State Taekwondo Association, Grandmaster Kim is a leading figure in promoting and building Taekwondo in the United States.

How else does Grandmaster Kim’s experience benefit me, the average Taekwondo student?

The best are attracted to the best. Top Taekwondo Masters, instructors and competitors from around the world (Korea, Philippines and Romania) are attracted to be a part of K.H.Kim's Taekwondo so that they may learn from and instruct under Grandmaster Kim. You will find a strong group of adult and child black belts who have been with Grandmaster Kim for years and years. You will also find, however, many adult black belts who have chosen to switch from other schools to K.H.Kim's Taekwondo because they can find the more advanced and sophisticated training needed to advance their progression in the art of Taekwondo.

Because of the high quality of the instructing staff, you will learn from a Taekwondo school that understands excellence and passes it on to its students. This combination of caring, experience and expertise is the key to explaining why K.H.Kim's Taekwondo has become one of the largest Taekwondo facilities in the nation with students who are champions on the state and national levels.

EXPERIENCE

Learn About The Styles of Martials Arts Training

Martial Arts are various methods of unarmed combat, originally used in warfare in the Far East and shaped by Eastern Asian philosophical concepts.

The martial arts are popular in many parts of the world today as means of personal development (self esteem, self confidence, focus and concentration, self discipline) self-defense, physical fitness, competitive sports and law enforcement tactics. Among the better known forms are karate, kung fu, taekwondo, jujitsu, judo, aikido, tai chi chuan, and kendo.

To learn more about the personal development aspects of martial arts, please access our free reports:

* Help! My Child Needs More Confidence

* How Can I Get My Child To Focus

* Say Yes To Discipline

* Keys to a Healthy Weight For Your Child

Martial Art Types and Techniques

Karate (Japanese, "empty hand"), martial art of unarmed self-defense in which directed or focused blows of the hands and feet, accompanied by special breathing and shouts, are dealt from poised positions. More than a method of combat, karate emphasizes self-discipline, positive attitude, and high moral purpose. It is taught professionally at different levels, and under different Asian names, as a self-defense skill, a competitive sport, and a free-style exercise.

Kung fu (Chinese boxing) is, with karate, the most popularly known of all the martial arts. It employs kicks, strikes, throws, body turns, dodges, holds, crouches and starts, leaps and falls, hand springs and somersaults. These movements include more techniques involving the open hand, such as claws and rips, than those used in karate.

Taekwondo is a type of fighting system that originated in Korea and that employs kicking, punching, and various evasive techniques. Most famous for its kicks, Tae Kwon Do incorporates jumping and kicking into characteristic maneuvers called "flying kicks." Taekwondo spread worldwide from Korea in the 1960s and the first World Tae Kwon Do Championship took place in Seoul, South Korea, in 1973.

Jujitsu or jiujitsu (from Japanese Ju, for "gentle"), uses holds, chokes, throws, trips, joint locks, kicks, and atemi (strikes to vital body areas). The techniques are gentle only in the sense that they are directed toward deflecting or controlling an attack; however, they can maim or kill.

Judo is a popular wrestling form developed from jujitsu in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, a Japanese educator. Like jujitsu, it attempts to turn an attacker's force to one's own advantage. Techniques include throwing and grappling. Judo was first included in the Olympic Games in 1964.

Aikido was, like judo, derived from jujitsu within the last century. In aikido, an attack is avoided with flowing, circular movements. The opponent can then be brought to the ground with painful, immobilizing joint locks.

Tai chi chuan, more popularly referred to as tai chi, is an ancient Chinese exercise and fighting system, still practiced in China and elsewhere in the world, mainly for its health benefits. It employs slow, graceful movements that are stylized renditions of original arm and foot blows.

Kendo, or Japanese fencing, is a sport derived from ancient sword fighting, now using bamboo swords.

Martial Arts Belt Levels

In many forms of the martial arts, practitioners wear colored belts to denote rank. A white belt indicates a novice; a black belt signifies proficiency at various levels. For example, first degree black belt, signifies the first level of black belt; fifth degree black belt, usually signifies a master.

Karate Martial Arts

The art of karate is more than 1000 years old and originated in eastern Asia, first as monastic training and later as a defense method used by Chinese peasants against armed bandits. During the 17th century it became highly developed as an art on the island of Okinawa, Japan. In 1922 karate was introduced to the Japanese public by an Okinawan, Funakoshi Gichin, and the art is today chiefly associated with Japan. It was introduced into the U.S. after World War II. Many types, including Korean (tae kwon do) and Chinese styles, are taught in the U.S. Technique and Training Karate is related to judo and jujitsu, but stresses techniques for striking, with lethal kicks and punches, rather than wrestling or throwing an opponent.

The three elements of speed, strength, and technique are vital to karate expertise. Constant alertness and a keen sense of timing and surprise are also requisites. Great attention is given to knowing the most vulnerable points of the human body, which may be attacked by the hands, elbows, knees, or feet. These areas include the face, neck, solar plexus, spinal column, groin, and kidneys. In ordinary karate competitions or exhibitions, only the area of the body above the waist is allowed as a target, and all blows are to be pulled.

The most common blows used are chops or knife hands, knuckle punches, hammer blows, finger jabs, and front, side, back, round, jump, and stamping kicks. In actual fighting, any of these blows can be fatal. The ability of a karate master to break boards or bricks with a chop of the bare hand is proverbial. The karate trainee toughens hands and feet by driving them into containers of sand, rice, or gravel and by striking sandbags and special punching boards (makiwara).

Constant exercises are important for limbering up and for strengthening the muscles of the body. Deep-breathing exercises are also useful because exhalation and sudden shouts accompany the directed blows, particularly the final or so-called killing blows. Such breathing and cries help the rhythm of the karate attack, focus more force in each blow or block, and psychologically invigorate a person while disconcerting the opponent. Instruction and Achievement The language of karate is chiefly Japanese.

A karate training hall or gym is called a dojo, and the white, pajama like garment worn in all training is called the gi. More than 200 specific Japanese terms are used for the various blows and moves that are employed in movement sequences called kata. Degrees of achievement are formally recognized in karate training, each represented by a cloth belt of a particular color worn around the gi, the usual colors being, in ascending order, white, yellow, orange, blue, green, purple, brown, and black.

Qualifications for belts differ from school to school, depending upon the style and standard of karate taught. The black belt, or dan, signifies the highest proficiency in karate and, like the other belts, is itself qualified by degrees of honor or skill, the highest dan being the ninth or tenth degree. Competition The Japan Karate Association, established by Funakoshi in 1949, held the first all-Japan karate championships in 1957. Since then the association has become an international organization, with affiliated karate clubs around the world.

Karate schools have also come into being, particularly in the U.S., where it has become highly popular as a sport and a method for self-protection. Karate has also been incorporated in training programs for the police, soldiers, and college athletes. No international karate organization exists, largely because of the difficulties in standardizing the many different schools and styles of karate.

In the U.S., although no single organization conducts official national competitions, hundreds of tournaments are held each year throughout the country. Among the best known are the annual American championships of the Japan Karate Association, held usually on the West Coast or in Hawaii, and the All-American Open Karate Championships, held annually at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

You can access our free reports directly by going to these links:

* Help! My Child Needs More Confidence

* How Can I Get My Child To Focus

* Say Yes To Discipline

* Keys to a Healthy Weight For Your Child

Here is your free report on how to help your child improve their self-discipline

For many parents, discipline is a tricky concept to embrace -- and no wonder. Too often, discussions about discipline revolve around punishments -- scolding, time-outs or even spanking.

So we view discipline, at best, as a necessary evil.

It's time to give our views on discipline a makeover. Discipline is a powerful and positive tool for providing structure and encouraging achievement.

Living with discipline is a long-term, achievement-oriented path to success. Here are just a few examples:

* Does your child want a new bike? They’ll need discipline to save money for this lofty goal.

* Is he or she dreaming to be the next American Idol? Not without the discipline necessary to practice.

* Does he or she want privileges -- a new puppy, a later curfew -- that come with good behavior? They first need to demonstrate they're disciplined enough to follow through with their actions.

This principle guides us throughout life. Even as adults, the qualities of health and happiness -- working hard, doing our best, eating right and living well -- all require self-discipline.

So how do we get discipline?

Anyone who has tried to change a child's behavior -- or break a bad habit of their own -- knows that two things are necessary: A vision for success and enough time and patience to make improvements the right way.

We've all got plenty of goals for our children. But until they can learn the qualities of self-discipline that will enable them to reach goals on their own, parents need to both lay out the goals and pave the pathway.

That's not to say you need to turn your home into boot camp -- so when it comes to discipline let's avoid words like "strict" and "harsh." Think of discipline as a set of built-in guidelines, like the supports that keep a building straight and tall.

Start with a vision: If you want your child to be successful, define exactly what you mean. If you expect your child to be a good student, establish this as a family priority.

Make it happen: He'll bring home the homework; it's up to you to create the environment that fosters high achievement. So make sure he has enough time, enough rest, enough food, a sharp pencil and a clean table to get it done -- get the idea?

Encourage them: If you set high expectations, they'll surely need your support and maybe a gentle push along the way. But do be careful: nagging, pushing and harping will get you nowhere. You want to build your child's self-esteem, not damage it irreparably.

Reward their accomplishments: If they've reached their goals, that's cause for celebration! If they didn't make the grade, however, that's not an excuse to withhold love, affection or attention. Encourage them to do better next time and help them learn another important life skill, perseverance.

What can I do today?

Taking this report to heart and rethinking your approach to discipline is your first step! Also, take a minute to reflect upon the rules you now have in place. Do you:

Have routines in place? Any schoolteacher will tell you that children learn best within a safe, comfortable, structured environment. Having routines, especially when getting ready for school and going to bed, will help your child internalize the habits they need to accomplish these tasks.

Establish clear limits? Your child should know your expectations -- and your boundaries. They are less likely to "test your limits" if they know you have set a line that they should not cross.

Maintain a consistent approach? The rules should be the same, and so should the punishments. Any inconsistencies, and children are more likely to test the limits and push their boundaries.

Offer guidance? We all need a little help along the way! Make sure you know your child's teachers, for example, and keep the lines of communication open. Address any problems, too, that would prevent your son or daughter from learning. And never forget to aid them on their journey by praising their achievements, no matter how small.

Set a good example? Instead of pointing your attention to your child, take a critical assessment of yourself: Are you modeling self-discipline through your own habits, from eating and drinking to working and staying organized? While nobody's perfect, it's true that your actions speak louder than words -- and your children are watching and listening.

Reinforce the message? Teachers and parents are usually united in their efforts to cultivate self-discipline, but messages from popular culture -- ranging from video games to TV advertisements -- promote indulgence and excess. Even a child's extracurricular life should reflect the values you hold dear. Music lessons, team sports and martial arts are some time-tested activities that promote discipline and achievement.

Have a plan for the future? You should have goals and an action plan to turn your hopes for tomorrow into a reality.

We've all heard stories about the students who may have gotten straight A's in high school but dropped out of college because, when left to their own devices, they couldn't budget their time or manage their studies.

Certainly, you don’t want set up your child for future failure due to their lack of discipline.

Yet it can happen. These types of examples reinforce the importance of helping a child establish and internalize self-discipline skills.

But how?

Consider martial arts!

Very few activities inspire self-discipline like martial arts training. A new student starts as a white belt and gradually works their way toward the ultimate symbol of achievement, the coveted black belt.

The black belt is a sign of a martial artist's dedication, their perseverance and ability to identify and attain their goals. It is a monumental tribute to self-discipline.

Regardless of the variety of martial arts, whether it's Tae Kwon Do, Karate or Judo, etc., new students start at white belt level. As they build their skills and ability, they progress through a succession of colored belts until they reach their black belt.

At this moment, untold thousands of children are among the martial arts students training for this goal, one step at a time. They (or more specifically, their parents) know the physical, mental and emotional task before them. But thanks to the discipline they are cultivating, they are eager and enthusiastic to take on this challenge.

Why? Because they have discovered the many benefits of martial arts:

* Improved focus at school, leading to greater academic achievement

* Physical conditioning, meaning, more energy and better self-image

* Greater confidence, lessening a child's chances of being victimized by schoolyard bullies

* And, of course, a greater appreciation of the rewards that come with self-discipline!

We make discipline happen

Earlier in this report, we suggested specific recommendations to positively promote discipline in your child. Here's how we cultivate discipline in martial arts schools:

1. We start with a vision: We firmly believe that every student has got what it takes to achieve a black belt, as long as they can stay focused to keep on learning.

2. We can make it happen: Our classes are highly structured, with drills and routines that sharpen skills. New curriculum is introduced in a way that is non-threatening, building both confidence and enthusiasm.

3. We encourage and motivate: The journey to black belt is full of incentives -- students get new colored belts as they advance through the ranks. Other incentives range from stickers to elite teams and competitions.

4. We reward their accomplishments: We never fail to praise. We celebrate achievements, and ultimately a student earns the rank of black belt, our ultimate symbol of discipline, excellence and goal setting.

Can you envision your child in wearing a black belt? Today it's only a dream. But as we say in martial arts classes, "a Black Belt is a White Belt who never gave up."

The martial arts community recognizes the connection between self-discipline and physical/emotional wellness. We've got the wisdom and expertise to make a difference in your child's life -- today and every day.

If you'd like to learn more about how martial arts can improve your child's self-discipline, please contact us (see contact information below) and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Or, better yet, let your child experience the discipline-building benefits themselves by taking advantage of our valuable Try Us Out Coupon. Just click on this link or access our coupon page via the link at the top of our website's left navigation.

KH Kim Taekwondo Locations

KH Kim Taekwondo

Our Northbrook martial arts school serves the following cities: Bloomingdale, Burbank, Burr Ridge, Countryside G.E., Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Evergreen, Flossmoor, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Highland Park, Hinsdale, Homewood, Lake Forest, Lockport, Lombard, Northbrook, Oak Park, Palos Hills, Plainfield, Romeoville, Schiller Park, Tinley Park, Wildwood, Willowbrook, Winnetka, and Wood Dale.

Here is your free report on how to help your child further develop their self esteem

Does your child possess a healthy sense of confidence? Answer yes if your child makes friends easily, accepts leadership opportunities and displays a bright, positive attitude.

But if your child is timid, shy and passive, with few friends and little initiative, your child needs help now.

The problems start small, a child who can't interact with his or her peers or won't look an adult in the eye. But as a child grows these problems do, too -- and before long this child is the target of bullies, prone to peer pressure and withdrawn in the classroom. Kids like this are called "painfully shy" for good reason.

A child with self-confidence problems needs to improve his or her self-esteem. In this report, we'll share some ideas on how this can be done.

First, let's review the five common problems your child may encounter

1. Timid and shy

Children who are quiet and unassertive find it difficult to interact with both peers and adults. They can find themselves overlooked in both school and social settings.

It is difficult for such children to "break out of their shell" in order to build friendships and gain leadership skills, both essential qualities for personal development.

2. Loner, not a leader

Shyness and a lack of self-confidence force children onto the sidelines and away from the action.

Children who fail to participate in activities do not allow their skills to develop, further lowering their self-esteem and insecurity.

Leadership in particular is a quality that must be learned. Children who are not encouraged to build this skill lose out on this powerful opportunity.

3. Bully magnet

As a parent, there is nothing more agonizing than knowing your child is suffering from the emotional abuse of a bully.

If you, too, were bullied as a child, you know yourself that the scars can take a lifetime to heal.

Sadly, children who are quiet, shy and unassuming tend to get bullied. For such children, it is essential that they turn their attitude around and learn the steps they must take to avoid this problem.

4. Hesitant to try new things

Children can view new experiences as exciting challenges -- or as insurmountable barriers. It's all in the attitude.

The fear of failure is a powerful deterrent to trying new things and gaining new skills. It contributes to feelings of low self-esteem.

If a child is easily overwhelmed, it's important to introduce new concepts and experiences step by step.

5. Caves into peer pressure

Do you worry that your child might be saying "yes" when he or she should be saying "no?"

A child needs tremendous strength and good character to avoid the dangers and temptations that young people encounter in today's society.

If you suspect your child is in with the wrong crowd, don't wait until it is too late to help them build the character they need.

We have the solutions!

There are many ways of addressing the problems of insecurity and shyness. After our extensive work with kids of all ages, here are methods we've found to be most effective:

Confidence

Every great success starts with one important factor: enough faith in yourself to get the job done.

With that firm foundation, truly anything is possible.

Building a child's confidence is all about personal empowerment, giving them the chance to succeed, and acknowledging that success.

From there, the sky's the limit.

Attitude

Confidence that shows -- that's how we define a good attitude.

A bright smile, a firm handshake, a straight posture and a strong voice project confidence.

Peers and teachers take notice of children with a winning attitude. It is greatly important, therefore, to be friendly and helpful, both at home and at school.

Opportunity

We all want our children to become leaders. But how exactly can we get it done?

Helping around the house and volunteering in the community are some places to start. As they master tasks and chores, their responsibility will also grow.

Few of us are natural born leaders; it is a skill that must be learned through experience. The essential key, then, is to give a child the opportunity to become a leader.

Action Plan

It's not very useful to tell a child to avoid a bully if you can't tell the child how to do so.

Children need to understand there is a very specific course of action to be taken in dangerous situations.

Does your child know exactly what to do if he or she is being harassed by a bully? Do they know what to do if approached by a stranger?

If you have specific instructions, discuss them with your child on occasion. In cases like this, knowledge is power indeed.

Martial arts can help!

It's one thing to hold the keys to helping your child build confidence. It's another thing, though, to start the motor and make it happen.

Many of these time-tested principles are difficult for parents to implement alone. They take time, effort and constant reinforcement.

Here's where martial arts can help. The group dynamics, our positive approach and our strong moral code help foster the skills that will last a lifetime.

Martial arts builds confidence

If your child is shy, it might be hard to imagine him or her putting on a uniform, stepping onto the mat and learning martial arts.

Martial arts instructors understand this fear and can turn such experiences into powerful lessons of empowerment.

Martial arts instructors undergo extensive training. They know how to build an excellent rapport by offering plenty of praise and encouragement.

It is their job to bring out the best in every child.

Martial arts deters bullies

Martial arts schools teach children exactly how to make the bullying stop -- and it doesn't involve fighting.Martial arts builds confidence.

Along with the martial arts skills, children learn how to deflect verbal and physical confrontation through role-playing exercises and guidelines.

Martial arts students learn how to be in control during such situations -- so on the playground, bullies get the message.

Martial arts is the right stuff

Confident, strong and happy -- We all have a strong vision of how we want our children to turn out.

The decisions we make today have great bearing on our children's futures. A child who is insecure today is susceptible to negative peer pressure in the future.

Martial arts provide positive experiences for children, and offers tangible goals and rewards that help them stay focused.

Having strong, positive role models -- from the instructors to the higher-ranking students -- helps reinforce the values parents are working to teach at home.

We call it a black-belt attitude. It is both our goal -- and our code of conduct.

"Our children have big choices ahead of them in the future, choices between right and wrong," said Master Chan Lee of Milwaukee, Wis. "They need to have good influences around them."

Here is your free report on the principles for helping your child reach maintain a healthy weight

Are you concerned about your child's weight?

Given the overwhelming media coverage about the "childhood obesity epidemic," it's difficult to not be concerned. We hear almost constantly that U.S. children are getting heavier and that we must do something about their unhealthy diet and low physical activity.

This sounds logical doesn't it? To address the increased incidence in overweight and obesity among our nation's youth, we just need to get them to eat healthier food and exercise more.

But, there's a big problem with this logic --- it hasn't worked.

Kids are still getting heavier despite a massive effort by governments, communities, schools, health associations, and parents to encourage healthy eating and physical activity --- with these positive results:

* Fat consumption has decreased from over 36% to less than 33% of calories (between 1971 and 2000);

* Consumption of fruit and vegetables per capita has increased 24% (between 1970 and 1997);

* Population-wide physical activity among older adolescents has increased (based on national surveys conducted over the last several decades);

* Availability of no and low-calorie food/drink has exploded;

* Access to nutrition information (health classes in school, government dietary guidelines, books, food labeling, Internet, media coverage) is far greater;

* Exercise promotion has increased significantly.

So, what's going on here? If eating healthier food and getting more physical activity are the keys to weight management, why is our population of kids still getting heavier?

In this report, I will explain why -- the real reason for the "childhood obesity epidemic" -- and then share what this means as far as your efforts to help your child reach and maintain a healthy weight.

The fallacy of the traditional advice for weight management

Despite what you've heard, the truth is that your child's weight is not affected by what types of food they eat or their level of physical activity.

I know this statement sounds heretical, so let me share the research behind it.

First, let's look at diet.

In a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on childhood dietary predictors of obesity, the authors arrived at the following conclusion:

"Overall, despite the prominent role that diet is presumed to play in promoting adiposity, the current review found no consistent evidence that infant or childhood diet is related to later fatness." Parsons, TJ, et al. Childhood predictors of adult obesity: a systematic review. International Journal of Obesity 1999; 23: S1-S107

Or consider the major study of 196 girls, 8 to 12 years old, who were evaluated over a four-year period to determine the relationship between consumption of energy-dense foods (baked goods, ice cream, chips, sugar-sweetened soda, and candy) and relative weight change during adolescence. Their conclusion?

"overall energy-dense food consumption does not seem to influence weight status or change over the adolescent period." Phillips, Sarah, et al. Energy-Dense Snack food Intake in Adolescence: Longitudinal Relationship to Weight and Fatness. Obesity Research March, 2004; 12: 461-472

Another study of adolescent eating habits came to this conclusion:

"These data offer no evidence to support the widespread notion that obese adolescents eat more 'junk food' than non-obese adolescents." Bandini LG, et al. Comparison of high-calorie, low-nutrient-dense food consumption among obese and non-obese adolescents. Obesity Research 1999; 7: 438-443

In fact, almost all research studies on childhood obesity find that heavier children do not eat different foods than thinner children.

Now let's look at physical activity.

Here the scientific research is more inconsistent. Still, about half the studies show no association between physical activity and obesity --- where the average weight of more physically-active kids was not different from more sedentary kids.

For example, in a 2006 study, 545 children with an average age of 4.2 years were split into two groups. One group were given enhanced physical activity in the nursery (three 30 minutes sessions per week over 24 weeks) plus home based health education aimed at increasing physical activity through play and reducing sedentary behavior. No curriculum changes were made with the other group. The surprising result? --- after 6 and 12 months, there was no significant difference in body mass index between the two groups. Reilly, John, et al. Physical activity to prevent obesity in young children: cluster randomized controlled trial. British Medical Journal November 18, 2006; 333: 1041-1043

However, some studies do show a correlation --- but almost all of these use television viewing time as a proxy for activity levels. In other words, they assume that frequent TV watchers are less active. Well, it turns out that assumption might not be correct.

In a 2007 study 18,882 10-15 year old boys and girls were evaluated over a four year period to determine if television viewing, and other sources of sedentary behavior, are associated with leisure-time moderate/vigorous physical activity. The researchers found no association, which they said was consistent with most "cross-sectional studies in children and adolescents" and "almost all studies of television viewing and physical activity among adults." Taveras, Elsie, et al. Longitudinal Relationship Between Television Viewing and Leisure-Time Physical Activity during Adolescence. Pediatrics 2007; 119: 314-319

Are you surprised?

Although it's very logical that a child's weight is affected by what types of food they eat and their level of physical activity, there's almost no evidence to support this contention.

The scientific research doesn't support it and our actual experience as a nation doesn't support it.

The real reason for the increased incidence in childhood obesity

Here is a statement that is well supported by scientific research and people's experience:

**** If children pay attention to their body's natural regulatory eating signals, their weight will settle at a level that's healthy for their current stage of growth and development ***

Sure, some children first grow wide and then thin out, others grow tall and fill in, and some end up being smaller or larger than average. That's just the natural size-diversity of the human population. But, a child's growth will be just fine if his or her eating patterns remain normal --- which should be very common because disrupting them is so difficult to do:

"Based on their natural levels of eating and activity, children have a powerful and resilient tendency to grow consistently and predictably, in the way nature intended them to grow. It takes a lot to disrupt that regulatory ability to the extent that it distorts growth. Moreover, those disruptive factors have to be powerful and continuous. Being offered too much fat or too few fruits and vegetables won't do it. Being offered too-large portion sizes won't do it. Going to fast-food restaurants won't do it." Satter, Ellyn. Your Child's Weight -- Helping Without Harming. Madison, WI: Kelcy Press, 2005: 12-13

But, here's the problem. Despite how difficult it is to disrupt a child's natural regulatory eating signals, this almost impossible feat is occurring with a lot of kids.

Why is this happening? It's because many children experience self- and externally-imposed food restrictions --- due to media stereotypes of ideal body size, advertising by the diet and food industry, parent and physician concerns about kids being overweight, and overly-enthusiastic nutrition education.

These food restrictions may be real (e.g., weight-loss diet, banning eating foods which are considered unhealthy) or more subtle, such as parents or schools:

* Pushing "healthy" foods
* Labeling foods as "good" or "bad"
* Limiting portions
* Using low-calorie foods
* Hiding certain foods
* Deliberately running out of a child's favorite food
* Questioning food choices ("are you sure you want that?")

These real or subtle (but readily apparent to the child) forms of food restriction result in the child being afraid that food might not be available the next time they're hungry, the specific food available now won't be available again, or there won't be enough food to provide satisfaction when they next eat.

These fears cause children to became preoccupied by food, lose touch with their natural regulatory eating signals and overeat when given the opportunity. And, as you know, such opportunities come along quite frequently:

* Fast food restaurant where a child can access huge food portions for little money;

* Friends house where a child is away from their parent's eye;

* Local store or vending machine where a child can buy soda and candy with their allowance money;

* Party where a buffet-style meal makes a child's eating invisible to others;

* School where a child can access vending machines or foods from the ala carte menu.

In other words, children have plenty of opportunity to abandon whatever explicit or subtle food restrictions are placed on them and "eat when the eating is good."

This phenomenon is widely known among eating specialists due to their own experiences and because it has been demonstrated in so many research studies. Here are some excerpts from three of the fourteen studies of which I am aware:

"In conclusion, restricting children's access to a palatable food within their eating environment does not promote moderate patterns of intake and paradoxically may actually promote the very behavior its use is intended to reduce. This research supports the view that restricting access can sensitize children to external eating cues while increasing their desire to obtain and consume the restricted food. These findings also suggest that the effects of restriction on children's eating will be particularly pronounced in families in which restriction is consistently in effect." Fisher JO, Birch LL. Restricting access to palatable foods affects children's behavioral response, food selection, and intake. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1999; 69: 1271

"For example, the current obesigenic food environment is characterized by large amounts of inexpensive, readily available, palatable, energy-dense foods. In response to this environment, parents may attempt to limit children's consumption of 'junk' or 'unhealthy' foods by keeping foods out of reach or by placing constraints on when and how much food may be consumed. Experimental studies have shown, however, that restrictive feeding practices increase childrens' preferences for restricted foods, heighten responsiveness to the presence of palatable foods, and promote overeating when restricted foods are freely available." Birch, LL, et al. Learning to overeat: maternal use of restrictive feeding practices promotes girls' eating in the absence of hunger. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2003; 78: 215

"Even during the preschool period, before any evidence for the emergence of dietary restraint, maternal feeding practices that restrict children's access to palatable foods can promote children's overeating. The use of restrictive feeding practices may occur in middle-class families in response to parental concerns about children's risk for overweight, which is seen as a threat to children's healthy development. However, rather than promoting moderation, these feeding practices can promote disregulated overeating in children." Shunk J and Birch L. Girls at Risk for Overweight at Age 5 Are at Risk for Dietary Restraint, Disinhibited Overeating, Weight Concerns, and Greater Weight Gain from 5 to 9 Years. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2004; 104: 1124

So, the reason our kids are becoming more overweight isn't because they are eating unhealthy foods or are not sufficiently active -- it's because their natural regulatory eating signals have been disrupted by the overwhelming emphasis on losing weight and eating healthy foods.

What you should do to help your child reach and maintain a healthy weight

To ensure your children grow in a healthy way you must feed them reliably and without restrictions. If you do this, food will become less of a preoccupation and your children will eat according to their natural regulatory eating signals.

"In treating children or adults who have lost touch with their ability to know when they are full, it is both a huge relief and very scary for them when I recommend that we eliminate the rules defining too much food. Most are sure that they will eat the entire house and more without these rules. In reality, many do eat excessive amounts for a short while --- stocking up as their psyches wait nervously for the next restrictive diet to be imposed. But if such individuals can maintain their courage and continue to fill up with a reasonable selection of wholesome foods, eventually their subconscious minds register what is happening; they are free to eat according to their own internal hunger. At this point, something almost magical happens (or so it seems to those who have come to see themselves as insatiable). Suddenly, because they no longer need to eat in anticipation of the time when they will be cut off, they no longer need to eat it all right now. They begin to notice when they are full. They begin to trust that they can save some for later or can share their food, knowing they can get more if they choose." Kater, Kathy. Real Kids Come In All Sizes. New York: Broadway Books, 2004: 165

In other words, children must be 100% confident they'll be fed when they're good and hungry, foods they like, and enough food.

How can you produce this confidence? --- by putting structure to snacks and meals your child can count on and not letting even the intent to restrict food creep into your feeding. For example, you should:

* Serve defined meals and snack at intervals that ensures your child doesn't become too hungry (2 to 3 hours for a younger child, 3 to 5 hours for an older child, but probably never longer than 6 hours). However, don't let your child graze throughout the day. Food should only be eaten at defined snacks and meals.

* Serve enough food at each meal and snack so there's always some left over such that your child sees abundance rather than limitations (e.g., cookies left on the plate served for a snack, mashed potatoes left over in the serving bowl).

* Be careful not to let the subtle forms of food restriction occur (pushing "healthy" foods, labeling foods as "good" or "bad," limiting portions, using low-calorie foods, hiding certain foods, deliberately running out of a child's favorite food, questioning food choices -- "are you sure you want that?"

As far as what to serve, I'd recommend you relax and about food selection and, instead, just follow these five simple eating guidelines:

* Maximize variety. Serve a wide range of foods to provide plenty of opportunity to try new things.

* Select more real food. Serve foods your grandmother would have recognized as food rather than the manufactured foods which are so prevalent.

* Choose less fried food. For example, it's probably not a great idea to go out for fast food several nights a week, but that doesn't mean you should never go. There is nothing inherently wrong with fast food as long as your child is listening to their body's natural regulatory eating signals.

* Consume less calories in liquid form. This means that milk or water should be the primary beverage served at snack- or meal-time. Liquid calories (e.g., juice for breakfast) should be less than 10% of your child's total calorie intake.

* Try to serve family meals which include a protein, starch, vegetable (or fruit, or both), bread, and milk.

What about physical activity

I said above that physical activity does not affect weight. That's true, but that doesn't mean it's not important. In fact, research consistently shows that physical activity is probably more important to a child's health than their weight status.

Therefore, you should be strongly encouraging your child to be more physically active --- but for reasons of fun and overall health, not as a method for losing or maintaining weight.

Exercise shouldn't be punishment for gaining weight. Instead, your child should view exercise as activities they absolutely love to do. Your job as a parent is to help them discover those activities.

We believe martial arts is one of the activities your child may love. Sure, we focus on skill development, discipline and confidence -- but most of all we emphasize fun.

Many children begin classes with us for one set of reasons, but they continue because they are having such a blast --- and increased physical activity with all its health benefits is the natural result.

To learn more about martial arts and to determine if it's a physical activity your child loves, please contact us (see our contact information below) and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Or, better yet, let your child directly experience the fun they can have in a martial arts class by taking advantage of our valuable Try Us Out Coupon. Just click on this link or access our coupon page via the link at the top of our website's left navigation.

Here is your free report on how to help your child develop their ability to concentrate

Distracted. Easily frustrated. Hyperactive.

If any of these words describe your child, you're probably worried that he or she lacks the ability to stay focused.

A rare few children are born with the innate ability to concentrate, but sometimes a healthy attention span is harder to develop. These children are sometimes referred to as "dreamers," "fidgety" or even "a problem child." Society seems quick to label them as having Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD).

There is no dispute that the ability to concentrate is an important life skill. Knowing how to help your child develop that ability is the real key. In this report, we'll share some ideas on how to accomplish this.

Know What Is Normal

First, it's important to make sure that certain factors are in the right balance.

Is your child's daily diet a nutritious one? Does he get enough sleep? Does she get plenty of exercise? Are there other factors that are making your child sad, mad, worried or excited?

Second, it's important to make sure your expectations, and those of other adults in your life, are reasonable. For most children (and, let's face it, some adults), the ability to stay focused takes practice. It's a learned skill, not a natural reflex.

Waiting for that development to happen naturally can be more frustrating for first-time parents than for those who have experienced it all before.

Compare your child's behavior to others who are about the same age. Talk with other parents. Ask educators or your pediatrician what the average attention span is for your child's age. You may be surprised by the answers.

"A 'normal' attention span should be 3-5 minutes per year of a child's age. For a 3-year-old, that would be nine to 15 minutes; for a 10-year-old, it would be 30-50 minutes," explains Dr. Becca Harrison, resident of psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin and an assistant martial arts instructor.

"It is a little more complicated than that though. Attention is thought to develop in stages," Dr. Harrison adds. "First, kids tend to be overly exclusive, focusing on one thing for a long time to the exclusion of everything else. We see this mainly in babies. Second, they tend to be overly inclusive. Toddlers tend to switch from activity to activity rapidly. Third, kids develop selective attention, the ability to switch focus when they want from being exclusive to inclusive, for instance. Some kids just take longer to reach that third stage, just like some kids walk later than others."

Still, your child may be described -- by you or by others -- like this:

* Fidgety: Can't "sit still" for the expected amount of time that is average for his or her age; constantly gets up to do other things.

* Daydreamer: Routinely seems lost in his or her own world; facial expression goes blank or takes on a "dreamy" look as he or she stares off into space.

* Easily distracted: Regularly goes from one activity to another or can't stay on-topic in a conversation.

* Hyperactive: Routinely and excessively excited; always on the go.

* Impulsive: Constantly acts before thinking; uncontrolled physical and emotional responses or verbal outbursts.

Find a solution

There are many ways of addressing these issues. From our experience with kids of all ages and discussions with other professionals, we've found the following methods to be effective solutions in helping focus-challenged children.

1. Encourage age-appropriate "brain" exercises. Paint and color. Play board games. Put together a jigsaw puzzle. These are especially effective in helping younger children because parents and older siblings can participate. These types of activities can be completed in a short amount of time, and there is a tangible "reward" at the end (a pretty picture to hang on the refrigerator or a finished puzzle that looks just like the picture on the box). More complicated games and larger puzzles can be introduced as your child gets older.

2. Provide a challenge. Word searches, crossword puzzles and chess let children exercise their minds on their own or with a partner. These also require self-directed concentration as the child works independently or, as is the case in a game like chess, must anticipate upcoming moves.

3. Sign up for lessons. Dance classes. Violin lessons. Cake decorating. Whatever your child's interest, consider signing him or her up for classes. While it may seem like the last thing you want to do is put your child in yet another class where he or she won't pay attention, matching the right class to your child's interest can make a world of difference. He'll want to pay attention, which will help him teach himself how to stay focused.

4. Get into sports. Exercise is the best remedy for all that pent-up energy. Solitary sports like swimming, skiing and track are even better because participants are constantly in motion without the added pressure of letting down the team.

5. Praise more than you criticize. We all work better and want to try harder when the result is positive. Children want, and need, praise. That may seem easier to do when they're adorable and tiny, but it doesn't lose its value when those tiny tots start turning into real people. Tell them when they've done something right and they'll want to do it again.

6. Turn off the TV -- and video games too. Both TV and video games cater to short attention spans. Limiting a child's time with each will ease your battle.

But here's the challenge.

These all seem like good, easily-implemented ideas, but committing to them on a regular basis is difficult. Schedules are hectic and, at this point, you're as easily frustrated as your child.

The good news is that there is one solution that incorporates all the above described methods.

This one solution is Martial arts - here's why?

Martial arts strengthen minds and muscles

Among the many benefits of a martial art is the way it strengthens the mind. There is a certain discipline that develops quickly among students, a shift in their ability to pay attention.

Martial arts provides brain exercise

From the very first day in class, students are challenged to think as much as they act. Learning new forms and movements takes concentration. One reason why martial arts is so effective is that it reinforces working memory. Anthony Meyer, MD, medical director of Aurora Psychiatric Hospital in Milwaukee, Wis., and a specialist in attention deficit and child/adolescent issues, compares working memory to that of an executive secretary, taking in all the sensory information, sorting through it and compiling a list of priorities for the "CEO," or frontal lobe of the brain. If the executive secretary isn't working properly, that list of priorities isn't correct or in some cases not delivered.

To enhance working memory, Dr. Meyer says, it's important to use repetition and multi-sensory stimulation -- meaning one sees, then hears and then attempts the task at hand. Martial arts fits that bill. Students are taught by example, explanation and repetition.

Martial arts provides a challenge

Martial arts teaches life skills like discipline, respect and concentration. A student can't move up in rank without showing those characteristics at an age-appropriate level. And as students advance, their level of precision and even the intricacy of their movements become more challenging.

Together these factors help children retrain their brains so that, whether in class or in the real world, they are able to act and react in a responsible manner. "It's exercising their ability to focus," Dr. Harrison says. "They tune out other things around them when they're in martial arts class, and that is transferable at school and at home because they've learned how not to be distracted so easily."

Martial arts provides a great class environment

Martial arts keep kids engaged physically and mentally. They have fun while in class, and take pride in knowing that they are learning something most kids don't know how to do.

Dr. Meyer explains that martial arts "enhance motivation, which is like turbo power that gives you interest to attend to something. The master is able to give one-on-one instruction or work in small groups, which helps motivate. It uses the whole body, a number of sensory modalities, and has to do with focus, centering and getting along with friends and family, as well."

Martial arts provides vigorous exercise

Like swimming, skiing and track, martial arts is a solitary sport. Martial art classes remove the pressure to do well in front of the other kids or to score a winning play. Students concentrate on their own movements rather than what everyone else is doing. They never have to worry about disappointing their team mates. Instruction is focused on the individual and his or her journey toward attaining the next belt rank. And every class is wall-to-wall movement. There's nothing like an hours worth of running, jumping and blocking to get rid of any pent-up energy.

Martial arts instructors are trained to praise more than criticize

In a sport like the martial arts, the emphasis is on learning the basic steps and techniques. Good martial art instructors use a "praise, correct, praise" approach in which the student is praised for what he or she did right, instructed on how to improve what was not quite right, and then praised for making the correction. Children also get rewards like stickers, trophies and belts.

"Martial arts require a certain amount of focus to participate. The process of them learning their forms and coordinating the movement of their hands and feet is helpful, and the kids get tangible rewards like stickers, trophies and their next belt," says Dr. Harrison.

Martial arts pulls kids away from the TV

When kids are in class, they're not in front of the television. They're moving, active and engaged.

"I have heard parents say that they have seen a change," says Dr. Harrison. "They see a difference in their children's behavior, and the teachers tell them that their children pay better attention in class."

If you'd like to learn more about how martial arts can improve your child's attention span, please contact us (see contact information below) and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Or, better yet, let your child experience the concentration-building benefits themselves by taking advantage of our valuable Try Us Out Coupon. Just click on this link or access our coupon page via the link at the top of our website's left navigation.

Learn More About KH Kim Taekwondo

KH Kim Taekwondo is a martials arts school in Northbrook, IL which serves the following cities: Bloomingdale, Burbank, Burr Ridge, Countryside G.E., Darien, Deerfield, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Evergreen Park, Flossmoor, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Highland Park, Hinsdale, Homewood, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lockport, Lombard, Northbrook, Oak Park, Palos Hills, Plainfield, Romeoville, Schiller Park, Tinley Park, Wildwood, Willowbrook, Winnetka, and Wood Dale.

KH Kim Taekwondo was founded in 1987 by 8th Degree Black Belt Grandmaster Ki Hong Kim. Originally in Schaumburg, the school quickly branched out into other suburbs. The Northbrook location was opened in 1993 as a 8000 square foot training facility with full amenities as well as a Professional Retail Shop. The school primarily hosts Taekwondo, among a variety of other martial arts classes. The school also features Dotori, a program designed to excel students academically.

As professionals in the martial arts, we have dedicated our lives to the betterment of our sport - and operate a martial arts school with the goal of educating children and adults to become physically and emotionally strong.

We have years of training in martial arts, with a special emphasis in working with children and families. Our instructors at KH Kim Taekwondo are specifically trained to teach martial arts through motivation and encouragement.

Our martial arts instructors develop students' desire to improve and grow so that the motivation to excel comes from within. To us, this is truly the best form of leadership.

We are black belt martial artists who stand tall and live strong. That's what sets us - and our students - apart from the crowd.

To learn more about our KH Kim Taekwondo school

If you would like to learn more about our martial arts staff or our martial arts school's credentials, please make an appointment to visit us. Our address, phone number and a link to a map is on the bar to the right. To get additional information such as our hours of operation, please visit our martial arts school location page.

Better yet, you should take advantage of our KH Kim Taekwondo special Try Us Out offer.

Another way to learn more about our martial arts school is to read the several free reports available on this website or subscribe to our Life Lessons From Martial Arts Masters.

To access the KH Kim Taekwondo free reports, just click on the links below:

* Help! My Child Needs More Confidence!

* How Can I Get My Child to Focus?

* Say Yes To Discipline

* Keys to a Healthy Weight for Your Child

To subscribe to the Life Lessons From Martial Arts Masters, just click on the link below:

* Life Lessons From Martial Arts Masters

Learn About Our Professional Northbrook Martial Arts Staff

All martial arts instructors at KH Kim Taekwondo are trained to ensure that our martial arts classes are safe, effective and fun.

Our KH Kim Taekwondo instructors and instructor assistants are all required to complete an intensive martial arts leadership training prior to teaching or assisting in the classroom. During these martial arts training classes, the focus is on more than just teaching martial arts skills. Instructors also learn how to work with all students, tailoring their martial arts teaching methods to fit the individual child. Emphasis is put on encouragement and positive correction.

More About Our KH Kim Taekwondo Instructors

Our martial arts instructors are committed to teaching the physical skills of martial arts while applying attitude-shaping exercises aimed at bringing out the best character and physical potential in each student. Through weekly martial arts training, instructors advance their own martial art and educational knowledge to become even more effective martial arts teachers.

The KH Kim Taekwondo instructors are required to maintain their personal level of martial arts knowledge. They are expected to take class on a regular basis and test at least once per year.


Learn more about the instructors

Why Become a Student of KH Kim Taekwondo

A better working body - a sharper, more focused mind - a stronger sense of self confidence - more self discipline - the ability to physically defend yourself - who wouldn't want these things for themselves?

Practicing martial arts at KH Kim Taekwondo in is about physical fitness, character development (self esteem, self confidence, focus and concentration, self discipline) and self defense - not just kicking and punching.

People often think that martial arts is about fighting but that's not what we emphasize at KH Kim Taekwondo. Instead, we focus on the personal development aspects of martial arts because that's why most people participate.

Almost half of the 6 million participants in martial arts are children ages 6-17, according to statistics from the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association.* And it's not unusual for the whole family to get involved; one-third of the students are women, many of them moms.

No matter what discipline of martial arts you choose, whether it is karate, kung fu, taekwondo, jujitsu, judo, aikido tai chi, kendo or another one of the many forms of martial arts, the styles may differ but the benefits remain the same.

Universal Benefits of Martial Arts

For a list of specific benefits for various age groups, visit the adult and children's pages on this site. But here are some universal benefits of martial arts:

Improved physical fitness: Make no mistake: Martial arts is a great workout! It is a total body workout - your stamina, muscle tone, flexibility, balance and strength will all show signs of improvement.

Enhanced self esteem: By learning these skills and improving your physical condition, you become more comfortable in all situations - whether you're indanger or simply doing a task that takes you beyond your comfort zone. Kids have a new sense of self-confidence, making them virtually "bully proof."

Increased focus and concentration: From the very first day of class, students are challenged to think as much as they act. Learning the forms and movements reinforces working memory. That's why the Mayo Clinic specifically counts the marital arts of karate and taekwondo among the effective therapies for ADD and ADHD.

Increased social skills: Martial arts strongly emphasize self discipline and self control as a core component of its teachings. Self leadership and the ability to deal with others in a mature way is the result.

Stress relief: Kicking, punching and screaming are a great release, no matter what your age.

Respect for values: Honesty, courtesy, integrity, perseverance and excellence are some curriculum areas of focus. These qualities help both children and adults become great leaders.

Our mission at KH Kim Taekwondo is building strong minds and bodies, and our students range in age from 3 to 80. Please take advantage of our Try Us Out offer and experience the many benefits of martial arts!

Learn the Criteria For Selecting a Martial Arts School

There are myriad styles of martial arts, karate, kung fu, taekwondo, jujitsu, judo, aikido, tai chi chuan, and kendo, to name a few. Some have passed through the centuries, while others have been modified and are relatively new.

However, the style of martial arts should not be your primary criteria in selecting a martial arts school. Instead, you should consider what is emphasized in the martial arts program.

The Appropriate Martial Arts Emphasis for Children and Families

For children and families, martial arts instruction should primarily be focused on the personal-development aspects of martial arts – rather than the fighting aspects.

All of the martial arts develop self esteem, self confidence, focus and concentration, self discipline, physical fitness and self defense skills. An emphasis on these benefits of martial arts is what you should look for rather than seeking out a specific style of martial arts based on the techniques used for kicks, punches and/or throws.

You should also consider how the martial arts programs are taught. The practice of martial arts is largely about the development of self esteem so you want to find a martial arts program where the instructors emphasize the effort as well as the result.

Self esteem comes from having real successes in doing something you care about. For many children and adults, martial arts can be an important activity that helps build self esteem but only if the martial arts instructors acknowledge, recognize and reward the efforts of the martial arts student as well as their accomplishments and successes.

To summarize – the most important two criteria in selecting a martial arts school should the level of emphasis on personal development and an approach towards teaching that is focused on building self esteem.

To evaluate a school against these two criteria, you should discuss them with the martial arts instructor and observe a class, paying particular attention to what is emphasized and how classes are taught.

Other Criteria To Consider in Choosing a Martial Arts School

1. Curriculum

* Is there a structured curriculum?

* What are the opportunities for leadership? For competition?

2. Values

* Many martial arts schools have a student creed that students must memorize. Does this creed agree with your personal values?

* What is the school’s reputation in your community?

3. More Class Considerations

While watching a class, observe the interaction between students and instructors very carefully. The atmosphere should be formal and professional, but the students should be having fun as well. Evaluate if the students seem happy and motivated.

A good instructor can instruct 50 students with control and ease, but for an inexperienced instructor, 5 students might be too many.

4. Martial Arts Instructors

What kind of training do the instructors have? Just because the instructor has a black belt does not mean he or she is a good instructor.

The martial arts instructors at the school you select must be positive role models for the students and should be able to establish an immediate rapport with your child.

5. Martial Arts Facility and Safety Issues

The school should be welcoming and comfortable for both students and parents.

* Is the facility clean?

* Is there a large matted area where students can train?

* Is there a viewing area for parents?

Selecting the right martial school will have a positive influence on your child’s development. We certainly hope you select K.H.Kim's Taekwondo.

K.H.Kim's Taekwondo: A Work Out For Mind and Body

While martial arts provides a solid physical workout, it has many mental benefits as well.

The K.H.Kim's Taekwondo adult students usually find that they better cope with stress, sleep better at night, work better during the day and just overall feel better.

They also have a greater peace of mind due to the knowledge and expertise on what to do if faced with a dangerous situation.

However, the greatest benefit of martial arts at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo is the increased sense of self confidence it builds in our students.

No matter what the style of martial arts -- whether it's karate, kung fu, taekwondo, jujitso, judo, aikido, tai chi or kendo -- the physical and mental benefits are similar.

Physical Benefits of Martial Arts

* Increased cardiovascular fitness

* Improved muscle tone

* Increased energy

* Greater flexibility

Mental Benefits of Martial Arts

* Lower stress levels

* Higher self esteem

* Emotional satisfaction -- especially if you're taking martial arts classes alongside your children

* Better concentration and focus

All of the martial arts classes are individualized. Adults participate at their own fitness level while progressing in skill and technique.

When participating as a family, martial arts provide a unique opportunity for sharing in a non-competitive fun activity. Plus, parents have the opportunity to reinforce at home the life lessons taught in our martial arts classes.

K.H.Kim's Taekwondo provide an ideal workout for both men and women. Our adult students range in age from young adult to seniors.

K.H.Kim's Taekwondo Builds Young Minds and Bodies

Children love learning at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo. Our martial arts programs are high-energy, fun and interactive.

The overarching goal of the K.H.Kim's Taekwondo school is to build our student's self esteem, wich we do by acknowledging, recognizing and rewarding not just our student's accomplishments and successes, but their efforts as well.

Learning martial arts is a physical endeavor, involving all muscle groups to help develop a student's physical fitness. But our emphasis goes far beyond just learning physical moves and martial arts techniques. At K.H.Kim's Taekwondo, we use martial arts as a mechanism to develop positive character and life-improvement skills in our students

Our martial arts emphasis is on the personal-development aspects of martial arts, such as increasing self confidence, improving focus and concentration, developing self discipline, and optimizing physical fitness.

Traits That Martial Arts Develops in a Child

* Self esteem
* Focus and concentration
* Self discipline
* Physical fitness
* Self confidence
* Positive attitude
* Leadership
* Respect
* Patience
* Goal setting
* Manners
* Strong work ethic

Life Lessons Developed Through K.H.Kim's Taekwondo

Classes at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo end with group discussions and role-playing exercises. We touch on life lessons and discuss alternate resolutions to some of the issues children face today. These issues are discussed in a non-threatening, proactive way.

Children pay close attention as we explore topics that include:

* Avoiding conflicts
* Dealing with bullies
* Mental self-defense
* Proper respect for adults
* Stranger awareness
* Respect for self and others
* Saying "no" to drugs and peer pressure

These valuable life lessons help our martial arts students understand the connection between what they learn in class and the real-world applications that make martial arts practical and insightful skills for school-age, and beyond.

Cities & Schools We Serve

Beloit College
Bensenville
Bloomingdale
Burbank
Burr Ridge
Countryside
Cove School
Darien
Downers Grove
Elmhurst
Evergreen
Flossmoor
Glendale Heights
Glen Ellyn
Highland Park
Hinsdale
Homewood
Lake Forest
Lockport
Lombard
Moriah Pre-School/Day Care
Northbrook
North Shore Country Day
NSSRA
Oak Park
Palos Hills
Plainfield
Romeoville
Schiller Park
Tinley Park
Tri County SRA
Wildwood
Willowbrook
Winnetka
Wood Dale

K.H. Kim's Taekwondo
 

Headquarters

3141 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 480-9224

Google Map

K.H.Kim's Taekwondo in Glenview: A Way To A Better You

"Thanks for visiting our website. We would love to have you as a student at our K.H.Kim's Taekwondo school. But first, you should learn more about us. At this site you can download several FREE REPORTS on child development, subscribe to our FREE NEWSLETTER, or request a VALUABLE COUPON for our two-week free trial. I hope you find your visit valuable and I look forward to hearing from you." 
-- Grandmaster K.H. Kim

Martial Arts training at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo

The focus of our martial arts school serving Glenview, IL is on physical fitness, character development and self defense -- rather than fighting. Our overarching goal is in building our student's self-esteem.

As soon as you become a student, you join a community that works together toward improved physical strength and stamina, better focus and concentration, greater self discipline, competency in self defense and, most importantly, increased self confidence.

For us at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo, the practice of martial arts means respecting each other, encouraging and supporting each other and celebrating each other’s successes.

These values are especially important in working with children and families -- the primary focus of our martial arts school serving Glenview, IL.

K.H.Kim's Taekwondo in Winnetka: A Way To A Better You

"Thanks for visiting our website. We would love to have you as a student at our K.H.Kim's Taekwondo school. But first, you should learn more about us. At this site you can download several FREE REPORTS on child development, subscribe to our FREE NEWSLETTER, or request a VALUABLE COUPON for our two-week free trial. I hope you find your visit valuable and I look forward to hearing from you." -- Grandmaster K.H. Kim

Martial Arts training at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo

The focus of our martial arts school serving Winnetka, IL is on physical fitness, character development and self defense -- rather than fighting. Our overarching goal is in building our student's self-esteem.

As soon as you become a student, you join a community that works together toward improved physical strength and stamina, better focus and concentration, greater self discipline, competency in self defense and, most importantly, increased self confidence.

For us at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo, the practice of martial arts means respecting each other, encouraging and supporting each other and celebrating each other’s successes.

These values are especially important in working with children and families -- the primary focus of our martial arts school serving Winnetka, IL.

K.H.Kim's Taekwondo In Glencoe: A Way To A Better You

"Thanks for visiting our website. We would love to have you as a student at our K.H.Kim's Taekwondo school. But first, you should learn more about us. At this site you can download several FREE REPORTS on child development, subscribe to our FREE NEWSLETTER, or request a VALUABLE COUPON for our two-week free trial. I hope you find your visit valuable and I look forward to hearing from you." 
-- Grandmaster K.H. Kim

Martial Arts training at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo

The focus of our martial arts school serving Glencoe, IL is on physical fitness, character development and self defense -- rather than fighting. Our overarching goal is in building our student's self-esteem.

As soon as you become a student, you join a community that works together toward improved physical strength and stamina, better focus and concentration, greater self discipline, competency in self defense and, most importantly, increased self confidence.

For us at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo, the practice of martial arts means respecting each other, encouraging and supporting each other and celebrating each other’s successes.

These values are especially important in working with children and families -- the primary focus of our martial arts school serving Glencoe.

K.H.Kim's Taekwondo in Hinsdale: A Way To A Better You

"Thanks for visiting our website. We would love to have you as a student at our K.H.Kim's Taekwondo school. But first, you should learn more about us. At this site you can download several FREE REPORTS on child development, subscribe to our FREE NEWSLETTER, or request a VALUABLE COUPON for our two-week free trial. I hope you find your visit valuable and I look forward to hearing from you."
-- Grandmaster K.H. Kim

Martial Arts training at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo

The focus of our martial arts school serving Hindsdale, IL is on physical fitness, character development and self defense -- rather than fighting. Our overarching goal is in building our student's self-esteem.

As soon as you become a student, you join a community that works together toward improved physical strength and stamina, better focus and concentration, greater self discipline, competency in self defense and, most importantly, increased self confidence.

For us at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo, the practice of martial arts means respecting each other, encouraging and supporting each other and celebrating each other’s successes.

These values are especially important in working with children and families -- the primary focus of our martial arts school serving Hinsdale, IL.

K.H.Kim's Taekwondo in Palos Hills: A Way To A Better You

"Thanks for visiting our website. We would love to have you as a student at our K.H.Kim's Taekwondo school. But first, you should learn more about us. At this site you can download several FREE REPORTS on child development, subscribe to our FREE NEWSLETTER, or request a VALUABLE COUPON for our two-week free trial. I hope you find your visit valuable and I look forward to hearing from you." 
-- Grandmaster K.H. Kim

Martial Arts training at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo

The focus of our martial arts school serving Palos Hills, IL is on physical fitness, character development and self defense -- rather than fighting. Our overarching goal is in building our student's self-esteem.

As soon as you become a student, you join a community that works together toward improved physical strength and stamina, better focus and concentration, greater self discipline, competency in self defense and, most importantly, increased self confidence.

For us at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo, the practice of martial arts means respecting each other, encouraging and supporting each other and celebrating each other’s successes.

These values are especially important in working with children and families -- the primary focus of our martial arts school serving Palos Hills, IL.

K.H.Kim's Taekwondo in Oak Park: A Way To A Better You

"Thanks for visiting our website. We would love to have you as a student at our K.H.Kim's Taekwondo school. But first, you should learn more about us. At this site you can download several FREE REPORTS on child development, subscribe to our FREE NEWSLETTER, or request a VALUABLE COUPON for our two-week free trial. I hope you find your visit valuable and I look forward to hearing from you."
-- Grandmaster K.H. Kim

Martial Arts training at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo

The focus of our martial arts school serving Oak Park, IL is on physical fitness, character development and self defense -- rather than fighting. Our overarching goal is in building our student's self-esteem.

As soon as you become a student, you join a community that works together toward improved physical strength and stamina, better focus and concentration, greater self discipline, competency in self defense and, most importantly, increased self confidence.

For us at K.H.Kim's Taekwondo, the practice of martial arts means respecting each other, encouraging and supporting each other and celebrating each other’s successes.

These values are especially important in working with children and families -- the primary focus of our martial arts school serving Oak Park, IL.