DVD: Kung Fu for Kids

A fun workout for kids, with training tips for students, parents, and teachers

Kung Fu for Kids is an instructional program that teaches children the basics of traditional Kung Fu in a fun and exciting way. It starts with a simple, follow-along workout that introduces calisthenics and the basic stances, blocks, punches and kicks of the YMAA kids curriculum. It ends with a short cool-down routine to help children improve their balance, breathing, and mental focus.

This video features Ben Warner, who has been a children's instructor since 2001, and several students of varying levels from the YMAA Boston class. Nicholas Yang, the President of YMAA, makes corrections while students demonstrate.

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming makes a cameo appearance explaining the meaning of the Shaolin sun-and-moon greeting.

A detail section is also included with more advanced students demonstrating the techniques in greater detail for refined study.

Later sections offer Training Tips for older students, parents, and teachers, including:

• Safety precautions to follow when practicing Kung Fu.
• Benefits and purpose of Kung Fu training for Kids.
• Appropriate time and place to use what has been learned.

The discipline and focus achieved through training Kung Fu extends to many other aspects of everyday activities in life, including academics, sports, music, and literature.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Easy follow-along workout • Cartoon interludes starring Shing (star) • Interviews with Teachers and Parents About the Benefits of Kung Fu for Kids

Download DVD booklet of "Kung Fu for Kids" (PDF, 1.1 Mb)

YMAA PRODUCTION • BEN WARNER & NICHOLAS YANG • "KUNG FU FOR KIDS" • WRITTEN BY BEN WARNER & NICHOLAS YANG • PERFORMED BY BEN WARNER & NICHOLAS YANG, WITH YMAA STUDENTS • CAMEO APPEARANCE BY DR. YANG, JWING-MING • EDITING AND DVD AUTHORING BY OCEAN SILVER • PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY DAVID SILVER

AUTHOR(S)

Ben Warner began studying with Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming in 1998 and is a YMAA Instructor involved with both the adults and children's program on a full time basis. He has also developed the latest sparring program at YMAA Boston and has taught international seminars since 2002. Kung Fu for Kids is his first program. Mr. Warner lives in Jamaica Plain, MA, USA.

Nicholas C. Yang began training Kungfu at the age of 8 with his father, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, at YMAA in Boston, MA. He has won over two dozen awards in martial arts competitions. Nicholas is President of YMAA International, and he teaches as a YMAA Shaolin Instructor and practices Taijiquan regularly at YMAA Boston Headquarters and in international seminars.

REVIEWS

Great for kids and beginning adults!, February, 2010 By S. Schmidt "TallCrane1" (Kansas City, MO USA)

Kung Fu for Kids is a video designed for kids, just as mom or dad may use a yoga video for daily exercise. Regardless of style of kung fu practiced, any student, soon-to-be student, or beginner student will recognize all of the basic stances, punches, kicks, and blocks covered in this DVD. Parents considering sending the kids off to the local martial arts school may find value in using the video to allow their children to explore and experience basic training before signing a contract only to find out that the kiddo hates class...This DVD allowed me to see how YMAA approaches the instruction of children in a format that is not overly rigorous, yet focused on critical basic skills. With that in mind, I am certain that any instructor may find benefits or ideas from the approach demonstrated in the video. Finally, there is no reason why this video should be considered "for kids only." This video could be used as a daily workout video for any adult student. The workout presented is physical training in of itself, similar to the one I use as conditioning in my dojo.

Dan Cowan, New Sound (Allegro)
Most kids get their first brush with kung fu through entertainment media, like movies and cartoons, often depicting exaggerated fighting techniques. In reality, as host Ben Warner (children's kung fu trainer for YMAA since 2001) and Nicholas C. Yang outline in KUNG FU FOR KIDS, fighting and self-defense are not the prime goals of kung fu; it is about developing focus, concentration and a greater sense of self-confidence.

On this program, children are given an in depth primer in the basics of martial arts practice...Warner doesn't talk down to kids with his instruction; instead, he has a "coach" type personality. He encourages children, speaks clearly when giving instructions, and uses an occasional bit of playfulness to keep the mood light.

Mathea Levine , Children's book author, I'm Lucy
It takes a combination of talent, patience and understanding to get children to enjoy working hard and Ben Warner has all of these traits in abundance. His ability to inspire children of all ages, from all different backgrounds, to want to push themselves to new levels is unlike any I've seen.

Dan DeLomba, editor YMAA News
As an instructor of the YMAA children’s program, Ben Warner has found several keys to classroom success - a solid foundation of basics; understanding the age and maturity of his students; realistic expectations of behavior and performance; high-energy activities; and parental involvement. In  his conversations with parents, Ben has learned that one of the main reasons they enroll their children in martial arts is the hope to develop their child’s focus and discipline. Quality martial arts will always emphasize the development of the mind and spirit as much as the body.