DVD: Kung Fu for Kids by Ben Warner & Nicholas C. Yang

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. He has taught international seminars since 2002 and is featured in many YMAA DVDs. In 2012, Ben became the owner and operator of YMAA Boston. Mr. Warner lives in Jamaica Plain, MA, USA.

Nicholas C. Yang began training Chinese martial arts at age 8 in 1989 under his father, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, and the YMAA organization. He has won over three dozen awards for barehand and weapons forms in international and local competitions. Additionally, Nicholas has assisted Dr. Yang in many seminars worldwide. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science from Brown University, and a B.A.S. in Computer Animation & Visual Effects from Ex’pression College for Digital Arts. He is currently the President of YMAA International and the Assistant Director of Dr. Yang's YMAA Retreat Center.

REVIEWS

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.

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.

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.

This is a great DVD. I bought it particularly to share with my grandchildren, but I find it to be a good workout for myself. The simple follow along workouts for calisthenics and the blocks and punches really keep the kids interested. The cartoon segway is also an added plus for a little more enjoyment. These instructors are to be complimented for their ability to really get down to a kid's level and at the same time offering good, solid instruction in Kung Fu. There is a lot of discipline to be learned here. Looking forward to another good DVD from YMAA.