At Islington Martial Arts, we empower children to become more confident. You might wonder how we do that. Well, we disguise the skills we’re building into fun activities.

One of the first things we do is ask children to come into the dojang, or training hall, put their feet together, stand still like a statue, straight like a soldier, and say “Pil Seung.” They put their hands to their sides, say “Pil Seung,” and bow. This ritual starts working on their public speaking skills because they have to say “Pil Seung” loudly. It’s like a welcome greeting as they come into the dojang. Everyone says “Pil Seung” back to them, which is a mandatory requirement and the slogan of Choi Kwang Do, meaning “certain victory.”

So, how do we build self-confidence and self-belief through martial arts? We engage children in activities designed to build them up, but these activities are disguised as part of the class. We have a set of principles that the children recite, a pledge for teens and adults, and the practice of calling the class to attention. These roles can be taken on by children, adults, and teens to help rebuild their self-confidence.

Children, especially, are always eager to participate. They raise their hands first to take on these responsibilities—calling the class to attention, leading the pledge, and reciting the principles. Through these activities, they build their self-belief because if they can speak publicly in a safe environment like our martial arts school, they can do it anywhere. Whether it’s at school, college, or work, this muscle of confidence is being built up all the time.

These mini-goals, when achieved, are powerful because they compound. When we get kids to call the class to attention—bringing their feet together, hands by the side, saying “Pil Seung,” and commanding the class—they achieve a mini-goal. These mini-goals start to build on each other, leading to more and more confidence. That’s how I built my own self-confidence and self-belief through Choi Kwang Do. My instructor created a space for me to step into and feel empowered.

Your martial arts instructor is a powerful being because they help you feel empowered and become the best version of yourself. They create an environment in the martial arts school where this can all be practiced and done in a safe space. By a safe space, we mean an environment where it’s okay to get things wrong, to fail, to make mistakes while calling the class. Nothing is wrong in that context because no one will judge. Because we create such an environment, we have a community that understands that this is a safe space where children, teens, and adults can build their confidence.

In conclusion, martial arts is a fantastic way to build confidence in children. Through structured activities, roles of responsibility, and a supportive environment, we help children develop their public speaking skills, self-belief, and overall confidence. It’s about creating a space where they can grow, make mistakes, and learn without judgment.