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This is a quote I heard recently from a parent I work with. She has a wonderful little girl in first grade with big blue eyes and beautiful blonde hair. The mom is wonderful and she was asking me for my input on whether she should put her little girl in ballet or Karate. She had intended to put her daughter in dance in January, but the little girl attended a birthday party at a Tae Kwon Do school and really enjoyed it. This gave the mom the idea of maybe signing her up for martial arts instead. I told her that if it was my little girl, I would put her in martial arts for all the typical various reasons (discipline, self defense, etc...). Mom thought so too, and will probably persue the martial arts path. I just figured I'd share this story on this tribe because it once again plays into the gender rolls we all know so well. Conventional logic dictates that the pretty little girl should be a ballerina. It simply hadn't entered in to mom's mind to put her in martial arts before the party. I'm glad it did. I think her daughter will learn alot and really enjoy it.
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Re: "Ballet or Karate?"
Fri, October 19, 2007 - 7:42 AMBoth...the balance and movement in dance would help her in karate. Given only one option, karate. -
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Re: "Ballet or Karate?"
Fri, October 19, 2007 - 8:32 AMBoth.I've done both at the same time and they not only complement each other they contribute wonderful qualities to each other.Or, to advocate "my" art- ballet & aikido. But that would be a little more difficult for a very small child, the moves are more similar in karate.
And of course I also advocate allowing little BOYS to take ballet classes- I have seen them get turned down for lessons By their Parents for the traditional stupid reason. Ballet is SOOOO beneficial for football.
And physically harder than aikido. -
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Re: "Ballet or Karate?"
Fri, October 19, 2007 - 1:00 PMBoys in ballet--Absolutely. Its so sad that people are still thinking inside the box.
I agree with the answers of both, as I do both dance and martial arts. I have gotten alot from dance that has made Kung Fu so much easier. But there is only so much time in a little one's day. -
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Re: "Ballet or Karate?"
Fri, October 19, 2007 - 1:34 PMThey;d all have more time if they had a choice about soccer! It seems to be Mandatory... -
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Re: "Ballet or Karate?"
Fri, October 19, 2007 - 5:40 PMboth
why choose if you can do both -
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Re: "Ballet or Karate?"
Sun, October 21, 2007 - 10:00 PMGiven the choice I'd say put the girl in martial arts to help protect her body image. There's enough going against that precious asset without spending a few hours a week in a leotard and tights in front of a mirror. Appearance matters in dance, and body type and shape are officially part of the deal. Also, everyone can see everyone else in pretty high detail. I love dance, as both a spectator and a participant, so don't get me wrong. But between the two I'd prefer to put a girl in the one where she gets to wear a uniform, be judged more on technique than physical appearance, and incidentally, learn to defend herself.
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Re: "Ballet or Karate?"
Mon, October 29, 2007 - 2:23 AMHmm.. I would actually put my daughter in whatever she wanted to do..
Let her decide.. and hope whatever she chooses adds to her life as much as karate has added to mine.
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Re: "Ballet or Karate?"
Thu, November 22, 2007 - 3:30 PMWith all things being equal (saying that the lil one didnt really have any huge tug towards one or the other)
I'd have to say Martial Arts. Its not teh bias in me.
I've been around dancers most my life. I love to watch it, but at teh same time I have seen too many of them struggle with body image, weight issues, ankles that were so knotted they looked like gnarled tree stumps, and depression that set in when they got in thier 20-30's.. and no longer could maintain the skeleton/musculature needed to continue as they wish.
Am I saying they ALL do that? No- just the majority of the ballet/jazz dancers I have known.
All else equal- I' d rather see my young take an art that will also improve thier balance,self esteem,discipline and ability to defend themselves. They can take it thier whole life long should they have a decent Master(s)... shifting and managing for the eventuality of aging. Meditation and Hyung (Kata/forms) help with focus. Then there's always a decent and mildly applied wrist lock when "frisky Fred" tries something a bit too foward in college.
Eh- my 2 cents.
Ninnian
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Re: "Ballet or Karate?"
Fri, January 18, 2008 - 1:29 PMJust a quick update:
I recently talked to the mother again, and she did enroll her little girl in Karate, and the girl loves it. She loves the activity, she enjoys the structure and the disipline, and she is having a general great time.
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Re: "Ballet or Karate?"
Tue, January 22, 2008 - 7:26 PMI'm new here, and think the forum is great.
As far as this issue goes, although I am a 22 year martial arts veteran, I'd say that if it's a choice of ballet or martial arts for a first grader, get her ballet.
She's six years old. Give her a few years, or more, of ballet, with its balance, stretching and coordination. Then start martial arts. Martial arts can be started as late as 10-12 and still produce great martial artists.
Both would be optimal of course but having carted children around to gymnastics, dance, martial arts and music lessons over the course of raising a few, I know the problem of both cost and time. A child who does a lot needs a parent with a lot of time. -
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Re: "Ballet or Karate?"
Sat, February 23, 2008 - 6:21 PM:waving: Hey! ,
Welcome to teh Tribe Victoria!
Ninnian
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