For Children

Our "at risk" children's program takes kids who are on the brink of getting into trouble and puts them on "the straight and narrow" by providing scholarships for them to take martial arts lessons. Over 50 psychological studies show that quality martial arts training improves the ability to focus, to concentrate, self-discipline, self-confidence, self-esteem, and the ability to manage stress. Martial arts also provides positive peer influence, pro-social activity and positive leadership from the instructors.  There have been many psychological studies done on the "normal" population to support these findings, but few studies have been done on the "at risk population.  In the absence of  these studies, anecdotal evidence by martial arts instructors throughout the U.S. attest to its beneficial effects on the "at risk" population.  "Anecdotal" means evidence provided by friends, and family, as opposed to scientific evidence which comes from formal studies.

For Special Needs

While there have been no formal medical or psychological studies done there is much anecdotal evidence that martial arts training has the same psychological benefits for special needs people as for the general population. In addition, there is much anecdotal evidence that martial arts training can tremendously improve the physical capabilities of the disabled.

People with cerebral palsey are a good example of this group.

For the Elderly: Sidekick's "Balance for Life" Program

Several years ago a ground-breaking study was done at Emory University Medical Center. The study established that a modified Tai Chi Chuan program ( slow, Chinese, martial arts-based exercise) could reduce the risk of a serious fall in the elderly by almost 50%. After studying the program and training with the man who created the exercises, we simpifed the program even further so that it can be learned quickly and easily by people with multiple pathologies. This program is available through Sidekick Partner studios who teach it. Other forms of Tai Chi based training for the elderly for balance improvement are also supported by Sidekick

Medical and Psychological Studies

More work needs to be done to study the at risk and special needs population. We need to put the "science" behind what every martial arts instructor already knows from exeperience - that these populations lives can be tremendously improved by martial arts training. The Foundation is authorized to fund and help conduct studies to establish the effectiveness of this training.