Children

Welcome

CHILDREN

At JKA Bangalore dojos, we welcome children as young as five years old and youth members from school to university level, teaching them the values of karate and how to apply these lessons in their daily lives. 

We offer a variety of JKA programs for children, and since 2019, JKAWF INDIA has separated children and youth (ages 6-18) from adults (ages 18-35) in our tournaments. JKA HQ also maintains a dedicated children and youth division at the ‘JKA Asia-Oceania Karate Championships’ and the ‘Funakoshi Gichin Cup Karate World Championship Tournaments.’ Additionally, we organize state, South India, and national-scale karate camps for school-age youth in Bangalore.

Karate for children is not only fun but also provides many important benefits, often described in Japanese as *chiiku* (mental development), *tokuiku* (moral development), and *taiiku* (physical development). These three areas of personal development align with traditional educational systems.

In terms of *chiiku* (mental development), karate enhances concentration, focus, clear thinking, and decisiveness. It also offers significant internal benefits, helping to instill patience, discipline, perseverance, understanding, and open-mindedness. Karate builds confidence, develops self-control, and promotes calmness, courtesy, and peace—all qualities that aid in every endeavor, aligning with *tokuiku* (moral development).

Physically, karate is excellent for the body (*taiiku*). It strengthens the heart, builds strong bones and muscles, enhances resilience, and makes the body less susceptible to sickness and injury.

In all these ways, karate is profoundly beneficial to young people as they navigate the challenges of today’s society. It provides them with balance and perspective at a crucial age and lays a strong foundation for their character.

**Note:** While other karate organizations may allow children as young as six or seven to start *jiyu kumite* (free sparring), JKA avoids the possibility of injury by not permitting free sparring until the child is at least ten years old.