Read all about it here:  http://thepeacefuldragon.com/summercamp.shtml

(WARNING:  NOT for the squeamish, but if you wish, watch the short clip of the fall here:  Rondo dislocates elbow)

In kung fu classes, children (and adults) learn how to fall the “right” way, which helps to prevent major injury.  Known as “breakfalls,” there are many major points to remember are, some of which are as follows:

• NOT extending the arms in an effort to brace oneself from the fall;
• NOT locking the joints, tucking the chin into the chest (to avoid banging the head on the ground/floor);
• Keeping the mouth closed (to avoid biting the tongue)

During kung fu classes, we often the entire duration of the class to teaching correct falling techniques.  The constant repetition of these correct drills helps falling, without serious injury, become second nature for martial artists.

With the kids, we begin in stages.  First, children “fall” on padded mats from a starting position on their knees.   Then, they begin to fall from a standing position.  Next, they are physically pushed or thrown by a classmate or an instructor.  The “final level” if you will, is when the child can be pushed or thrown on any surface, including a wooden floor, a ceramic floor, asphalt, concrete, etc.

In a real-life self-defense situation, an opponent (in the case of a child, a bully) isn’t going to necessarily choose to throw a would-be victim on a padded mattress.  Moreover, KIDS FALL ALL THE TIME:  whether while playing sports, bike riding, running, on the playground, or even from not being physically coordinated (quite common during adolescence as the child begins to grow at a very rapid pace and is getting used to a new body).

Of course, doing a break fall on a hard surface may lead to a few minor bumps, bruises, and/ or scratches; however, ANY of these minor “hurts” are FAR less painful and heal much more quickly than a broken bone or a dislocation.

Join Nita Ewald, graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and board certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners as a Holistic Health Counselor, for a free lecture at The Peaceful Dragon this Thursday, Feb. 17 from 5:30pm-6:15pm.  Ewald is a parent of two who is passionate about working with children to improve their quality of life.

Attend this lecture and you’re sure to be better informed when helping your child eat in a healthy way!

We’ve found several websites that offer useful crafts, activities, and games for children, which help introduce them to this holiday in an interactive and fun way.  Take a look at some of these if you wish to incorporate this holiday tradition into your family.  Have fun!  Gung hei fat choi

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese_new_year.htm

http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/chinese_new_year.html

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/chinese-new-year-crafts.htm

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/

http://www.preschoolexpress.com/holiday_station07/chinese_new_year_feb07.shtml

More information about qigong’s benefits for children may be found here:  http://bit.ly/gVH8LW

A recent article in The Wall Street Journal has set off a firestorm of controversy on notions of child-rearing.  The article, “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior,” asserts that Chinese mothers’ very strict guidelines lead to children having better success academically and in the arts.  Here’s a link to the article: http://tinyurl.com/4jcpmug

Also, here’s just one of many rebuttals: http://tinyurl.com/4rm4pgu

What are your thoughts?