Karate class offers more than just exercise for kids

Though the walls of his business are lined with trophies won at various tournaments, Ron Ziss does not believe winning awards is why most parents bring their children to O Tetsu Cho, where he teaches karate.

While it is certainly a benefit of learning the martial art, self defense is not the reason, either.

"Parents bring their children because of the exercise and discipline. Children benefit both physically and mentally from karate," said Ziss, who owns the Columbus business at South Lumpkin Road.

He said parents also want to start their children in something they will finish and most of those who start with him stick with it.

The 68-year-old Ziss has taught karate for more than 30 years. He became interested in it while serving with the military in Okinawa, Japan.

While he will train anyone interested in karate, his clientele is mostly children.

Ziss said there are numerous benefits to the sport. A few he listed were improved reflexes and coordination, increased strength and stamina, and better balance.

"Karate provides a total body workout," he said.

Though many might not think of karate when it comes to improving cardiovascular health, Ziss said a workout delivers there too.

Before each session at his

place, children do situps and pushups and jump rope.

"Before you can get your first belt you must be able to do 100 situps," he said.

Ziss remarked there are children who can't jump rope at all when they begin at his place but soon are going so fast it is "amazing."

He said stances used in karate demand a lot of leg strength and develop leg muscles.

The constant rotating of the torso when kicking helps tighten the abdomen.

There are mental benefits as well as physical benefits.

Ziss said even children experience stress, and that karate workouts is an outlet to reduce it.

Karate also teaches children to focus. "The concentration, the ability to block out what is going on around you, can help in a number of ways, one of which is schoolwork," he said.

To be successful in karate, you must develop good reaction time.

One person who has been pleased with the results is Tracy Greenfield of Columbus.

Her 8-year-old daughter Alexandra is in the third grade at Britt David Magnet Academy and has been training with Ziss for a little more than a year.

"I can tell you my daughter has become more confident, responsible. Also, she is mentally and physically stronger," Greenfield said.

She said her daughter can now do perfect splits and high kicks, which are helpful when Alexandra is figure skating.

Greenfield especially likes that class sessions are 90 minutes long so the children have time to jump rope, do situps and pushups, and stretch.

"I am a believer in stretching," Ziss said.

Though the kids compete in tournaments, Ziss said there is no over-the-top competition done in the classes.

"We don't have everybody going after each other," he said. "Classes are about learning and doing your best."

This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 10:26 PM with the headline "Karate class offers more than just exercise for kids ."