martial arts
When it comes to studying the ancient discipline of martial arts, there are many misconceptions abound regarding this physically and mentally demanding activity. Some children enter the dojo (training center) convinced they are about to embark on a journey that features their sensei (instructor) teaching them how to vanquish foes with their fists. These children imagine their karate lessons will feature aerial stunts as they learn how to use their bodies as weapons by delivering accurate punches and devastating kicks. But this far-fetched vision of karate couldn’t be further from the truth. Rather, the dozens of dojos in and around Rochester and the surrounding communities have much more practical and pragmatic goals contained in their lessons.
A sensei often spends time in the classroom correcting these misnomers that have, in large part, been created thanks to glamorization on the big screen and television. Between television shows and movies such as the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” the “Power Rangers,” “Kung Fu Panda,” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” a new generation of children has grown up equating karate with being able to inflict punishment on another human being through flying flips and jumps. But karate’s intended purpose is to teach important life lessons such as self-control, self-discipline and respect, skills that will serve its students for their whole lives.
It’s a fascinating discipline that is much more than punching and kicking, says Matt Dorsey, a sensei and founder of Martial Arts America, which has locations in Pittsford/Brighton, Penfield/Fairport and Webster. “Martial arts involve your mind, body and soul, all of it, and it all stems from respect: knowing how to respect your body, respect your sensei and respect others,” says Dorsey, who started taking karate lessons when he was 16 years old and has taught for 35 years. “The traditional martial arts teach respect, discipline, self-control and focus, and our classes are all structured that way. Our students learn those skills while also working on developing the physical skills needed for martial arts.”
Dorsey and his staff of 12 instructors teach karate to more than 400 children each year, offering classes to children as young as four years old. Students are separated into skill-appropriate age groups, and early on, instructors educate the pupils on the dos and don’ts of karate. The most important lesson? While karate is a valuable tool for increasing a child’s self-confidence, it is not meant to be used as a weapon in a potential attack. “The first thing we teach kids is not how to punch or kick, but how to block an attack as a means of self-defense,” says Meaghan Murray, a sensei with Samurai Martial Arts in Rochester who has been a karate student for 22 years and a sensei for 15 years. “When we practice self-defense situations, we teach them three steps. First is to try and walk away to avoid the situation. Or they can speak up to defend themselves by finding an adult to help resolve the conflict. But if they are in danger and there is no other recourse, our students all have the confidence to use the skills they’ve learned to deal with the conflict.”
While on the surface, it would seem karate is all about hitting people and intimidating potential threats, it is the job of the instructors to hammer home the point that the more a pupil knows about karate, the less they are expected to use their skills to hurt someone. Instead, children learn that their sparring skills are only to be used in a last-ditch scenario for self-defense from a potential attacker. The result is a group of considerate, respectful, strong, self-assured individuals who know that violence is not the only way to deal with conflict.
Murray says the focus of the first classes is kept very simple, with children learning the proper way to kick, block and punch. Children learn how to properly shift their weight, how to make a proper fist and other fundamental skills that provide a solid foundation. Once they master the basics, these skills can be expanded upon as their karate careers advance. Using a tiered belt system that starts with white belt and progresses up to black belt (Dorsey is an eighth-degree black belt), students make their way up the belt ladder only after displaying a certain proficiency of both the required skills and verbal commands. “The belt system is set up in a way that is based on making a list of goals and then working on achieving those goals. The belts are a great incentive program,” Dorsey says. “Once the children start to develop some skill mastery, they move up to the next level, where they learn new skills and begin to master those skills. The physical process of earning new belts gives children a sense of accomplishment, but also a sense of confidence because they won’t move up to the next belt until they’re ready.”
Each school, instructor and discipline of karate is different when it comes to belts and the progression from one level to the next, however a demonstrated mastery of a set of skills is necessary for any type of advancement. Students must master katas, or a series of movements featuring blocks, punches and kicks in the air, in conjunction with steps and turns to form a sequenced strategic maneuver. There are nearly one hundred different types of katas, and children learn early on the importance of maintaining perfect form, technique and posture of their katas. On the average, a student in one of Dorsey’s classes will receive instruction 2-3 times per week, with classes running from 30-45 minutes each. Classes are offered in traditional karate skills (including judo, aikido and kung fu) as well as self defense and physical fitness.
When it comes to bullying, Dorsey is proud that his students learn at an early age that violence is not the answer, unless it is their last resort to solving a problem. While the children might be tempted to unleash a potentially devastating series of moves on their bully, they learn that it is more important to deal with a bully either by using their words, by finding an adult or by avoiding the conflict all together. “When parents bring their children into our centers, they want their child to be able to handle a bully situation, but they don’t want their child to use violence,” Dorsey says. “Our children understand that karate is about teaching an alternative to bullying, but it also gives them the tools which students can use, if necessary, to successfully defend themselves.”
“Once you’re in the classroom, when someone is trying to hit you, one of our students will go for a block, and they figure out pretty quickly that karate is not about violence,” Murray adds. “If you can get through your entire life not having to use your martial arts skills, you’ve done well. The goal is not to fight crime or create heroes; it’s to teach self-confidence, discipline and respect.”
John Boccacino is monthly contributor to Rochester & Genesee Valley Parent Magazine. He reported on sports and local news for more than 6 1/2 years with the Democrat and Chronicle newspaper. He is currently the Director of Sports Information for Keuka College. Boccacino is a Brighton native who currently resides in Webster.
"Martial arts involves your mind, body and soul, all of it, and it all stems from respect: knowing how to respect your body, respect your sensei and respect others." – Matt Dorsey, sensei & founder of Martial Arts America
Most area dojos will offer trial programs, where parents can enroll their child in a series of lessons where they will receive instruction and a uniform while learning if the program is a right fit.
Martial Arts America
(585) 475-9250 or visit
Samurai Martial Arts
(585) 429-6340 or visit
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Back-to-School Bully Proof Class
Martial Arts America Locations
Saturday, September 20
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Kids need all the tools they can get to deal with the challenges they face in school and in life. This workshop is being held at all branches of Martial Arts America. Call (585) 475-9250 or visit www.rochesterkarate.com
