Can ninja training for kids really prepare them to become heroes? If you believe heroes are born with a special ability only a few possess, then the answer is no. But what if a hero is someone who possesses qualities that were intentionally built into their lives by parents and mentors? What if certain qualities were emphasized and practiced so often that the child grew up thinking them to be a normal part of everyday life?

Are heroes born or are they made? You decide!

Who qualifies as a hero?

A hero is someone who chooses to help another person or group without expecting anything in return in spite of personal risk or sacrifice.

What makes a hero?

In depth studies on the topic of what makes a person perform heroic actions are plentiful. Many lists of the qualities heroes possess have been compiled. But these four qualities are stand outs:

• showing empathy
• helping others
• imagining heroic deeds
• possessing skills

These are not special abilities people are born with. These are qualities we can teach our children early on. We can practice them on a regular basis and be examples of them ourselves. We can surround them with others who are in positions that require the use of them. We can place our kids in activities that develop useful skills that better equip them to confront dangers and teach them to think quickly.

Let’s take a look at each of these and how ninja training can play a significant role in their development.

Ninja Training for Kids Encourages Empathy

Empathy is the ability to emotionally connect with others. It’s more than sympathy, which is feeling sorry or bad for others. Sympathetic people want to help, but cannot feel their pain in the same way the hurting person does. Empathy goes deeper. An empathetic response is born out of a shared experience. They’ve been there and fully connect.

Ninja training for kids is not always easy. In spite of the fun it offers, especially for beginners, it takes hard work. Perseverance, determination, and the ability to overcome failures are needed to complete challenging obstacle courses. There will be successes and failures. They will fall and need to try again and again. It takes time to develop the strength and skills to conquer difficult obstacles. They must be patient and not give up.

Every student in a ninja class encounters these same struggles. Each one can feel the struggle of the others. Under the guidance of a caring coach, the opportunities to show empathy are many. When frustration peaks, there’s nothing like the comfort of a fellow classmate who can share your dejection.

Choosing the right athletic club and coach are critical choices parents must make. They need to be sure their child is getting more than exercise. Are they also gaining the character qualities that are crucial for future success? Kids are easily influenced by those in authority. Do some research into the club before choosing. A coach who fosters empathy among his young students is a rare find! This helpful guide will tell you what questions you should ask before you place your child in a sports club.

Ninja Training for Kids Provides Opportunities for Helping Others

Helping others goes right along with empathy. An empathetic person cannot help but act when she sees someone in need. If someone falls, she is right there to help them up. If someone gets hurts, she comes alongside to comfort. If the coach asks for help moving a mat, she’s first to run over and lend a hand.No doubt she has been raised in a home that demonstrates this same kind of behavior.

Children between two and five years old are copycats. They do what their parents do. Good or bad, it’s part of their development. A child raised in an environment where helping others is emphasized learns the importance of caring for others early on. Parents who make this a natural part of their home life are laying a foundation of caring for others – the beginning of empathy.

Ninja training for kids presents opportunities to care for others outside of the home setting. Once again, an attentive coach will play a big role in fostering this kind of behavior.

Teaching kids to be others-focused does not happen overnight. Unfortunately, we all tend to be me-centered and must be trained to think otherwise. Getting our eyes off ourselves and onto others’ needs is best learned while young. Ninja training for kids is another way that not only encourages empathy. It also provides opportunities to practice it as they help each other solve problems in their shared desire to conquer tough obstacles.

Ninja Training for Kids Sparks Heroic Imagination

Kids are born with an incredible capacity to conjure up all kinds of imaginary entities and scenes if given the opportunity. Yet, many of our world’s youngest members are placed in front of devices from early on. These rob them of the natural development of their imagination. But when given even a few materials and left to themselves to create something, their curiosity and natural exploratory tendencies will surface. Towels become capes. Boxes are houses, tunnels, caves, and tables. Give them a box of different types of clothing. They will turn themselves into businessmen, mommies and daddies, teachers, and doctors!

Imagination is powerful. How many people have become successful pilots, athletes, and business owners because they imagined themselves in that role from the time they were young?

Many sports use imaginative thinking to help the athlete see themselves performing routines and skills correctly. It is a proven method that has contributed to the success of many high performing sports figures. Mental focus is a must. Keeping the mind occupied with the right thoughts before, during, and after a performance is a discipline that leads to achievement of a goal. This applies beyond sports to all areas of life.

Ninja training for kids encourages imaginative thinking. Students learn to envision themselves going through the course, one obstacle at a time. They pay special attention to those obstacles they struggle with. They see themselves performing the skill with the correct technique, timing, agility or whatever it takes to master it. Kids receive instruction on how to begin the imaginative process. Even ninja preschool classes begin to form the right mindsets that become natural thinking patterns.

A heroic mindset is taught through the development of character qualities. Practicing these qualities leads to the beginning of heroic thinking. The heroic imagination is “the capacity to imagine facing physically or socially risky situations, to struggle with the hypothetical problems these situations generate, and to consider one’s actions and the consequences.” [source]

Ninja classes for kids present an element of risk in a safe environment. This encourages them to push a bit beyond what they think they are capable of. They imagine themselves overcoming problem areas on difficult obstacle courses. This is the precursor to successful mastery. At the same time, they are building critical skill sets. These equip them for the heroic deeds that require physical prowess when needed.

Ninja Training for Kids Develops Useful Heroic Skills

It’s obvious that physical prowess is often needed for heroic actions. A fast sprinter can rescue a toddler in the distance who is certain to get hit by the oncoming train. A strong, quick-thinker can rescue someone who has fallen onto the subway tracks in New York City. Without the physical skills needed, you are helpless to save these people.

Ninja warrior training builds skills beyond what many single sport athletes need. According to American Ninja Warrior Nation, “In the same way that people engage in yoga and CrossFit to build full body strength, you get the same from Ninja Warrior. You’ll build your muscles in a way that is functional and can use this strength in a practical, meaningful way.”

Ninja training for kids gives them the confidence and capability to perform heroic deeds that others only wish they had. Yes – it’s hard and takes a great deal of dedication. But that’s exactly what’s needed for those who want to squeeze the most out life for as long as possible. The personal satisfaction is reward enough.

So…what do you think now? Are heroes born or are they made?

At EmethGym, we use caring coaches, character training, and focus on individual progress in our ninja kids classes. All of our coaches receive regular safety training. They also focus on applying our unique character training program during each class. As a result, we’ve been producing confident, fit, young leaders since 2000. To learn more about EmethGym, click here.