Kenpo Self-defense in Lathrop

Give Your Child Discipline, Self-Confidence, Health and Happiness; Give Them the Gift of Self-Defense

With self-confidence, a child can do anything and without it every task is a burden because they question their potential every step of the way. Bullying is considered by many to be the leading cause of low self-confidence and the problem is that although most children experience it, less than 20% of them actually report it. In most cases, bullies will persist as long as they feel that the other children are scared of them and the longer the bullying lasts, the greater the emotional and psychological distress will be for the victim. The only guaranteed way for children to prevent bullies from targeting them is to stand up for themselves. The objective at the Cortez Martial Arts is to teach the children how to first of all be aware of their surroundings, how to pick their friends wisely and if a situation arises, how to defuse the situation with words, how to stand up for themselves, and ultimately how to defeat bullies head-on if the need arises. Along with increased self-confidence, children develop greater discipline and respect for themselves and others in the fun, yet controlled setting of each class.

Here is an Overview of the Children's Programs That We Currently Offer

Kosho-Ryu - Old Pine Tree School

ko-[old] sho-[pine tree] ryu-[school]

In Kosho-Ryu, students are trained to become totally aware of all aspects of their environment. This is the first rule at Cortez Martial Arts --"Know your surroundings."

Kenpo - Law of the FIST

Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu is an art of Self-Defense practiced in the Far East. It is among the martial arts in which weapons are not used. No other style can surpass or compare with the art of Kenpo. In any civilization, physical encounters between individuals are sometimes unavoidable and to enable a person to be victorious, self-defense is of the essence.

Kenpo enables a person to defend themselves with one fist against an aggressive opponent.Kenpo's power is miraculous and truly beyond the explanation of words. The innermost and true spirit of Kenpo lies in humility and self-restraint; it must be practiced according to one's mental conscience and the beliefs in God.

The student trains diligently with development of the spirit as the primary aim, once mastering the fundamentals, experimentation by one's self with the object of offering practical contributions to the art. A part of the art known as Go Shin Jutsu (art of self defense) is the preservation of human rights in each of us instilled in ourselves by God. The assurance of peace and order, and the promotion of happiness in humankind.

The Kenpo art is similar to judo atemi. However, the art and philosophy is different. The execution in maneuvering and having your opponent place himself into a position to be attacked is taught by Kenpoists.

Today's Youth

Today's young generation is tired of being reminded of church and the philosophies of religion, "to do right and shun wrong." An approach to that problem is needed and Kenpo supplies this approach.

As the youth of today learn Kenpo, almost without their knowledge, the faith of God is instilled in them. Kenpo builds confidence and their characteristics become molded into something fine, clean and good. Without being forced, they are willing to undertake whatever tasks confront them, by becoming upright, respectable and law-abiding citizens.

"Final Thought"

The Kenpo that is most popularly taught in the United States stems from the system developed in Hawaii by Great Grand Master James M. Mitose, who has as his students Thomas Young and Professor William Chow. It was in 1976 that James Mitose came out of retirement and reestablished the Kosho Ryu Kenpo System. Following his death in 1981, his son Thomas Mitose inherited by birth right the position of the Great Grand Master of the System, or SOKE. Sensei Jason Cortez was a student of Soke Thomas Mitose. Thus, the Mitose Kenpo tradition established twenty-two generations ago continues and remains intact.