Master Alders teaches Jackson children about breaking bad habits.

Jackson, NJ – Master Eric Alders  of The Karate Dojo in Jackson Township held a free seminar for local children Saturday afternoon aimed at helping them break bad habits and gain confidence in their ability to break that habit after the seminar ended.     The group of mostly 4 to 8 year olds spent the first thirty minutes learning about habits and the difficulties associated in breaking bad ones.   Master Alders then taught the children, some students of his and their non-martial arts instructed friends the basics of proper techniques for using their bare hands to break wooden boards.

Once the children learned the basics and talked with mom and dad about which bad habit they wanted to break, they wrote their bad habit on a board.    The most common theme for the day was “talking back”, but others wrote things such as “saying I can’t”, “picking my nails” and the crowd favorite “peanut gallery”.    The children then one by one proceeded to break their boards and embark on their quest to break their bad habit.   

Children line up with their "bad habit" boards at the Karate Dojo in Jackson Township.

The boards were solid 1/2″ pieces of wood and required the children to use proper technique and sufficient force to break.  This was no pushover event designed to make the children feel as if they accomplished something, they actually worked hard and followed Master Alder’s instruction to accomplish the task.

In the end, all of the children had the confidence and the know-how to break their boards and to work on breaking their bad habits which Master Alders suggested should take a just a few weeks.    The children were all treated to pizza and drinks and invited to return to the dojo for  a free class and to keep  in contact with Alders regarding the progress on their bad habit.

The Karate Dojo is located in the Jackson Crossing shopping center at the intersection of East Veterans Highway and Hope Chapel Road.  The dojo prides itself on promoting a family environment where all students become part of their own extended dojo family.   The curriculum at The Karate Dojo promotes a positive social environment for children to help them create long lasting friendships, encourages children to participate in community events and charities and promotes an environment of success and achievement.

Dojo student takes breaking bad habits to the next level.

The training students recieve at The Karate Dojo goes beyond “kicking and punching” and helps students with their life skills such as character building, discipline, focus and respecting others.     The children in the program are also rewarded by the dojo for getting good grades in school and participating in community service projects.

Master Eric Alders is a 4th Dan (Level 1) certified American Top Team instructor.  He was inducted into Action Martial Arts Magazine’s Hall of honors in 2009 for “Continuance of Excellence as a Goodwill Ambassador to the Martial Arts.”

To learn more about The Karate Dojo, visit www.tkdojo.com or call them at 732-367-DOJO (3656).