Samurai Karate Studio Holds Anti Bully Workshop

Samurai Karate Studio hosted a free anti bully workshop on Saturday, November 22nd at 10:00am. Several children from the local community attended this event and learned non aggressive ways to deal with bullies.

Columbia, SC, December 01, 2009 --(PR.com)-- On Saturday, November 22nd, Samurai Karate Studio hosted a Free Anti bully workshop at its studio at 10:00am. The general public was invited to attend this event, along with SKS students, friends and families.

Sensie Chris Feldt, owner and chief instructor for Samurai Karate Studio commented, "Bullying is a serious issue in the schools today, with approximately 15%-25% of all school age children being effected by a bully at least once during the school year." "My goal is too help as many children as possible learn how to deal with this issue so that they can grow up to be confident, succesful individuals!"

According to the government's website, Stop Bullying.org, bullying can have a significant effect on a child. Young people who are bullied tend to drop out of school, are more likely to smoke and drink alcohol and get into fights. Most children struggle with low self esteem and lack confidence in themselves.

What makes the issue even more complicated, is that most schools have a zero tolerance for fighting. Even if a student did not start a fight, they can be suspended for fighting back.

"Because of the school's efforts to eliminate violence and make the school environment safe for all children, it can be very challenging for a student to know what to do when they are being bullied," commented Feldt. "During our seminar, we focus on positive body language, being more alert and making eye contact. Our emphasis is on avoiding confrontation by demonstrating a positive body image that helps a child appear more confident."

During the workshop, Sensei Feldt showed the children examples of someone walking who looked scared, "cocky" and confident. Then each child was asked to walk across the studio and demonstrate a confident walk that showed a positive body language. The children were taught to walk with their heads up, their shoulders back and their chests out. Since their heads were up, they now could use their eyes to stay alert.

One of the parents attending the workshop commented, "I didn't realize how much body language played a role in dealing with a bully. After seeing each child walk across the studio, you could see the difference in confidence they each had!"

Sensei Feldt also explained how the power of your voice matters when dealing with a bully. "If you make eye contact and tell the bully to stop in a calm, yet strong voice, there is a very good chance they will walk away. Bullies tend to want to pick on children they think are easy versus someone who will be more challenging."

At the end of the workshop, Sensei Feldt showed the children non violent ways they could control a bully in the event the bully was trying to hurt them. "Our number 1 rule is to always avoid conflict, to walk or run in the other direction if there is trouble ahead. But if you can't get away, are cornered and in danger of being hurt, I show the kids a couple of techniques that help prevent them from getting hurt without throwing a punch."

Sensei Feldt reminded all the children at the end of the workshop to always seek out a teacher, a principle, or a school resource officer if they were having a problem with a bully. And of course, the children were reminded to always talk to their parents if they were having any problems in school.

If you or your group would like to participate in a anti bully workshop, please contact Sensei Feldt at 803-462-9425.

For more information on bullying, you may visit the government website at http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.asp?area=main.

Samurai Karate Studio is located in the Magnolia Pointe Shopping Center, 2000 Clemson Road, Suite # 9, Columbia, SC 29229.

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Samurai Karate Studio
Sensei Chris Feldt
803-462-9425
www.samuraikaratestudio.net
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