So my youngest and I started our martial arts journey together yesterday.  We're only two classes in, and I already feel very, very good about my decision. 

I chose a school that is very traditional and yet integrates bits and pieces of a couple of other styles.  The primary art is Tang Soo Do, which is based out of Korea and is quite traditional in theory and practice.  There are also the occasional bits of Hapkido and American Kenpo to help round out the students and give some practical self-defense techniques that can be taken away and used almost immediately if needed. 

As I said, the main style is Tang Soo Do.  The instructor works in the "codes" within the lessons, and each class ends with a recitation of The Five Codes of Tang Soo Do:

• Loyalty to Country
• Obedience to Parents
• Honor Friendship
• No Retreat in Battle
• In Fighting, Choose with Sense & Honor

Who--especially parents--cannot get behind these qualities?

Watching my son go through his drills and learn his forms, I can easily see that it's already beginning to take hold of him, just as I thought it might.  The look on his face, the way he is already striving for perfection in each movement---well, it just makes me proud.  You can almost cut his concentration and focus with a knife, it's so thick.  I really think that over time (and maybe not that much time) it will begin having visible effects on him in other areas of his life.   That's the hope, anyway. 

He got his Do Bok (uniform) today, and as you can tell, is very proud of it! 

Wish him luck and a tenacious spirit to carry this through.