After School Program Creates Champions by Linda Vernon
Five Claw Martial Arts After School Program
Creates Champions with a “Yes I Can!” Attitude
As Head Instructor and owner of Five Claw Martial Arts, Shun Shifu Dan Sandelin has a passion and dedication for creating young champions, not only in the art of Shou Shu Kung Fu, but also in the art of living.
Raised in Sonora from the age of eight, Sandelin moved to the valley when he turned 18 and started looking for excitement in the form of street fighting.
“I started studying the martial arts for all the wrong intentions,” says Sandelin. “I was just looking for something that was going to be practical in street fighting.”
But after Sandelin started training with an excellent Shun Shifu (which means the father of the family and the father of the art), he began to realize there was much more to martial arts than learning how to fight.
In fact, Sandelin credits his martial arts training for his desire to turn his life around. Sandelin’s trainer would often call Sandelin’s uncle to talk about his future and discuss ways in which they could encourage Sandelin to re-direct his life.
“Gradually the feeling to want to go out and fight started to go away,” Sandelin says. He found that the more he learned, the more he realized he wasn’t that tough – a realization that began to change his entire thought process. Sandelin made a decision to become a mentor rather than a street fighter.
“Martial arts’ training teaches you to communicate effectively, to get along and to help other people with compassion, understanding and kindness,” says Sandelin. “You have to have someone who teaches you that in life. You have to have someone who is going to teach you honor, discipline and respect.”
“The study of martial arts is reinforcement for these values,” Sandelin points out. “Training in martial arts gives children that “Yes I can!’ attitude. It gives them tools – so that instead of doing what’s wrong – they can do what’s right.”
“No one can bully them into taking the wrong action, because through martial arts training, children build confidence and self-esteem, learn focus and self-discipline,” he said. “This gives them the tools to defend themselves not only physically, but also mentally.”
A typical day in Five Claw Martial Art’s after school program begins with safe, free transportation from school to the Quan (a Chinese term for school) on Five Claw’s bus.
The first thing the children do upon arrival at the Quan is “The Salute” which teaches them to come together with an open mind, a will to learn in unity, and with equal respect for each other so that they are mindful of what they are doing.
They are practicing their intentions – which are never to hurt anyone, but to always gain knowledge and to be careful with a fellow human being. Sandelin stresses that everything is done with the intention of gaining knowledge and there should never be hard feelings.
The kids then change into their uniforms, enjoy a prepackaged snack, and have15 to 20 minutes of free time to take care of their personal responsibilities from their school day.
For the next 35 to 40 minutes, the fundamental martial arts’ training begins. Depending on the child’s individual needs at that particular time, they participate in one of two classes; either a class designed to develop hand-eye coordination or a martial-arts-centered arts and crafts class, which also includes calligraphy.
“The goal is to give each child a well-rounded variety of activities throughout the week that will facilitate the greatest amount of growth,” says Sandelin.
The children then take a ten-minute break and prepare for their traditional martial arts Kung Fu class focusing on techniques and applications of Shou Shu Kung Fu for the next 50 minutes.
“In this class, children learn and practice cross lateral motion which helps the right and left sides of the brain work together to improve concentration and focus,” says Sandelin. “ The same type of mental activity that goes into learning cross lateral motion is also the same kind of mental focus used in math and reading. So children are not only improving their bodies but their minds in the process.”
When they are done with class, the children begin the process of getting ready to go home by changing back into their street clothes, folding their uniforms and having them inspected before putting them away. Parents then pick up their children after a full afternoon of Kung Fu learning and training.
Five Claw Martial Arts offers their after school program for children in first through eighth grades. Graduates of the after school program participate in their own advanced activities. Some have become accomplished enough to help with Kun Fu classes.
Five Claw Martial Arts also offers full-day camp programs during winter, spring and summer breaks as well. This summer the kids got to go to Big Trees and Pine Crest as well as golfing, swimming and hiking. “We keep our activities local,” says Sandelin, “I believe we should invest in the wonders that are in our own backyard.”
For more information about the Five Claw Martial Arts after school program, call 209-532-6306 or visit their studio at 14317 Mono Way, Suite A1 in Sonora. You can also visit them on the web at http://www.fiveclaw-mma.com.
