45. The Yin and Yang Symbol (for kids)

Master's Message children's class discussion topic of the week.

The Yin and Yang symbol can be found throughout Martial Arts and oriental culture.

It is thousands of years old and represents the Universe and how it stays in balance.

For example, here are some opposites which are always maintained in balance:

Hard and Soft

Cold and Hot

Day and Night

Darkness and Light Good and Bad

Can you think of any others?

Each side of the Yin and Yang symbol contains a dot of the opposite colour.

For example, nobody is 100% good or 100% bad, as everyone is both.

Martial Arts techniques involve balancing hard (yang) and soft (yin) movements. A hard technique is blocking or checking a punch or kick, whereas a soft technique would be moving out of the way or deflecting, such as parrying, slipping, ducking or redirecting (show the kid's an example - the class activity could be about practicing hard and soft techniques).

One of the Black Belt kata that you will learn is called Three Battles and is about understanding 'hard' techniques, whereas Rotating Palms kata is about understanding 'soft' techniques.

The Yin and Yang represents the Universe maintaining Balance

Cobra Martial Arts & Fitness Centres - Personal Development Program - 1991.