In a Nutshell

"I used to be more quiet and kept to myself. But now I have confidence in what I do. I feel good about myself," says 14-year-old Molly Perry of Cherryfield, Maine.

As for Michele Williamson's children, 9-year-old Lindsay and 7-year-old Alex, who study karate near their home in Mentor, Ohio, Michele says, "Lindsay is already rather athletic, but it's helped with her confidence. With Alex, I noticed his listening skills have improved as well as his coordination."

You might think they're crediting a cutting-edge therapy or a brand-new sport with these positive changes. Not at all, it's just the age-old practice of martial arts. But what exactly are they, and who are the people your children will call "Master"?

Martial arts is the umbrella term for East Asian types of self-defense, including judo, karate, tai chi, and tae kwon do. Some, such as kickboxing and tae kwon, can be competitive sports. Others, such as tai chi, are done solely for their individual benefits.

Many American schools modify the disciplines to suit their clientele. For example, Libby Hill, instructor of the Karate Institute in Mentor, Ohio, offers cardio karate along with traditional forms of tai chi and kickboxing. Other schools have expertise in teaching kids with autism or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.