Teaching Proper Balance in The Martial Arts.   --An Instructors Responsibility

Martial Arts is combat oriented. Our practice is to learn to develop skills, techniques and tactics that will help us defend off a would be attacker. Depending on the focus of a particular school or the reason for your involvement in martial arts practice, will depend on if your studying for health and fitness, competition, mind body spirit discipline or personal self protection. But, Regardless of your focus in the martial arts if you are not experiencing a complete balanced training of physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of martial arts then you are missing the overall picture of personal development through martial arts training. One sided training is dangerous.

You see…………..A tournament, sport, and sparring-oriented instructor will teach values such as aggression, dominance, and mental focus on one thing above all else: winning the match and taking home the trophy.

An Instructor that primarily basis their instruction on philosophy, oral teaching and practices self defense arts at demonstration and practice speed only , may lead the student into wrong principles of real combat and give the student a sense of false security thinking they are capable of self protection.

So often you hear this in the martial arts -- “ you learn how to fight so you do not have to fight” . What does that mean ? Why would I spend all this time learning how to fight if I will not ever have to, Or if I am not suppose to use what I learn?

Personally , I began my martial arts training with the intent on learning how to fight. I wanted to be able to beat the tar out of any one who picked on me.

What I learned is, that what comes from years of learning martial arts from a qualified and proper martial arts instructor is that learning combative techniques leads to a level of self confidence and assurance in yourself that the need to fight or prove yourself through physical confrontation is no longer an issue. Soon- a discovery of personal power -

A power so great that you feel like - like you can accomplish anything - This doesn’t mean a power that you can defeat any opponent- but an understanding of right action.

This awareness comes thru the repeated practice of self defense arts, thru repeated practice of kata . Thru engaging in sparring matches . Then it is tested in the real world- in School, and at home - with your parents, your siblings, your teachers, boss, spouse and friends. Soon it expands into the community with random people you pass on the street and at the grocery store.

I am not talking about fighting those people, obviously -

But what I am talking about is BUDO - The martial WAY !

Self discipline, respect, high levels of self esteem- confidence with out ego.

I want you to read  this again ;

The Martial Arts teaches other ways to express themselves than through violence.

The arts when taught properly by a qualified instructor - teach when violence is acceptable and how to avoid conflict. Self-control is a hard commodity to come by but will prevail as they progress in life. The arts teach self-discipline, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility.

Quitting and casting blame on others is a whole lot easier than forging ahead against adversity and accepting responsibility for both the results of your own actions as well as the attainment of the goal.

It’s only through internal strength that we succeed in the task that is set for us either by ourselves, or others.

Martial arts teaches a strong ethical base that emphasizes the development of character and integrity. Solid character and self-esteem is built upon the self-knowledge and comes from honesty interacting with others and facing and learning from life challenges. Other values include patience, perseverance, loyalty, honesty, discipline, bravery, humor, compassion, and responsibility.

With out proper mental training. With out proper emotional training. With out proper spiritual, intellectual, psychological training a student in the martial arts becomes only a skilled and lethal fighter with no sense of direction, control, no respect for himself nor others. The martial artist with out the proper mind - body spirit training becomes nothing greater than a dangerous , lethal weapon with unclear values and foggy perception on right livelihood.

You learn thru martial arts -- respect for others because you first learned respect for yourself. You learn through proper martial arts training how to handle conflicts in all aspects of your life - work, school - family - etc, because you learned thru martial arts training how to handle the conflicts with in yourself. You learn patience through understanding because you first learned how to understand before wanting to be understood. You learn to love and appreciate the world and the people in it because you have learned to love and appreciate your own abilities, accomplishments and failures.

If you can help one child to see the beauty in them and others, then you may look around and realize that things look a little better to you. There is no endeavor more worthy than the development and education of our future. And this education and development comes form proper instruction in the martial arts - taught by a qualified and proper martial arts teacher.

It is my job, our job as Martial arts teachers, instructors, leaders, that we have a true investment in our children and that we challenge them. That we encourage them and that we support them in the growth. That we help them recognize their weaknesses and limitations. And that we build upon their courage and strengths.

Martial Arts Instructors are the leaders of today And thru our students - we are helping to build the leaders of tomorrow.

Chet Covely III, Is a Martial Arts Instructor, Holistic Life Coach and Spiritual Counselor. You can learn more about Chet at www.covelyconsulting.com