How Martial Arts Helps Develop Good Character.

According to several studies from the National institutes of Health website, Scientific research suggests that regular participation in combat sports (such as Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, wrestling, boxing, et. al.) can foster positive character development. Though results depend on the training context and intensity, Key statistics indicate that combat sports practitioners generally exhibit higher levels of conscientiousness, lower neuroticism, and improved self-regulation compared to non-athletes.

The following are the steps that we use to help our students become the best version of themselves:

1. Christian principles. First of all, I run my school off Christian principles. I am a believer Jesus of Nazareth. That is important to me and everything that I do. I don't preach sermons in the class but I will mention Christian principles on a regular basis. These principles include: "Treat others how you want to be treated.", "As Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.", ect.

   
   

2. Class structure hierarchy. We use a belting system (another blog). That belting system creates a natural hierarchy that newer people have to show respect to higher belts and like wise, higher belts are expected to be welcoming, kind, and inclusive to lower belts. This structure and expectations is instrumental in helping people learn humility and control.

   
   

3. Use of force against lower belts and higher belts. As stated above and in other posts (pressure testing/sparring/training the neurological system) newer student learns to control their own aggression with more experienced students as more experienced student might strike back if a newer student refuses to relax and calm down during sparring. More experienced students constantly practice restraint against newer students.

   
   

4. Lectures. I often speak on the necessity of violence when it is needed. Likewise, I just as often speak on the necessity of restraint whenever possible.

   
   

5. Time x exposure = peacefulness. After enough time, as skills increase your confidence will rise and you will realize how capable you really are at dispensing violence upon another. Once you realize this, the need to be violent, the need to respond to every provocation, and the need to seem competent/unbeatable/the need to be feared/respected just goes away.

In the next blog, I will dive into the psychological reasoning behind the Time X exposure = peacefulness.

Be Blessed,

Chance