WHAT I SEE IN MARTIAL ARTS STUDENTS
What I see in martial arts students is hope. I see promise! I have seen many different things, not all positive at first. The positive comes in time, sometimes, and immediately other times. The martial arts advantage is the benefit martial arts students have over those who never step foot in a martial arts class. What I see in martial arts students is success, perseverance, humility, integrity and indomitable spirit. I see you in my martial arts classes! If you are reading this, it is very likely you are the type of person who wishes to be part of the solution for your family’s happiness, your community’s safety and your country’s continued success. It starts with you!
Advantage – Courage & Confidence
While I write this I am listening and observing our Ninja Summer Camp members in the middle of their day. I see a very shy young man already discovering his own voice and it is only day two of his camp! I believe in the potential of courage and confidence in his future.
Advantage – Adaptability, Empathy & Leadership
I see a couple of young ladies who really like to do what they want to do when they want to do it and show very little interest in anything else. For sure adaptability and empathy is in their future as they patiently learn that it is not all bad to not alway get your way. I can see them as becoming future leaders due to their natural confidence and I can see them as being valuable in any team atmosphere due to their willingness to help others.
Is the martial arts advantage right for you?
Last week I met a family, out in the community, and when they learned I was a martial artist they informed me they were against martial arts training “because they were Christian.” I had no idea what that was supposed to mean so I asked. I learned they felt martial arts was violence and therefore not fitting for their lifestyle. It is comments like this that make my head hurt, but I respect their opinion.
Advantage – Self-Control & Compassion
A family martial arts school is quite the opposite of violence. Today I am looking at a young man who has temper issues. He is not what you might call a rule follower but he does not want to be a bad kid. I see in his future incredible self-control and compassion for others. He is learning to control himself while learning the tools to defend himself should he ever need to. This develops confidence which creates the perfect place to inspire good behavior!
Advantage – Social Skills, Happiness & Perseverance
When have you witnessed a child on the autism spectrum successfully interacting with other children of various levels of maturity or social ability? I am watching a young man today who makes my heart melt. He has a hard time with verbal communication and needs structure and consistency at all times. As he experiences communication needs and changes in structure in martial arts class he sees he safe and able to find the immediate solution to his challenges alone or with a constant source of help. He is getting stronger and more able to fit in and his happiness as a result has become seriously touching. I see happiness and perseverance in his future. The martial arts advantage is strong within him!
The Martial Arts Advantage is a thing!
I am watching a young man with attention deficit disorder, dyslexia and anxiety issues. I see him struggle. He tries to stay focused but his brain sends him in different directions any time the pace of class is not fast enough. When reading or counting his dyslexia kicks in and his fear of being called out makes him very uncomfortable. He really wants to be smart. He wants to be great at what he does. Being a rule follower is secondary to making himself and his mentors proud. Anxiety over anything new makes him grumpy and assertive beyond acceptable levels at times. The martial arts advantage for him comes in the form of learning from others, being accepted for who he is and having instructors who adapt to teach him how he best learns. The martial arts advantage creates the possibility of seeing all the challenges he faces being less. All the success he wants being possible. This young man isn’t really young.
He is me.
I believe every child in America should experience martial arts training for six months to a year minimum. I know this will not be the most popular statement with everyone, but coming from what it has done for me and what I have seen it do for so many others…..I believe in the martial arts advantage and I believe it could be the solution to many of our social issues and to the dreams we have of our kids being happier and stronger than we ever were.
