How martial arts can strengthen family values
Today I want to explore the benefits of martial arts training on family values. A family must be established in a firm foundation to produce individuals with a healthy character. Martial arts can play a critical role in a child’s formative years to provide the encouragement and support necessary for the development of well-balanced young adults. At the same time, martial arts can also help adults correct character flaws and achieve some later-in-life goals. Together we will consider the tenets of martial arts and how they complement family values.
A place where we belong
A common refrain from students at AKF Lexington is that we view the school as our second home. The idea being we can learn and develop together; students are accepted for who they are and also challenged to grow and improve. A martial arts school promotes a sense of belonging similar to family members accepting one another regardless of flaws or differences in opinion. These concepts are at the center of a family unit and the parallels to a martial arts school is unmistakable.
Learning life lessons early
In a family, it is the responsibility of the older members to teach and nurture the younger family members to their benefit. As time passes, the responsibility then becomes a shared experience as the young begin mentoring others. These ideas are on display in every martial arts class at AKF Lexington. The black belt and advanced students are often engaged in the teaching of basic students to develop technique, self-control, and humility while also making it clear of the responsibility of their own actions. The earlier these concepts take root then the more likely they will be observed in future life.
Building a better future
Through practicing martial arts children and adults learn respect for their training partners, develop trust for their instructors, and learn how to support each other. The exposure to physical and mental toughness through martial arts is likely to transition to life outside the school as students practice empathy and compassion to those they meet. This means martial artists have the potential to become leaders outside the dojo.
Appreciating each other
Any chance I get to celebrate any achievement of someone I care about it brings me great joy! I remember the first time my daughter tied her own shoes. She looked and me and yelled, “I did it! I did it!”. We shared a hug and went to the park together. Celebrating martial arts success and the achievements of my fellow students has developed a family atmosphere inside the dojo similar to that outside the dojo. By celebrating with others we show them our appreciation and demonstrate we care and respect them. This can be particularly important to children because they will learn to consider the needs of others before their own.
In conclusion, a family and a martial arts school share and strengthen each other. A martial art school and the family unit are both committed to the support of those who call each their home. One of the most quoted Biblical scriptures is Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it”. Family values reinforced by early exposure to consistent martial arts training work together in the development of a stronger spirit, mind, and body to produce remarkable people.
JCM
