I frequently talk about the benefits of martial arts.  They are not only a physical exercise, but they promote great mental wellness, too.  In tough times, a martial art mindset can lead you in the right direction. You can win mental battles and increase physical strength at the same time. They empower women, men, and children to be safer, smarter and stronger.

I can understand, though, how there may be some misconceptions out there about martial arts.  Some movies, for instance, show martial arts as aggressive and violent.  Everyone knows, sort of, what martial arts are; but, not everyone knows what martial arts are not.  It all comes down to four power words, that if used in the wrong context can change the true and precise meaning of martial arts forever.

Violence. Power.  Arrogance.  Reputation.

1.  Violence

Martial arts are not necessarily as “violent” as some people think, even though they are fighting arts. The definition of “violence” is:   using or involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.  Martial arts are perhaps more about understanding violence, avoidance, and defense, than anything else.  If the time comes when you must defend yourself, that is “violence,” in its strictest sense, yet, clearly different from using violence offensively or for non self-defense matters.  A martial art is not to injure, harm, bully or subdue someone, unless it happens in the act of defense.

It’s easy to understand why people associate martial arts with violence.  It involves movements and techniques that are physically devastating if performed accurately. In class, students practice palm strikes to the face, knees to the groin, and painful manipulations. They also learn to practice and apply holds so their partners can learn the defense.  If you were to peer in through a martial arts school window and see the fierce faces of those practicing these damaging techniques, it could easily be mistaken as the practice of violence.

To learn a martial art, is to practice it inside and out, from corner to corner, from end to end, and from offense to defense.  The study of offense is used for the practice of defense. When I ask one student to perform a hold on another student, it is for the pure benefit of the student who is defending so he can learn how to apply technique. I’m not teaching violence.

Some parents are concerned about what they perceive as the “violent” aspects of martial arts. They sometimes ask me if their children will be more aggressive or violent to their own siblings or other kids after learning a martial art or karate. I’ve rarely seen that happen.  Most kids are so excited to be learn how to be a ninja, or their favorite superhero, that they have little desire to betray their hero status by striking other kids.

What if an adult abuses his martial arts training privilege? There have been cases of martial artists who have overstepped their boundaries. Some have landed in jail for abuse or have even killed someone.  This is the most vicious abuse and violence of a martial art.  As instructors and leaders, you need to have eyes wide open when training adults.  If you see signs that a student is of a violent nature, be responsible and take note.  Not every student who walks in the door has good intentions.

On occasion, even I get joked about as a “violent” person.  People tell others that they better watch what they say to me because they know what I “can do.”  It is a little humorous.  Do I look violent?  Do I look like a person who would say:

“You don’t agree with me?  Let me kick you in the face and see if you change your mind!“

I hope not.  I hate to burst your bubble, but there’s no deep-seated violence in me that I’m trying to alleviate through martial arts. Violence is the last thing on my mind.  Self-defense is what’s on my mind, along with personal development and conditioning.

Martial arts do not teach you to kill or to be a vigilante.  Maybe it is portrayed in movies that way on occasion, but in real life, the everyday martial artist learns a specific mindset that seeks peace through martial arts empowerment.  There are exceptions to every rule, of course.  UFC fighters and boxers, for instance, embark on a violent sport but are in a very different category than abusers.

So, have no fear.  I’m as nice and polite and peaceful as they come.

Just don’t mess with me.

2. Inappropriate Use of Power

A martial artist has a certain level of power.  He is privy to skills and techniques that can really do some damage.  He can throw a good punch or kick, but also knows how to break your arm, knock you out, sweep your leg or hold you so you cannot move.  He also holds the power of the mind.  Similar to using a martial art for violence sake, the inappropriate use of power can flow in many directions and comes in many shapes and sizes.

How much power-play is acceptable?  Some is necessary to actually teach.  An instructor needs to meaningfully demonstrate skills and techniques and that might mean some discomfort is involved for the student. To know that a technique works and is effective, both the instructor and student need to be reassured through actual application.  The physical discomfort confirms that the technique is effective.

How much mental power should the instructor use and how?

A martial artist from another country wrote me an e-mail not long ago.  He said he was a brown belt and asked if I could I teach him.  Obviously I am too far away, so I asked why he wanted to leave his current school.  He said “my instructor is mean.”  Apparently his instructor, while excellent at technique, was demeaning and difficult.  Even just shy of his black belt test, this student was willing to start over with a new instructor.  He had stuck with it for a long time but was now facing personal defeat because the powerful mental encouragement he needed from his instructor was lacking. This is a form of inappropriate use of power; however, the student always has the ultimate decision to make. Some instructors are very strict and demand attention.  It is hard to gauge whether or not that is an “excessive” use of power.

All instructors should push their students, challenge them, and make them work diligently for advancement.  It shouldn’t be easy.  It should, however, require the right amount of motivation, sincerity, trust, and a level of basic kindness to be tolerated.

3. Arrogance

It is incredibly awesome for me to say that “I am a martial artist.”  Just hearing the words roll off my tongue is a little bit empowering.  To the non-martial artist, my second degree sounds like a big deal.  That makes me feel good about who I am, but I have no desire to flaunt what I know. I am part of many social media networks and I write for several magazines.  Many times I am asked to write my own bio to accompany my articles.  It is always a challenge for me to create a personal biography that reflects a true humble spirit while still promoting my qualities and experience. It is easy to overstep the boundary of a good bio into the realm of bragging or arrogance.  We all have bragging rights, but within reason.

My experiences mean more to me than the number of stripes on my belt. There are many controversies out there about how long it takes to “really” earn a black belt or more stripes, dans or degrees.  Everyone has an opinion about what time frame is too short or not enough. Those with several degrees or dans might be scrutinized about how they earned them or in what time frame; those with too few are seen as less experienced.  I‘m a second degree black belt, but I’ve been involved in the martial arts for twenty-six years.  I’m not generally questioned about why I don’t have a higher rank.  Truth be told, life, family, and commitments got in the way.  That does not diminish my contributions to the martial arts community and I can still share my achievements without an air of arrogance.

I suppose, in the long run, I have less to brag about than the instructors out there whose belts are heavy with several stripes, anyway.  If I’m going to brag about anything, it is that I have an impeccable grasp on the importance of martial arts for the everyday martial artist and the everyday person and I’ve mastered a martial art mindset.

4. Poor Reputation – As in any industry, there are good and bad martial artists and instructors. I’ve been to plenty of doctors in my lifetime to know some are not as good as others.  I’ve worked with many, many lawyers and easily can differentiate the best and worst.  It shouldn’t be so surprising, then, that there are good and bad martial artists or instructors. You expect excellent direction and a consistent martial path that will lead you to be a more skilled martial artist and well-rounded person when you are learning a martial art. You don’t expect to be  bamboozled about money or McDojo dilemmas.  When there is an instructor or school that undermines the very principles that martial arts should convey, their reputation affects the rest of the industry negatively. No reputable martial arts instructor likes that very much.

On the other hand, I believe that worrying too much about what the other guy is doing hinders your focus and can become a waste of time.    

The time you spend trying to prove someone as a fake could be time spent improving yourself.

Eventually, the bad seeds will be weeded out. There will be a natural attrition process as the industry self-propels itself with good leadership in the martial arts.

Done Deal.

I think it is easy to see that there are a few descriptive words or actions that should never infiltrate the wonderful world of martial arts.  Using a technique for violence or inappropriate power, being arrogant, or discrediting the reputable industry is a no-no.  Focus on making the industry the best that it can be.  You can’t control that there are some bad instructors, and even some bad students, but you can protect the integrity and grit of the martial arts community by your personal commitment and dedication.

It’s a good time for martial artists to unite.  Let’s continue to keep these negative actions from infiltrating our industry by seeking to practice, teach, and live by the highest of standards to create a win-win for everyone.

Andrea