Martial Arts Lessons: It’s Not About Violence

[MeLisa Turcott Strongheart]

 

 

Just the other day a parent asked me if she thought my classes promoted violent behavior in young boys. She was inquiring about lessons for her son and was concerned that he and his friends might take what they’re learning and use it inappropriately.

I thought it was a fine question.

Yes, there have been a few cases (very few) of students “playing martial arts” with friends, the same way they play as their favorite superheroes, but I’ve never heard of the play being malicious or hurtful. I do, however, hear many stories of my young students using the kind of restraint we talk about in almost every class. I hear many stories of the young people in my program --and other martial arts schools --avoiding violence, avoiding conflict, and staying out of trouble as a result of their training.

A good martial arts teacher adds instructions and advice about how NOT to use martial arts, as often as he or she teaches the technical aspects of the arts.

“The ‘cake’ that is what a martial arts teacher offers his or her students,” says Tom Callos (www.tomcallos.com), the National Director of The One Hundred (www.flavors.me/masterteachers), an association made up of martial arts instructors who embrace education over the more media-prevalent aspects of martial arts instruction, “is made up of blocks, punches, kicks, and other maneuvers, But the real “flour” of the recipe is in the restraint, the self-control, and the attitude of self-discipline that makes up the best-of-the-best the martial arts has to offer.”

And by way of an offer, any reader of this piece that would like to “taste” the cake we produce at our school, need only email us at [e-mail] to receive a 2 week free trial (no strings attached, no sales pitches, nothing but a genuine “try us”).

And no, it is not about violence or aggression or hurting people. The martial arts are about grown-up adults mentoring young people in the ways of non-violence, self-control, and contribution.

 

Come check out more about our program at our website.  Or more about projects we I am working on here.

 

[Dennis D Armstrong Jr]

That was an excellent quesiton that was asked!   And it's great for us, as the instructors to be able to honestly say, 'No, actually it helps them stay OUT of trouble.'  Self Defense starts mentally.  You make a decision to 1. talk it out, 2. use violence...etc.  You can only use what you have, so if you don't have 'conflict resolution' in your arsenal, you use the things that you do have...for more some people, that tool is violence.  It's awesome that we get to give people more tools for life!

[Krista Wells]

Great post Master Strongheart!  I think that many people have similar questions when first starting out and are afraid that martial arts will be used on their brother, sisters, friends.  And I know that our program really helps kids learn the self discipline and confidence to be able to become well rounded individuals.