Opening Your Own Martial Arts School : Preface

PHILOSOPHY

The teacher who knows himself can tell you what he believes. He can tell you what his philosophy is concerning courtesy training, competition, promotions, mental and physical development, and time. Until he can tell you what his philosophy is, he is not ready to open a dojo.

Courtesy

The formalities that are required upon entering a dojo, before coming on to the mats, in the presence of the master, are part of the tradition of respect honored by the martial artist, The respect shown to peers, opponents, and even to beginners, sets the tone for all activities.

This tone is one of seriousness. Seriousness suggests that all activities are intended to maximize skill and learning; that the art and the person are the highest ideal. And in turn, the improvement of the individual and not the glorification of the individual is the objective of the art. The individual who succeeds in the area of seriousness may one day contribute to the art as it has contributed to him.

Respect requires humility. The master as well as the student must be willing to observe proper courtesy and behaviour in all circumstances, not merely in those that are convenient. We have all seen competitors who throw tantrums, instructors who berate officials, and judges who show favoritism or worse when evaluating competitors. Such behavior is more than ugly, it demeans an art that requires the respect and humility of all.

Training

Training is the primary activity within the dojo. Bodies must be limbered up, basic skills must be practiced, coordination must be drilled, endurance must be enhanced, forms must be learned, discipline must be instilled, and those judgemental skills that can only be learned by continually facing an opponent must be repetitively sharpened. In these activities there is no substitute for hard work, perspiration, and concentration. The importance of these attributes must be understood by the instructor. And they must be a part of his philosophy before he can share them with his students.

Conpetition

Competition is a point somewhere on the line between the hard training in the dojo and the hard realities of life. Once the competition begins, the student is past the opportunities for training provided in the dojo. He must rely on what he has already learned, not upon what the future promises. On the other hand, the competition does not have the potential for the penalties provided by a winner take all confrontation in the streets.

The katas are demonstrations of skill and prowess without the undisciplined attitudes of a bully or a showoff. The sparring is as much a test of a good referee and the judges as it is of the competitiors. The high level of control and the demand for excellence provide a sharp contrast to most real life confrontations. Thus the competition is not real in the same sense that life is, but it does provide an essential component in the preparation of the martial artist. This the instructor should know and exploit on behalf of his students.

Promotion

How promotions are conducted shows the students and honored guests the respect the instructor has for his art. The well arranged promotion, conducted by a skillful martial artist, is an event to be appreciated. Students who are well trained and adequatedly prepared, students who have faith in their own skills and in the guidance of the instructor are a pleasure to observe.

There are no shortage of things that can go wrong at a promotion. But the demeanor, efforts and skills, and the ability to adjust to the unexpected clearly tell the experienced observers whether the promtions are merited. It is during the difficult moments of a promotion that the realities of an instructor's philosophy of the martial arts is reflected in his students.

Mental and Physical Development

Master Halbuna (9th Dan, Kajukembo, San Francisco) once said, "the heart of the lion in the body of a rabbit does not lead a long life. And the heart of a rabbit in the body of a lion does not lead to success". He was, of course, referring to the need to develop both the body and the mind- the need to achieve a balance.

The instructor must have an understanding of the role that attitudes and attributes play in the development of martial artists- especially the young. Attitudes of humility, respect, honesty, fairness, and diligence, seperate the martial artist from the braggard or showoff on the streets. Attributes of agility. endurance, skill, and inner strength, seperate the martial artist from the lamb who simply waits to be destroyed and devoured.

Time

Time is the most difficult variable that the instructor must understand, work with, and explain. It is time that makes all movement and progress possible. It is time that allows the martial artist to develop the critical skill of self-assessment. It is intelligent, consistent training over time that leads to the improvement and peace of mind. And lastly, it is the cold eye of time that will evaluate the success or failure of the philosophy of the instructor.

CONCLUSION