Saturday, August 1, 2009

Respect in the Martial Arts

From the very beginning, martial artists realized that respect was essential to their practice in many ways. How would you like your practice partner to use excessive force while you are trying to learn a technique? What if a student decided he didn't have to follow the master's instructions? What if the best fighter decided he would treat people wrong just because he could?

Indeed, one of the first things we teach a new student is how to show respect. If student is not willing to show respect and obey the rules of karate, then they cannot be taught.

The most common way to signify respect in martial arts is with a simple bow. Even when we bow to the master, we are not saying that we worship him, but rather that we respect him, his curriculum, and his teachings.

Many children, once they are a certain age, learn that their parents are not perfect. This can be a hard blow because many children have nearly an attitude of worship for their parents. At that point, they have two options. They can love them and continue to respect them. Or, they can rebel.

I hope you are one that can forgive your parents, role models, and heroes for not being perfect. That you will be able to see the good in them and how much they really care for you. That you will be able to accept them as they are and learn from their mistakes. All this while still giving them all the respect they deserve.

Let the Black Belt within you break free!
For a great Martial Arts Program, check out www.BobbyLawrenceKarate.net

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