The True Value of Martial Arts Training

Get any serious martial artist in a conversation about the values of his training and he will eventually get around to talking about character building. Whether or not he actually uses the word "character," you will hear about self-discipline, confidence, courage: the individual personal qualities that are developed through the committed practice of martial arts training.

Unfortunately, however, these qualities tend to be a minor focus of the training for many students. To them, the more obvious goals of self-defense and obtaining fighting skills seem more practical, more useful.

But, unless the student is training to be a professional competitive fighter, or does police or other security-related work, chances are that he will seldom, if ever, need to use his fighting skill in a real life situation. So, the truly practical benefits of martial arts training are the masterful behaviors that are necessary for success not only in the martial arts, but also at school, in business, and every other endeavor.

Here at the Jujitsu-Do Martial Art Center, we strive to develop sixteen particular qualities, and look for the outward expression of these qualities in evaluating the progress of advanced students:

It may seem to those who are unfamiliar with the nature and objectives of martial arts training that some of these characteristics would be counter-productive to effective self-defense. Exactly the opposite is true. Qualities like humility, thoughtfulness, and open-hearted generosity can often accomplish the goals of self-defense before a conflict begins, whereas aggression, rigid attitudes, and violent intentions can cause even the most skilled of fighters to be beaten.

The goal of martial arts training should be more than the preservation of the body and the bolstering of the ego. There is far more to be accomplished by exercising self-restraint in your actions and finding peaceful solutions to conflict with others. It takes real strength of character to let go of anger over what someone has done or said to you, and then to forgive and offer a creative way to peacefully reconcile your differences. The ancient Buddhist precept "Cause the least possible harm" is the standard of behavior by which master martial artists live. To defend oneself in any other way is contrary to the life principle, and ultimately self-defeating. As Alexander Pope once said: "Conflict should always be so managed as to remember that the only true end of it is peace."

The approach we take at Jujitsu-Do Martial Art Center is that martial arts training is a journey of self-improvement conducted within the context of close interactions and physical confrontation with others. One learns not only effective martial art techniques, but also positive mental attitudes, masterful behavior, effective communication skills, advanced methods of non-violent conflict resolution, and a healthy perspective about life. Jujitsu is truly a balanced approach to physical, mental and emotional health.