Martial Arts for wider life skills

Martial arts are taught as a life skill, self defence for some and others it might be fitness and general wellness. It might also be to reduce stress and build confidence in social situations; there are many reasons. One of the points that many masters have said, that agree with these points, is that it is also a wider set of skills than just for the dojo, I agree with this.

Working with an uke in the dojo, a training partner, teaches us to respect others learning and work as a team. Understanding that they have information and knowledge that is shared between them teaches also to appreciate that others can help us. Listening to the Sensei teaches us to follow instructions and be attentive to them, it teaches humility in the learning process as they have knowledge that we want and to gain that knowledge we need to be respectful and take note. In the dojo we also teach courtesy, thanking people for their help, bowing at the right times and indicating two-way gratitude in sessions and at the end of sessions.

The above points follow us into the outside of the dojo world. Being attentive and showing others who teach us respect, so for example in school or college is important. Working in a school and having be a chair of governors in one has shown me this can be sadly lacking in the school environment at times. If through what we do in the dojo we can help encourage this it is not a bad thing. Yes, respect has to be earned, but it also is a two-way street as is courtesy. Be respectful to others, show them courtesy and it will be reflected back in most instances.