| My most influential teachers always said the | | | | turn to gangs to find this kind of |
| most important karate lesson was whatever | | | | brotherhood but a martial arts school can |
| fostered greater discipline and self control. | | | | offer an alternative solution with far more |
| They wisely pointed out, that with this | | | | desirable results. The authority figure is of |
| foundation in place, everything else follows | | | | course the instructor and if he or she has |
| in natural order. I'm glad that people have | | | | the right charisma and calming presence about |
| started to ask about discipline and self | | | | them, this can be very inspiring to a young |
| control in karate, because it is not | | | | person looking for some guidance in life. |
| inherently obvious how the practice of | | | | Strong discipline and self-control in this |
| punches and kicks can lead to improvement in | | | | positive but challenging environment will be |
| these areas. In fact it almost seems like a | | | | natural by-products of the overall |
| paradox that the practice of martial arts | | | | experience. · Discipline comes from making |
| could possibly develop calm, assured and | | | | a decision to commit to something that is |
| highly disciplined individuals. Are we all | | | | deemed valuable. Becoming a black belt in any |
| falling for the hype that is touted in the | | | | martial art has many positive connotations |
| popular martial arts magazines or is there | | | | and benefits. There are numerous stories of |
| really some truth to the claims of improved | | | | current black belts and even high-ranking |
| discipline and increased self-control? Just | | | | instructors who turned their whole lives |
| like anything else, lasting change must come | | | | around through their involvement in the |
| from within. No matter how much we all think | | | | martial arts. Probably every martial arts |
| a person should change they will only change | | | | school in the country has at least one |
| if they believe it is necessary and no amount | | | | student on their roster who can attest to |
| of karate training will alter this. However | | | | this fact. · Self-control comes from |
| if you have an individual who has | | | | having respect for one another. One of the |
| acknowledged that he or she needs more | | | | core tenets of the martial arts is respect |
| discipline and self-control then the martial | | | | and if you want to guarantee a swift exit |
| arts can definitely help. Also if a parent | | | | from your karate school then not showing |
| sees that their child is out of control more | | | | respect to your instructor and your fellow |
| often than they are in control then martial | | | | members is a sure way to achieve this. |
| arts can certainly provide a possible | | | | Conversely through understanding the |
| solution. This is how and why a positive | | | | importance of respect for everyone around us |
| turnaround can happen. · Martial arts | | | | our self-control cannot fail to improve. All |
| provide a very structured training system and | | | | of the above are, in my opinion, some very |
| methodology for teaching the various | | | | clear reasons as to how and why the martial |
| techniques and drills. Structure is essential | | | | arts can provide a very positive and |
| for improving discipline and just by being | | | | enriching experience to everyone who begins |
| exposed to set parameters, rules and clear | | | | their journey on the path to |
| goals a person can begin to understand the | | | | self-improvement. Let me know if you agree or |
| importance of discipline. · Learning | | | | not about the importance of discipline and |
| karate is often very attractive to an unruly | | | | self-control. For more information on what |
| and angry individual because it seems like | | | | the martial arts has to offer you, check out |
| the ideal method to learn how to hurt and | | | | my FREE Report, "Karate for Newcomers: How to |
| punish others. If such an individual joins a | | | | Find Out Everything You Need to Know to Start |
| reputable dojo (karate school) he will | | | | Your Karate Practice". You will be able to |
| quickly realize that the martial arts are not | | | | download your copy at Good luck and best |
| really about this at all, however he should | | | | wishes on your journey in karate. |
| also realize that many people within the dojo | | | | |
| possess exceptional self-defense skills yet | | | | Paul A. Walker, is a 4th degree black belt |
| show tremendous self-control. This type of | | | | karate instructor with over 25 years of |
| leadership by example can often have a very | | | | experience in the martial arts. In June 2003 |
| positive effect on somebody who initially has | | | | he attained his 4th degree black belt, after |
| set off down the wrong path. · All people | | | | studying with the legendary Karate Master, |
| need some kind of guidance from a higher | | | | Hirokazu Kanazawa at his Headquarters Dojo in |
| authority while they find their own way in | | | | Tokyo for three years. |
| this world. Many young people unfortunately | | | | |