Often times in popular media and entertainment, the physical aspects of martial arts are highlighted to the detriment of all else. The focus is always on what kind of fancy flips and spin kicks they can perform as they look flashy and impressive. What they don’t often show is how they train their minds; sure, some movies may wax philosophically about life, culture, or whatever their ancestors did, but very rarely do they talk about reading books, learning about the applications of their forms, or tactics during sparring.
If you’re a regular reader on this blog, I doubt I need to convince you on the benefits of reading to improve one’s own cognition. It is important to verify that the information you are digesting is of an accurate nature, and many times we rely on what our instructors provide us; it could be a student manual, a book from a martial artist they admire, or perhaps writing down notes if these materials are not available. There are sometimes oral traditions passed down which are never meant to be put in writing for one reason or another, and so committing these to memory requires a certain diligence and mental fortitude from the listener in order to pass it on the next generation. I tend to be a more kinesthetic/visual learner so for me the act of writing things down helps me to remember particularly important information.
Studying how your particular style started and how it evolved over time will also give you a better appreciation for the art and also help you understand how the techniques are to be executed. There is only so much you can learn from your instructor during class; at some point in your training you will need to seek additional resources outside of class in order to gain a better understanding of your style. Ask your instructor about what can supplement your knowledge of the art.
This article is not meant to argue that everyone needs a college degree or even a high school diploma in order to practice or comprehend martial arts. Instead, I hope to relay that the martial arts is much more than punching and kicking; it is equal parts body, mind and spirit. Do not ignore or dismiss the impact and benefit of training your mind to improve your martial arts.
