In simple terms, training in martial arts is essentially being in a constant state of comparing your skills to your instructor and your peers, and eventually your students. You are constantly striving to match your instructor, be better than your fellow students (or at least their equal) and stay one step ahead of your students. This is why there are rank/belt tests to showcase one’s growth in the martial arts, and tournaments to showcase and determine whose technique is superior any given day. Obviously winning isn’t the sole determinator whether one’s martial arts skills are legitimate; there is a difference between competition and the real world, and what works in the ring won’t necessarily work in self-defense.
Must one excel in all areas of the martial arts to be considered a “true” martial artist? I hope not! In most cases, martial artists end up with an area or two they specialize in, such as forms, one steps, breaking boards/bricks or sparring. While we must have knowledge and some proficiency in as many aspects as possible, we should be confident in the things we know we can do well.
When I started growing out my beard, I had in my mind a certain way I wanted my beard to look. And like many things in which I had little knowledge in, I turned to YouTube for guidance and answers to burning questions. One of the videos I watched encouraged viewers to “Rock what you got!”, and to not be ashamed of how your beard may look, even if it’s different from others and what you envisioned. In the same vein, I encourage you to be confident in your martial arts and not compare yourself to others to the detriment of your own self-esteem. If you see your fellow students and instructors doubting themselves, give them words of encouragement and assurance.
The four main reasons why parents sign their child up for martial arts are: to train focus and discipline, to improve their health, for self-defense (against bullies), and to build up their self-confidence. Most of the time, the first three reasons are addressed through curriculum and testing. How do we address the last reason? It’s in every class and every interaction we have with those students. And it’s during these touchpoints where we get to positively influence their confidence in themselves. Are we going to be able to reach every student in each class? Not always, but we should do our best to interact with each one so they can get that positive reinforcement. And if students see us teach and train with confidence, that will fill them with confidence as well.
