Pride

[Superfoot]

Does one's own sense of Pride play a role in their study of the martial arts? It can be anything, pride in sparring, in kata/poomse. I would imagine all martial artists wish to keep their uniforms clean, so this questions is really aimed at the practise of Kihon, Kumite and Kata.

[Kieran-Lilith]

It can, should it turn to arrogance. If you become arrogant...well, then you're screwed. But pride...there's no harm in being proud of your accomplishments, as long as you head does not swell to the size of a five gallon bucket, you'll be okay.

[White Warlock]

I would say one's sense of pride, or shame, plays a role in every aspect of one's life, why should it not also factor into the study of the arts?

[lgm]

Does one's own sense of Pride play a role in their study of the martial arts? It can be anything, pride in sparring, in kata/poomse. I would imagine all martial artists wish to keep their uniforms clean, so this questions is really aimed at the practise of Kihon, Kumite and Kata.

If one's sense of pride is based on actual achievements while remaining aware of one's limitation and this pride is not loud or indiscriminately manifested, then I believe it is a positive and helpful rather than destructive trait in the karateka.

Gene

[scad]

i agree with the cooments posted, but you should always take pride in what you do in martial arts, its an art, you are supposed to take pridein it,,,like said don't become arrogant, but pride does play a large roel as well as shame. for instance if you have no pride in your poomse, it won't be beuatiful, if you have no pride in how presentable your uniform is, it could be wrinkely and have sweat stains, and shame, if you realize that you arelackign in an area where you have pride, you will strive to become better

-scad

[BJJShotoshe]

Pride...ah...just one of the details in life that has to be hard to sort out. To me, pride gets in the way. Sure I have those moments in sparring where I know I have you right where I want you and I could finish you at any given second, but, while I am commending myself on what a good job I did cornering you, you just might have found out a way to corner, and I am only thinking about how well I did not how to get out of another situation that you may have spun.

[Sauzin]

In the martial art that I practice pride has very little place. I would say honor plays a more prominent roll in guiding our respect for our forefathers, kata, and art. We don't teach pride and we try to take every oportunity we can to humble each other both by demonstration and example.

Personally pride is a two edged sword. It exists and always will in any intelligent creature who has any love for himself. It serves to reward us for our accomplishments and achievements and motivate us to be more. But there is no such thing as accurate pride. It is always based on flawed perception. In fact it serves to further flaw our perception. What I strive for in my life is to wipe my window of perception as clean as possible and observe my accomplisments with as much objectivity as I can. This way I can appreciate the true fruits of my achievements in the moment rather then being distracted by a feeling that lingers past it's relevance.

[White Warlock]

good post Sauzin

[Goju_boi]

well I don't let it get to me that much being that there isn's really a need to,but the other day when a younger 100 lb girl beat me in point sparring my pride didn't feel so good.I guess it's ok though, she was a 1st kyu.

[giang_hu]

Why do you keep your uniforms clean? Why do martial artists bow to their sifu before they even begin a form (even when the sifu isn't there)? Why do students always readily volunteer to clean the kwoon before lessons begin? Why do martial artists use the words "si hing", "si dai", "si fu", etc.? In my school, we bow to each other before we begin the two-person drills. Perhaps "pride" is not the right word. I think what most people mistake for "pride" with regards to martial arts is really RESPECT (especially for the sifu and the style itself).