What are our jobs as martial artist?

[whess]

As a long time student of martial arts I often wish my friends and other close to me would practice any form of self defense. I worry that they might not be able to defend themselves if need be. I know you cannot force someone to start a practice but I try to encourage them to be fit and aware of their surroundings. Is it my role to try and get another person to start training? Even though they I know they must have that innate desire, or arrive on that thought to begin themselves.

[ninjanurse]

You are correct in that you cannot force someone to learn. Students are the same way-you can only guide them until they reach their own conclusions and decide what level of commitment they are willing to set. The best thing we can do is to be a great example and truly live what we "preach"-stay fit, eat right, and train.

[bushido_man96]

I don't think its an instructor's job to try to recruit everyone into learning self-defense. Its not a bad marketing ploy, though, and there is nothing wrong with trying to convince others of the value of a knowledge of self-defense. Some people would like to train anyone and everyone. Some only want to train those who want to train. Either is ok.

[MaxMarks]

I don't think it's a martial artists job to recruit. I think you bring your friends into it like you would anything else you're passionate about. If the time is right it will all work. If not you don't want to drive them away by forcing something on them. Think of it like randorie in Judo, you don't just force a throw at will, you wait until your opponent shifts their weight in a way that allows for the throw... timing right?

Also, absent of a horrible situation, self defense typically isn't a compelling enough reason to dedicate yourself to the martial arts. Making them aware of all the other ways training benefits your life will be much more compelling. (which is the premise of my blog)

Two things are clear, you love the martial arts and you love your friends. The best way to lead is by example, which is exactly what you're doing. Keep it up!

[bushido_man96]

What I do think our jobs as MAists is to make sure we aren't advertising something we aren't selling. Not every school is selling self-defense, although it does appear in most school's itinerary. Teaching forms is not necessarily teaching self-defense. Its important that we as instructors are honest and upfront about what we actually cover in our classes, and what is not.

[sensei8]

I'm constantly reminding my students, the hierarchy of our Hombu, and the students of our Hombu that their sole job as a martial artist is tend to their own martial art betterment. Worry not about what another martial artist is doing before you set your path straight first.

[Zaine]

I'm constantly reminding my students the hierarchy of our Hombu and the students of our Hombu that their sole job as a martial artist is tend to their own martial art betterment. Worry not about what another martial artist is doing before you set your path straight first.

I agree with this 100% As martial artists we need to focus on our own journey and not whether or not anyone else is on a similar journey. Also when you're constantly telling your friends that they need to start doing self-defense they tend to be so sick of you pushing them to it that any desire that they would have had tends to go out because they get the view that every martial artist will constantly pressure them into situations that they don't want to be in.

So as a martial artist the job in my mind that I need to fulfill is to practice everyday so that I can constantly get better at the thing that I love to do.

[Kodakmint]

Yeah, I don't tell anyone I do martial arts.

[FangPwnsAll7]

You can't really force someone to take martial arts. I sometimes want half of my friends to take it to. Doesn't mean they will though. I let them decide on their own though. If they don't want to learn self defense, then they don't have to.

[SonGoku92]

for me. Even If I cant get them to start practicing a martial art, most people find it nice to know a technique or three for future reference. so assuming you have the belt rank in your system to prove you know the techniques your showing you could always do that. most people aren't opposed to that. (thats just the rule on student teaching in my system though idk about others?...)