Karate and Character

[hobbitbob]

That's quite true. my own family had the same iopinion, and it took me a year of talking, begging,and pleading to be allowed to join. They fully expected me to not like it and quit. They're still waiting 22 years later.

[SaiFightsMS]

Actually ninjanurse I am one of the ADD-Combined Types. And because in the 60's when I was in grade school they were not diagnosing ADD problems yet my problem was not discovered until much later.

 

When the specialist went back through my old grade school records many of the written teacher comments could have come straight out of a textbook. And would you believe before someone happened to think check ADD they were wanting to label me bi-polar?

 

Knowing what the problem is makes a huge difference in coping with some of the things you do that make others just scratch their head and walk away.

[ninjanurse]

Sai,

 

One wonders how many kids were mislabeled as bi-polar or troublemakers and received unneeded medications and therapies prior to the "discovery" of Attention Deficit Disorders

 

Even today it can be a struggle to get your kid diagnosed correctly and sometimes takes alot of persistance.

 

In my family, Martial Arts has been paramount in helping the kids learn self-control and boost their self-esteem (which is often quite low in kids with ADD) !

 

[BKJ1216]

Well I'm just glad that MA might be able to help me focus more. It sure could help in my grades I just got them today and I had to beg for hours to convince my dad to let me do karate.

[ninjanurse]

BKJ,

 

Does your karate school require you to maintain a certain GPA in order to test? Maybe that can help you focused on your school work as well as you goals as a martial artist.

 

[BKJ1216]

BKJ,

 

Does your karate school require you to maintain a certain GPA in order to test? Maybe that can help you focused on your school work as well as you goals as a martial artist.

 

I don't know if they do or not. I'm in the adult class so I don't think they would do that. Maybe for the youth classes but then again I won't be in them.

[SaiFightsMS]

I found that the system structure of having to meet certain goals extremely helpful. In order to prepare for the next rank you have to meet certain goals. In the process you learn or relearn how to set goals and how to periodically set down and evaluate your progress in meeting those goals.

 

I realize there are many other activities that reqire the same thing. It is just more apparent in karate.

 

And in a class with multiple ranks there is nothing like having to concentrate on your kata; while the people in front and in back of you are doing a different form to improve attention spans.

[monkeygirl]

BKJ,

 

Does your karate school require you to maintain a certain GPA in order to test? Maybe that can help you focused on your school work as well as you goals as a martial artist.

 

I don't know if they do or not. I'm in the adult class so I don't think they would do that. Maybe for the youth classes but then again I won't be in them.

 

Even in the adult classes, my dojo gives out Intent to Promote sheets to any student that's still in school. These have to be signed by a parent and a teacher who say the student has good behavior and is allowed to test. Unfortunately, sometimes we get teachers who hate MA and won't sign

 

Also, to be on our leadership team, you have to keep good grades.

[karate_woman]

OK,

 

I hear a lot of talk about how Karate has the potential to improve ones character. Regarding this I was hoping folks would elaborate on their personal thoughts and experiences. For example:

 

1) Why does participating in Karate impact an individual's character?

 

2) Specifically, what improvements in character have you experienced personally?

 

3) Do you feel this is exclusive to Karate (as opposed to other styles, sports, life experiences, etc.)?

 

Thanks!

 

Grunt

 

The most obvious character changes for me have been in the area of self confidence, and my ability to work under pressure. Also interesting was the fact that I had my first daughter when I was a green belt, but my second after reaching black. The experience was extraordinarily different. Even though both labours lasted a long time, my increased ability to relax and meditate that I'd acquired between green belt and black belt enabled me to relax so much (without drugs) that the midwives thought I was actually sleeping and they couldn't even tell I was having contractions at several points.

 

As for why karate impacts your character, well you really work on yourself a lot when you take it. I find the katas nice to work with since it is just me and my invisible opponents. While my instructors are invaluable in my development, implementing the corrections is entirely up to me. You can also see your progress as you get stronger, and as you move slowly up the line and observe the new students, remembering what it was like for you when you started, and marvelling at how far you've come...and looking at the more advanced students and marvelling at how much you still have to learn, eventually realizing that even Sensei is still learning (or should be!).

 

As for whether other sports, activities, etc have it....I'd say most certainly. If you want to be really good at something, you have to work and work at it, and you would feel a sense of accomplishment too. Personally I think the feeling is more complete when it is something that combines your mind, body and spirit, but that's just me. I believe that because I have heard athletes talk about getting in "the zone", and with karate I know exactly what they mean.

[KaratekaAikidoist]

Personally, I've noticed that I'm not so eager to fight. I don't start anything. Karate is the Martial Artists secret, so one should not be eager to show others anything they may use against them.