Having gone to both catholic primary and secondary schools, I have more than a passing indoctrination of hymns, prayers and lines from the bible stored up within me.  I am not really a religious person, but I understand the benefits of following the kind of moral code that you tend to find at the centre of each particular one.  I have to admit though, I never really bought into any of it during my time within the education system.  I was considered a gifted but troubled student.  I just kind of switched off to a lot of it.  My record of achievement in primary school noted my worrying lack of fear or respect for authority.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed a lot of the time I spent actually learning.  I was a voracious reader with a love of english, science and maths.  The time that I have since spent training in martial arts has allowed me the gift of understanding when I look back in hindsight.  My RE teacher would no doubt think fondly of me for quoting the following "Do unto others as you would others do unto you".  I was being asked to respect and listen to my teachers, yet most never extended the same courtesy back.  The few that did consistently, I have fond memories of and would always listen and work well within their classes.

Training in martial arts offered me so much more than just physical sport.  Up until my starting martial arts, I enjoyed playing football and certain other activities in PE at school but I was never what anyone would describe as an avid sportsperson.  From the first time I set foot on the mats though, I found respect.  People respected me.  My instructor showed me constant respect, in how he addressed me, by sharing his time with me freely, by offering advice and guiding me whenever I needed it.  My peers respected me because I tried hard.  It did not come naturally to me as I was not a gifted athlete but they could appreciate how hard I worked.  Before long, new students who were less experienced then me were offering me respect because I was technically more capable.  This constant ebb of positive feeling, built in me what was missing, my self respect.  Suddenly, I in turn was becoming more respectful.  Towards other people that I trained with and with everyone that was a part of my life.  Within this, is a lesson that can be used within schools, work places and all walks of life.  The growth of respect often nourishes itself from its own process and dynamics.  Once the seed of respect has been planted and constantly fed, it will with time spread amongst all, even those in conflict.

I don't think that this is necessarily an element unique to martial arts.  However, I do believe that the very nature of its study lends itself well to the process described above.  I also do not believe that it is an age restricted benefit.  It is quite obvious as it was in my case, how it can help young people and children.  I know though, that there are many an adult who needs this aspect addressed, in order to reduce the conflict in their own life.  That is another one of the great things about martial arts training, you will get out of it what you need (physically, mentally and spiritually) as well as what you want (fitness, self defence etc) if you just give it the time.


As a martial arts instructor, I value respect more than I do just about anything else.  It is always brings me great pleasure when I see it at work within my classes.  It truly is the life blood of any functioning centre or gym.  The more successful the dojo or school, the more ingrained respect will be amongst the people who frequent it.  A teacher cannot impart any knowledge on a student who does not respect them.  But, it is also true that a student will not gain the most benefit from their training if they feel the instructor has no respect for them.  If you want respect, you have to show respect.  Just don't be afraid to make the first step...

I hope my RE teacher is not going to feel too offended now though as I am going to include a parting quote from a source probably not to their taste, but to one that I identify with from my own experiences
KNOWLEDGE WILL GIVE YOU POWER, BUT CHARACTER RESPECT
BRUCE LEE