The Importance of Passion in Martial Arts

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The Importance of Passion in Martial Arts

There are many reasons why someone decides to take up martial arts as a hobby and no two people are ever alike. Some decide to learn karate purely to learn how to defend themselves, others will learn it to understand more about the cultural traditions of learning unarmed combat and some people study as a way to get fit in a social environment. Some people just want to get a black belt because they feel it will prove that they are strong in character.

Learning martial arts is as much about mental development as physical fitness, For many people learning martial arts is a journey of self development and realisation. Not everybody achieves their goal though.

So what attributes lead to success in martial arts? Strength? Speed? Memorizing kata? In my opinion, it is none of these things. To be great at martial arts, to succeed where others fail, to overcome your fears to make yourself a stronger person, both mentally, physically and spiritually, you need passion.

Passion is what drives people to success. Total belief in yourself and the task at hand is a part of passion, as is a love for the art that you chose. You can be passionate about any individual aspect of training, or indeed all martial arts training.

 Passion For Fighting

Many people consider martial arts a violent hobby. Anyone that has spent any time training soon realises that martial arts really is an art and a science combined. To become a good fighter requires that you love fighting. If you do not love fighting you will never be able to win a tournament.

You may become skilled at applying what you learn in a self-defense situation, but you will not be able to take your training to the next level, as a lack of passion for fighting will hold you back.

 Passion For Detail

Many people train half-heartedly at best. They come to class and go through the motions and then by the following week they have forgotten what they were taught or why it is needed.

To learn the intricate details of karate, or any other martial art, you have to be passionate about the details. Why the techniques work, their limitations, their strengths, when to use them and when not to use them. You also need to practice, to make your technique perfect. Many techniques in martial arts require a great level of accuracy to be effective and only by fine-tuning your movements will you be able to effectively use what you learn in a real and dynamic situation.

 Passion For Virtues

Traditional martial arts teaching covers not only fighting but self-development. A key part of many karate styles is on following the teachings from Zen and Bushido, such as the development of humility, respect, compassion and patience as well as developing a high level of calmness and peace within yourself. Without a passion to develop these virtues you cannot achieve much of what it means to master a martial art. A lack of respect for the art and for others will ultimately lead to failure.

It is for these reasons that I believe that mastering martial arts is about passion. Through martial arts you can find peace and calmness, an abundance of self-confidence, awareness and improved physical and mental health.

What aspects of martial arts are you passionate about?