How does karate build self-discipline?

Global Courant

When talking about karate with the uninitiated, I always emphasize the importance of respect and self-discipline. More often than not, especially when talking to parents of young children and teens, I am asked the question; “How do you learn respect and self-discipline? We’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work.” I’ve found that when you really engage the student and give them a chance to push their limits, both physically and mentally, and make mistakes without retaliation, you’ve created a level of credibility in them that allows you to push them and push their self-imposed boundaries.

Before reaching that stage, we need to lure the students into the dojo and this requires a whole series of commercial activities in terms of branding, marketing, sales etc. Despite that commercial reality, attracting the students and enticing them to stay in first place requires a level of credibility that underpins and supports every word and action the school is associated with.

To establish credibility, it is critical to establish and maintain standards of behavior that truly represent the image we wish to present to the world at large. To build and strengthen karate, there must be a continuous process of introducing new students, a process of renewal. If we are not seen as competent, ethical and trustworthy, it will become increasingly difficult to attract those new students.

A code of conduct is a means by which we can establish standards of conduct, develop respect for authority and self-discipline, and avoid conflict with others.

Because of the serious damage to personal and school reputations that can be caused by violations of the Code of Conduct, such violations will be dealt with promptly and according to the seriousness of the violation. In the most extreme cases, deprivation of rank and expulsion from school would not be considered too severe a punishment, despite any legal action that might be taken later. In the less serious cases, the appropriate school authorities will exercise their discretion in determining the type of punishment to be imposed.

In my style, Tetsute Do Karate, I have imposed a code of conduct, clearly defined tenets or principles, by which we try to live our lives and standards of dojo etiquette, or the way we behave in the classroom. It is the acceptance and adherence to these three key elements that help build confident, self-disciplined, and compassionate citizens among our students.

Code of Conduct Tetsute Do Karate

1. A karateka must not publicly belittle or otherwise disrespect any martial arts style, school, instructor or student.

2. A Karateka will not deliberately provoke a physical confrontation with anyone, whether Karateka or not.

3. A karateka will make every effort to help novice and lower grade students develop their Tetsute Do skills.

4. During general training and sparring sessions there shall be no attempt to use deliberate excessive contact nor any deliberate attempt to injure others.

5. All sparring activities will only be conducted if all parties have agreed on the permitted level of contact, the purpose of the sparring activity, including its duration, and the “safe” word or action, e.g. hitting the thigh, which indicates surrender and the end of the match.

6. A karateka will not participate in an event or perform any act that could bring the martial arts into disrepute.

7. Tetsute Do Karate students and instructors may only participate in approved tournaments and events.

All Tetsute Do Karate instructors will obtain and keep current a valid blue card for working with children, third party liability insurance, and first aid and CPR certification.

Teachings of Tetsute Do Karate

The Collins English Dictionary defines ‘Tenet’ as; “any opinion, principle, doctrine, dogma, etc., especially one held to be true by members of a profession, group, or movement.” In this context, the tenets or tenets of Tetsute Do Karate are:

1. Self-knowledge. Developing an understanding of one’s own character and identifying one’s own strengths and weaknesses.

2. Self-discipline. Developing the strength of character to control one’s impulsive nature and practice those things that need improvement.

3. Humility. Understand that none of us are perfect.

4. Indomitable Spirit. The desire, motivation and purpose to keep going against overwhelming odds.

Mastery of these principles may never be achieved by the average person. The act of trying to master them and striving daily to keep that promise is what is expected of every Tetsute Do Karate student and teacher.

Dojo etiquette

For a Dojo to operate efficiently and maintain discipline, it is necessary to establish a set of rules of conduct within the Dojo. Without these rules, a training session would degenerate into a noisy mess. This kind of situation is clearly not conducive to quality teaching or effective learning.

Dojo etiquette is based on and is an expression of respect. Respect for the traditions of Karate, the place where one trains, the Instructors and fellow Karateka.

The rules of the Dojo are as follows:

1. Bow when entering and leaving the dojo, as a sign of respect for the traditions of the dojo and the “spirit” of karate;

2. Make sure you are dressed and ready for the training before the indicated start time;

3. If you are early, it is much better to practice techniques, kata or yaksu quietly than to keep talking;

4. If you are late, please enter the Dojo quietly, sit in the back of the classroom in Seiza and wait until you are allowed to enter the classroom;

5. During the lesson, stay attentive to what is being taught and do not talk unless a question is asked or you want to ask a question or there is a break during the training;

6. If you are injured during training, bring the matter to the instructor’s attention immediately so that treatment can be initiated to reduce the extent of the injury; And,

7. Treat your instructors and fellow karateka with the respect you would expect from yourself and carry this attitude with you outside the dojo.

If Dojo etiquette is dropped, the quality of the training will deteriorate to the point that students will not progress through the ranking structure as quickly as they normally would. Failure to comply with Dojo Etiquette will result in a warning to the offender. Subsequent and/or repeated warnings will result in disciplinary action, up to and including removal from class.

These Rules and Guidelines may be considered draconian and unreasonable compared to today’s standards of conduct. I argue that I am teaching a traditional martial art that has its roots in the Middle Ages and requires extraordinary amounts of self-knowledge, self-discipline, humility and an indomitable spirit to become proficient and understand the spiritual and philosophical core of the art.

Copyright © 2014 by Drew Dale

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How does karate build self-discipline?

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