Understanding Discipline in a Traditional School

Quote - "Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become." - Jim Rohn

"No pain, No Gain"

We've all heard the "No Pain, No Gain" saying.  How about, "The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle"?   When I think of pain and sacrifice I think of what any true warrior and leader has to endure in order to become a better person, a better version of himself.  When you learn to endure pain you learn a lot about yourself.  You learn about your limitations, you learn about the full extent of your abilities, your desires and you learn how to motivate yourself.  You must learn to endure suffering bravely and use it to gain strength.

Being a martial arts warrior is not an easy task.  We have committed ourselves to follow a code of respect, loyalty and discipline.  For many of us our fathers and our community taught us this.  A code that goes back to the days of chivalry in Asia and Europe. 

MIND / BODY / SPIRIT aka The Three Battles.

We love what we do and we do it with love.  We care about our art, our school, our association, and each other, our family.  We endure for the cause, because we know it is the right direction for us to live our best lives.  When everyone on our team learns to endure pain, they become proud of themselves and the rest of the team members.  This creates a strong self-respect and respect for one another.  This warrior mindset develops a powerful sense of camaraderie (brotherhood).  This develops a strong loyalty for the Master Instructor and each other, plus for the association that keeps all of us on this path.  Think of all the people out there that must show up to a job that they hate and that has no real direction other than profits aka the bottom line, greed, inflated egos and power struggles.  It is a sad fact that most people allow life to just control them instead of learning how-to guide themselves towards life.  By us learning to endure the pain and discomfort that we may get physically or otherwise from what we do, we will become tougher and stronger.  We focus on the good, the love and the faith we have in each other.

"If you are not pushing yourself to your limits everyday in your work and training, then you are not being honest and fair with the team and yourself." - Master Z

Challenges -
It's a good thing to have to deal with challenges, "good pressure", it keeps us alert and tests our character.  

Martial arts in America is changing, has been.  Some good some better.  What has made martial arts effective at creating leaders and warriors is dying in many areas.  Why do I say this?  Schools are softening up in discipline in order to satisfy the customers who do not want to be placed on that kind of pressure.  It's the... allow the customer to always feel right mentality.  It's the... do whatever it takes to make everyone happy.  This is absolutely nuts!  Ant not acceptable in an Iron Mantis Martial Arts school (kwoon / dojo).  The martial arts are all about creating soldiers to win at life.  This can't happen by softening the training or by allowing everyone to act and do as they please.  It's challenging to run an authentic martial arts school because you will have to buck heads with people, so be it! 

Stand for something or fall for anything

A real kwoon is a place of respect and discipline.  In Iron Mantis one earns the rank of a black belt, one earns the title of Coach after being an IM black belt for 3 years and testing for 1st degree, one earns the title Sifu after earning the rank of 4th degree and Master coral belt at 7th degree.  Time, energy, respect, and gratitude is essential for the long game, this is our PATH, our way is in TRAINING!  We play hands, we roll, every class is a test no matter the rank.  We are here for each other inside and outside of the school.  The Iron Mantis Clan is Family, the KORE BJJ Association lead by Professor Luigi Mondelli is family, we take care of one another, sometimes with tough love, but it's still love.

This IM mindset is what must be educated into the students and families.  It all begins in the basic training, more work and less talking, more listening and more learning.  That class needs to be more about how-to be a good student, how to learn and create successful actions.  Our entire atmosphere is one of safety and efficiency, a professional environment.  This is all for better leadership and student development.  But, it all starts from the very first day they enroll.  As soon as you teach them about bowing at the front door and making sure all the kids are calling you Sir or Ma'am, the Mastery journey has begun.

If you allow little things to build, they will infect the rest of the Academy.  Take care of discipline challenges immediately.  There should be no misunderstanding that they are training in an authentic martial arts school, not a gym or a playground.  We are all about instilling respect and discipline.  This has to be understood by the students and the family.  You don't want a parent thinking that they have earned the right to do anything special just because they pay tuition.  You can't buy the right to disrespect the instructors, our ways, our customs, our Academy... no amount of money will buy that.  Everything is earned in an authentic martial arts school and everyone has to earn their way daily.

So, instructors, remember to create the Mastery environment you must be really strict in the discipline and respect.  If you allow one to slide, others will expect it too.  It's not about playing favorites.  It's about always doing the right thing for the students.  If you are soft on them and you allow them to slide, you are doing a disservice to them and to our record of creating great black belts and instructors.  Promise a little and deliver a lot, be humble yet fierce.

Work on your forms, classical weapons, taijiquan and qigong, stay close to nature, read your books, write, paint, play your music what ever it is that brings peace and joy, have fun and enjoy your family. 

Wu De guides us... 

Take time to contemplate, meditate, learn to relax and take in the moments.  

Have a wonderful day,

Sifu Jeff Hughes