Is it “Violence?”

Recently while talking with one of member’s parent they mentioned how there was a particular friend of the member they knew needed to come train with us. Unfortunately, they knew this friend’s parent would never consider it because of the opinion that Martial Arts was too violent.

I have run across that opinion so many times in the past. Although anyone who spends a reasonable time around Martial Arts training quickly learns that is so far from the truth it’s laughable. I think the biggest aspect of anything being violent comes with the intent behind that action. In fact, some of the truest respect and admiration I have witness between two individuals comes after they both laid it on the line competing against one another.

More importantly I’ve been researching “motivational speeches.” I have noticed a common thread amongst virtually all of them. In their attempt to convey their message with visual images they use movies and sporting footage. The majority of which are fighters training and fight scenes, footage from famous competitive fighting events.

I often wonder are they not concerned that the violence of the images might turn off their audience. The answer is a resounding “NO!” Instead they are using those images to inspire and motivate. Why, because those images show overcoming one of the most emotional and primitive obstacles we all face. Even though there is a battle in the “ring” against an opponent, that isn’t the ultimate battle… that really is almost the “celebration.” Win, lose or draw that moment in the ring is really the culmination of the all the training. A representation of all the days you overcame obstacles. You overcame the desire to sit, play, eat, sleep. Instead you disciplined yourself to work on yourself; run, lift, train, hit, fall, push. Instead of quitting you pushed for one more set, one more mile, one more round.

You spent time with yourself each and every day disciplining, overcoming fears, reaching new limits. You learned so much about yourself with competitive training. Learning to win graciously and lose respectfully prepare you for any challenge you could face in you daily lives. The event again I tell the fighters who have trained under me is the celebration. Win, lose or draw doesn’t matter. We enjoy the event. If it doesn’t turn out how we like, we make adjustments for the next event. The training however is what is important and what we grow from. That is what matters.

So yes, there is an absolute reason the use of fighting is in these videos. It is by far one of the most inspirational and motivation aspects a single person can do to learn about themselves and disciplining themselves to higher aspirations. It is the rawest form of physical determination- not violence unless that becomes the individual intent. Always remember intent can influence any activity. Violence comes from the individual and their own weaknesses not the activity.

~See You on the Mat!

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