Freestyle Martial Arts

Wooden RULER

One of the lessons I learn when practicing martial arts is always to face the weaknesses.

When we are hit during the fighting, when we undergo limited endurance, poor technique or unreasonable handling situations, we should understand that we need to train more seriously to overcome ourselves.

Perhaps people normally encounter barriers in everything happening in their lives, not to mention those with special talents. However, it's crucial to turn failures into challenges and then, to stay stronger. If the youth recognizes that these stumbles are normal during his/her life, he/she’ll have more chances to succeed later.

Easier said than done, it is because critical remarks may hurt and discourage us to continue. A strong and mindful person should keep moving forward instead of giving up.

I have drawn this lesson from many things taking place in my life but still need to keep learning more, and so do my students.

Some parents do not normally encourage their kids to counter-attack when they're bullied by ways of beating or similarities. Nevertheless, after condescending and even running away to avoid any conflict but still being attacked without the sufficient help of adults, how should our children defend themselves? Do you think it is good to just let the child holding his head to resist the punches or kicks?

In my own view, the best way to defend yourself when being attack is to counter-attack. You can hold your head but the rest of your body is not protected even you can parry a few blows.

I always teach my child: "The body is yours. No one has the right to offend and you must protect it at all costs." Although, you should absolutely not bully the weaker, you have to resist as strongly as possible when being attacked by the others.

Both teachers and parents can't always be there to support their children at the right time. Children should know how to protect themselves.

The psychology of the bully is wanting to feel strong and having the power to make others being afraid and lastly, to surrender. However, when they are fought back, these intension will be broken and finally, they will change their behavior.

I know that you feel tired and also understand that the more you learn with me, the stricter and tougher I become. However, being a martial arts teacher, it is a duty and a must.

The better you are at technique, the more disciplined you should be and the more you have to master ethics of a martial arts practitioner.

A martial arts trainer, who only smiles and jokes with students, as well as receives tuition fees each month, is an undeserved teacher. A genuine martial arts trainer is the one who should always know how to drive his students moving forward and making progress.

Our life will become tedious when we live without any short or long/ term goal setting. But having a goal to strive for and achievement to look forward to together with seeing our progress day by day, this makes our life much more joyful and meaningful.

Therefore, you should determine that you have to make progress when training with me. This dojo is not the place for the weak, lazy and sloppy.

A student asked to his master: “ You teach me fighting but you talk about peace. How do you reconcile the two?”

The master replied: “ It’s better to be a warrior in a garden than to be a gardener in a war.”

- Jaffer Wilson -

As a martial artist, I have always valued the strength of the spirit.

I always think of ways to gradually train my students for having a strong will, withstanding the fatigue and overcoming the pain during the learning sessions so that my students can make their bodies flexibly and be able to perform the movement that they desire.

Being mentally strong is simply to overcome yourself-indulgence. At the start of the workout, your mind normally feels hesitation, however if you can beat this feeling and do beyond to complete the volume of exercise, it is the way to help you to grow your mentally stronger. We all know that hesitation is a human instinct as people prefer drinking, listening to the music, surfing the internet, and etc… rather than acting in the pain.

Although most students don’t have any aspirations to become professional boxers and coaches, I would like them to practice hard. It is because when they can do that, their spirit will strengthen. And if they possess a determined will, their body should also become strong.

Martial arts is the continuing process of practicing and this will eventually form a habit. It creates your careful attention in doing anything and also letting your whole body to immerse yourself in it. The success will easily come as a result.

Mental and physical strength is not a miracle that you can pray to achieve. It needs your effort and your self-discipline.

(Illustration picture is collected online)