How does Karate build Self-Discipline?

When talking about Karate to the uninitiated, I always highlight the importance of Respect and Self-Discipline.  More often than not, particularly when I am talking to parents of young children and teenagers, I am asked the question; “How do you teach respect and self-discipline?  We’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work.”  I have found that when you truly engage the student and provide them with the opportunity to find their boundaries, both physical and mental, and make mistakes without retribution, you have created a level of credibility with them that will allow you to push them and extend their self-imposed limits.

Before we get to that stage, we have to attract the students to the dojo and this requires a whole range of commercial activities involving branding, marketing, sales etc.  Notwithstanding those commercial realities, attracting the students and enticing them to stay in the first place demands a level of credibility that underpins and supports every word and action to which the school is connected.

To establish credibility, it is critical to establish and maintain standards of behaviour which truly represent the image we wish to present to the world at large.  To build and strengthen Karate, there must be a continual process of induction of new students, a process of renewal.  Unless we are seen to be competent, ethical and trustworthy, it will become increasingly more difficult to attract those new students.

A Code of Conduct is a means by which we can establish standards of behaviour, develop respect for authority, self-discipline and avoid placing ourselves in conflict with others.

Because of the serious damage to personal and School reputations that can be caused by breaches of the Code of Conduct, any such breaches will be dealt with swiftly and in keeping with the severity of the offence.  In the most extreme cases, the stripping of rank and expulsion from the School would not be considered too harsh a penalty, notwithstanding any legal action that might be subsequently initiated.  In the less serious cases, the appropriate School Authorities will exercise their discretionary powers in determining the type of punishment to be meted out.

In my style, Tetsute Do Karate, I have imposed a Code of Conduct, clearly defined Tenets, or principles, by which we endeavour to conduct our lives and, standards for Dojo Etiquette, or the way we conduct ourselves whilst in class.  It is the acceptance of and adherence to these three key elements that helps build confident, self-disciplined and compassionate citizens of our students.

Tetsute Do Karate Code of Conduct

1. A Karateka shall not publicly denigrate, or otherwise display disrespect toward, any Martial Arts style, School, Instructor or Student.
2. A Karateka shall not deliberately provoke a physical confrontation with any person, be they Karateka or not. 
3. A Karateka shall make every effort to assist beginner students and students of lower rank, in the development of their Tetsute Do skills.
4. During general training and sparring sessions, there shall be no attempt to use de1iberate1y excessive contact, nor any deliberate attempt to cause injury to others.
5. All sparring activities will be undertaken only when agreement has been reached by all parties on the level of contact permitted, the purpose of the sparring activity, including duration, and the “safe” word or action, e.g. slapping the thigh, that indicates capitulation and the end of the bout.
6. A Karateka shall not participate in any event or perform any act which would bring the Martia1 Arts into disrepute.
7. Students and Instructors of Tetsute Do Karate may only participate in sanctioned tournaments and events.
8. All Instructors of Tetsute Do Karate will obtain, and keep current, a valid Working with Children Blue Card, Public Liability Insurance and First Aid and CPR certification.

Tenets of Tetsute Do Karate

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

1. Self-knowledge.  Developing an understanding of one’s own character and identify one’s 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.  Understanding that none of us are perfect.
4. Indomitable Spirit.  The desire, motivation and purpose to continue against overwhelming odds.

Mastery of these Tenets may never be achieved by the average person.  The act of committing to attempting to master them and striving, on a daily basis, to fulfil that commitment is what is expected of every Tetsute Do Karate Student and Teacher.

Dojo Etiquette

For a Dojo to operate efficiently and to maintain discipline, it is necessary to establish a set of rules governing behaviour within the Dojo.  Without these rules, a training session would deteriorate into a noisy shambles.  This type of situation is obviously not conducive to quality instruction or effective learning.

Dojo etiquette is based upon, 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 on entering and leaving the Dojo, as a mark of respect for the traditions of the Dojo and the "Spirit'' of Karate;
2. Be dressed and ready for the training session before the specified starting time;
3. If you have arrived early, it is much better to practice techniques, kata or yaksu quietly, than to stand around talking;
4. If you should arrive late, enter the Dojo quietly, sit in Seiza at the back of the class and wait until you are given permission to join the class;
5. During the lesson, remain attentive to what is being taught and refrain from talking unless asked a question or you wish to ask a question or there is a break during training;
6. If you are injured during training, bring the matter immediately to the attention of the Instructor, so that treatment can be initiated, to reduce the extent of the injury; and,
7. Treat your Instructors and fellow Karateka with respect you would expect for yourself and carry this attitude with you outside of the Dojo.

If Dojo etiquette is allowed to lapse, the quality of the training sessions will deteriorate to the extent that the students will not progress through the ranking structure as quickly as might normally be possible.  Failure to comply with Dojo Etiquette will result in a warning to the offender.  Subsequent and/or repeated warnings will result in disciplinary action being taken, up to and including expulsion from the class.

In comparison with contemporary behavioural standards, these Rules and Guidelines could be considered Draconian and unreasonable.  I argue that I am teaching a traditional martial art that has its roots in medieval times and requires extraordinary amounts of self-knowledge, self-discipline, humility and an indomitable spirit in order to become proficient and to understand the spiritual and philosophical core of the art.

Copyright © 2014 by Drew Dale

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