In 1956, the White House Conference on Education convened in Washington, DC to assemble a list of goals for education of America’s school children.
The following are those goals which apply to martial arts education:
Education & Martial Arts
(U.S. Committee for the White House Conference on Education, 1956)
As the martial arts continue to increase their value as a legitimate form of education and we have implemented these and other values into our teaching methodology at WarriorPath Institute.
1. Respect and appreciation for human values.
Martial arts teaches respect for human values through a system of etiquette and seniority among students and instructors. Students are taught to respect their instructor and the senior students from the first day of class. They learn to bow to their seniors and to respect the spirit of the training hall by bowing when entering and leaving. In addition to respect in the class, they are taught to respect life and never use their skills to harm others without cause.
2. Effective work habits.
Discipline, like respect, is one of the building blocks of martial arts education. Without discipline, a student cannot master the difficult and demanding skills of the arts. To succeed in the class, the students must work hard and discipline him/herself constantly. The instructor instills discipline in the student by teaching him or her to set goals and work towards them until the plan is achieved.
3. Social competency.
Martial arts students are members of an organized society that teaches social responsibility and interaction. In many schools, students have responsibilities such as keeping the school clean and caring for equipment. They learn to contribute to their school by making a pleasant and safe atmosphere in which to learn.
4. Ethical behavior based on moral and spiritual values.
Teaching combat arts to students who do not understand the importance of ethical behavior is very dangerous. Students must understand the correct uses for the knowledge, including what constitutes a self-defense situation in which harming another person is justifiable. At the Institute, every student must demonstrate a clear understanding of the Use Of Force Continuum and when he or she is justified in using his or her knowledge and what amount of force is necessary based on the level of aggression the attacker demonstrates.
5. Eagerness for lifelong learning.
Martial arts education is well suited for students of every age and ability. Each age group is taught according to their needs and continually challenged which encourages students to study the arts throughout their life because they continue to find new goals and achievements at every level.
6. Aesthetic appreciation and self-expression in the arts.
In teaching martial arts it is not to be forgotten that it is an art. We instill in students both the practical aspects of the art as well as the aesthetic aspects. Art is highly valued in every society from the most primitive tribesmen to the great Renaissance masters. Every person should cultivate his or her artistic perspective to develop a well-rounded personality.
7. Physical and mental health.
Physical and mental health is the most obvious and greatest benefit of martial arts practice. Students feel healthier from their first class. They learn how to exercise and tone their body, how to eat nutritiously, how to move naturally, how to improve coordination, flexibility and much more. As their physical health and skills improve, students begin to feel better about themselves. Their increased self-esteem and confidence gained in their physical being reduces stress and helps students feel at ease with themselves.
8. Wise use of time including constructive leisure pursuits.
Martial arts education is an excellent leisure pursuit and is becoming recognized throughout the world as such. It encourages a healthy lifestyle and a sound mind. It also teaches students how to manage their time by introducing the concept of setting and achieving goals regularly. Most martial arts can be practiced by all ages and are a good activity for families to participate in together.
9. Understanding the physical world and man’s relationship to it.
Martial arts training is based on natural movements. It has been derived from in depth study of the human body and the principles of nature. Students are taught about his/her relationship to the world around them through explanations of natural phenomena and how they relate to training.
10. An awareness of our relationship to the world community.
Martial arts are practiced throughout the world. By encouraging students to meet and exchange ideas with each other on a global scale, such as international seminars and competition, we are encouraging the development of a truly global community.
Beyond the goals of mainstream education, the martial arts have goals that are unique. They include perfection of skills, empowerment and self-fulfillment through self-improvement and betterment of the art. So, we can summarize the goals of the martial arts as follows:
Physical Goals:
1. Perfection of skills
2. Physical and mental health
3. Betterment of the art
4. Understanding the physical world and man’s relationship to it
Intellectual Goals:
1. Effective work habits and self-discipline
2. Social competency
3. Eagerness for lifelong learning
4. Wise use of time
5. An awareness of our relationship to the world community
Value Oriented Goals:
1. Respect and appreciation for human values
2. Ethical behavior
3. Aesthetic appreciation and self expression through the art
4. Self-fulfillment through self-improvement
With specific proven goals like these, we feel confident in presenting our programs to parents, schools, outreach programs and potential students.
Adapted from a text written by Sang H. Kim, PH.D.
1. Respect and appreciation for human values and the beliefs of others
2. Effective work habits and self-discipline.
3. Social competency as a contributing member of family and community.
4. Ethical behavior based on a sense of moral and spiritual values.
5. Intellectual curiosity and eagerness for lifelong learning.
6. Aesthetic appreciation and self-expression in the arts.
7. Mental and physical health.
8. Wise use of time, including constructive leisure pursuits.
9. Understanding for the physical world and man’s relationship to it.
10. An awareness of our relationship to the word community.