Martial arts are often associated only with fighting. However, a true martial art is much more than that. It is an art that involves the whole person: body and mind. The practice of a martial art is a real tool for personal development. Its ultimate goal is the plenitude of the being and serenity.

The martial artist seeks to develop a strength that allows him to face different types of trials experienced as aggressions. What is this strength? Does it come from an abundance of muscles and proven fighting techniques? Many combat sports falsely lead their students to believe that they are practising self-defence against external aggressors. But the ultimate goal of self-defence is to learn to face our own inner struggles and keep our ego at bay. This is where the martial artist will find this strength.

Our experience of practice, as well as numerous meetings with teachers and masters in martial arts have confirmed that the goal of martial arts is to build the individual to become a Warrior.

The warrior differs from the common mortal by the meaning he gives to his life. The warrior is in a permanent quest to connect with the forces of the universe. He seeks to live in harmony with himself and with his environment. What is a stress for everyone is a challenge for the warrior: “How to solve this test with wisdom?” Indeed, The Way of the Warrior asks us to live in harmony with our inner strength and the universal consciousness.

Everyday life looks more and more like a fight, whose attacks are often underhand (frustration, illness, death of a loved one, fear of losing…).

Thanks to the martial art, the individual reprograms himself in a methodical way. This gradually enables him to better cope with the above-mentioned situations. By materialising conflictual contexts of physical aggression, the practitioner experiments with defence techniques, while learning to know himself better.

This result requires the diligence and humility of the practitioner.   Among its many riches, the martial art has the ability to learn to undergo attacks without being overly affected by them. This is particularly precious nowadays, where fear is distilled all day long in the media.   Of course, there are different ways to cope with life’s difficulties. But from experience, the rigorous practice of a martial art is particularly effective. It is all the more interesting for women, who because of their socio-cultural heritage, find themselves or place themselves more in the position of victim. The self-confidence generated by the practice of a martial art allows them to get out of this eternal victim status.

The virtues

The martial artist is initiated into a culture. He practices an art, develops virtues that will be integrated throughout his evolution.   The beginner, from the first second, pursues a path, even if he is not yet aware of it. It is the way of harmony. Thus he cultivates a body aesthetic in each of his movements. In doing so, he develops physical and mental qualities through the more or less delicate situations in which he is placed. For harmony is the key to a healthy and fulfilled life.

In addition, the martial art teaches mutual aid and solidarity. In training, the opponent is above all a partner. And each partner seeks to help his or her partner progress as much as to progress in the above-mentioned virtues. Thus the martial art teaches altruism and respect for the Other.

In everyday life, aggression is rarely physical. As a result, the individual has lost sight of an essential element: vigilance. The practice of a martial art, by physically materialising an aggression, forces the practitioner to cultivate this vigilance. Indeed, the slightest lack of vigilance is paid for harshly. This vigilance develops gradually to become an extra-awareness, which will last outside the dojo.