Confidence Building in Martial Arts

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Gentry]Jonathan Gentry
Martial arts is so much more that just physical exercise and self defense, in fact, the aspects of confidence building in martial arts has been one of the greatest joys I have found in my own life.
Some people I talk to about martial arts have such a negative connotation to it because they associate it with fighting. My Sensei has taught me that one aim of Karate is to teach us that we never have to fight at all. It takes more courage and wisdom to back out of a fight when being confronted in a verbally abusive manner. It takes wisdom and understanding to see that everything other people do is based upon their own emotional responses and not because of you. Martial arts has instilled the courage and assurance in myself to be able to NOT REACT PHYSICALLY to my emotions and to be able to see things more clearly - as they are and not as I wish they would be.
Training in Karate builds the character and spirit of confidence. The spirit of championship over oneself (the most difficult foe to conquer) and the character to confront conflict with maturity and wisdom.
CONFIDENCE
When I began martial arts training I was very unsure of myself. Looking back I see now that I had never TRULY followed through with many things I had intended to do my whole life. I had intended to write that song, to go out and look for that higher paying job, to tell the people I cherish how much they mean to me, but I just got caught up. I didn't have the confidence in myself to truly shape things the way I desired them to be for myself and my loved ones.
Training in Karate is an ongoing process and teaches the important lesson that small measurable improvements every day add up to BIG results. You can't learn a perfect round kick overnight just like you can't build a house overnight, but with practice, diligence, and daily training we remain on the path to perfection and learn that perfection is a direction with no end.
My training has helped me over the years discover that I can learn new things every day, that I can conquer obstacles in my way, and that I can defend those I cherish from physical danger. And these valuable lessons I am always applying to my life and other endeavors.
My mind is becoming more sure and confident with every training session because I always look for the LESSON SIGNALS I can learn from these valuable insights. When I was a beginner and I would notice that a technique is lacking or that I am doing a kata incorrectly I would look at it as failure, and I would really beat myself up about it... but I would keep trying. Consistent martial arts training has instilled inside of me that what I used to view as failure I can now see as Lesson Signals which simply means I take action, adjust my approach, and accept the lesson to be learned. I have found over the years that as long as I do my best I can never truly fail and I have been able to incorporate this philosophy into every aspect of my own life.
I continue to benefit from my training and learn new things about confidence building in martial arts on a regular basis. [http://www.facebook.com/JonathanMGentry]Jon Gentry lives in Texas with his loving family where he practices and teaches martial arts. He has worked as a fitness trainer and a fitness consultant and uses martial arts as a tool for self discovery and personal development.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Confidence-Building-in-Martial-Arts&id=6609616] Confidence Building in Martial Arts