There is much more to it than being a deadly weapon:

Based on my experiences; training in the martial arts is the most significant thing a person can do on their own behalf as far as their health and well-being is concerned.

The most important consideration should be when choosing the right school, make sure it is with a proper/knowledgeable teacher; not a “belt seller.” There are more belt sellers in the industry than there are legitimate, qualified teachers. Belt sellers do their students more harm than good.

People have asked me through the years which is the best martial art to study? My answer always is “look for the right teacher, all of the styles are good within their own systems!”

How is a person to know who the right teacher is? Ask for references and sit in on a few classes and observe. If the instructor does not want visitors, that should be a big indicator that they are not the one you are looking for. A good teacher instructs, he or she should not  beat on their students to show how tough they are.

On the other side of the coin, at some point and time in your training, expect to get some bumps and bruises. It is more important to learn to take a punch than to give one.

Instructing the martial arts in a haphazard manor is doing more harm to a student than if they knew nothing at all. Being promoted through the ranks is a very sacred thing and should not be taken lightly. It requires a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment.

People that are promoted when they haven’t successfully reached the necessary plateaus develop a false sense of security assuming that they are capable of implementing dangerous life saving techniques but they are not knowledgeable enough to execute them in a real time situation. I have seen numerous blacks belts that could not defend them-self if they had to.

If a person can deal with the hardships of training in the martial arts that is what prepares them to deal with the hardships of life. It is not supposed to be easy.

The primary concept of the martial arts should be, if taught correctly  to develop one’s self into living a particular life style or a way of life.

A successful martial artist is one that lives by the rules and guidelines of a clean, healthy and respectful life. Discipline, self-control, respect of yourself and others, confidence in one’s self, being a good role model, becoming a leader not a follower, understanding of your fellow man, compassion for the less fortunate, generous and conditioning of one’s body  are some of the benefits to proper training.

Realistically; if taught properly, training in the martial arts has less to do with the “martial” (war like) aspect of it; it solidifies within a person how they control of their life. I have always compared being proficient in the martial arts is like having an insurance policy; it is something we rarely use but have it just in case we need it.

One of the most important elements in martial arts training is to be prepared at all times for any situation that may arise; not only in self-defense but in our everyday lives; being able to react to any situation at any given time.

There is a man by the name of Nick Paget that just completed climbing to the summit of Mt. Rainier 14,409 feet.

I am sure that there have been many people who can lay claim that they have completed the same challenge but I doubt if there are any or many that can substantiate the fact that they made the climb with virtually any advanced training at all. Nick had 2 days to prepare for the climb when one of the scheduled climbers dropped out. out. Normally it requires weeks of  preparation.

Nick has credited his martial arts training for him being able to perform so well on the climb with little to no advanced notice.

The moral of this blog is; the conditioning it took to climb Mt. Rainer has nothing at all to do with martial arts or a being a black belt but because Nick trained as long and as hard as he did through the years and dedicated himself to the martial arts he was able to perform that task easily. He was ready for anything at any time and was able to answer “the bell of life” when it rang.

Nick trained for 7 years before receiving his 1st Degree Black Belt last October.

My advice to anyone that wants to get their life in order by, kicking a bad habit or addiction, losing weight, getting your mind right, attainment tip top physical conditioning, learn how to respect yourself and other, being ready for any situation that may arise and in the process learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones if necessary;  make it a priority to find yourself a GOOD, KNOWLEDGEABLE, DEDICATED martial arts instructor and they will help you pave the way for the rest of your life. Buy that insurance policy just in case you may need it.

Smokey the bear used to say “the life you save maybe your own”

Good job Nick; you are a credit to yourself, your family and the arts.

NOTE: Tell all of your contacts about the Goomba Gazette – have it sent directly to your email address – sign up on the upper right hand corner of the home page