Influence of Martial Arts on Personality

[Tjang]

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Martial Arts:

I have been thinking that martial arts can develop people’s personality. It is said that there are certain VALUES inherently contained within the martial arts.

However, I have also noticed (Perhaps correctly or perhaps wrongly – what do you think?) that many martial artists are (too a certain extent) weird. I mean, some of them are really kind and respectful, and they are really humble too.

On the other hand, some are really “self-confident”. Although generally they also seem respectful, but they always think that they can do no wrong (always right), they can accept no other opinions. They cannot accept defeat. And, if some people dare to criticize them, they do not hesitate to use their fists. I hope I am mistaken, but ... WHAT DO YOU THINK?

[swagman]

Re: Influence of Martial Arts on Personality

Originally posted by Tjang
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Martial Arts:

I have been thinking that martial arts can develop people’s personality. It is said that there are certain VALUES inherently contained within the martial arts.

However, I have also noticed (Perhaps correctly or perhaps wrongly – what do you think?) that many martial artists are (too a certain extent) weird. I mean, some of them are really kind and respectful, and they are really humble too.

On the other hand, some are really “self-confident”. Although generally they also seem respectful, but they always think that they can do no wrong (always right), they can accept no other opinions. They cannot accept defeat. And, if some people dare to criticize them, they do not hesitate to use their fists. I hope I am mistaken, but ... WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Pokes at the question with a very long bargepole.
Nope!
Not touchin this one !

[Tjang]

Re: Influence of Martial Arts on Personality

Thanks, Swagman, for your respond. I really appreciate it.

Do you mean that it can lead us to unfavourable discussion if we continue talking about the issues mentioned? If I get you right, I think we will go to unfavourable debates if we MENTION names of people, martial-art styles, and schools; but if we can keep it anonymous then it will be just okay.

What do you think? Please throw me more light about your views. I think there are some sorts of pitfalls with martial-art psychology, and if one is not cautious there is a possibility that he will develop some kind of “self respect” that will lead to his having a somewhat arrogant mind. I might be wrong. Any idea?

[Kosh]

You need to look at what motivates people to martial arts. Devoting youre life to MA is fine, but at what point does this obsession become unhealthy?

Self defence is good, but if your entire life is self defence...what life are you protecting?

[Seiryuzenshin]

I can agree with you on this. I believe that the martial arts can indeed establish different personality traits, to the extent that the individual lets them develop.

I also think it's safe to assume that depending on your preffered art or style, your personality will somewhat if not deeply reflect that art.

ex., Internal Stylist vs. External Stylist (even though very broad example).

-S

[eXcessiveForce]

I have been teaching for quite awhile and have seen first hand the effects of martial arts on personality.

the positive effects have generally outweighed the negatives.

the positives are
Increased sense of wellbeing
Self Confidence
Self Control
Perserverence
a sence of honor
integrity
humility
Respectful

the negatives are
arrogance
intollerance
confrontational attitude
Inflated opinion of their capabilities.


In traditional arts I have seen more of the positive qualities at lower levels with the negatives showing at the extreme senior levels.

In MMA I have seen the exact opposite. Negative at low levels and at the very top the positives.

those are generalizations but so far they have been fairly correct.

It is also up to the instructors guidance on what type of students he will create. We create our own heaven or hell so to speak.

I have turned out some fantastic martial artists, of both varieties.
I wish I had more of the positives and regret training ever single one of the negatives.


I have rarely seen qualities from both groups represented in the same individual.

Most people who take martial arts seem to come in with a basic lack of self esteem. The cause of this is sometimes real or sometimes imagined. Also there is a quality of seeking mean and purpose.

the best students start of as introverted and completely unconfident. The learn to create success and control their destiny and the perception of others regarding them. they usually end up displaying the positive qualities.

Others come in already displaying the negatives and it usually only gets worse.

[swagman]

I agree

with Excessiveforce, in that theinstructor has a huge influence on what is or is not appropriate behaviour. I have found that arrogance or aggresive behaviour is rarely tolerated in in MA clubs, except when the instructor tolerates or allows it to continue.
Since 1983, when I first started in MA I have seen a wide range of personalities, and the main difference in the development of these personalities has largely been as a result of the skill or lack of skill of the instructor. It is my firm belief that MA should benefit ourselves and others in the development of our personalities, we should end up better humans as a result, however some clubs do not promote this. I will continue to frequent the ones that do

[YHUANGEBEE]

hey great topic

I believe one who practices martial art should DEFINATELY learn the philosophy behind it (which comes with time, if not at the start of training).

Martial arts, for me, have completely affected my life in the most positive of ways.

Martial arts turned me towards developing my own spirituality and awareness.

I now enjoy reading books on and related to toaism and oneness. I can say nothing but good things about the effects martial arts has had on me, but everyone is different.

[Tjang]

I agree with eXcessiveForce that an instructor has a great influence on students’ mental state. An instructor has greater responsibility than only to teach his students how to fight or defense themselves. And the positive influence or M.A. should be greater than the negative ones.

I also agree that many martial arts students start to learn the philosophy behind the arts (as stated by Yhuangebe). Yes, this is very good.

What is the ideal attitude of a martial arts instructor or student, then? I remember what I experienced a long time ago.

Then I was much younger and my curiousity towards different martial arts styles and schools were very great. I often visited different schools in order to see them practice and to have wider knowledge on the arts. I didn't mean to spy on them, while most of the schools were held in public buildings and halls.

One day I visited a school, which taught their students the same style as what I was learning, and therefore I considered them as my own folks (different branch but the same style). I intended to become a guest that day. But you know what happened?

The instructor did not say a single word of welcome, but stared at me fiercely. At that moment all his students also stared at me. I felt very uncomfortable, and I did not know what to do. I pretended not to be aware of what happened and I touched and took in my hands some small wooden weapons (only model weapons – not real ones) availabe there. After some time I just left.

Many years later, when I grew older and had better relationship with different martial artists. I met him again. He explained that I made a mistake by going into his gym without asking for permission in advance, and it was even a bigger mistake that I touched some weapons. Man, I did not know earlier. I wonder why he didn’t tell me so at that time. I was ignorant, but he was an instructor that should have been able to give direction to those who are still learning! Perhaps he did not want to do so because he felt that he was older, that he should have been respected, that he knew and practiced martial-art-school-rules, etc.

That is not a problem, is that? Well, similar thing happened to an acquaintance of mine. The difference is, he could not accept the instructor’s behavior, so he trained tae-kwon-do very hard and after some years he returned to see the instructor again and challenged him. He said more or less something like this, “Okay, at that time I could do nothing, but now I am prepared to fight you. Do you think you are the greatest? Let’s try and prove who is really better.”

You see: wrong attitudes can lead to misunderstanding or even enmity. I think both instructors and students should also learn (1) how to respect others, (2) how to have empathy, (3) how to have compassion [the spirit of building rather than hurting one another], and (4) how to be a good leader (A leader has people who follow him willingly, not because of fear).

Any comments?

[Tom Yum]

You see: wrong attitudes can lead to misunderstanding or even enmity. I think both instructors and students should also learn (1) how to respect others, (2) how to have empathy, (3) how to have compassion [the spirit of building rather than hurting one another], and (4) how to be a good leader (A leader has people who follow him willingly, not because of fear).

Any comments?

Tjang, I think you have a great philosophy about leadership in general.

[Timberwolf]

Interesting Discussion!

My total philosophy is that it is not the martial art that influences personality but more or less the motives behind the martrial arts the style choisen and how one reacts to the martial arts. I have trained in Muay Thai for several years. In my traing I have observed my peers and yself for differences in personality traits and all have had different effects. Some who were most proficient at the art tended to be nmore mellow and passive because they had nothing to prove and were confident so the3y had no need to show off. Those awho were less confident were more apt toi push others around and to try to establish fear in others rather profiociency in their skill. swagman makes a good point about instructors having a big influence on his students traits. A good instructor will weed out those bad habits that soon become personality traits. I also strongly agree with YHUANGEBEE, when he says that knowledge of philosophy is definitely important and can possibly if not taught only come with time. That my friend can shape an attitude.

You guys all seem to have very wel thought out and intelligent points on this issue. This is definitely one of the best threads I have seen yet.

[bbbb]

...

"June Chun;
June Si;
June Gowl Fun;
Hok Yun;
Hok Yi;
Hok Gung Fu."

"We learn to respect our parent's;
We learn to respect our teacher's and the knowledge we are taught;
we learn Honesty; Humbleness; Kindness; Consideration..and finally we learn to be righteous as we practise our art of Ging Mo Kune." (School Motto).



"The happy Buddha smile's upon those who practise their Kung Fu." (?)

[ecamd1025]

Hey hows it going

Well lets talk about knowledge. I experience something like martial arts and then it turns into memory and then knowledge, I use it. Who are you, who am I. A simple question really. Who are you? You are a bunch of knowledge and now it has become something important. You associate yourself to a certain style and others become inferior. You are superior ,you know more, others are stupid. You are knowledge, which are memories of the past, never new but recolections of the old. Your memory, the word memory is defining that which is remember, already signifying the past. Your style is a nation which you see superior to others, a tribe is a nation just as teh same. Things go bad do you stick to what you know even though it may not help?

[Shard]

"June Chun;
June Si;
June Gowl Fun;
Hok Yun;
Hok Yi;
Hok Gung Fu."

"We learn to respect our parent's;
We learn to respect our teacher's and the knowledge we are taught;
we learn Honesty; Humbleness; Kindness; Consideration..and finally we learn to be righteous as we practise our art of Ging Mo Kune." (School Motto).



"The happy Buddha smile's upon those who practise their Kung Fu." (?)

Its good to hear you learn all that. But do you practise that in your everyday life? I'm not picking you out to bash on you or anything. What i'm trying to say is, if you learn but do not implement, then you have learnt nothing. But if you have used what you learnt, then you are on the way to great things.