Martial Arts culture and structure is the environmental set up for self-awareness. Structure reduces stress and opens trust communication between instructors and students thus becoming more vulnerable and increases the capacity to think and learn. Active participation in a safe environment allows students to understand that clear instruction, expectations, and assessment creates an intrinsic purpose for learning in class. Students therefore take control of self and apply the necessary effort to achieve set goals.
Children who practice martial arts face micro challenges every class in order to achieve goals followed up by recognition from instructors and positive parent support to encourage further exploration of new goals. Children believe in themselves which builds self-esteem and sets up a solid base to confront events and measure the level of confidence needed to perform and complete tasks.
What happens when children with low self-esteem step into this environment? Instructors pinpoint the roots of negativity and guide children to begin a new path with their parents to set new positive micro moments improving mindset and behavior. Over time, consistent successes rewire to positive internal and external outcomes. Every micro accomplishment must be recognized by instructors and celebrated by parents for children to be appreciated. The expression “I will try” stems from curiosity. The declaration “Yes I can” is taught through action which becomes internalized through repetition. When positive self-esteem is practiced every day, failure is not a definition of self. Instead, it’s learning and growing in order to achieve goals and continue a path of success throughout life.