Category: Blog

Why Martial Arts Is More Than an Activity

It’s a Journey That Can Change Your Life

When people first enquire about martial arts, they often ask practical questions.

“What age can my child start?”

“Do I need to be fit?”

“Will I be the oldest beginner?”

“What style do you teach?”

They’re all good questions.

But after 24 years training in martial arts and teaching since 2005, I’ve found that the biggest benefits of martial arts aren’t the ones people expect when they first walk through the door.

Most people join to learn a skill or improve their fitness.

Many stay because martial arts changes far more than they imagined.

The First Step Is Often the Hardest

Whether you’re a parent bringing your child to their first class, a teenager looking for something new, or an adult thinking, “Am I too old to start?” the first lesson is often the same.

Courage.

Walking through the door for the first time takes bravery.

Almost every student feels nervous.

That feeling is completely normal.

The important thing is not how confident you feel before you begin.

It’s what you become by continuing to train.

Confidence Is Built, Not Given

Confidence isn’t something we hand out.

It develops through achievement.

A child who was once too shy to answer questions begins helping newer students.

A teenager who lacked self-belief starts standing taller.

An adult who doubted themselves discovers they are capable of far more than they thought.

Every new skill learned.

Every grading passed.

Every challenge overcome.

Every class attended.

These small successes build genuine confidence that often carries into school, work, family life, and everyday situations.

Friendships That Last Beyond the Training Hall

One of the greatest strengths of martial arts is the community it creates.

Students encourage each other.

Parents meet other parents.

Teenagers train alongside positive role models.

Adults enjoy spending time with people who share similar goals.

Many friendships formed through martial arts continue for years.

For some students, the club becomes a place where they feel accepted, supported, and valued.

That sense of belonging is something many people are looking for today.

Building Resilience for Life

Life isn’t always easy.

Children face challenges at school.

Teenagers deal with exams, friendships, and growing independence.

Adults balance work, family, finances, and everyday pressures.

Martial arts teaches an important lesson:

You don’t have to succeed immediately.

You simply have to keep trying.

Students learn that setbacks are part of learning.

They discover that perseverance often matters more than talent.

Those lessons don’t stay in the dojo or training hall.

They help people deal with life’s challenges long after class has finished.

Discipline That Creates Better Habits

Discipline is often misunderstood.

It isn’t about punishment.

It’s about consistency.

Turning up.

Trying your best.

Learning from mistakes.

Keeping promises to yourself.

These habits can help students become more organised, more focused, and more determined in many areas of life.

Getting Active Again

Many children spend increasing amounts of time on phones, tablets, gaming consoles, and social media.

Many adults spend long hours sitting at desks or in cars.

Martial arts offers a positive way to become active again.

Students improve:

  • fitness
  • balance
  • coordination
  • flexibility
  • strength
  • mobility

But because they are learning new skills, many don’t think of it as exercise.

They simply enjoy training.

Supporting Neurodiverse Students

Every student learns differently.

Some students enjoy structure and routine.

Others learn best through repetition.

Some need extra time to build confidence.

Others thrive when given clear goals.

At SWKA, we recognise that every individual is different.

Our aim is to create a welcoming and supportive environment where students can progress at their own pace.

Many parents tell us that having clear expectations, achievable goals, and a consistent routine helps their child enjoy training and develop confidence over time.

Every student’s journey is unique, and we work hard to help each individual achieve their own potential.

Personal Growth That Continues for Years

One of the biggest misconceptions about martial arts is that earning a black belt is the finish line.

We see it differently.

Every month of training brings new opportunities to learn.

Every year brings new challenges.

Students continue developing:

  • confidence
  • respect
  • discipline
  • resilience
  • leadership
  • self-control
  • communication
  • responsibility
  • self-belief

These are qualities that help people throughout their lives.

The techniques may become more advanced, but the personal development never stops.

The Transformation We See

The biggest reward as an instructor isn’t watching someone earn a new belt.

It’s seeing the changes that happen over months and years.

The child who once hid behind a parent now volunteers to demonstrate techniques.

The teenager who lacked confidence now helps mentor younger students.

The adult who doubted they could do martial arts now looks forward to every class.

These transformations don’t happen overnight.

They happen because students keep turning up, keep learning, and keep growing.

Your Journey Starts with One Class

Whether you’re looking for an activity for your child, you’re a teenager wanting a new challenge, or you’re an adult who has always wanted to try martial arts, everyone starts in exactly the same place.

As a beginner.

At SWKA, we welcome complete beginners and support every student to progress at their own pace.

We offer:

  • Mixed Age Kickboxing Classes in Tavistock (Ages 7+)
  • Children’s Spirit Combat (Aiki-Jitsu) Classes in Bere Alston
  • Adult Spirit Combat (Aiki-Jitsu) Classes in Bere Alston

Our aim isn’t simply to teach martial arts.

Our aim is to help people become more confident, resilient, respectful, healthier, and happier versions of themselves.

If you’ve been thinking about starting martial arts, or you’re looking for an activity that could benefit your child, we’d love to welcome you to one of our classes.

The first class could be the start of a journey that changes far more than you ever expected.

Why Martial Arts Is About So Much More Than Learning to Fight

“Do you teach people how to fight?”

The honest answer is…

Not really.

Yes, our students learn practical self-defence skills, but that’s only a small part of what we do.

The real purpose of martial arts is helping people become stronger, more confident, more respectful and more resilient in everyday life.

After more than 30 years of martial arts training and over 20 years of teaching, I’ve seen first-hand how martial arts can transform both children and adults—not overnight, but through consistent training over months and years.

Martial Arts Builds Confidence

Confidence doesn’t come from being told you’re amazing.

It comes from overcoming challenges.

Every new technique learned, every grading passed and every small achievement helps students realise they are capable of more than they first believed.

That confidence often carries into school, work, presentations, interviews and everyday life.

It Helps Children Develop Important Life Skills

Many parents tell me they aren’t looking for another hobby.

They’re looking for something that helps their child:

  • Build confidence
  • Improve concentration
  • Develop self-discipline
  • Learn respect
  • Make new friends
  • Spend less time on screens
  • Become more active
  • Learn how to stay calm under pressure

These are all skills that can benefit children throughout their lives.

Adults Benefit Just As Much

Martial arts isn’t just for children.

Many adults join because they want to:

  • Improve fitness without feeling judged
  • Reduce stress after work
  • Learn practical self-defence
  • Meet new people
  • Challenge themselves mentally and physically
  • Improve mobility, coordination and balance
  • Build confidence in everyday situations

Our classes are welcoming, supportive and suitable for complete beginners as well as those returning after years away from training.

Martial Arts Is a Journey, Not a Quick Fix

One of the things that makes SWKA different is that we don’t promise instant results.

Real confidence.

Real resilience.

Real skill.

These are built over time.

Our students follow a structured pathway that focuses on personal development as well as martial arts techniques. Every step forwards represents progress, not just towards the next belt, but towards becoming a stronger, more confident version of themselves.

A Friendly Environment Where Everyone Can Learn

Walking into a martial arts class for the first time can feel daunting.

That’s why we’ve worked hard to create an environment where people feel welcomed, supported and encouraged.

Whether you’re a child taking your first lesson or an adult starting something completely new, you’ll be taught at your own pace in a positive atmosphere where everyone wants each other to succeed.

Local Martial Arts Classes in Tavistock and Bere Alston

South West Kickboxing Academy & Martial Arts proudly offers:

Kickboxing (Ages 7+)
📍 Tavistock College
📅 Wednesday evenings

Spirit Combat (Ages 5–13)
📍 Bere Alston Parish Hall
📅 Thursday evenings

Spirit Combat (Ages 14+)
📍 Bere Alston Parish Hall
📅 Thursday evenings

Whether you’re looking for children’s martial arts, adult martial arts, kickboxing, practical self-defence or a long-term activity that helps develop confidence and life skills, we’d love to welcome you.

More Than Martial Arts

At SWKA, we’re not simply teaching punches, kicks or throws.

We’re helping people develop confidence, resilience, discipline, respect and friendships that can last a lifetime.

If you’re looking for a martial arts club in Tavistock, Bere Alston or the surrounding West Devon area where personal development is just as important as technical ability, why not come and experience a class for yourself?

The first step is often the hardest—but it could also be the one that changes your or your child’s future.

The SWKA 9-Step Martial Arts Journey:

More Than Just Earning a Black Belt

When most people think about martial arts, they often picture coloured belts, grading exams, and eventually earning a black belt.

While those milestones are important, I believe they only tell part of the story.

After 24 years training in martial arts and teaching since 2005, I’ve learned something important:

The greatest benefits of martial arts are rarely the punches, kicks, throws, or techniques.

The biggest changes happen within the person.

Confidence grows.

Resilience develops.

Friendships form.

Challenges are overcome.

People discover strengths they never knew they had.

That is why at SWKA we see martial arts as a journey of personal development rather than simply a series of belt promotions.

We use a 9-stage pathway to help students understand that martial arts is about becoming the best version of yourself, both on and off the mats.

Stage 1: Starting the Journey

Every student begins in the same place.

A beginner.

Some arrive feeling excited.

Others feel nervous.

Many children worry about fitting in.

Many adults wonder if they are too old or not fit enough.

The first lesson at this stage is courage.

Simply walking through the door takes bravery.

Every black belt started exactly the same way.

Stage 2: Building Confidence

As students begin learning new skills, confidence starts to develop.

Not because someone tells them they are amazing.

But because they achieve things they once thought were difficult.

Confidence built through achievement tends to last far longer than confidence built through praise alone.

Students begin standing taller, speaking more confidently, and believing in themselves both inside and outside the training hall.

Stage 3: Learning Respect

Respect is one of the foundations of martial arts.

Students learn respect for:

  • themselves
  • training partners
  • instructors
  • parents
  • family members
  • others around them

True respect helps create better relationships both inside and outside the training hall.

Stage 4: Developing Discipline

Progress in martial arts requires consistency.

Students learn that improvement comes through effort, practice, and commitment.

There are no shortcuts.

These lessons often transfer into school, work, and personal goals.

Discipline helps students achieve more in all areas of life.

Stage 5: Building Resilience

Not every technique works perfectly first time.

Not every grading feels easy.

Not every challenge is comfortable.

Martial arts teaches students that setbacks are opportunities to learn and grow.

Resilience becomes one of the most valuable life skills they can develop.

Students learn to keep going when things are difficult rather than giving up.

Stage 6: Becoming Part of a Community

One of the most powerful aspects of martial arts is belonging.

Students develop friendships.

They encourage each other.

They celebrate success together.

They learn they are part of something bigger than themselves.

For many students, this sense of community becomes one of the reasons they continue training for years.

Stage 7: Taking Responsibility

As students progress, they begin taking greater responsibility for their own development.

They learn:

  • accountability
  • leadership
  • self-motivation
  • positive decision making

These qualities become increasingly important as children grow into teenagers and adults.

Students learn that their choices matter and that they are responsible for their own progress.

Stage 8: Helping Others

A true martial artist does not simply focus on themselves.

As students gain experience, they begin supporting newer students.

They encourage others.

They help those who are struggling.

They lead by example.

They become positive role models within the club and wider community.

This stage often marks a significant shift in personal growth.

Stage 9: BLACK BELT

Many people see a black belt as the finish line.

We see it differently.

At SWKA, BLACK BELT represents the qualities that students have been developing throughout their journey.

B – Belief

Believing in yourself and your ability to overcome challenges.

L – Leadership

Leading through actions, attitude, and example.

A – Accountability

Taking responsibility for your choices and development.

C – Commitment

Continuing to improve even when things become difficult.

K – Knowledge

Understanding that learning never truly stops.

B – Balance

Balancing martial arts, family, education, work, and life.

E – Excellence

Always striving to be the best version of yourself.

L – Learning

Remaining open to new ideas and continued growth.

T – Tenacity

Continuing forward despite obstacles and setbacks.

A black belt is not someone who has finished learning.

A black belt is someone who understands that learning never ends.

The Real Goal of Martial Arts

The purpose of martial arts is not simply to create skilled martial artists.

The purpose is to help develop confident, respectful, resilient people who can face life’s challenges with courage and determination.

Whether a student trains for one year or ten years, our goal remains the same:

To help them become stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Because the lessons learned through martial arts often stay with people long after they leave the training hall.

Begin Your Own Journey

At SWKA, we welcome complete beginners of all ages and abilities.

Whether you are a parent looking for an activity that helps your child build confidence, resilience, respect, and self-belief, or an adult looking to improve fitness, wellbeing, and learn practical martial arts skills, we would love to help.

We offer:

  • Mixed Age Kickboxing Classes in Tavistock (Ages 7+)
  • Children’s Spirit Combat (Aiki-Jitsu) Classes in Bere Alston
  • Adult Spirit Combat (Aiki-Jitsu) Classes in Bere Alston

Every journey starts with a single step.

The students who achieve the most are rarely the most talented when they begin. They are simply the ones who take that first step and keep moving forward.

If you’re ready to begin your martial arts journey, we’d love to welcome you to SWKA.

Get in touch today to arrange your first class and discover what martial arts can help you or your child become.

Why We Teach More Than Martial Arts

The Life Skills Our Students Learn Every Month

When parents first enquire about martial arts classes, they often expect us to talk about punches, kicks, self-defence, or fitness.

While those things are certainly part of training, they are not the most important lessons many students learn.

At SWKA, we believe martial arts should help develop the whole person, not just physical skills.

That is why throughout the year we regularly focus on important life skills and personal development themes that benefit both children and adults.

Over my years of teaching martial arts, I have found that the students who achieve the most in life are rarely the most naturally talented.

Instead, they are often the students who develop qualities such as resilience, respect, discipline, confidence, gratitude, and self-belief.

These qualities help people not only in martial arts but also at school, work, home, and throughout life.

Why Life Skills Matter More Than Ever

Modern life presents many challenges.

Children face:

  • social pressures
  • online influences
  • friendship difficulties
  • academic expectations
  • increasing screen time

Adults face:

  • workplace stress
  • family responsibilities
  • financial pressures
  • mental fatigue
  • reduced opportunities for personal growth

Technical martial arts skills are valuable, but life skills are what help people navigate everyday challenges.

That is why we dedicate time to discussing and reinforcing positive values throughout the year.

Respect: The Foundation Of Martial Arts

Respect is often one of the first lessons students learn.

Respect for:

  • themselves
  • training partners
  • instructors
  • parents
  • other people

Respect does not mean fear.

True respect means understanding that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and consideration.

Students who learn respect often develop stronger relationships both inside and outside the training hall.

Confidence: Believing In Yourself

Many students join martial arts lacking confidence.

Some are shy.

Some are nervous.

Some doubt their abilities.

Confidence is not built by telling someone they are amazing.

Confidence is built through achievement.

By learning new skills, overcoming challenges, and achieving goals, students gradually develop belief in themselves.

That confidence often carries over into school, work, friendships, and everyday life.

Resilience: Learning To Keep Going

Life does not always go to plan.

Students will sometimes struggle with techniques.

They may find certain skills difficult.

They may make mistakes.

Martial arts teaches that setbacks are not failures.

They are opportunities to learn.

Resilience helps children and adults understand that progress often comes from perseverance rather than perfection.

Trust: Building Strong Relationships

Trust is essential in martial arts.

Students trust instructors to guide them safely.

Training partners learn to trust one another during exercises and drills.

Children learn that positive relationships are built through honesty, consistency, and respect.

Adults often rediscover the importance of trust through working closely with others towards shared goals.

Gratitude: Appreciating What We Have

In today’s fast-moving world, it can be easy to focus on what we do not have.

Gratitude encourages students to appreciate:

  • opportunities
  • family support
  • friendships
  • achievements
  • personal progress

Developing gratitude can have a powerful impact on wellbeing and perspective.

It helps students focus on growth rather than comparison.

Discipline: Doing What Needs To Be Done

Discipline is often misunderstood.

Many people think discipline means punishment.

In reality, discipline is about making positive choices consistently.

Students learn that improvement comes from:

  • effort
  • practice
  • commitment
  • consistency

These lessons apply to education, careers, health, and personal goals throughout life.

Self-Respect: Understanding Your Own Value

One of the most important lessons martial arts can teach is self-respect.

Students learn:

  • they have worth
  • they deserve to be treated well
  • they should set positive standards for themselves
  • they are capable of growth

People who respect themselves are often more confident, make better decisions, and develop healthier relationships.

Courage: Taking The First Step

Courage is not the absence of fear.

Courage is taking action despite feeling nervous.

Every student demonstrates courage when they:

  • attend their first class
  • attempt a new skill
  • face a challenge
  • step outside their comfort zone

Many of life’s greatest opportunities begin with courage.

Why Parents Value These Lessons

Parents often tell us they initially joined martial arts for fitness, confidence, or self-defence.

What surprises them is the personal growth they see over time.

They notice:

  • increased confidence
  • better focus
  • improved behaviour
  • greater resilience
  • stronger communication skills
  • increased self-belief

These benefits often become more valuable than the physical skills themselves.

Martial Arts For Life, Not Just The Training Hall

At SWKA, our goal is not simply to teach martial arts techniques.

Our goal is to help students develop skills and qualities that benefit them throughout life.

The punches, kicks, throws, and techniques are important.

But the confidence, respect, resilience, gratitude, discipline, and self-belief often create the biggest long-term impact.

These are lessons that students can carry with them for years to come.

Looking For A Martial Arts Club That Develops More Than Physical Skills?

SWKA provides children’s and adult martial arts classes in Tavistock and Bere Alston.

Our classes focus on helping students grow physically, mentally, and personally in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Whether you are looking for your child to develop confidence and resilience or you are an adult wanting to improve fitness, wellbeing, and self-belief, we would love to help.

Book Your First Session Today

We offer:

  • Children’s Kickboxing Classes in Tavistock
  • Children’s Spirit Combat Classes in Bere Alston
  • Adult Kickboxing Classes in Tavistock
  • Adult Spirit Combat Classes in Bere Alston

Everyone starts somewhere.

The hardest step is often taking the first one.

Contact us today to find out more and arrange your first class.

How Martial Arts Builds Confidence in Children (Without Turning Them Into Fighters)

Many parents contact us because their child lacks confidence.

Sometimes they are shy.
Sometimes they struggle to make friends.
Sometimes they cling to parents at the side of activities.
Sometimes they avoid trying new things because they are scared of getting things wrong.

And honestly, that is far more common than people think.

At SWKA in Tavistock and Bere Alston, we have worked with children of all personalities for many years. One thing we regularly see is that confidence is not something children are simply “born with.” Confidence is usually built through small wins, encouragement, and learning they can overcome challenges.

That is exactly where martial arts can help.

Confidence Comes From Achievement

A lot of activities focus only on natural talent.

Martial arts is different.

Children improve through consistency, effort, and gradual progress. A child does not need to be sporty, loud, or naturally confident to start martial arts. In fact, some of the quietest children often grow the most over time.

The first step may simply be walking onto the mats independently.

Then it becomes:

  • working with new training partners
  • learning a technique
  • speaking up slightly more
  • earning their next belt
  • helping another student
  • standing taller in class

Those small moments slowly change how children see themselves.

Confidence is rarely built overnight. It is built through repeated proof that “I can do difficult things.”

Martial Arts Is About Control, Not Violence

One of the biggest misconceptions parents have is that martial arts encourages aggression.

Good martial arts training should do the opposite.

At SWKA, we teach children that martial arts is about self-control, respect, discipline, and keeping themselves safe. Especially in our Spirit Combat classes, children first learn awareness, movement, balance, and how to escape unsafe situations.

The goal is not to create fighters looking for trouble.

The goal is to help children become calmer, more capable, and more confident in themselves.

In reality, many children become less confrontational after training because they no longer feel the need to prove themselves.

Helping Children Away From Screens

Modern childhood is very different now.

Many children spend hours every day on phones, tablets, gaming consoles, or social media. While technology has benefits, too much screen time can affect confidence, fitness, focus, and social interaction.

Martial arts gives children something real.

Real movement.
Real friendships.
Real challenges.
Real achievements.

Instead of staring at a screen, they are learning skills, interacting with others, improving coordination, and building memories.

Parents often tell us their child becomes more active, more social, and more motivated after starting classes.

Making Friends and Feeling Included

One thing martial arts does particularly well is bringing together children of different personalities and backgrounds.

Some children arrive knowing nobody.
Some are nervous.
Some struggle socially.

But because students train together, encourage each other, and improve together, friendships naturally begin to form.

Over time, children often become more comfortable speaking to others, working in groups, and trying new things.

For many parents, that social confidence becomes just as important as the physical skills.

Confidence That Helps Outside the Club

The biggest benefit of martial arts is that the confidence does not stay inside the training hall.

Parents regularly tell us they notice changes at:

  • school
  • social activities
  • home
  • sports
  • presentations
  • friendships

Children who once avoided challenges start attempting them.

Children who lacked belief in themselves begin carrying themselves differently.

That is why martial arts can have such a powerful long-term impact.

Thinking About Trying Martial Arts?

At SWKA, we aim to provide a welcoming, supportive environment where children can develop confidence, discipline, fitness, and life skills at their own pace.

We offer Kickboxing classes in Tavistock and Spirit Combat classes in Bere Alston for children and adults.

Many students start feeling nervous.
That is completely normal.

Often the hardest step is simply walking through the door for the first class.

To find out more about our classes, message us today through SWKA.

Students in class

Update

Hi

Sorry its taken a while for a new post things have been hectic. Since the last post the following things have happened;

We visited Exeter to attend a Seminar with Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, former world kickboxing champion.

We have hosted Former UFC and Cage Warrior Champion Rosi “the Surgeon ” Sexton.

We have launched our first Spirit Combat class for Children.

One of our students Nathan Pollard became the British Kickboxing Union (BKBU) U16’s Champion

We have been delivering sessions for OCRA for Primary Schools in West Devon.

No Class this Friday the 3rd June.

Unfortunately theirs no Kickboxing this Friday night coming the 3rd June. Head Coach 4th Dan Steve Lilley is away in Manchester working. Unfortunate Steve hasn’t been able to sort insurance cover yet for the Black Belts Chris and Matt to be able to cover the class.

Therefore, for one week only their will be no class but we will be back to normal from the 10th June. Sorry about this.

Why you don’t need to get fit to start Martial Arts this January!

People often say to Martial Arts instructors, that I will start Martial Arts once I have got fit enough. Then we never see them, ever turn up to a class, partially because they don’t fully know what’s involved and how fit the need to be. But why do people feel they need to get fit first? When Martial Arts training can get you fit.

Martial Arts is widely accepted to have many benefits, one of them is to get fitter, as Martial Arts training involves lots of aerobic and anaerobic fitness and due to the repetitive nature of some of the drills it help tone the body up as well. As most Martial Arts sessions involve lots of short bursts of activity which help improve the fitness of the participant. It’s very easy to feel hotter and to sweat in a Martial Arts class for more than 20 minutes which is all that is needed to improve your fitness level.

As most Martial Art classes last 45-1.5 hours and sometimes longer it isn’t hard to see how it can rapidly change an individual’s fitness level. So next time you’re thinking about getting fit, why not join your local Martial Arts club and give it a try.

Why not attend one of the South West Kickboxing Academy and Martial Arts (SWKA). We have a class in Tavistock at the Community Sports Centre and we have more classes launching soon. For more details please visit swkickboxingacademy.com or contact Steve on 07773863518 or email sculpting_fitness@hotmail.com

 

What makes a Black Belt or great Black Belt in Martial Arts

A Black belt in Martial Arts is seen by most people as a pinnacle of their time in Martial Arts and a High achievement. For some it is the top level you can achieve but also the time when you stop learning. However, meet any real black belt and they will tell you they have only just started to learn, just because you have learnt all the moves and show some real skill, and now must learn how to adapt your skills, how best to utilise them but also learning when they will and won’t work.

Patience is something it takes not just too get to get your black belt. It takes many years to get your black belt, but also patient is required to learn and start to master a number of kicks and combinations which you will learn. However, the patient is not just in yourself but also that of having patience with others. For example your training partners holding the pads for you, and with others who struggle to pick up skills when learning or to carry out activities.

Attitude of a black belt is very important, a black belt needs to have patients, but also be willing to help others when they are struggling and offer to help when they see newer students struggling. It’s also about following instructions from their instructor, sensei or master, in classes, rather than doing their own thing, therefore, setting a positive example to others in the club. The attitude is also about how they commit to training, by training regularly but also helping other, by putting them before themselves.

Commitment to the cause is also a key aspect, black belts will train regularly when they can, when you run a club it can be difficult to do train, but when your training for your black belt you should be looking for every opportunity to learn from your instructor, Sensei or master to ensure you will be ready for your black belt grading. Whether this is in class or in private sessions this is important to ensure you get all the input you need and ensure you are properly prepared.

Dedication to the art, which is about making sure you master the basics and not taking on to many arts in one go. When your start learning to many arts in one go without mastering anything, everything gets diluted, and they your performance drops.

Putting others before yourself is important, because by the time you are about to reach your black belt or reached it you should know you’re only as good as your training partner. If you don’t help them improve you will stagnate and head backwards. But also if you don’t look after your partner you won’t have anyone wanting or willing to work with you in class. Theirs’s no point in complaining about the standard of others if you’re not willing to help improve those around you and challenge them to become better.

Seeking perfection is about always analysing what you’re learning and working out when it would be practical and when it would not be. Therefore, being able to work out how to tweak things to improve it and what you could do instead. It’s also about constantly setting yourself little challenges to improve yourself, whether it’s kicking a bit higher, jumping higher or not getting hit as much during sparring or a fight.

Self-learning is about trying to identify for yourself were your weaknesses are, is it fitness, if so do you spend time away from your club working on this? Do you identify where you feel your weak, or ask your instructor, sensei or master how can I be better and then follow up on it.

As you can see there are many things to consider when you want to achieve your black belt or get through of as a great black belt by others. Why not find one or 2 black belts whom you look up to and watch the little things they do, and the way they are with others, which may improve yourself as a martial artist.