More "things kids do in a martial arts class"

Today's Dojo Doozie, more "things kids do in martial arts class". 

When I was teaching at my previous location, my Tiny Tigers class often had kids doing the darndest things.

At one Tiny Tigers class, we all lined up and I asked the kids if all their kids belts were tied (they usually grabbed their belt tails and pulled sharply outward to show it was tied),  Gi neat (they'd pull down the bottom hems of their gi top to straighten it out) and hands washed (they usually knew to get hand sanitizer or wash hands before class).

 One kid, apparently forgot and literally SPIT into his hands, rubbed them together and announced "all clean!". 🤣🤣

Are You Using the Discipline of Martial Arts Outside the Dojo?

 

Are You Using the Discipline of Martial Arts Outside the Dojo?

Martial arts training doesn’t end when you bow out at the end of class—it simply changes location. The discipline we develop on the training floor isn’t meant to stay there. It’s a tool for life.

Having taught martial arts for 43 years, I've seen what I call the "Eddie Haskell switchover", where people (mainly kids or teens, but the occasional adult as well) carry the greatest manners and work ethic in the Dojo, but not outside the Dojo.  

𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐟𝐟-𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭:

     𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 "𝘌𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳", 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘭𝘥 "𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳" 𝘵𝘷 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 1950'𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 1960'𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘌𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘊𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳.  𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘌𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦 (𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘺 '𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦') 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴.....𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘸𝘰-𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘫𝘦rk 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝘐 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮 "𝘌𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵", 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 "𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮", 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘴."

Think about it: In class, you follow structure, respect your instructor and peers, push through discomfort, and focus on the task at hand. But do those habits carry over when you’re at work, with your family, or even dealing with strangers? Do you get triggered when something doesn't go your way? Do you feel like violence when you feel slighted or disrespected? Are you rude to your parents or coworkers? Do you put in the practice outside of class? 

These are indicators of something you need to work on. The trick is taking the concepts of martial arts practice and applying it to everyday life. 

𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯.

Self-discipline in martial arts means try to make the right choices when no one is looking. It’s trying to show patience when frustration rises, staying committed to your goals when distractions calls, and treating others with the respect you’d expect on the training floor. It's respecting the fact that the rest of the world will not think like you, act like you, or expect the same things as you. 

Plus....It's not judging people just because they don't act, think or do things like you do.

Unfortunately, there are those in the martial arts who are outwardly "Masters" yet are judgemental, overly opinionated, get upset when people don't agree with everything they say, and lash out when they get called out on their behavior.  Some will form cliques full of people with the same attitude, and will berate others who don't agree with them. 

I understand that we are all human and we all have the privilege to be however we want. ...but does this privilege mean we forget that Martial arts classes (and teaching martial arts) is also privilege? Just because people are "Masters", does it allow them to forget the discipline?

I will admit, I falter in many things, even on the Dojo floor.  However, I am trying to address my faults and shortcomings and improve the best that I can.  It can be difficult sometimes....It's a constant self awaress....much like the same "awareness of surroundings" that we as martial arts instructors often teach. If I always default to the "Gimme a break I'm human" but not do anything to self-improve, there's no progress. The trick is to not run to distractions to escape what you need to work on. Funny, though, that sometimes we separate the Martial from the personal.

Your time on the training floor is the rehearsal. The real test is how you live outside it.

Focus, Kid Logic Style

 

In the late 1980's when I was teaching Butokukan Karate, I taught in several community centers. The classes were a mix of kids and adults, however one class was mainly kids between the ages of 7 and 13.

One day, I started the class with a short talk about the subject of "Kime", and simplifying the concept so the kids could understand.

I started with "Let's talk about "Kime".....Focus. Karate is about Focus".

And as the illustrated comic strip shows.....one girl raised her hand and asked "So if I focus hard enough, and want it hard enough, can I get out of cleaning my room?"  Her Mom covered her face and shook her head as the other parents giggled.

I was speechless for a moment! LOL!

I explained that certain things have to be done, to be part of a community....whether its the family community, the community at school, at Church, etc. Cleaning and keeping everyone's surroundings is part of it, among other things.

The little girl looked so disappointed that she didn't get the "Yes, focus and you won't have to do any chores" answer she was curious about. 😂 But her Mom thanked me for driving home the point that chores in the household are important. 

Kime isn't just about Karate. When I was a kid I thought Kime was "focusing the Ki into the technique", "using kiai to help get power", etc etc. However as i continued to practice, I think i caught on.

When I started practicing Tai Chi, we learned that the second you will yourself to move from wuji (the stable "start position in a Tai Chi form) to the actual start of the form, that one moment "sparks" Tai Chi ......mind and body moving together, focused, keeping the intention, fixing your posture  etc etc.

That very moment you set the intention to do this move or that, is the spark of Yi (intention) that guides the energy of the movement and helps the balance of mind and body.

We learned that keeping that ongoing intention and focus was the practice, not just the mere movements of the form.  Through practice, getting the movements "correct" happen faster and more consistently while doing the form. (Yes, I know my Tai Chi colleagues might correct me in my short definition, but i'd like to keep this blog entry about the subject of Kime, not the vast subject of Tai Chi, so colleagues, please forgive my brevity.).

Kime can be in anything you do. Set the intention. Get yourself to pay attention to the steps to get to your goal, and act on it the best you can. With time, the Kime will be felt and seen. 

“Stuck in the Mud?” – 7 Ways to Overcome the Feeling of No Progress in Martial Arts

 

“Stuck in the Mud?” – 7 Ways to Overcome the Feeling of No Progress in Martial Arts

By Restita DeJesus

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We’ve all been there.
The form feels clumsy.
The techniques don’t land right.
The progress you thought you were making suddenly feels like it’s vanished.

If you’ve ever muttered, “I feel like I’m not improving,” you’re not alone. Martial arts is not a straight path—it's a winding journey full of plateaus, setbacks, and moments where growth hides beneath the surface. But progress is still there, even when it doesn't feel like it.

All too often, we track progress based on the new techniques, that cool new jump kick, or a new throw. Sometimes, we might forget that a good teacher will teach us what we *need* instead of what we *want.

Here are 7 simple but powerful ways that i've learned through the years and have applied to my own training,  to shift your mindset and navigate those murky moments where you question yourself:

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1. Track Small Wins—Not Just Big Milestones

You don’t need to earn a new belt or perfect a form to mark progress. Did your stance feel more solid today? Did you stay calm during sparring? Write it down..... Keeping a training journal helps you see how far you’ve come.

Progress isn’t always loud—it’s often quiet, consistent, and easy to overlook.

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2. Ask for Feedback from Your Instructor

Sometimes we’re too close to our own progress to notice it. A fresh perspective from your instructor can reveal gains in timing, footwork, or attitude that you’ve dismissed or didn’t even notice. Even if it just a simple "Sifu, can you please look at my form to see what I need to work on?", feedback can ignite that fire again.

What feels stagnant to you might look like growth to someone else.

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3. Change the Lens: Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome

Martial arts is a lifestyle, not a checklist. When we chase only the next belt, rank, or skill, we risk missing the beauty of daily discipline. Reframe your goals: Instead of “get faster,” try “move with more intention.”

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4. Teach or Help Someone Else

You’d be surprised how much you know when you're explaining a concept to someone newer than you. Teaching solidifies your understanding and gives you a sense of purpose beyond self-comparison. Just be sure to get permission from your teacher first.

Helping others grow reveals how much you’ve grown.

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5. Remember: Plateaus Are Normal—and Necessary

Growth isn’t linear. Sometimes your brain is quietly rewiring, even when your body feels stuck. These plateaus are not a failure—they're a pause before the next leap.

Trust the plateau. It’s part of the process.

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6. Celebrate the Internal Wins

Not every victory is physical. Maybe you overcame self-doubt. Maybe you showed up even when motivation was low. Maybe you showed up even though your just "felt tired and didn't want to get up off the couch". That is progress. That is strength.

          Strength is not just the physical aspects.

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7. Take a Breather—Then Return with Fresh Eyes

Sometimes you need a short break to restore perspective. Walk. Stretch. Breathe. Watch videos of your first classes and compare. When you come back, you’ll often notice growth you had forgotten.

           Step back and regroup. Remember where you are now compared to when you first joined.

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Final Thought:

Feeling stuck is not the end of your martial arts journey—it’s a signal to reflect, reset, and recommit. Like muddy water, clarity comes when things settle. Give yourself the grace to keep going.

Because progress, like mastery, isn’t always visible right away. But it's always being built.

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Train with intention. Trust the journey.
—Sifu Restita

𝐊𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬⁣⁣

𝐊𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬⁣⁣

By Restita R. DeJesus⁣⁣

⁣

Martial arts isn’t just about punches and kicks—it’s also about growing stronger on the inside. But sometimes, that inner strength gets tested when students feel impatient with themselves… or embarrassed when something doesn’t go perfectly in class.⁣⁣

And guess what? That’s totally okay.⁣⁣

Whether you're a kid in Mighty Mites class or an Adult in the Adults classes, wearing a brown belt or tying your white one for the first time, here’s some ways I've learned through the years, how to deal with those “uh-oh” feelings and keep moving forward like a champ.⁣

⁣⁣

Fable: The Caterpillar and the Sparrow

The Tale of the Caterpillar and the Sparrow 

Once, in the heart of an old forest, lived a caterpillar named Marrow. He was not the prettiest of caterpillars—his stripes were uneven, and he had once nibbled the wrong leaves, causing a few plants to wither. The other creatures whispered about him often:

 “That’s the one who ruined the elder thistle.” “He’s nothing but a crawling mistake.”

Marrow heard them. Every day. And even if he could not hear them, the others would tell other creatures about him 

But while they gossiped, Marrow worked. Quietly. Tirelessly. He listened to the rustle of the trees and followed the rhythm of change. One morning, he wrapped himself in a silky cocoon—not as an escape, but as a commitment.

Weeks passed. The forest barely noticed he was gone.

Then one morning, a vibrant butterfly emerged—wings gleaming with sapphire and ember hues, flight light as breath. Marrow had become something wondrous.

As he soared through the trees, a sparrow flew beside him. She looked closely and gasped.

 “Wait... aren’t you that caterpillar? The one who messed everything up?”

“I was,” Marrow replied, “but I’ve changed.”

The sparrow frowned. “Well, I remember what you were. Doesn’t matter what you look like now. I don’t trust you.”

And just like that, she darted away, chirping warnings to the other birds.

Marrow felt the sting—not in his wings, but in his heart. No matter how far he flew, shadows of his past trailed him. Some squirrels scurried when he landed. Some frogs scoffed behind lily pads.

But the flowers... oh, the flowers didn’t care.

They opened for him. 

He began to pollinate them, spreading life where there had been none. His flight helped the bees. His colors taught children insects that transformation was possible. The forest grew more vibrant.

Some still whispered. Some never forgave.

But the wise owl said one night:

 “Some creatures will always see you as the crawl, never the flight. But it’s not your job to stay grounded for their comfort.”

Marrow soared higher, and continued to help the forest thrive. 

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🌿 Moral of the Fable:

Some will trap you in the story of who you were, not who you’re becoming.

Fly anyway. Let them talk. Let those with eyes that can see, notice your change and your contributions. 

 

Progress, Not Perfection: Why Skill Comes with Time and Effort

At some point in your martial arts journey—or any journey, really—you’ll glance around and feel that creeping doubt whisper: “Am I good enough?”

Maybe your kicks don’t snap like your classmate’s. Maybe you blank on a kata you’ve done a hundred times. Maybe you’re just plain frustrated because improvement and belt promotion feels slow.

Yesterday, in Mighty Mites class, I overheard some of the boys in the boys break room (my office is not far from that break room). Names have been changed for privacy.

"I can't wait to get to Yellow belt! One more stripe until I get the rest of the yellow requirements!" Timmy said

"I'll never get to yellow belt. It's too hard and I forget a lot", Mitchie commented. The frustration in his voice was apparent.

"Well I come early before class, we can practice the strikes and stuff if you come early too", Timmy said.

"I can't..." Mitchie answered. Dad can only get me here right at 5 pm."

"Yeah, I'll ask my mom if I can get here 15 minutes early to practice too..." Avril chimed in.

"Me toooooooo I wanna come tooooo", Margaret's voice added from the girl's dressing room.

Mitchie's voice stayed dejected, "I'll never get good. Remembering stuff is hard".

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Here’s the truth Mitchie wasn't aware of yet: being "good" doesn’t matter as much as you think. What matters is showing up, trying, learning—and repeating that process over time. Being "good" happens gradually as your keep trying.

I went to the boys break room and asked if i could talk to them. I said "You know....in class, your personal best is enough. Even if it's not what you think is good or perfect. You don't have to be perfect on your first day, or even as a purple belt or higher. You'll make mistakes, and each time you make a mistake, you can learn from it a lot more than if you were just standing there worrying, right?"

"Yes, Sifu..." the boys answered.

"Mitchie? Did you hear me?" I asked.  "All I ask is that you try your best, and each time you try you'll get better. But you have to try to get better....even if you remember just one thing to practice at home.".

"I'll try...." Mitchie answered. His voice sounded a bit more positive.

"You'll get to yellow belt for sure when you keep trying! I know you will!" I added.

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🎯 Perfection is a Mirage

No one starts off a master. Black belts were once white belts who stumbled, doubted, and even wanted to quit. What sets them apart isn’t natural talent—it’s consistency.

Chasing perfection too early can paralyze progress. You get stuck trying to look polished rather than getting your reps in and building real skill. Remember: a little imperfect practice done often beats perfect practice that never happens.

🥋 Progress is Earned, Not Granted

In martial arts, every block, strike, and stance improves through repetition. That repetition, layered with mindful effort, is where transformation happens. You won’t always notice it day by day—but look back after a few months, and the progress is undeniable.

Think of your skill like planting bamboo. For a while, nothing seems to grow. Then—boom!—it shoots up rapidly. Why? Because it was growing roots the whole time.

So keep training. Your roots are forming.

🧠 Mindset Over Metrics

Don’t focus on whether you're "better" than others. Focus on whether you're better than yesterday's you. Are you more focused? More fluid? A bit more confident? Great—that’s progress.

When you replace “Am I good enough?” with “Am I putting in the work?”, you’ll start to see training as a path, not a performance.

💬 Encouragement from the Mat

At Seattle Wushu Center, we remind every student: You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be present. We celebrate effort, not just excellence. Because growth is always worth more than giftedness.

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Final Word

Skill is not a gift—it’s a result. And it doesn’t arrive all at once. It arrives slowly, wrapped in sweat, effort, and the willingness to come back and try again.

So don’t worry about how good you are today. Just focus on showing up and being better than yesterday. That’s how warriors are made.

Owning Your Responsibility in Self-Defense and Protection

 

Owning Your Responsibility in Self-Defense and Protection

Restita DeJesus

When it comes to self-defense, there’s one truth that cuts through the noise: you are your first responder. Not the police, not the neighbor, not even your loyal German shepherd. You are.

While we’d all love to live in a world where danger is rare and people mean well, real-world experience—and martial arts training—teaches us that prevention, awareness, and preparation are non-negotiable responsibilities. Self-protection isn’t about paranoia. It’s about empowerment.

🥋 The Warrior’s Mindset: Why Responsibility is Key

At the heart of every martial art is one unshakable principle: accountability. Whether it’s mastering a form, doing self defense drills or controlling a technique—your safety and success lie in your own hands. That same mindset applies to life outside the dojo.  Recently, my Tai Chi instructor, Master Yijiao Hong told our class "You can practice for 30 years, but if you're not accountable (for skills), then it's nothing."

You cannot outsource your safety.
Yes, there are security systems and emergency services, but if something happens in the first 30 seconds—those seconds belong to you. The better prepared you are, the less likely you are to panic or become a victim.
As my Kajukenbo Instructor, GM Terry Faircloth told classes time and time again: "you don't need a black belt to protect yourself".

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🏡 Securing Your Castle: Smart Perimeter Protection

Whether you live in an apartment or a house, there are steps you can take to keep danger at bay—literally.

🔐 1. Start with Visibility

• Exterior lights should be motion-activated and cover entrances, driveways, and blind spots.

• Trim hedges and trees to eliminate hiding spots. Burglars love overgrown landscaping.

🚪 2. Fortify Entry Points

• Use solid-core doors with reinforced frames.

• Add deadbolts, door jammers, and security strike plates.

• Consider smart locks or video doorbells for monitoring and alerts.

🪟 3. Secure Windows

• Install pin locks or security film on ground-level windows.

• Consider window alarms or impact sensors—especially in hidden or shadowed areas.

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🧠 Everyday Self-Protection Habits That Matter

Self-protection is more than a self defense move or a concealed carry—it’s also how you live.

🧍‍♂️ 1. Walk Like You Belong

• Predators look for easy targets. Confidence deters threats.

• Make eye contact, walk tall, and stay aware of exits and surroundings.

📵 2. Ditch the Distractions

• Keep your head up, especially in parking lots, elevators, or transitional spaces.

• Your phone can wait. Your life cannot.

👀 3. Trust That Gut Feeling

• Your intuition evolved for survival. If a person or place feels off, trust it.

• Give yourself permission to say "no," leave, or create distance.

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🧰 Other Useful Tools and Mindsets

🛠️ Layers of Protection:

• Security cameras aren’t just for evidence—they’re a deterrent.

• Alarm systems are still relevant—go for monitored ones if possible.

• Dog bowls, beware of dog signs, or even a fake camera can give intruders second thoughts.

📚 Train the Mind, Not Just the Body:

• Run drills at home—what would you do if someone forced their way in? Where are your exits? What can you grab? The drills can be mental too, such as scanning for the exits and possible self defense tools while at a public venue (restaurant, theater, etc).

• Take classes that teach self defense. Realize that some of the techniques might seem gritty and violent....i.e. gouging the eyes, kicking knees, striking the throat, etc.  But, if someone is intent on causing you or your loved ones harm, these are necessary.  As my Kajukenbo teacher said "Any self defense situation is where someone chooses the time, the place and the opportunity to cause you harm". YOU have the choice to gain the skills to defend yourself and your loved ones.

• There are mixed opinions about weaponry, but if you choose to have firearms for home defense, get trained in it. Practice often. Be vigilant about locking up the weapons if there are children in the house, and know how to access the weapons in any scenario....in the dark, etc. 

☎️ Have an Emergency Plan:

• Create a code word with family or roommates.

• Practice home invasion scenarios just like fire drills—yes, even with kids.

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🧘‍♀️ Calm Is a Skill: Train It

All the gear in the world won’t help if you freeze under pressure. Martial arts builds that inner calm. Meditation helps, too. In a crisis, your breathing can be your weapon. Control your breath, control your actions, control your thoughts. Train it diligently.

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💬 Final Word from Sifu Restita:

Self-defense isn’t just about throwing punches or wielding a weapon—it’s about ownership. Your body, your space, your life—you’re responsible for protecting it.

And guess what? That’s not a burden. It’s a gift.
Because the more capable you are of protecting yourself, the less you have to live in fear.

So be aware. Be prepared. And most of all—be unapologetically ready.