8 Important Ways Martial Arts Builds Character

Martial arts are more than just a sport or recreational past time, it’s one of the best ways to build character and instil important values that can carry us through life. At UMF Academy, we’re strong proponents for the benefits that martial arts offers (beyond physical), with one of the most important coming in the form of character development.In many ways, what happens in martial arts is a metaphor for life. Setbacks, hardships, struggles, jubilation, and the continual pursuit to find our best selves. Whether you’re looking for just another reason why you should enrol your child into martial arts, or you’re simply wanting to learn more about the character virtues of the martial arts, read on.

1. Resilience

Resilience, or your ability to bounce back and recover from setbacks is one of the most important character traits to help individuals navigate difficult situations. 

Martial arts aren’t just about teaching physical resilience in stressful, physical situations, it’s also about teaching resilience in the face of hardships. For individuals wanting to navigate the everyday challenges presented by high-stress environments, developing mental resilience and the ability to stay calm under pressure is essential.

Whether you’re working in a high-stress work environment, or navigating a particular stressful period of your life, the resilience imparted through martial arts can help to guide your approach and foster a more positive outcome. 

2. Respect

Respect is one of the key cornerstones of martial arts training that can positively impact character development. In life, respect begins with ourselves. If we wish to be respected by others, we must first act in a respectful manner to all of those around us. For student of martial arts, you will know that respect underscores the routine and approach to martial arts training. Respect for opponents, competitors, and our adversaries is one of the main teachings imparted to those participating martial arts.

3. Discipline 

In martial arts, nothing comes easily. As such, discipline is a necessary virtue for those that are looking to ascend through the ranks and realise their potential. In today’s world, where individuals struggle for discipline – from the amount of time we spend behind screens, to the act of saying “no”, martial arts is an important way that individuals can improve discipline.

Adhering to a set of rules and behaviours means holding yourself to a higher standard that can help you to effectively pursue and achieve your goals in other facets of life. 

4. Patience

Patience is more than a virtue – it’s an essential character trait in the gym and in life. Just like in life, results in martial arts come with time and consistency. Patience is an integral virtue that carries students through training and encourages positive character development that spills over from the gym and into our everyday lives. 

5. Emotional control

Emotional control plays an essential role in managing emotions and shaping our character. At its core, martial arts teach students the virtue of patience and understanding before reaction. Students are encouraged to practice emotional control and seek amicable outcomes that deescalate hostile situations. The ability to react out of reason and not emotion is an essential character development that can help students to control and regulate emotions through stressful situations.

6. Peaceful resolution

Contrary to popular belief, martial arts aren’t about violence – it’s about peaceful resolution. One of the key teachings in martial arts training is that the best way to win a fight is to avoid it altogether. As students grow and progress through their training, the virtues of peaceful resolution continue to guide teachings and encourage a non-violent outcome. The principal of martial wisdom is a powerful teaching that guides positive character development.

7. Mindfulness

Mindfulness fosters introspection and encourages us to look within to understand feelings, emotions, and how we react to different situations. Martial arts is grounded in mindfulness, reflection, and introspective searching in the continued pursuit of growth. As far as character development goes, manfulness plays a key role in better understanding ourselves, what makes us tick, and how we can continue to develop to realise the best version of ourselves. 

8. Leadership

Leadership skills and character traits that we learn in the gym carry over into our everyday lives and guide our interpersonal and professional relationships. Martial arts encourage self-confidence and leadership qualities that can be applied to friends, colleagues, and those in our local community. The lessons instilled through martial arts training foster long-term leadership skills and positive character development that are guided by accountability, responsibility, and humility.