How Martial Arts Training Can Lead To Better Grades In School

This article explains how martial arts training helps to develop those qualities in a student that lead to good grades in school. Key among those qualities are discipline and self-control, a sense of self-worth and self-esteem, and courtesy and respect for others.

martial arts

Martial arts training and academic training have a common goal. That goal is to create a transformation in attitude and action within a student, leading to a successful, productive member of the community. In school, achievement is rewarded with higher scores or good grades. Training develops those qualities necessary to meet the rigorous challenges of academic life that lead to those good grades. Key among those qualities learned in martial arts training are discipline and self-control, a sense of self-worth and self-esteem, and courtesy and respect for others.

At Changing Lives ATA Martial Arts, our students develop discipline, respect, and courtesy through a martial arts curriculum that focuses on fitness, self-defense, and self-confidence within the context of home, school and community. We involve parents in our activities, volunteer in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake area schools, and partner with local businesses.

Discipline and self-control are qualities necessary both in school and in martial arts. In school, a student must learn to pay attention to the teacher and not be distracted in order to learn the day's lesson. Likewise, focus and concentration is necessary to succeed in martial arts. Our students practice shutting out distractions, working under pressure, and concentrating on the immediate activity. This practice in martial arts carries over into the schoolroom.

Self-worth and self-esteem develop from accomplishing goals. In school, this could be completing a book on time or receiving a good grade on a test. In martial arts, this can come from receiving an award or moving up in rank. Changing Lives ATA Martial Arts students receive victory stars for outstanding performance in activities or tournament competition. They also receive these awards by doing well in school or at home. This way, our martial arts students work toward larger goals by setting smaller goals and working toward them. This process of achieving short-term or small goals on the way toward achieving larger goals is critical to academic success as well as martial arts success.

Courtesy and respect for others shows a sense of cooperation, appreciation of others, modesty and community. In school, courtesy and respect can be shown by helping a struggling classmate or by not ridiculing fellow students when they answer questions incorrectly. Martial arts students show courtesy and respect to others most often by bowing and recognizing the achievements of others, by being quiet during instruction so that others can hear and concentrate, or by simply saying “thank you” at the end of a hard workout.

Our martial arts students learn to become good leaders as their training progresses by showing respect to their instructors, by learning to listen, and by being open to learning new things. This not only applies to leadership in the martial arts, but also in the schoolroom and the community-at-large.

Changing Lives ATA martial arts has four locations in the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake area to serve the community. We invite you to call our headquarters at 757-471-9002 or visit our website at www.atakick.com

Stay Focused and Stay Safe!

Master Tracy ThomasChanging Lives Martial ArtsMaster Instructor-7th Degree Black Belt

American Taekwondo Association Affiliated AcademiesKrav Maga World Wide Affiliated SchoolChanging Lives Krav MagaCLMA