A Fundamental and Crucial Character trait within the Martial Arts: Integrity

Hello all good afternoon!

In today’s post, I will be discussing in detail what Integrity is and how by having Integrity within Tang Soo Do we can ultimately have Integrity in our daily lives. But first, What is Integrity? The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines it in many different terms, but the one that stands out the most is the quality of one person’s character. Here at Yi’s Karate of Vineland, we hone in on and focus on our students having as much integrity as possible. By fostering and cultivating integrity within our students, we help to create the next generation of future leaders. When one person has integrity, often times more people are willing to and wanting to engage and be around those with this character trait.

I want to break down in more detail what we mean by having integrity here at Yi’s Karate of Vineland. By having integrity in our students, they can:

1. Emphasize moral values:  These values serve as a foundation for developing integrity in students. Reinforce the importance of these values through regular discussions and reminders during training sessions.
2. Lead by example: Instructors and senior practitioners must embody integrity themselves. They should consistently demonstrate the qualities they expect from their students, acting with integrity in their interactions, decision-making, and personal conduct. Leading by example helps students understand the importance of integrity and encourages them to follow suit.
3. Promote accountability: Encouraging students to take responsibility for their actions, both on and off the training mat. Emphasize the importance of being accountable for their behavior, choices, and the impact they have on others. Teach them to accept the consequences of their actions and to learn from mistakes, fostering personal growth and character development.
4. Teach ethical decision-making: Martial arts training provides opportunities to teach students about ethical decision-making. Discuss real-life scenarios and dilemmas that require students to make choices aligned with integrity. Encourage critical thinking, empathy, and consideration of the potential consequences of their decisions. This helps students develop a strong moral compass and make ethical choices in their martial arts practice and everyday life.
5. Encourage self-reflection: Incorporate self-reflection as part of the training process. Encourage students to assess their own behavior, motivations, and actions, helping them understand the impact they have on themselves and others. Provide opportunities for students to share their reflections and engage in open discussions, creating a culture of personal growth and self-awareness.
6. Foster a supportive community: Cultivate a positive and supportive training environment where students can learn from and inspire each other. Encourage students to treat one another with respect, kindness, and fairness. Foster a sense of camaraderie, teamwork, and mutual encouragement, which helps develop integrity and a strong moral fabric within the Tang Soo Do community.

Developing and cultivating integrity takes time and patience. It should also be pointed out that once we develop this important character trait we need to stay diligent and consistent in ensuring that we reinforce these actions and behaviors. By continuing to reinforce and develop these actions and behaviors we can create the best possible outcomes for ourselves and our students! If you yourself are reading this and want to know how to develop integrity for your child (or even yourself too!!) give us a call at 856-405-0008 to schedule a lesson with one of our highly-trained, black belt instructors. We are a black belt school an instill and reinforce integrity as part of our curriculum!

Mr. Lee MSW

3rd Degree Black Belt Instructor