One of the five points of our star is RESPECT. This is key to Martial Arts as it ties in with discipline and can become an important life skill. We teach our students not only to respect the instructors but also their surroundings and fellow students.

Most importantly we encourage self-respect in our students, as we believe that to flourish as an individual this is the first step. In turn this leads to confidence and with confidence our students will achieve their goals and turn dreams to reality. Something that at first seems more difficult than climbing a mountain becomes a challenge they strive to complete.

The application of respect in martial arts takes many forms in various degrees of severity. The fundamental rules we apply to our classes are bowing upon entering and exiting the training hall as a sign of respect to the facility staff and students, facing away from the front when adjusting your belt in lines and bowing as a class to begin and end every lesson.

These rules don’t just apply to our students but equally to the instructors as we believe in leading by example, this is why we bow to each other when handing over a lesson or receiving instructions.

Martial arts are all about respect. Punching, kicking, throwing and locking are all secondary to the respect that is shown from the moment you walk into a dojo. Children learn to bow to the masters who came before them, and to their current instructors.

They also learn to treat other students as they wish to be treated. Experienced instructors press upon the respect issue regularly and teach students to practise respect for self, parents, teachers and peers at every opportunity.