Certified Instructor Training (CIT)
The opportunities for martial arts students and instructors have changed dramatically from the time when Master Ric Martin first began his martial arts training in 1973. Martial arts schools were so scarce back then, they were almost impossible to find. And when you did, the experience was usually not what you would have hoped for. It was a rough environment. Children and female practitioners were almost non-existent. The teachers back then were still students themselves, and new students served as personal training targets for the instructors and senior students.
It was an old school way of teaching. Only the already street tough actually enjoyed it. Student attrition was incredibly high. Very few students, who weren’t street tough already, actually benefited from this approach to martial arts instruction. And many of the ones who weren’t so tough actually enrolled to help themselves gain more self-confidence, self-esteem, and personal assertiveness, but few ever did before they gave up and quit. The instructors themselves needed to go through their own personal development first, before they would become enabled to help others.
Over time, the old school mentality started catching up. As America grew out of the “curiosity” stage toward martial arts, the public began to expect more than “the school of hard knocks” approach. Many instructors could not make the transition, “it was old school or no school.” And one by one they disappeared. However, some old school instructors understood the value of sharing martial arts in a positive way so everyone could benefit. These former, young and tough student/teachers of the seventies and eighties began having families of their own. They wanted their own children to enjoy the positive benefits associated with martial arts study and began to better understand the value of re-assessing how martial arts should be taught and who should benefit. Their “old school” stubbornness became re-focused in a much more positive direction. Gradually, martial arts schools began to unite and evolve together, and begin forming a new industry with new communication channels and sharing of information. Martial arts leaders came to realize that in order for martial arts to survive instructors must provide value to the community, if they expected to have business longevity and a better opportunity to offer students and instructors in the future.
Self defense lessons began to also include leadership lessons and “emotional self defense.” Most martial arts schools are not located in rough, high crime areas. Most are located in communities with caring families. Their primary concern is not physical survival every day. Parents want their children to have life skills that can help them to have happy, productive lives, and become leaders. However, even though most communities do seem “safe” there are always those concerns about having the ability to protect yourself, just in case something, or someone, unexpected and unwanted shows up in your life. Martial arts abilities are best suited for these extreme types of circumstances. Even though most children are not being physically attacked, they are getting emotionally attacked almost every day. Kids call others names, intimidate, they take things that belong to someone else, tell untruths about others, and form popularity groups that exclude certain people. Competitive athletics are great if you are a good athlete, but if you’re not then a child’s self esteem can be even more damaged. Having a strong sense of self and a positive mental attitude, combined with Blackbelt level martial arts skills goes a long way to help anyone of any age feel better, stand up for their beliefs, and become a leader.
Today, you can’t drive through any city or town without passing several martial arts schools filled with enthusiastic children and adults. The “dojo” (martial arts school) is a very unique environment that always provides positive energy and enthusiasm to the students and instructors. No matter what happened before arriving at the dojo when the students leave they feel better. They are recognized for their effort, praised for their attendance, and encouraged to go beyond previous barriers in all aspects of their life. Martial arts school attendance has never been higher and continues to grow in popularity. Many children studying martial arts are saying that they want to become martial arts instructors when they grow up. How great is that! They see themselves as leaders with the ability to influence others in a positive way. Yes, martial arts schools have come a long way and they are here to stay. The future is bright!
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