Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate

Fun affordable martial arts for kids

  • Home
  • About
    • Our Karate Success Stories
  • Why Karate?
  • Why Us?
  • Locations
  • Galleries
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

COVIDSAFE SCHOOL

Copyright © 2009 to 2021 Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate

Home » Blog » Martial Arts | Ego is Not Your Friend

Martial Arts | Ego is Not Your Friend

June 8, 2011 By Sensei Matt Klein

0 Flares Twitter 0 Facebook 0 Google+ 0 Pin It Share 0 StumbleUpon 0 LinkedIn 0 Filament.io 0 Flares ×
Letting go of ego and letting our students win.

Sometimes we need to let the little ones win so they can taste success and learn.

You Can’t Always Win

I recently purchased John Will’s Alpha Mixed Martial Arts Program, which is excellent. In it Will states that when teaching a new technique, you should never teach its counter move because you want to create confidence in your students. And that means letting them be successful at performing it. This makes a lot of sense to me. Will also states that a good training partner will not always resist, because it is important that the student sees the technique work in action. At the same time he should not make it super easy so you will learn how to apply the proper pressure.

I am disappointed when I see black belt instructors refuse to give their students a chance to be successful. Ego gets in the way of being a great teacher as well as a good martial artist. I always make it a point to show a student a great move for point sparring and then let them score with it. On me. I don’t care if the rest of the class thinks they got a point in on the sensei. I am past the point of trying to impress. When rolling on the mat I will sometimes guide my students into what moves might work next, even letting them tap me out with them. How else will they learn the technique, except by being successful at it?

Let Go of the Ego and Success will Come

When I see someone get really upset because they lost at a martial arts competition I realize they probably care more about the damage to their ego than the lessons learned from the experience. Others never compete because they are so afraid of losing and looking bad. Either way, losing is part of life and handling a blow to your ego is part of growing up.

The ego is a voice inside you that says, “I am special, higher, better, bigger than you”. We can never satisfy it. It is always greedy, it is always grabbing, it is always searching for more and more. It is like a parent that is never happy with our accomplishments. Don’t listen to it. Letting go of the ego and caring less about how we look will give us the same carefree attitude we had as a child. Just have fun, enjoy the process, and learn. Helping your students win means sometimes you have to lose.

Martial Arts | Ego is Not Your Friend is an original post by Sensei Matt Klein.

0 Flares Twitter 0 Facebook 0 Google+ 0 Pin It Share 0 StumbleUpon 0 LinkedIn 0 Filament.io 0 Flares ×

Filed Under: For the Martial Arts Instructor

Comments

  1. Sean says

    July 1, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    Ego is definitely one of the main things that get in the way of making a ‘good’ fighter ‘great.’

    You have to be capable of losing and learning everything possible from that experience. If you have ego all you’ll want to do is make excuses – if your humble and self aware you’ll be able to minimize your mistakes in the future!

  2. Sensei Matt Klein says

    July 2, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    So true Sean about ego getting in the way of greatness. By the way, stopped by your website and really enjoyed it. It is a great resource for MMA techniques.

Trackbacks

  1. Martial Arts News – 6.12.11 | Striking Thoughts says:
    June 13, 2011 at 6:14 am

    […] Sensei Klein has a lesson that applies to any age! I am disappointed when I see black belt instructors refuse to give their students a […]

Kids Karate Classes Now Online

July 16, 2021
Hey Kenpo Freestylers, we are up and running on our kids karate online Zoom classes. Our first class is tomorrow morning. Please go on to iKarate to sign up. Our instructors need your support to get through this difficult time, and we appreciate your help in getting this club through to the other side. The […]

New Term Starts 16th October

September 24, 2020
Hey Kenpo Freestylers! The first week of classes for next term starts Friday, 16th October, through Thursday, 22nd October. The last week of term will end on Thursday, 17th December. It is a nine week term. Please mark your calendars! Times and dates are also posted on our website at http://www.karate-kids.com.au/locations/.

We are a COVID safe business!

July 24, 2020
All of our head instructors and a good many of our assistants have completed the MAIA course for qualification as a COVID safe business. Please be assured that we take your child’s health and safety as our highest priority. Our classes will be run safely in a clean environment. Please talk to your head instructor […]

Regular Classes Starting Soon!

July 18, 2020
Our regular classes are starting this Friday, the 24th of July through Thursday week the 30th of July. It will be a nine-week term and will continue through Thursday, 24th September. Please see our Locations page for times and dates. Welcome back returning students and we look forward to meeting all new students. Sensei Matt

Great Deals Online Kids Karate!

May 11, 2020
Great Deals Online Kids Karate! Welcome back Kenpo Freestylers! We now have pre pay options available on iKarate for our loyal students and families – with something extra… Our way of saying thank you We have been so touched by the overwhelming support for you all for our beloved Karate Club. The emails & facebook […]

More News

Testimonials

Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Friendly yet disciplined approach towards karate at Australia’s Youth has helped enormously. It enabled Mihir to build a sense of belonging and improved his motivation to excel. It’s amazing how learning the Martial Arts helps build confidence and improve overall personality.
Yogendra Joshi, father of Mihir JoshiImage
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
I like Karate because it is really fun and I love going on the weekend to see all my friends and Senseis. Karate makes me feel safe because I don’t worry about bullies at school because I know they can’t really hurt me.Tyvian-Macfarlne-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Tyvian Macfarlane

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Tyvian's story.
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
The confidence karate has given Tyvian is amazing. He is takes pride in himself and he has matured. The focus, confidence and discipline he has gained through karate has transferred to other areas of his life such as educational tasks, looking after younger children both in and out of his family and demonstrating empathy for others.Robert-Macfarlane
Robert Macfarlane, father of Tyvian Macfarlane
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
I owe my confidence, strength, fitness and leadership skills to Karate. It has taught me to persist with everything and that the only way to improve is to try harder.Adam-Loader-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Adam Loader

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Adam's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Look at what you have achieved Matt, we can’t thank you enough for your contribution to shaping these two young men. We are often complimented about the maturity of the boys and we know their Karate has played an important part in developing that maturity. Brings a tear to my eye!
loadersRobert Loader, father of Adam and Jacob Loader
09/01/2014

Sensei Matt’s Blog Topics

  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  • Bullying and Self Defence for Kids
  • For the Martial Artist
  • For the Martial Arts Instructor
  • Kenpo
  • Martial Arts Movies for Kids
  • Martial Arts Resources for Parents
  • MMA
  • Online Kids Karate
  • Sensei Matt Klein's Guest Posts
  • Stranger Danger
  • Teaching Martial Arts to Kids
  • Uncategorized

Recent Posts

  • All Schools Closing Due to Coronavirus
  • Coronavirus Measures
  • 17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt In BJJ
  • Teaching Children Martial Arts: Silent Stretches as a Powerful Tool

Recent Comments

  • Sensei Matt Klein on All Schools Closing Due to Coronavirus
  • Russell Henderson on All Schools Closing Due to Coronavirus
  • Sensei Matt Klein on 17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt In BJJ
  • Mick Parker on 17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt In BJJ
  • Sensei Matt Klein on Teaching Children Martial Arts: Silent Stretches as a Powerful Tool

Friends

  • Just A Thought
  • Kid Town Sydney
  • My journey to black belt
  • My Self Defense Blog
  • TDA Training
  • The Kids' Karate Workbook