The Student Creeds (The Opening)
“Remembering that the martial arts begin and end with respect, I intend to.”
Develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that would reduce my mental growth or physical health.
Develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.
Use what I learn in class constructively and defensively to help myself and my fellow man, and never to be abusive or offensive.
When we practice the Student Creed, sometimes we focus so much on the individual creeds that the opening gets left behind. However, the opening is the foundation on which all three Student Creeds are built, and it is worthy of being talked about.
Respect is the basis of all that we do in the dojo. We respect our sensei, our fellow students, the space in which we train, the art we train in, and ourselves. We bow when we enter the training floor as a sign that we understand this place is special. It is a place where we learn, grow, and challenge ourselves.
Just as important is the respect we show ourselves. Training in martial arts requires effort, discipline, and dedication. When we give our best effort in class, we are showing respect for our own potential and the opportunity to learn.
Intention is important. Nobody is perfect, and no student performs every technique flawlessly. What matters is the decision to try, to improve, and to keep learning. Each time we bow into the dojo, we are setting an intention to grow — not only as martial artists, but also as people.
The opening line of the Student Creed reminds us that martial arts is about much more than physical techniques. When students remember that martial arts begin and end with respect, the rest of the creed naturally follows. We work to improve ourselves, develop discipline, and use our training in a positive way.