Thank you to Sifu Rick Miyahara for his three-part series on "Physical Ability".  Interesting that he breaks down this topic into three major elements - the first being the physical aspect of the martial arts.  The remaining two being mental, perseverance and dedication.  These three elements are linked in a harmonious manner and each is dependent on the other two to allow the individual to fully realize the scope of their potential.

The instructor has a paramount task - to bring order to the class, make the learning experience stimulating, and somehow assess and challenge each individual student to realize their full potential.  In concentrating their focus on the physical aspect of the martial arts, there is a very real and implied emphasis on the mental aspect.  This is not accomplished in a true classroom setting, but rather by the association of the studio corporate culture.  Established in 1974 by Master-Guro Dan Cepeda, the studio has maintained the original ideals and traditions - discipline, respect, commitment, and family values.

As Junior Kenpo parents, we are acutely aware of the training level our child receives from week to week.  As the class size swells to thirty or more students, we know that this equates into 2 minutes or less per student for individualized training time.  We are aware of the number of times our child is called up by the instructors to perform a form or technique in front of the class.  And, we are aware of the number of times our child practices, or doesn't, while at home.

The instructor brings years of experience to correctly gauge the physical progress of the student.  We are in a better position to monitor the impacts of the mental aspect of the training.  The mental lessons learned in karate serve as a prerequisite for lessons learned in life.  Our child learns an association between goals and the price they must pay to reach them.  They learn that they must perform in life, even when they are not at their best either physically or mentally.  they learn the value of respect.  They learn to endure . . . 

There was a significant study performed by UCLA psychologist Jim Stingler.  Fascinated by the fact that Asian students routinely do better than American kids at elementary math, he wanted to know whether persistence might be the key element.  So he designed and administered an experiment where he gave the same unsolvable math problem to separate groups of Asian and American children.

Sure enough, most American kids attacked the problem, struggled briefly, the gave up.  the Asian kids, however, worked on and on.  "The Asian kids assumed that if they kept working, they'd eventually get it," Stingler recalls.  "The Americans thought, either you get it or you don't."
The parallel to martial arts training is similar.  As Sifu Rick says, "Perseverance is the one element that you must always, always have.  As soon as you give up, you cannot learn anymore."  Cepeda-Abueg has one over-riding doctrine.  Namely that "Hard work is the key to success."
Students are not merely processed in and sorted to their belt level by the instructor's expectation of their natural ability.  Rather, they are endlessly challenged to learn, to grow, and to endure.  "If learning is gradual and proceeds step by step," says Stingler, "anyone can gain knowledge."  The belt is the acknowledgement . . . and celebration of that growth.

The turnover rate in the martial arts industry is high.  Statistics bear the prediction that the majority of the junior white belts will drop out somewhere before their green belt level.  The studio starts to compete with the other activities that the child is exposed to including team sports, school, and peers.

The turnover rate is much lower at the upper belt level.  These students have endured the ups, and the downs of their training regimen.  They are then afforded an even greater lesson - the ability to themselves teach, to help, to mold.

It is difficult for us, as parents, to make a long term commitment for our children.  The middle school age presents many family challenges.  However, the lessons learned in the Cepeda-Abueg studio have made an impact on the growth and development of our children . . . and somehow even ourselves.