Honor, Loyalty, Family, Bravery
"Honor, Loyalty, Family, & Bravery are the Martial Arts Values upon which our foundation was built." KJN Ernie Reyes, Sr.
Honor is so important in our association, that our founders included it in the explanation of our West Coast World Martial Arts Logo. What is honor to you? Do your actions reflect your words? Do you walk your talk? Do you respect your Martial Arts Instructor and hold him/her in high esteem? Do you honor your parents? Mentors? Partners? Friends? With your words and actions?
NOT all Martial Arts Schools are created equal. NOT all Martial Artists have HONOR. There are MANY codes of HONOR in the Martial Arts. Martial Artists are expected to follow a code of conduct in their Martial Arts School by following their Student Oath. Our Student Oath is as follows:
1. I am honest and respectful. I use self-discipline and self-control. I practice healthy habits with mind and body as a whole.
2. I am committed and dedicated, HONORABLE and loyal without doubt. I am a Martial Artist in uniform and out.
3. I take this oath to make good choices even when the choice is hard to make. If I fall I get back up again and learn from my mistakes.
4. I lead by example and practice what I say. I never misuse Martial Arts and know when to walk away.
5. I am a Martial Artist on the Move and everywhere I go, I leave my footprints as I lead for the future to follow.
Students represent their Martial Arts School and Instructor, therefore, your choices reflect on your Martial Arts Family and builds on the reputation of your Martial Arts Village. A loyal, committed student with HONOR does not train or teach at another dojo without his/her instructor's knowledge. If you find yourself not wanting to tell your instructor about a choice you've made or something you're doing then you probably shouldn't be doing it. Honest, transparent communication is essential in relationships with HONOR.
Martial Arts Instructors are also expected to follow a code of honor among other Martial Arts Schools. Instructors do NOT contact students from other schools and solicit them to train or teach without first contacting that student's instructor. If a student from another Martial Arts School inquires about switching dojos, an instructor with HONOR will always contact that student's instructor directly before taking an actively training student. This is just one of the most well known expectations of a Martial Arts Instructor with HONOR.
Know who you are. Stand in your power. Believe in yourself. Be impeccable with your word.
Choose your circle of influence wisely. We must surround ourselves with like-minded individuals. Energy is contagious. Read the Emperor’s New Clothes and be the innocent, little child who speaks the truth.
It takes COURAGE to walk a path of honor. Walk your talk. Learn from your mistakes.
Be a WARRIOR!! A warrior is aware, self-assured, wide awake!
Forgive yourself and others for falling asleep, and begin walking your path of HONOR today! Stop arguing for your limitations! If you believe you can or you believe you can't, YOU'RE RIGHT! You are a Martial Artist and train to have a mindset that can accomplish anything you set your mind to. YOU CAN DO IT IF YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO IT!
Love & Respect,
KJN Denice Challender-Slater