Nerves are part of growth

Being nervous is a part of growth and development. All it means is that you are taking the necessary steps and strides outside of the box to become a better you.

If it is normal, then you are doing the same thing over again and what you will get is the same results.

Experience nervousness! It's a indication that you are experiencing growth!

14 Attitude Requirements to Master Martial Arts - Summary!!!!

As I continue to practice and train in martial arts, I realize more and more that not only is hard work a factor, but more importantly the right attitude towards working hard. People can work hard, but lack the positive attitude and drive that will catapult them from being mediocre to out-of-this-world-super-star-status, insha’Allah.

With that said, let me present to you the “Fourteen Attitude Requirements to Master Martial Arts”.

I have learned these 14 requirements through my study of Tang Soo Do. However, they are not limited to this specific style, but any style in which you wish to train. I believe there is benefit in these points and I hope that you, the reader, agree with me. I have listed here the 14 requirements; however, I have expounded upon each point in previous posts.

1.The purpose of training is to improve your mental and physical state.

2. Take a serious approach.

3. Exert full effort.

4. Maintain a regular and consistent routine.

5. Practice the basic techniques all the time.

6. Regularly space practice sessions.

7. Always listen and follow the directions of instructors and seniors.

8. Do not be overly ambitious.

9. Frequently evaluate your personal achievements.

10. Always follow a routine training schedule.

11. Review and practice learned techniques frequently.

12. When learning a new technique, thoroughly learn the theory, approach, and philosophy as well.

13. When you begin to feel idle, remember someone is working harder than you at that moment.

14. Cleanliness is required throughout training. Keep yourself and your surroundings clean.

Attitude adjustment: Fourteen Attitude Requirements to Master Martial Arts (#10 to #14)

10. Always follow a routine training schedule.

This point refers to having a system of training. If you work on doing squats and lunges for 10 years and that is all you do, you will have the strongest legs in the world, but will be weak in other areas such as your arms, back, abs, etc. So follow a routine that will address your overall needs and maximize your results.

11. Review and practice learned techniques frequently.

If we don’t review then we tend to forget. This is a general rule that applies to many things, not only training. So always review and refresh your memory by repeating techniques you have previously learned. One of the best ways that I have learned to review is to teach. They say “teaching is like learning twice“, and I can’t stress enough how true that is.

12. When learning a new technique, thoroughly learn the theory, approach, and philosophy, as well.

Take the time to learn a technique in its totality before moving onto another one. Learn its application, its variations, its meaning, its history, etc. This will make you appreciate the art so much more and give you a deeper understanding rather than a superficial understanding.

13. When you begin to feel idle, remember someone is working harder than you at that moment.

Many times during our training we will start to feel extremely lazy. You can be the champion of the world and it would still be the case, I don’t care who you are. We are all humans and we are easily disenchanted and unmotivated. During these stages we have to constantly remind ourselves of our goals to get over this hump. We should remember when we are feeling stagnant that there is always someone else who wants it more and is working harder than you, especially if you are a competitor.

14. Cleanliness is required throughout training. Keep yourself and your surroundings clean.

Finally, we have to make sure we maintain a clean lifestyle to compliment health. In reality, these two go hand in hand. Cleanliness helps to prevent any infections and disease from hindering our training, insha’Allah. This means clipping your nails, showering, keeping a clean uniform and training area, as well as keeping a pure heart and mind.


Kyo Sa Nim, Hernan Guadalupe is a 1st degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do under David Sgro and Muhib Rahman and a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Royce Gracie and Jeremy Lafreniere and an instructor at Aqabah Karate Academy.

Attitude adjustment: Fourteen Attitude Requirements to Master Martial Arts (#7, #8, and #9)

7. Always listen and follow the directions of instructors and seniors.

We all need guidance throughout our training. No one will truly succeed in martial arts through self-teaching, to be honest. You can use videos, books, websites or other resources as supplements to your training, but in the end you always need a teacher. Once you have a teacher, start to open not only your ears, but your mind and hearts to their instructions. They are instructors for a reason so give them the respect they deserve and listen and follow their advice and directions. Keep the ego at home and step on the mats with humility, ready to learn and benefit.

8. Do not be overly ambitious.

This is probably one of the biggest struggles students go through at the early stages in their training, and sometimes as advanced students. Many people have superb talent and are able to learn and apply techniques after seeing it just once, but that does not make you a master of the art or an expert of the technique. It just means you pick things up quicker than others, but realize your place in your training and humble yourself. Even if you have been recognized as an outstanding student, it does not give you any superiority or authority over your classmates because it may be that they are better than you in other areas. Even if you are a White Belt and you can beat up a Black Belt, don’t think you now deserve a Black Belt. A serious portion of training is learning patience and modesty as you travel the path. If you can understand this concept, then you will prosper in your martial arts training.

9. Frequently evaluate your personal achievements.

There will be many times that we feel we are stuck on a level in our training. We will feel like we are not progressing anymore and as if we have reached our utmost limits. When we are feeling this way, we need to evaluate our personal achievements and realize how far we have made it. Believe it or not, everyday you are on the mats you are progressing even if the color of your belt remains the same for months or even years. Don’t feel discouraged; realize you have accomplished so much by just training alone. It is a feat not everyone embarks on.

To be continued...

Attitude adjustment: Fourteen Attitude Requirements to Master Martial Arts (#4, #5, and #6)

4. Maintain a regular and consistent routine.

Don’t be a seasonal martial artist; meaning that when the season is right and the planets align is when you hit the mats. You will notice that you will go nowhere fast, as they say. Maintain a consistent workout and training schedule, even if it means twice or three times a week. No one says you have to be in the gym or studio every day, twice a day. We are not aiming to be meat-heads (no offense to gym junkies), but training does not mean it’s your life. Training should be a part of your life and you will see overall results by being consistent. If you want to make it your career, as a personal trainer or professional fighter, perhaps, then obviously it doesn’t apply to you. I am referring to the nine-to-five-ers who work for a living. All you need is to be consistent.

5. Practice the basic techniques all the time.

Throughout your training you will frequently hear the phrase “Stick to the basics, stick to the basics.” I constantly remind my students to focus on the basics. Too many times you have white belts looking at higher belts and immediately they want to try the tornado round-kicks, 540s, armbars, or triangles without really grounding themselves with the basics. I cannot stress enough how valuable the basics will be to your training, so constantly return to your roots and “stick to the basics”.

6. Regularly space practice sessions.

This refers to giving your body a chance to recover. People, in general, want to see results immediately. If they don’t see the results the same day they start training they begin to get frustrated so they do more and more without realizing the body needs time to rest and recover. The body is a machine and training or working out is upgrading your vehicle from a factory-model to a customized hot-rod, for example. It takes time to reach your desired goals so take it easy and space out your training to give your mind and body a chance to adjust to the upgrades and give you the strength to get to the next level.

To be continued...

Attitude adjustment: Fourteen Attitude Requirements to Master Martial Arts (#2 and #3)

2.Take a serious approach.

Quite often you have people who come to your studio and their approach is totally incorrect. They walk in thinking it’s a game or a physical education class and, more times than not, end up quitting. It wasn’t the fact that they weren’t physically capable, rather their commitment was lacking. So when training, always take a serious approach and work to be the best you can for yourself, no one else matters.

3.Exert full effort.

This point goes hand-in-hand with point two. I am a firm believer that if you are going to do anything then you must do it right and give it 110%. This does not only apply in your training, but in life as well.

To be continued...


Picture: UFC Welterweight Champion, Georges St. Pierre, is considered the hardest working MMA fighter in the world as well as possibly the best pound-for-pound fighter. His work ethic and dedication to training is what makes him a living legend in the sport of MMA. A true martial artist in all aspects.

Attitude adjustment: Fourteen Attitude Requirements to Master Martial Arts (#1)

By Hernán Guadalupe

As I continue to practice and train in martial arts, I realize more and more that not only is hard work a factor, but more importantly the right attitude towards working hard. People can work hard, but lack the positive attitude and drive that will catapult them from being mediocre to out-of-this-world-super-star-status, insha’Allah. Talent is also important, but not a main feature of being a solid martial artist. Yes, it does help, but in the end, as Master Lloyd Irvin has so eloquently said, “Hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard”; and included in this is the right frame of mind.

With that said, let me present to you the “Fourteen Attitude Requirements to Master Martial Arts”. I have learned these 14 requirements through my study of Tang Soo Do. However, they are not limited to this specific style, but any style in which you wish to train. I believe there is benefit in these points and I hope that you, the reader, agree with me.

1.The purpose of training is to improve your mental and physical state.

It shouldn’t be about defeating an opponent, kicking someone’s backside, or being able to walk around with your chest puffed out knowing you pack skills to take down a group of ninjas (just kidding). Rather, training should be an internal desire to protect and maintain your mental and physical state. Mentally, training keeps you grounded. It gives you a reason to focus and something to look forward to. Likewise, it gives the practitioner a sense of confidence and self-control that other sports or activities do not provide. Physically, training gives you the venue to get into shape and keep your body in the condition it is supposed to be. We live in a world where the obesity rate is at an all time high in adults and children. Most people are not active and the effects of this are manifesting themselves more and more in the form of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and the list goes on. This is the reason why we should train; to improve our own selves and lead healthy, strong, positive lives.

To be continued...