Why did you choose the facility where you train as a martial artist?
You may have initially joined because you heard it was a great place with exceptional instruction. But I’m willing to bet that you stayed because of the people.
After all, if you hated training with the other practitioners there, you’d have quit.
Martial arts training is tough. Having people around you who you trust and enjoy training with makes hard training easier, which means you’re more likely to keep showing up.
In a mutually respective relationship, your partners push you to get better, and you push them to get better.
It is more than an individual effort. It is a group effort to help each other become a better version of ourselves.
In Judo, this is called Jita Kyoei, and is necessary for a martial arts group and society to thrive.
Jita Kyoei
Jita kyoei [自他共栄] is a Japanese phrase often translated as “mutual welfare and benefit” or “mutual prosperity”, and is one of the core tenets of Judo. Kano Jigoro, the founder of Judo, believed that for Judo practitioners to truly improve and grow, they must help each other. This idea extends beyond the dojo and into everyday life, emphasizing the importance of working together and supporting each other to achieve collective progress.
By finding and cultivating relationships with training partners who embody “jita kyoei,” you create a supportive network that enhances everyone’s ability to learn, grow, and achieve their best. This mutual support system ensures the training environment is productive, enjoyable, and enriching.
Here are a few things to consider when looking for good people to train with under the principle of “jita kyoei,”:
- Mutual Respect: Choose training partners who show respect for you and others. Respect forms the foundation of a supportive and positive training environment, allowing everyone to feel valued and safe.
- Shared Goals: Find people who have similar training goals. Whether you want to improve technique, physical fitness, or mental discipline, having shared objectives helps create a cohesive training atmosphere where everyone works towards common goals.
- Constructive Feedback: Good training partners provide constructive feedback. They help identify areas for improvement without being overly critical. This kind of feedback fosters growth and encourages continuous learning.
- Support and Encouragement: Look for partners who encourage you, especially during challenging times. Mutual support helps maintain motivation and resilience, crucial for long-term improvement.
- Balance of Skill Levels: Training with people of varying skill levels can be beneficial. Higher-skilled partners can challenge you and help you learn advanced techniques, while you can help less experienced partners, reinforcing your skills through teaching.
- Safety and Care: Ensure that your training partners prioritize safety. Martial arts practice involves physical contact and the potential risk of injury. Partners who are mindful of this and take care to prevent injuries contribute to a safer training environment.
The overarching question you should ask yourself is; do I have this where I’m currently training? Is it more of a dojo, a club, or a gym? What do I need? (More on what you need here.)
Dojo vs Club vs Gym
Generally, the terms dojo, club, and gym often imply different focuses and atmospheres, especially regarding community and individual goals. Of course, places do vary, and you may even call your practice hall something different. But usually, things can be divided into the following categories;
- Dojo: Emphasizes mutual growth, respect, and holistic development in line with “jita kyoei.”
- Club: This can vary, but it often blends social and serious practice with the potential for community and mutual support.
- Gym: Focuses on individual performance, competition, and fitness, sometimes at the expense of mutual welfare and benefit.
Essentially, a dojo is designed to nurture an environment of mutual welfare and benefit, aligning closely with the principle of “jita kyoei.” In contrast, gyms may lean more towards individual achievement and competition, which can sometimes overshadow the cooperative spirit fundamental to Budo’s pursuit.
I’m not here to say which of these is the best since the only thing that matters is what is best FOR YOU.
However, the main thing is to find those that you relate to, and they relate to you.
Help each other become better.
Hold each other to higher standards.
Finding Your People
“What one of us can do, others can learn to do also. When one brain manages to understand something it opens up the pathway for many other brains to also understand the same thing.” –Amerland, David. The Sniper Mind (p. 17).
We already know it’s important to find like-minded people with whom you enjoy training in martial arts. This collaborative atmosphere fosters growth in physical skills, mental discipline, and resilience, especially as we age.
Regular physical activity, such as martial arts, has been shown to have numerous mental health benefits, including stress reduction, improved mood, and increased self-esteem. Training with a community of like-minded individuals enhances these benefits by providing a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
A great example of this is the people of Okinawa. Okinawa, originally called the Ryukyu Islands, is one of my favorite places to visit in Japan and has a long martial arts history. This is where Karate, as we know it today, came from.
Okinawa is known for its high concentration of centenarians and its strong sense of community, known as “moai.” In Okinawan culture, individuals form moais, or social support networks, with like-minded individuals who share common interests or goals. These moais provide social, emotional, and practical support throughout life, fostering a sense of connection and belonging that contributes to longevity and overall well-being.
This is similar to martial arts groups forming tight bonds with their training partners and instructors. These relationships provide encouragement, support, accountability, and motivation to maintain regular training habits. As we age, maintaining these connections becomes increasingly important for physical and mental health, as they help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness.
That is why I feel it is so important to be part of a dojo that not only focuses on the physical but also the mental aspect of martial arts, one that fosters the concept of Jita Kyoei.
On the other hand, being part of a martial arts academy that doesn’t align with your morals or makes you feel pressured to conform to a certain standard can harm your well-being and personal growth. While you may have felt comfortable in that environment when you were younger, it’s essential to recognize when your needs and values evolve and to prioritize your well-being.
Can you grow with that group as you age?
This isn’t something that most people consider when taking up martial arts. But it plays a huge part in your martial arts journey.
Feeling pressured to conform to a specific set of behaviors or beliefs within a martial arts academy can create a sense of internal conflict and discomfort. It may lead to inauthenticity or resentment, as you feel compelled to suppress aspects of yourself to fit in with the group’s expectations. This can negatively affect your self-esteem and mental health, as you may struggle to reconcile your values with those of the academy.
As you grow and mature, it’s important to prioritize your well-being and surround yourself with people and environments that support your values and goals.
This may mean making the difficult decision to leave a martial arts academy that no longer serves your best interests.
While it can be challenging to step away from a familiar environment, doing so allows you to pursue opportunities that are more aligned with your personal growth and development.
The Ronin
You have probably heard this term thrown around here and there.
A Ronin is a term from feudal Japan that refers to a samurai who no longer has a master or lord to serve. Historically, this could happen if their master was killed or lost favor, leaving the samurai without a place or purpose. Without a master, ronin wandered the land, often seeking new employment, training opportunities, or ways to independently uphold their code of honor.
In modern martial arts training, the concept of a ronin can be applied to someone who can no longer train with their martial arts instructor in person due to circumstances such as moving to a new location.
A good example would be myself when I moved from Japan to the US.
While I found a good gym to train at in the beginning, the gym’s goals were different from what I was after. After consulting with my instructor in Japan, he advised me to start my own training group here: The Juyukai.
I am lucky to have an instructor who knows me and my varying martial arts experience very well and isn’t a tyrant who thinks it should be done the way he does it.
In fact, he told me to create something that reflected my vision for training and prioritized the principles and values that are important to me.
Starting the Juyukai and working to create a curriculum for my students was a scary step, to say the least, but one that has helped me grow in ways I could only imagine.
If you are also in a situation like myself or feel that your current group doesn’t align with your goals, then I encourage you to start your own training group. It will allow you to share your passion and expertise with others who may resonate with your approach.
By serving as an instructor or mentor, you can create a supportive learning environment where students feel encouraged to grow and develop their skills at their own pace.
Yes, you will want to ensure you’re at a level where you can correctly teach and instruct. You will want to study teaching methods, consult with your instructor, hone your techniques, and ensure you can do so.
Of course, starting a martial arts group comes with other challenges, including finding suitable training space, recruiting members, and developing a curriculum.
However, these obstacles can be overcome with dedication, perseverance, and a clear vision of your goal.
In addition to creating a space that aligns with your values, starting your own martial arts group can be a fulfilling way to contribute to the broader community. By offering an alternative option for training, you provide individuals with a choice and empower them to find a martial arts practice that resonates with their own beliefs and goals.
The choice of where you train as a martial artist goes beyond the facility’s quality or the instructors’ expertise. It fundamentally comes down to the people with whom you train. The principle of “jita kyoei,” or mutual welfare and benefit, underscores the importance of a supportive, respectful, and cohesive training environment.
As you navigate your martial arts journey, finding a training environment that aligns with your evolving needs and values is crucial. This might involve reassessing your current training situation and considering whether it truly supports your long-term growth and well-being. If not, don’t hesitate to seek out or create a training community that better fits your vision.
By surrounding yourself with supportive, respectful, and motivated training partners, you ensure that your martial arts practice is effective, deeply fulfilling, and sustainable. Whether in a dojo, club, or gym, the key is to find your people – those who help you become the best version of yourself and share in the collective pursuit of excellence and mutual prosperity.
This is a great article. I was first exposed to Jita Kyoei when I joined a judo dojo a few years ago. It was baffling to me that this principle is not universal.
We do see the concept in play as a consequence of having to train with someone but its not explained nor mentionned. I train mostly in karate and to get better, you need a partner, like all martial arts. Your partner “sacrifices” his body for you to learn and improve and you do the same. It would be lf benefit, in my view, that instructors take time to explain this to their students.
As for creating your own group, how do you reconcile loyalty to a teacher or organization vs training for your own goals. Is it possible to do both in your view?
I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the article. And yes, it is pretty wild that the concept of Jita Kyoei isn’t as wide spread as it could be. Regarding loyalty to a teacher, I believe that certain circumstances can arise where creating your own study group can work. It might be where you are still affiliated with your main instructor but create your own group because you live a long distance away. I’ve also seen people create their own study groups even within a dojo based on certain desires of training. For example, in Japan one judo group I attended from time to time would break into mini-groups during practice depending on what you wanted to work on. There were about 5 older gentlemen who wanted to focus more on newaza (ground work) and would spend the entire time just doing that. With that being said, your instructor created classes with a specific purpose so I’m not saying to simply abandon that. If you have concerns or specific goals that are different then I would bring that up with your instructor and see what they have to say about it. The answer might be easier than you think. BTW, the idea of training for your own goals even within a traditional class format is something I touched on in this article.