3. Perseverance

Master's Message children's class discussion topic of the week.

Perseverance is the third of the nine tenets of Cobra Martial Arts. Perseverance is when you want to do something or want something, and you never give up until you achieve it. It is steady and continued progress and action over a long period of time, even when you are faced with difficult challenges and setbacks.

Martial arts can be difficult at times and there will be distractions which may stop you from attending class temporarily. Distractions may include laziness, tiredness, playing computer games, social media, hanging out with friends, and sports such as soccer or footy.

We have found that there is no activity or sport which will give you same lifelong benefits in all areas of life as Cobra Martial Arts. Cobra Martial Arts is not a sport, it is a way of living a good, healthy life, balancing the mind, body and soul.

The training can be physically and mentally challenging and at times you may be tempted to quit. However, with the development of perseverance you will push on like a warrior and achieve your goals and dreams, such as getting your Black Belt and completing your studies.

Perseverance Example:

Two mice fell into a bucket of cream. One eventually gave up and drowned. The other mouse struggled and struggled until it churned that cream into butter. It was then able to climb out. Which mouse would you rather be?

Perseverance is a skill which can be learned and applied to anything worthwhile:

We need to work hard to achieve our goals. We must rise above obstacles, setbacks, ridicule and rejection and move upward on our journey towards Black Belt excellence in all areas of life. We will get tired, sore, distracted, and even lose focus and motivation from time to time. We may even feel as though 'it would just be easier to give up'.

But giving up means you have been beaten by life and you will not be able to achieve your goals and Black Belt excellence. If you develop an attitude of perseverance through Cobra Martial Arts training, you will have the same attitude with other important things in your life, such as your education, work/career, and your family when you are older. If you develop perseverance now, you are more likely to achieve your goals in life.

Can you think of an example where perseverance has helped you or someone else, achieve something important.

Perseverance is very important as a martial arts student. Ask any Black Belt if it was easy to get to their advanced level. I am sure they will tell you that it took hard work and perseverance to get to where they are now, and they felt like quitting many times along the way.  

Class Drill:

Dead Bug

Students form up in their rows. The instructor will call positions such as fighting stance, horse stance, chun-bi, and push-up position. Students must react as fast as they can to get into the correct position with a loud 'ki-ah'! If the instructor calls ‘Dead Bug’ students must lay down on the floor and give their best impression of a twitching dead bug.

Benefits: Focus, listening skills, reaction time, ability to quickly identify each martial arts position, voice projection for confidence through 'ki-ah' (meaning union of energy), fitness.

Cobra Martial Arts & Fitness Centres - Personal Development Program.