Customer vs. Student

Are you a customer or student of martial arts? There is no wrong answer; but, there is a difference.

In the context of martial arts, a martial arts customer is someone who comes for exercise, basic self defense, or status of just taking a martial art. A martial arts student is someone who trains for the love of the art, gives back to the art by helping others and is there for self improvement not the next belt.

There are probably extremely few people who start out as a student of the martial arts. Most come in for their own reasons such as self defense, a change in workout routines, gain confidence, a goal of getting a black belt, etc. Hopefully the atmosphere of the dojo and especially of the sensei will show the customer there is much more to martial arts then memorizing a bunch of techniques. This is just the very beginning.

The longer the new member stays with the dojo the more they should become a student. The rules and discipline may seem foreign and over the top for many people. But, not only are they there for safety; but, respect for each other and the art itself. This is most likely the first of endless layers the new member will experience. Sensei with the help of senior members of the dojo will guide the new member as far as they would like to go. Hopefully, their example and guidance will peak the new member’s curiosity and start them on a long and rewarding journey of becoming a student for life.