Tag: Martial Arts

You probably know that martial arts training can boost confidence. Knowing how to fight, getting fitter and stronger, and making new friends will definitely help you walk the streets more comfortably — but this pales in comparison to what martial arts grading can do for you.

I’ve personally done gradings in Judo, Jiu-Jitsu and Aikido. I’ve watched karate gradings, and I have a basic idea of our kickboxing grading.

In this article I’ll highlight what grading in Aikido, Karate and BJJ is like — they’re very different, but they all build confidence in a very real way.

Aikido

Aikido is a traditional martial art, which means behavior comes before technique. Think of bowing, being quiet, not getting frustrated, focus and respect.

Beyond that, students have to demonstrate techniques such as wrist locks, throws, rolling and falling, as well as techniques with weapons.

The grading

The grading itself is short — usually between 10 and 30 minutes — but you have to be fully switched on the entire time. There is no rest, and everything has to be timed and executed precisely.

This creates pressure in a very controlled environment, forcing students to stay present, regulate their emotions and perform cleanly while being observed.

Karate

Karate is also a traditional martial art that places a strong emphasis on behaviour, alongside techniques like kicking, punching and blocking.

Where karate really stands apart is the length, sparring and physical exertion of the grading process.

The grading

During the grading, students complete a large volume of fitness exercises alongside technical demonstrations. This alone is physically demanding, but it’s paired with constant observation and expectation.

There is also sparring, which requires students to manage fear, adrenaline and frustration in real time, while still maintaining control and respect.

Karate gradings can last anywhere between 4 to 9 hours. This extended duration forces students to confront fatigue, boredom, self-doubt and emotional swings. They learn to pace themselves, stay focused, and keep showing up even when they would rather quit.

It’s not just a test of technique — it’s a test of character.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

BJJ is very different from the other martial arts because it isn’t a traditional fighting form. The class environment is generally more chilled and laid back. You learn how to relax, breathe, and tune in to your opponent.

Classes consist mainly of grappling, submissions, locks and, to a limited degree, throwing.

The grading

Because BJJ isn’t formalized in the traditional sense, gradings can vary. I’ve personally done “shark tanks”, where you continuously roll for 20 minutes against multiple opponents, showcasing efficiency, composure and control.

At Eltham Martial Arts Academy, our coach Chris however instead regularly hands out stripes (four are needed for a new belt) and belts after class, and may occasionally run semi-formal gradings.

What the coach is ultimately looking for is self-control, awareness of safety, and skill proficiency under pressure.

What do you learn

For me, a grading felt like doing a PowerPoint presentation at elementary school. You’ve practised, researched and put in the work — now it’s go-time.

The main benefit is learning how to perform regardless of how you feel. You’re forced to trust yourself, adapt under pressure, and accept failure when it happens.

That process builds humility, resilience and self-belief in a way regular training rarely does.

What I’ve personally seen

Because I act as a manager at our dojo, I’m present at most gradings. I’ve seen kids freeze, cry, forget techniques and want to quit halfway through. I’ve seen adults carry anxiety for weeks leading up to a grading, convinced they’re not ready.

I’ve also seen something else.

I’ve seen kids who were shy and withdrawn stand taller after finishing a grading. I’ve seen teenagers realise they’re capable of far more than they thought. I’ve seen adults regain a sense of self-trust they hadn’t felt in years.

Karate gradings in particular are powerful because they’re public. Parents, peers and instructors are watching. A space is created where children, teens and adults are invited — not forced — to step forward and prove something to themselves, but once they’ve stepped onto the mats, there’s no escape, only going forward.

When a black belt is received, that student has earned their place among us. They’re recognised not just for technical ability, but for perseverance, composure and integrity. At that point, they’re no longer just a student — they’re an instructor and a role model.

So what about you — or your child?

If confidence is what you’re looking for, look no further. Get on the mats and prove yourself through action.

See you on the other side.

Strong body & Stable mind

Willem van Zanten

If you’re reading this you’re very likely interested in learning how to defend yourself.
Let’s clarify three things:

1. Martial arts and self-defence are not synonymous—similar, but not the same.
2. Self-defence is rarely learned well through a single course.
3. Self-defence is primarily mental in nature.

The difference

So, martial arts literally translates to “fighting arts,” meaning that it’s focused on expression—an enrichment of the soul, if you will. Self-defence, on the other hand, is about application.

Can martial arts be used for self-defence? Absolutely, but it’s not the aim; it is an added benefit. The true purpose of martial arts is much deeper—more than anything it’s a spiritual practice.

Want more info? check out our blog post:
What Martial Arts really teaches you

Self-defence cannot be learned through a single course

The primary reason there is no shortcut to true self-defence is because it’s not about technique but instead about mental & emotional stability.

Another reason why self-defence takes a while is because techniques break down with stress and neurological arousal. Without integration, repetition and pressure-testing, your techniques are unreliable.

Self-defence is mental in nature

Energy is everything, and the way you hold yourself can either draw in or repel trouble. If you're not able to stay calm and present in a social situation, you will attract unnecessary attention. On the flipside, through fighting, you learn situational awareness, de-escalation and emotional regulation, which allow you to assert a type of energy, that will instead repel trouble.

So now what?

If it is comfort and confidence you're looking for, don't do courses—make meeting stress an integral part of your life. I personally prefer Martial Arts, where self-defence, as mentioned before, Is just a nice bonus.

We offer the following styles that each provide different aspects of self-defence—conditioning, awareness, power, technique, emotional stability and mental toughness:
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Kyokushin Karate
• Muay Thai Kickboxing
• Aikido

See you on the other side!

Additional reading material

Internal
https://elthammartialarts.com.au/martialarts-classes/self-defence/
https://elthammartialarts.com.au/martialarts-classes/
https://elthammartialarts.com.au/the-power-of-humility-in-martial-arts/
https://elthammartialarts.com.au/martial-arts-functional-fitness-wellness/

External
https://www.police.vic.gov.au/personal-safety
https://www.police.vic.gov.au/staying-safe-public
https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/guns-and-other-weapons
https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/violence-abuse-and-personal-safety

Introduction

As a parent, you’re probably well aware of the mental health issues that are rampant amongst kids nowadays, and how debilitating this can be. You’ve probably also realized the difficulty in responding appropriately. On one hand, you want your kids to feel seen and heard, and you cater to that need. On the other hand, you know they need to be able to deal with life, so a part of you wants to push them as well.

Before we dive into how to combat anxiety, let’s first discuss what anxiety is and why we’re dealing with this mental wellbeing crisis. To start off, I’ll share with you where I come from personally. I’ve dealt with anxiety all my life, and have thankfully never really had to face depression, which is why I will focus on the former.

Who Am I

Ever since I was a kid, big emotions and intensity were a part of my daily life, and having ADHD, and sitting still listening to topics I wasn’t interested in, made my parents & teacher’s lives very difficult. Now that I’m an adult, I can definitely say that my parents could’ve done better in certain areas (like nutrition), but they were dealing with a completely new environment (phones, internet, and life generally speeding up). At the time, ADHD medication like Concerta and Ritalin made it possible for me to go to school, but it also completely disconnected me from my feelings and emotions, which caused great upheaval later in life. Videogames like Runescape and Pokemon also provided temporary relief, and me being ADHD, I was obsessed, which wasn’t healthy.

Enter Judo. I can honestly say that my parents enrolling me in Martial Arts (like Judo) completely changed my life. This is why I’m so passionate about our work at Eltham Martial Arts Academy - Musubi Dojo. It's the reason I’m writing this article and hopefully persuading fellow parents to take action, all the while accepting that raising kids in this environment is hard.

What is anxiety exactly?

Anxiety is actually very useful. It is what allowed us to survive in hostile environments. It is a trait that has been passed down for generations because it allowed us to stay out of harm's way.

Fundamentally, anxiety is a signal to the nervous system to upregulate, to get ready for action, and how we interpret this feeling (sweating, increased blood pressure & muscle tension) is where the crux lies. Understanding this physical response is key.

We now live in a world where kids are able to live very cushioned lives, with many opportunities to seek comfort instead of dealing with whatever issue they’re currently faced with. This, in and of itself, is great: we want our kids to be safe and looked after, but we also need to prepare them for life.

Why are mental health issues so rampant amongst kids nowadays

As mentioned before, we have many opportunities to find comfort through alcohol, food, smoking, and devices. The issue with this is that feeling good, realistically, should follow only after having taken action and resolved an issue. In this light, ‘bad’ feelings are very useful, in that they force us to deal with problems; only when these problems are resolved do we get to feel ‘good’.

However, if you focus too much on 'I’m feeling bad, and I don’t like it', you’re putting the cart before the horse, so to speak. What I would advise you ask your kids, as well as yourself, is: 'Why am I feeling this way, and what actions can I take to improve?' because feelings and emotions have a purpose; they’re not ‘good’ or ‘bad’ in and of themselves. Learning emotional regulation is vital.

Beyond the many opportunities to find comfort, we are also exposed to so much information, with so little time to digest it, that it’s hard to be present and slow down. Add to this that most of us are in poor physical condition with poor posture - a recipe for disaster.

How Martial Arts Training Builds Resilience to Anxiety

Martial Arts teaches you that your emotions aren’t you, they’re feedback, and that you can choose to take action in the face of anxiety, which will help you realize that you’re not a slave to how you feel. This process builds resilience.

Throughout my five years at our Academy, I have seen too many strong emotions to count, when kids have their first class with us, experience a meltdown when they mess up a technique or have general fear before a Karate grading. And let me tell you, the sheer pride on the faces of these kids after they’ve dealt with the challenge is incredible – to me this is true bliss.

Great, so Martial Arts can help with strong emotions, which one should I choose?

All Martial Arts will help you deal with strong emotions and build confidence, but some are better suited for particular individuals and mental health challenges.

Before I dive into the specifics, I have to be clear that I have no experience in Karate, so whatever I’m about to share on this art form is from hearsay.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

BJJ is a very tactile Martial Art, in that it involves a lot of physical contact, which is great for kids that need touch to feel safe. What Jiu-Jitsu also teaches you is that tensing up might not be the best strategy; instead, it’s better to relax, slow your breathing, and start to problem-solve – I’m sure you can see how transferable these skills are to real life.

Aikido

Aikido involves throwing, weaponry, and locks. It also has no sparring and minimal fitness – ideal for teenagers (sadly no kids classes available yet) that need lots of structure and struggle with physical contact. This Martial Art also involves lots of eye contact, which at first can be difficult, but will help with social skills as well as with empathy.

Kyokushin Karate

Karate, like Aikido, involves lots of structure, which helps kids feel safe through routine. During this class, kids learn striking, kicking, and deflecting. Beyond technique, this class also involves ‘kiaiing’, referring to the act of shouting during a technique to exert power, energy, and confidence – once more, I’m sure you can see how this will help kids dealing with anxiety.

Muay Thai Kickboxing

Kickboxing is similar to Karate, but less structured and more energetic – fantastic to release pent-up energy for teenagers (once again, no kids class available yet) who’ve been sitting still too long. This class involves striking combinations, elbows, knees, and a great deal of conditioning and fitness training. This Martial Art will also alleviate mental health issues, but in this case primarily by giving you more energy and fitness.

On the topic of self-defence

If you live near Eltham, you’ve probably heard of the stabbing incidents as well as beatings. And being a parent, you want your kids to be safe, as mentioned before. Learning self-defence skills through the fighting arts will greatly help, but it's not the only benefit of learning how to fight.

If you can keep your emotions in check under pressure, look people in the eyes, show confidence, and have situational awareness, this too will greatly support your kid’s safety when out and about in Eltham or nearby areas.

So what’s next?

Now, you might be thinking that this article is geared towards getting us more students. The answer is no. I’ve come to realize that we as a species are interdependent. My role is to stimulate fitness and Martial Arts and provide a safe space for our community to work on themselves—a space where people feel seen and heard—because to me, this is the best way to move forward as a community.

So, please find yourself a gym, dojo, or academy that fits you and your children’s needs and experience how incredible this type of training can be.

Additional resources

• The importance of functional fitness and Martial Arts for kids
• How to choose the right Martial Art - Eltham Martial Arts Academy - Musubi dojo
• The effects of martial arts participation on mental and psychosocial health outcomes: a randomised controlled trial of a secondary school-based mental health promotion program | BMC Psychology | Full Text
• How Martial Arts Can Improve Your Mental Health

Preventing Injuries Through Smarter Strength Training

Martial arts is more than technique—it requires strength, agility, endurance, and mobility. Without the right physical preparation, martial artists are at risk of injuries that could sideline their training, think ACL tears, meniscus ruptures, shoulder & ankle issues, and so forth.

Whether you practice Kyokushin Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido or Kickboxing, functional fitness plays a crucial role in injury prevention and performance enhancement. It not only makes you more capable of generating force, but it will also keep you going until old age.

Carrying Weight: Building Core Strength and Stability

Carrying weight, such as farmer's carries or sandbag carries, is one of the most effective exercises for building core strength and postural stability. This movement not only engages the core but also strengthens the grip, which is crucial for martial arts. By carrying weight, martial artists develop endurance and balance, which directly translates to improved control during techniques, as well as better resilience during strenuous training or competition.

Moving Sleds: Boosting Power and Endurance

Sled pushes and pulls are excellent for developing power, endurance, and knee injury prevention. The dynamic nature of sled movements builds strong legs, hips, and core muscles while also improving cardiovascular endurance. For martial artists, sled work helps increase the explosiveness required for fast movements and takedowns. Adding sled training to your functional fitness regimen will improve your stamina, enabling you to perform at your best during extended training sessions or in longer competitions.

Swinging Hammers: Developing Rotational Strength

Swinging hammers is a powerful functional exercise that targets rotational strength, which is essential for techniques like punches, clinches, and grappling. This exercise builds explosive power in the core and shoulders, directly translating to increased force during strikes and better control during grappling exchanges. Swinging hammers helps martial artists develop functional strength while mimicking the rotational movements often required in combat sports.

📍 Visit Us: Eltham Martial Arts Academy

🧑‍🔬 Research-Backed Benefits of Strength Training

Studies show that strength training significantly reduces sports injuries and enhances athletic performance.

Studies show that functional strength training improves joint stability and reduces the risk of injury in athletes.
Read more on the benefits of functional strength training

Research indicates that dynamic warm-ups before exercise help improve mobility and prevent muscle strains.
Explore the importance of warm-ups

According to studies, heavy resistance training can enhance bone density, helping to prevent fractures and osteoporosis.
Learn more about resistance training and bone health

Studies suggest that aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular health and helps reduce the risk of chronic injuries in athletes.
Find out more about aerobic exercise and injury prevention

Research highlights the importance of recovery and rest in preventing overtraining and injuries, especially in high-intensity sports.
Read more on recovery and its role in injury prevention

Scientific studies have found that incorporating balance and proprioception training can reduce ankle sprains and knee injuries in athletes.
Check out the benefits of balance training

A growing body of evidence supports that flexibility training helps improve range of motion and decreases the likelihood of muscle pulls.
Read more about the role of flexibility in injury prevention

💬 Conclusion: Stay Strong, Stay Injury-Free

By building strength, improving mobility, through carrying, moving sleds and swinging hammers martial artists can train consistently without injuries.

Don't know how to start? Come over the counter, and I'll see if I can help.