The beauty of doing anything for long enough is that you start to notice different layers, and martial arts is no exception. I personally started my martial arts journey when I was six years old. At that time, it was all about beating my opponent. Yes, I practiced a traditional martial art that involved formalities like bowing before your opponent and addressing your instructor respectfully, but those rituals held little meaning for me back then.

Jumping forward to age 26, when I resumed martial arts training in Australia, my perspective had already deepened. However, the focus was still outward—on controlling my emotions and overcoming my opponent.

Nowadays, my focus has shifted to the art of being. My class and training partner are now tools for introspection. It's no longer about defeating someone or even improving my technique. To me, martial arts has become a way to teach myself how to behave and how to live with intention. This practice starts as soon as I put on my uniform and continues until I leave the dojo.

What Does 'Dojo' Actually Mean?

The word dojo translates from Japanese as "place of the way." But what does "the way" mean? It’s something open to interpretation—an evolving concept that changes as you practice martial arts over time.

In Kyokushin Karate, the term Kyokushin stands for "the ultimate truth." Like "the way," this truth can only be discovered through hard training and experience, not through words. It’s a philosophy that teaches us how to live life with purpose.

Learn more about Kyokushin Karate here.

Respecting the Dojo Space

Why is cleaning such an important part of dojo life for me? Because the first challenge you must overcome in your martial arts journey is the ego. Ironically, this becomes harder as you improve and receive more recognition.

Cleaning the dojo—whether it's the mats, toilets, or mirrors—is my way of putting the community above myself. It's a practice that reaffirms what is truly important. It reminds me that I am in service to others, not the other way around.

Leading by Example

All parents instinctively understand that life is about paying it forward. It's about supporting the next generation. True bliss, I believe, comes from living for the greater good.

Children, however, learn differently. Words often mean little to them; instead, they read intentions and emotions. They instinctively know when someone is authentic. If you truly want to impact children, you must lead by example with the right intentions.

At our dojo, parents bring their children not just to learn martial arts techniques like striking or grappling but to expose them to hardship, build confidence, and integrate them into a supportive community. This also serves as a way to reinforce the lessons parents are teaching at home, as children naturally seek out role models beyond their parents.

Check out our kids' martial arts programs.

The Discipline of Small Actions

Success, however you define it, is always about growth. And growth starts with small, consistent actions—the unglamorous habits that often go unseen.

I've learned that no matter how great our classes are or how new our equipment is, we cannot move forward if our dojo isn’t clean and tidy. When you walk into a space, you can unconsciously sense whether it is loved and looked after. This care invites you to challenge yourself and move forward in your journey.

Discover how martial arts builds confidence and discipline.

Staying Grounded in Growth

As mentioned earlier, the more success you achieve, the harder it is to stay grounded. My aim will always be to connect with everyone—regardless of their age, background, or achievements. To do this, I must continuously confront my own ego.

Cleaning the dojo, from toilets to trash, is my way of reminding myself: I am in service of the people I lead, not the other way around.

Building Community and Connection

Growth also involves understanding the roles we play. When you fully engage with a role—whether as a student, teacher, or competitor—you learn not to take it too seriously.

When I train in Aikido or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I become the student, listening to my Sensei. In those moments, my focus is on behaving appropriately and confronting my insecurities.

After class, we clean the mats together as a symbolic way of letting go of our roles and submitting to the greater good: the dojo and the community it nurtures.

Explore our Aikido classes here.

Read about the benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Conclusion

You don’t have to do Martial Arts to learn these lessons. The same as that you don’t have to sit in lotus position and close your eyes in order to meditate. This can be done anywhere and anytime. The keyword is intention; living in the present moment and learning how to be.

Having certain routines that remind of this will surely help you move forward, and keep you grounded as you grow. A great place to start would be to clean your own room on a weekly basis, and perhaps go for a walk at the end of the day (barefoot ofcourse😉)

External Links

• Learn about dojo etiquette on Wikipedia.
• Discover more about mindfulness at Mindful.org.