Martial arts is more than just learning how to throw punches or kicks. It is about building a stronger mindset to help shape the way people think, feel, and approach challenges.

Martial arts can help students have more confidence and respect others.

Alexander Esteves practices boxing and a little bit of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Esteves explained that he was 

drawn to boxing because he was inspired to protect people and fight for what is right. 

Along with his “great friend,” Adan, Esteves said, “Adan was learning boxing at the time and he needed som

eone to practice with, so I volunteered to work with him”.

Leigha Griswold is a boxer who started boxing at the age of 10. She first got involved with martial arts because she was a football player. Her dad, who was working with one of her old coaches, said she should try boxing. 

Madison Goldstein has been practicing

 jiu-jitsu for over a year. What drew Goldstein to Jiu Jitsu was seeing people on TV use it, which made it look cool. Goldstein had found it to be fun and liked learning how to defend herself. 

Martial arts is more than just fighting, it’s about taking control over thesituation. Many dōjōs practice the 7-5-3 code, being the 7 virtues of a warrior, 5 keys to health, and 3 states of mind. These provide guidelines for self-improvement.  

Esteves and Griswold said that boxing helps with their mental and physical health. 

Esteves says, “It makes me feel I’m mentally ready. It relieves the stress that I had contained. 

Boxing is one of the greatest ways to take out stress and anxiety. Moreover, it helped me throughout the years with my anger.”

Griswold says, “You get your anger out when you fight. Inside the gym, you can focus on one skill. You have to be very drawn to it. It can keep your mind off things.” 

There can be some downsides, as a lot of fighters are hard on themselves. Griswold says you have to be resilient, “as it’s very clear when you’re not doing something right because you can get hurt or hit.”

Vice Principal Batty’s husband, Ralph Batty Jr., is a sensei at the dojo. Mr. Batty sets an example

for the entire dojo, oversees all the training, and teaches 95% of the classes. He is on the Technical Advisory Committee which is one of the largest traditional karate organizations in the world, which means that his group h

as to set an example for the United States.

For Mr. Batty to prepare for his classes, he needs to be prepared in all ways. To be mentally prepared, he makes lesson plans and goes over his class material to make sure it makes sense and will benefit each student. 

To be physically prepared, he runs through the class lesson to make sure it is appropriate for the level he is teaching.

He also needs to break the movements down to help the students better understand the technique, making sure that his

 training constantly improves.

It also benefits him; it helps him stay organized in his mind and stay focused. Batty says, “Karate has always been a positive outlet for my mental health, a safe place to step a

way from outside issues and relieve stress.” After the training, he has a better outlook and clarity on life outside the dojo. 

Batty was drawn into martial arts in many ways. When he was little, he was “infatuated with martial arts movies.” Some movies he enjoyed watching were those with Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, and Kung Fu Theater. Another thing that drew him into martial arts was his mother. She insisted he took karate lessons so he could protect himself and wouldn’t get bullied by other kids. 

“It started when I was 10 in a local Judo program, which was short-lived. I didn’t like it. Then, my father found me a dojo about 20 minutes from my house.

When I first walked in, all I saw were adult men and women, and all I smelled was sweat and feet. I knew this was the place”.

Karate was his constant, but he

 started training in Judo, wrestling, and boxing again.

He says, “I tell students frequently, ‘When you’re bored, it means you’re getting better! Be patient; you’re about to learn something new.’”

Some lessons that Mr. Batty has learned in the dojo are: “Always start with  respect and humility, be a kind and helpful person, be patient, and always stay in control.” 

He uses Zanshin. He says, “If I am walking down the sidewalk, I am aware of the street, people, obstacles, etc. This is protecting myself. Not using Zanshin would be the person who is walking down the sidewalk scrolling through their phone. This person becomes the incident.” 

As students at Waterford High School continue to explore martial arts, they are discovering that it’s not just about physical strength but also about building a strong character. They learn to face challenges with resilience and how to support one another in their journeys. Whether it’s through boxing, jiu-jitsu, or any other form of martial arts, these young athletes are finding a sense of community and empowerment that extends far beyond the mat. 

Martial arts can shape minds and hearts, teaching valuable life lessons people carry when they leave the training floor. It’s a journey of self-discovery, growth, and respect, proving that the true essence of martial arts lies in the strength of the spirit.