The Martial Way is an ethical system that empowers practitioners to grow towards being their best selves. It is thoroughly selfless and based on the truth that the quantum of an ethical world lies within the character of every individual.

a complete martial arts education must include street smarts and an appreciation for the gravity of what combat truly entails. This is the principal difference between a true martial arts expert and an immature ruffian.

Internalized inadequacy can only be overcome by internal means. No amount of muscles, fighting skills, or outward displays of dominance or cruelty will fix it. This is the promise and the tragedy of martial arts study. As methods of combat, they are highly attractive to individuals seeking a means of feeling powerful as a counterpoise to deep-rooted feelings of inadequacy. All too often, such practitioners stop only at these external trappings. They crave the sense of power such skills can impart. Martial arts, to them, are a means to enable toxic behavior that can only temporarily mask their inner inadequacy.

Theory comprises the “book learning” aspect of martial arts. It includes knowledge of anatomy, environment, strategy, and worldliness – AKA street smarts. Together, this knowledge encompasses the final component of a complete martial artist. Given the relative lack of theory in most martial arts instruction, it often marks the distinction of true martial arts expertise. Learning the theory behind fighting involves not physical training, but significant time reading and contemplating.

A complete martial artist possesses technical prowess, strategic thinking, agility, and strength. The final element that brings all these components together is the mind. Just as you lift weights to develop your muscles, so must you develop your mind. Meditative training creates a mind that is undistracted, focused, and utterly alert.

For students who delve deeper into the martial arts, they will discover further harsh truths about interpersonal combat. Most sobering is the realization that the human body is immensely delicate. It takes shockingly little effort to physically harm people. Any damage you might be able to inflict on another person can also be delivered unto you. Mature martial artists understand this and take it to heart.

To be a complete martial artist is to be both physically fit and a technical expert. Techniques, strength, agility, flexibility, and stamina. These are the physical components of martial arts expertise. To neglect any one of these is to neglect the whole of martial arts fighting. Only by cultivating every one of these aspects can you maximize your efficacy as a fighter. This requires a complete fitness regimen to accompany your martial arts training. It is neither easy nor quick and is why true martial arts and the Martial Way requires deep dedication and diligence.

Choosing the right martial arts style is a critical first step in the martial arts journey. It is also an unending process of learning, mastery, and improvement. Your fighting style will always have gaps and weaknesses that will need to be filled by additional knowledge and practice.

The Martial Way is a holistic integration of the martial arts into one’s life and attitude. This undertaking requires a level of dedication to the study of martial arts that is far beyond that of casual students. As with any endeavor, what you get out of it is proportional to what effort you put into it. The Martial Way cannot be fully expressed without anything less than full commitment to a complete martial arts education. No school or teacher can impart every aspect of this training upon you – it lies to you to find fill in the gaps in education that they cannot provide.

We lie at a critical crossroads as the old, constrained ways of masculine power have become warped into a dangerous force for violence, authoritarianism, misogyny, and racism. The Martial Way is a healthy and ethical expression of masculinity that is sorely needed in the face of the truly poisonous version that permeates today.