02/20/2026
A message for both students and parents:
This meme is put bluntly, but I feel it needs to be said and clarified. In our dojo, we want our students to have fun. We want them to enjoy the classes and to be enthusiastic about coming to the dojo. However, there are times when emphasis must be placed on learning new skills, developing the ability to focus, creating discipline, and instilling determination and respect in our young students. This process is not always fun and easy, and especially with newer students, we may see their enthusiasm wane while we work on the more tedious aspects of creating a complete martial artist. Understand that when a student’s motivation decreases, this is a crucial moment in the process of building fortitude and determination.
Over time, students begin to understand why we do the things we do. This enlightenment is part of the journey of a martial artist, and we all reach this understanding at different points in our journey.
If you or your young student are finding yourselves less motivated, this is natural, so don’t lose heart. It’s part of your journey, and coming to class at times like this will only build your character and discipline!
And don’t worry, we’ll also continue to have fun and play games 😁.
~Shihan McKay
