Camaraderie, Why We Need It And How To Get It
Latest graduating class of Blackbelts and various degrees, Oct 3 2020! Congratulations! They have camaraderie btw.
I was thinking this morning about my time in the Army and what I’ve missed about it and, while there is more than one thing, the greatest is the camaraderie.
Then I started thinking about my 38 years in the martial arts and the last 20 doing it for a living, empowering lives through my programs at Krav Maga Martial Arts, and I realized that what I love most- amongst the many, many great things I love about my mission- is the camaraderie.
What is camaraderie and why do we need it?
ca·ma·ra·de·rie
noun
- 1.mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together:“a genuine camaraderie on the hockey team”
I realized two important things pondering cameraderie this morning:
1. Over a literal lifetime in the martial arts, my memories of the people I have spent considerable time with are the greatest of many great memories.
2. That camaraderie is the thing that my students are referencing when they say that they love our program not only for the great training, lessons and benefits they gain, but for the people.…..
We need positive interaction with others. We are wired that way. We long for the feelings of friendship and community and having fun socializing with other humans is just part of what we are created to do.
And let’s face it, circumstances of recent history have stifled some of that for many; we have seen the dire results of people isolated and locked away from this basic human need. I am proud to say we are coming back from some of that and also that KMMA has been able to provide some normalcy during the whole pandemic through our live virtual and our live in the dojo programs…
I do also think, however, in meditating on my years of military and martial arts education service, that there is another element that makes the feeling of cameraderie even more special than the feeling of fellowship, which is also important but I would argue a step below camaraderie in degree.
Camaraderie is the prize when we engage in a meaningful, purposeful mission with others, towards some greater cause; a situation where we are together with others, but not just for the sake of being together but also for the sake of accomplishing a mission greater than ourselves.
It’s what we do in the military and it’s what we do in the best martial arts programs.
It’s what we do at Krav Maga Martial Arts and it’s why the feelings of camaraderie are great amongst those that serve in the military and also those that are on the Blackbelt Leadership Quest at KMMA!
Join Us!
For A 2 week free trial of our program call 813-948-4844 or visit TampaKravMaga.com
And check out the free community events this month at KMMA!
Remember to RSVP as events are free but limited! 813-948-4844
Bring A Buddy Goal Setting Workshop!
Oct 23 from 6-7:30pm
Students and guests will have fun, practice some great martial arts and break a real board! Through this Grand Master Del Castillo will teach the process of setting and getting and goal you want to accomplish in martial arts and in life!
KMMA Blackbelt Taylor Hixson, Now Lt. Hixson, Graduating from US Naval Aviation School
The Great Pumpkin Tournament
Oct 24 from 1030-1230am
Students will be competing for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Pumpkins. Guests are welcome to spectate or enter the 1st-timer division where you can take a special 1st class and qualify to earn your white belt and win a free month in addition to a prize pumpkin!
Our own Sensei Kyle and Shihan Harley, both who grew up here and are National Tournament Champions as well as champions in life will be hosting the tournament, running and judging the divisions along with other KMMA Sensei celebrities.
Halloween Costume Party
Oct 30 from 6-8:00pm
Fun, games, obstacle course, halloween based activities and contests, candy (of course) and a costume contest too! There will be grand, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes and every guest will win a free month membership for the whole family!
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TampaKravMaga.com and Krav Maga Martial Arts have been empowering lives through the martial arts in the Tampa Bay area for 20 years!
Founded in 2000 by Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo, a 7th degree Black Belt and Sr. Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts and Karate lessons for pre-school children ages 3-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need – specialized for their age group – for school excellence and later success in life.
Krav Maga Martial Arts Adult Krav Maga training is a complete adult self defense, fitness, and conditioning program for adults who want to learn real world self defense, lose weight, and/or get (and stay in shape).
If you have any questions about our program, or would like to go ahead redeem your 2 weeks FREE, you can call us anytime at 813-547-6368 or visit our Krav Maga Martial Arts website.
About Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo: Grandmaster Del Castillo is the founding Master Instructor of Krav Maga Martial Arts and has been empowering lives in Pasco and Hillsborough Counties since October of 2000. He is a 7th degree Blackbelt, MBA, author, mentor and success coach, a US Army Veteran and a proud father and grandfather. He is married to Ms. Barbara Del Castillo who helps him run the school. Grand Master Del Castillo began his training in the early 80’s and has high level blackbelts in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Premier Martial Arts and Krav Maga Martial Arts as well as experience in kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do and Jiujitsu. He has high level instructor certifications from BBSI, IKMF, and KMG and has been featured in numerous Martial Arts publications and also Success magazine. He was a competitive sport karate and American Kickboxing instructor until he enlisted in the US Army where he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he won an Army Green to Gold scholarship and proceeded to ROTC and the University of Tampa. He was commisioned in 1992 and went on to serve in Germany with the 3rd Infantry Division and then in several other posts in the US until he left military service to pursue his dream of creating KMMA in 2000.
The Krav MagaMartial Arts Headquarters is in Lutz, FL at 1900 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., 33549. Krav Maga Martial Arts serves Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, and surrounding areas.
Also, check us out on Fun4TampaKids & on Go2Karate.com