Self-defense is the act of fortifying the soul to serve humanity.
Self-defense is the act of fortifying the soul to serve humanity.
‘Shihan’ Rajkumar Menaria serves as the Director of Sensei Raj Academy, where he imparts martial arts to all. He perceives martial arts as a blend of science and spirituality, emphasizing the significance of concentration and respect throughout its practice.
He was given the name Rajkumar by his parents, and they hoped that hard work and education would lead him to have a better future and wanted him to become a doctor.
However, because of the family's poor financial situation, he was compelled to leave St. Paul's School in Udaipur and had to drop out of primary education.
During his childhood, he had a chance to watch Bruce Lee’s iconic movie ‘Enter the Dragon’ in a cycle repair shop. Watching that movie ignited a desire in him to pursue the art of fighting, with Bruce Lee becoming his first guru in martial arts.
With over four decades of experience in teaching martial arts, Rajkumar menaria has overcome many obstacles throughout his journey. He had great difficulty mastering martial arts, and he frequently practiced at night to keep his newfound skills hidden from family and friends. One major blow came when he competed in the No-contact Karate Black Belt Championship in his maiden national tournament in Mumbai and was disqualified because of his full-contact karate moves in the game. After that he decided to fully immerse himself in the world of full-contact karate competitions.
In 1990, after spending thirteen- years in Japan, he finally achieved his Black Belt. For him, it was a momentous day, a dream fulfilled, considering he had started from scratch.
Talking about his achievements, Rajkumar shares that was recommended for the prestigious President's Award. The honor was bestowed upon him by none other than R. Venkataraman, who served as the President during that time.
However, he admits that such accomplishments did inflate his ego initially. Upon delving into the realm of teaching, Rajkumar discovered a profound joy in the process of both learning and imparting knowledge. His aim was to share his experiences and instill the importance of self-discipline in the lives of his students.
When discussing self-defense, he emphasizes that it extends far beyond physical techniques, it encompasses the purification and defense of one's soul. He elaborates that engaging in self-defense isn't just about protecting the body, it's about safeguarding one's essence and moral integrity.
Shihan Rajkumar Menaria passionately advocates that the first step in self-defense is to fortify oneself internally, recalibrating one's soul and thought processes. Through this lens, the true essence of self-defense reveals itself.
He further elaborates that self-defense isn't just about individual protection, it extends to safeguarding the collective goodness of society and nation. He stresses the significance of learning self-discipline alongside martial arts to contribute positively to family, society, and the nation at large.
He believes that every individual bears a responsibility to protect society, and self-defense is an integral aspect of fulfilling that duty.
Rajkumar's unwavering desire and passion for martial arts have pushed him forward throughout his path. His unwavering devotion to the profession is demonstrated by his desire to become an expert in the field and share his expertise.
Moreover, he highlights the role of self-defense in humbling the ego. He contended that while love and care can chip away at ego, true humility comes through the discipline and practice of self-defense.