It is not uncommon for people to tell me that they or their child is not into "group activities" and are interested in the martial arts because it is an "indiividual" activity. Is this really true of the marital arts? Absolutely not. Yes, it is true that a martial artist is responsible for execution of technique. But one must ask the question, "How far will a martial artist go without the support and interaction of fellow martial artists?". Not far, that is for sure.
Being a martial artist is a way of life. The journey is one often filled with sacrifice, adversity and hard work. There are any number of obstacles that stand in they way of becoming a proficient martial artist. Being successful in the martial arts requires a network of support, from family, friends, fellow students and your instructor.
No matter what obstacle you face, it's most likely that someone you're training with has faced and overcame the same obstacle. It's always good to leverage the exprience of others. Having said this, the next time you step onto the training floor go out of your way to build relationships with your fellow students, as doing so will make you a better martial artist!