Why am I Interested in Martial Arts Again?
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An important part of martial arts training is to understanding why one wishes to train. We
may begin thinking we understand, but over time we may realize our motivations were actually
somewhat different than we originally thought. Understanding ourselves is important. This
section is designed to clarify the typical reasons for training in martial arts
and bring out the relevant attributes of training for each purpose.
The reason most people begin martial arts training may fall into three categories: learning self
defense, an exercise alternative for fitness/health or interest in the underlying discipline.
As we discussed in numerous places, all martial
arts are effective for self defense
purposes. That said, we often tend to obstruct our own success. Training in martial
arts is no exception. However, martial arts training itself is a means to stop obstructing
our own effectiveness in accomplishing
our aims. By training, we do not spend our time worrying about whether we can defend
ourselves, but calmly spend time studying methods to avoid harm. The circus acrobat, one who
walks the tight rope, does not spend their time looking down, lest they certainly would fall.
In martial arts, we do not look down either, but confidently look forward and move towards
our goal. Many, but not all forms of self defense target the development of this confidence
at early stages by providing instruction in destructive technique from the outset. Aikido
(possibly Hapkido as well) and traditional Tai Chi Chuan differ by teaching one to control the
attacker from the outset. These methods are not less effective, but more suited to some
individuals over others. The means to develop confidence is just approached differently.
So by choosing
any martial art that suits your character and training with confidence, effective self defense
skills will naturally develop.
Other people begin training because they need to exercise, and working out at a gym or health club
seems boring and pointless. Why not exercise and learn something meaningful at the same time?
Some alternatively are concerned about specific health issues. For general exercise,
both aerobic (e.g. Judo, Aikido, Jujitsu, Kung Fu, Karate Tae Kwon Do) and anaerobic exercise (e.g.
Tai Chi Chuan) may be found. However, exercise in a relaxed state as taught in such
disciplines
is certainly better for the body than exercise under tension or duress. Martial arts training
can also provide certain health benefits in addition to medical intervention. In fact, one
might look at an illness with the same eye as an attacker. We come to see that the illness
and the attacker each are not our true enemy, but our problem lies in our own responses to these
situations. We properly wish to survive an attack, either from an opponent or disease, but
need to consider how to accomplish the goal effectively. If we can learn to defeat the
enemy within ourselves, we may improve our health, supplementing medical intervention. Many
martial arts may be useful in dealing with disease, but Tai Chi Chuan specifically emphasizes
health benefits. In short, martial arts training is an excellent source of exercise (aerobic
& anaerobic as above) that provides health, self defense and discipline related benefits as
well.
Many people find the benefits of developing discipline, concentration, etc to be their pursuit.
Some have their own discipline already and wish to utilize martial arts training as a vehicle
to enhance their methods. Others wish to establish themselves on a calmer and more effective
path in life, using martial arts training as a starting point. A third group of individuals
begin with painfully little interest, but begin to see over time how discipline enhances the other
self defense or health benefits they seek. Interest can begin surreptitiously in such cases.
To pursue one’s goal in a disciplined fashion is more effective than our typical haphazard
approach, and the importance of such benefits cannot be overstated in the life and death situations
common to martial arts training. Once discipline is established in confronting dire
circumstances
common to martial arts training, the discipline carries over to increase our effectiveness in all
our endeavors.
Ultimately, a martial arts school itself is not in the business of developing a set protocol of
benefits and enforcing it upon their membership. Rather the process is more one of
determining the interest of each individual at any given moment and aiding them in the process of
achieving their desired goal. That said, in order to achieve one’s desired goal, one must
first clearly recognize the goal. Clearly identifying the goal is therefore an aspect of
training itself. Study of the means to accomplish one’s goal can then be
undertaken…
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