Why study martial arts??? - JP Fitness Forums

Q. · 12-20-2005, 03:40 PM

I realize that this is a loaded question but I'll leave it at that for now. Why do you study and/or practice martial arts???

By the way, I was pretty surprised that the last post in here was days ago!!! Is this not as popular as expected?

kuri · 12-20-2005, 03:57 PM

Well then you should post more Brad [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I started training because

1. I was interested in East Asian cultures/philosophy/history.

2. Had frequent trouble with rednecks where I grew up so thought I'd like to whoop dey ass with style

I continue to train because I'm still interested in learning more & improving myself, it's great exercise, and to be confident that I could whoop an ass if I need to.

Q. · 12-20-2005, 08:48 PM

My problem is, I'm not interested in whoopin' anybody's ass... unless I NEED to (most people have GUNS anyway!) but I've rarely ever needed to. I do like the physical nature of it mixed with the skills required; in other words, it seems to be an attractive mix of physical demands, skill and the discipline to combine these effectively.

Also, I have access to a good teacher. If the teacher was expert in weightlifting or gymnastics or some other exercise-related activity, then I'd take that but I'm just thinking I shouldn't pass up the opportunity to train with a high level instructor.

kuri · 12-20-2005, 09:49 PM

Well, the point is you'll have the skill & confidence so that you won't have to whoop ass.

Since I began training in earnest I've never had to.

Confidence does indeed prevent aggression in many cases.

Observe some classes & talk with the teacher, and if it looks good go for it! Make sure what they teach gels with what your goals are, and also try to get a feel for the class environment - if the students are relaxed or testosterone-laden. It makes a big difference in if you'll enjoy training or not.

Chris Correia · 12-20-2005, 10:27 PM

Brad, I'd also venture to say that all things being equal, the average trainee (not someone specifically looking to seriously compete, for instance) should perhaps select a school that is part of a larger family/system, and which seems to have some accountability, meaning that the instructors have their superiors. Also, their testing/certification should/would come from some larger recognized entity. I know convenience is a big factor in people selecting schools. However, I'd be intentional to look at perhaps three places for sure, and get a sense of comparison/differences.

Regarding why study:

It was always just something I was interested in. Perhaps when I was younger, I had some sense that if I ever became proficient in a martial art, people would admire me/that, and I'd feel good about knowing that stuff. I never had a strong ense of needing to defend myself, nor of competing. I suppose back then self confidence and self image were the main motivators (but I never really pursued studying, just a bit of dabbling and dropping out). I was simply intersted in that cool martial art stuff, and in eastern philosphy and such. The martial arts were still rather unique and unknown back in the 1970s (for that matter, they still are).

When I actually stated serious study, I was already 33 (and ,Brad, I have a 59 yr old student, as well as a couple of 50-ishers. They are amazed at the progress they've made). At that point, my pursuit was perhaps more related to just studying something I had always been interested in, and learning some neat stuff.

Q. · 12-21-2005, 10:33 AM

I found a website yesterday that had a great summary of reasons to study MA's... I wish I had posted it. I do remember that it listed a number of reasons that included discipline (which I could certainly improve on!), awareness, patience (another one I need more of), exercise (which was my first interest in it)... and, like I said, integrating these things with the help of a quality instructor would be all benefit with minimal costs, as far as I can tell.

Chris Correia · 12-21-2005, 10:55 AM

Those are good points. I'm not sure how many of those I was fully aware of when I started. However, the internal development, the development of characteristics related to character, are certainly benefits. In fact, I'd venture to say they are the main benefits for most people, along with fitness. The self-defense becomes secondary.

One thought along those lines is that, unless someone wants pain, punishment and/or humiliation, a good school, IMO, would treat people with respect and encouragement. I don't mean all touchy-feely; I yell at people, reprimand/punish, and push them past the limits they think they have. But I do so with respect, encouragment and caring, which I know comes through; people tell me so, so it must be true!

BjsAust · 12-21-2005, 06:11 PM

I used to, and probably will again at some point.

Reasons:

Learn to fight better. I dont like hurting people, but if I need to defend myself/friends/family I want to be able to do so well.

Flexibility, always been a week point of mine.

Endurance, not the run 20 minutes kind, but more the 'toughness' thats required to do something hard but keep doing it.

Fun, much as I dont like hurting people, I do like actually fighting. Used to do some boxing and loved it, Marshal arts was the same. Get to fight without (usually) doing anyone much damage.

][P3trarch · 12-21-2005, 06:31 PM

I used to study TKD (ITF), and stopped because I felt that I was forced by my mother to start it and get to black belt. I got to first degree, but then stopped because so many years of going because of mom, made want to stop. I tried an assossiation of some sort but did not like it. I don't think I will get into TKD for a while.

Iceztiq · 12-21-2005, 10:12 PM

I learn martial arts since i was very young (around 8 yo). The reason was only because i fell in love with the movement the first time i saw it. So, just for that simple reason, i started learning them. I've learned Karate for 3 years on my Junior High, Taekwondo for 3 years on my Senior High, & Jeet Kune Do during college in San Diego. I've also learned Muay Thai & Capoeira from friends, but i totally sucked with Capoeira.

R · 12-23-2005, 07:34 AM

My answers to Chris C's questions from a different post:

Why did you used to study the martial arts?

I studied Haikko-Ryu Ju-Jit-Su in my mid-later twenties. I originally got into because a friend of mine was doing it, then just ended up really enjoying it. The two of us also practiced Tai Chi/Dim Mak fighting applications from Earl Montigue tapes and various stick fighting techniques (also from tapes and seminars). I later took TKD, but mainly for the exercise and to improve kicking/striking skill.

Why did you stop?

For various personal reasons, I stopped training the other arts, but stuck with TKD. EXTREME pain in my right knee and hip (later to be diagnosed as osteoarthritis in my hip) made me stop that as well. (When the pivot to kick hurts YOU more than the person you're kicking, it's time to wrap it up).

What might get you back into it? Due to the unpredictability of the pain, it's hard to remain consistent. I would LOVE to get into some more grappling, ju-jit-su, or even Tai Chi, but money is a MAJOR object.

Ron

Marykaa · 12-23-2005, 08:22 AM

I'd start martial arts to stop Chris Correia from twisting my arm to come answer his questions!

But well for martial arts.. there are many reasons to start (alot of them I don't know about..)

but what fasinates me, and why I would suggest someone to get into them.. is the same as for fencing.. the game.. the bouts with oponents.. the evaluating an opponent.. the mind game that goes into a "fight".. where you get your opponent to attack when YOU want him to attack.. or you really feel you have a control over him.. OR you feel that HE has a control of you and you have to get on top of his mind again.. or where you find his weakness..

for example.. what's the first thing you do when you find that an opponent (of your level) has a weekness? well what I do.. is pretend I didn't notice.. chances are he realized at the same time that you did that he made a mistake.. and the first thing you have to do is make him think you didn't notice..

sort of like a game of chess.. or like a team sport but where you are the attacker and the defence and the coach at the same time..

Tin Man · 12-23-2005, 08:29 AM

I study martial Arts (TKD)
1. For my daughters self confidence
2. help keep my ftness level up during the winter
3. I love/need to harness the power into proper technique and the discipline doesn't hurt.
4. its free...no really it is

Ogedei · 12-23-2005, 12:10 PM

In my highschool days I took Judo for awhile.

I was interested in Japan back then, Ninja's were cool and I wanted in. So when a martial art became available I signed up!

Judo was pretty brutal being all throws and holds and not what I initially expected. I was out of shape and fat so I quit pretty quickly.

Would I ever take it up again? yes I have considered learning something but I don't really have the time. I don't own a car and so am at the mercy of the bus and I do not live close to the city.

Styles I would be interested in? Judo, Kendo, possibly something with striking, but I haven't looked into it enough to name a particular style I would be interested in.

Reasons?
Fitness: more workouts, more focus.
Mental: more focus, better mind body connection

Martial arts are still hold a somewhat mystical fascination for me.

Og.

kuri · 12-23-2005, 12:57 PM

Marykaa - very interesting. I feel the same way about sparring. It's truly a chess match, be it striking, grappling etc...

Of course sparring is to work techniques and conditioning, but the lessons of strategy have always been something that attracts me. Each opponent has a different style that one must adapt to - much as in business, or any other personal relation for that matter.

This aspect of MA really does apply to our daily life.

I've never like team sports much but have always liked the aspect of individual effort MA provides.

Marykaa · 12-25-2005, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Of course sparring is to work techniques and conditioning, but the lessons of strategy have always been something that attracts me. Each opponent has a different style that one must adapt to - much as in business, or any other personal relation for that matter.

I had to think some before answering that one.. I think that in fencing it is the opposite.. we practice technique and do fitness to be able to apply the stratagies we want to in bouts. Or maby it changes.. beginers do bouts to practice their technique.. and integrate it into bouts.. but definately at an advaced stage.. the strategies and bouts override technique.. which must be already solidly aquired.

As to all of that applying to realationships. definately I agree for business relastionships.. Personal.. I'm not sure.. I mean.. there is so much manipulation of the oponent in fencing.. I rather think of personal realtionships as being on the same team.. and adapting to teammates.. is not at all the same as adapting to an opponent.. where all you want to do is win.

Marykaa · 12-25-2005, 10:20 AM

on a lighter note.. about how we act with people compared to bouts.. (not sure I can explain but it was quite funny)

fencers are well know for "discussing" what happened in a bout.. who had the right of attack (in foil or saber) who initiatited the attack.. was there a hesitation.. was the paré suffisiant etc. It affects how the rules are applied and who gets the point. but sometimes.. the 2 opponents just don't "feel" the action that happened the same way. and the discussions are endless...

(you also have to understand here that in french.. we do not tell people to "fence" we tell them to "fight" )..

anyways.. I'm teahing a groupe of 12-13 year olds.. we're in a large gym.. they have a 30 minute period to do bouts. I go around from one pair of fencers to the next, coaching, etc.

I'm with 2 guys when I notice that one of the "pairs" of fencers are talking, and not fencing.. that's ok.. it's good to discuss things.. but.. they continue for so long.. that I shout over to them "Hé.. Yves et Jean.. arretez de discuter et battez vous!" :

"hey Yves and Jean.. stop argueing and fight!"

LOL.. and just as I say it.. I realized how it sounds LOL.. (they just started fencing in didn't notice..) but you imagine? a Teacher saying to two 13 year olds.. "don't discuss your problem.. fight!" ?

kuri · 12-25-2005, 11:33 AM

Quote:

"hey Yves and Jean.. stop argueing and fight!"

You know, that actually sounds like my jr & high school

(small town in a rural area)

Ah the good old days when things were decided with an old fashioned throw down.

As for what I said about personal relations - yeah I didn't mean applying combative strategies for dealing with a loved one. hmm, unless it's a tough love deal

But rather as to being able to adapt to the personality of another.

If one can't adapt to an opponent in sparring - then you will likely lose. We'll lose out on potentially good stuff if we refuse to accept another's point of view in life.

Here ends today's sermon [img]tongue.gif[/img]