Choosing a Martial Art - Beginner’s Series #2
Social Recreation and/or Getting in Shape
If you want to study martial arts as a social recreation or to get in shape, then it really does not matter which art you choose. You should be looking more at the club, the teacher and your chemistry/feelings about training there. All of the arts are excellent for getting in shape and in many clubs, the atmosphere is very condusive to making friends. Therefore as long as you find the club a good fit, and you like the teacher, then that is what matters most. If you do not like the kung fu school then try a karate dojo. If you do not like the dojo then try a mixed martial arts school. Unlike the art-hoppers, many of whom are looking for the “best” art or the “invincible” technique, you know what you want but may have to do a little looking around before you find it.Whereas your primary goal is not self-defense you can try out different schools and styles until you get the atmosphere you are looking for and a killer workout.
Now, many martial artists would take great exception to what I have just written but many of them get so wrapped up in their own views about the arts that they forget that for some, being able to break other people’s bones is not the holy grail of arts training. Some people just want a different kind of workout – and there is nothing wrong with that. However, I would be remiss were I not to caution anyone taking martial arts as a social recreation and/or to get in shape, that they should not overestimate their capacity to defend themselves. Even if one rises through the ranks, belt after belt, they might not be able to actually defend themselves against a serious aggressor. It is not uncommon to be in great shape, have a black belt, and still be a very weak at defending themselves. If you know your limitations insofar as actual self-defense is concerned, you will enjoy your workouts more and feel a lot less stressed about getting a certain technique perfect.
Last but not least, I do not want to leave anyone with the impression that because self-defense is not their priority in choosing a martial art that they are somehow inferior or not serious about their training. Be confident about your reason for taking an art and do not listen to those who might put you down. You can get in great shape, make lots of friends, and be able to defend youself (not necessarily all of them have to be in equal measure).
Just because your primary focus is not breaking bones does not excuse you from perfecting your skills to the best of your ability. Self defense is more than just effecting a technique. The Coach is not about to let you slouch. At the very least, while you are having fun and looking dangerous, focus on throwing proper punches and kicks. Understand how each of your tools are used and once you do, imagine different variations and uses. Before long, your martial skills may be better than you realize.
The Coach
Next: The Ideal vs. The Practical
Choosing a Martial Art - Beginner’s Series #1
Introduction
If you have never studied martial arts or have limited exposure to martial art systems, choosing a martial art to study can be very intimidating. If you are a research oriented person, the mountains of online data about different martial arts/self defense systems can leave you paralized from information overload. If you are eager to just jump in and get started, you run the risk of choosing a martial art that does not suit you or your need, so you get discouraged and eventually quit.
There are many variables to consider when choosing a martial art – the art itself being the last of them (believe it or not). If jump right in you are setting yourself up to fail. A little bit of research can go a long way. I know many martial artists who have jumped from art to art never finding what they are looking for, or not knowing what they are looking for (which is closer to the truth). Some of these art-hoppers do develop some skill but the vast majority develop oddities in their self-defense system that cripple their long term development (but that is another story). The point being is that from the outset, you should determine why you want to study martial arts.
There is almost no limit to the number of styles and variations of martial arts, each with a different approach to self defense. You might have heard that one style is better than the rest but I encourage you to put those thoughts out of your mind. It is not the style that makes the artist but the artist that makes the style – meaning that the superior martial artist will defeat the inferior martial artist, regardless of style.
In this mini series, I plan to address the issues and answer the questions that you need answered so as to make an informed decision about which martial art to study.
The Coach
PS: If you have any questions that are not related to this post, just register and post in the Questions catagory.