Why do people take up Martial Arts?

You are probably thinking:

• “I like my food! If only I could burn it off and be fit, happy & healthy!”
• “Can it motivate me to give up smoking!”
• “Where can I have structured fitness regime?”
• “I would like to be able to protect myself if I was attacked!”
• “I want to try a martial art because I have heard it helps with stress, agility and fitness!”
• “I want to enjoy myself and want to improve my fitness”
• “I want to have a real sense of achievement”
•  “I would like to increase my confidence and self esteem!”

Your problem has been:

• “There are so many fitness hobbies – how do I choose the best one for me!”
• “I have tried various activities and they may have been either too easy or not suitable for my health or not suitable for my age!”
• “How can I test the martial art I am learning?”
• “The conventional keep fit and gym work is too boring, I want to be able to test my fitness and see some result in my activity!”
• “ I would like to train with people who are more sociable”
• “I lack the confidence or motivation”

   

These problems are those shared by other people who have come to train in the Martial Arts.

Most Martial Art forms have developed to reach the same goal, to be able/have confidence to fight. This could be ‘fighting without fighting’ or fighting in tournaments or even a more personal fight (spiritually with yourself).