There are many reasons to take a martial art.  Here are three of my favorites:

 Self Protection- Women, we’re physically smaller and less strong than men, overall.  That puts us at an immediate disadvantage if we want to protect ourselves.  Is it likely some thug is going to jump out from a dark street corner when we are walking in the dark?  I suppose it could happen; but not if we decide not to walk alone in the dark, first.  Awareness and understanding are the best self defense.  Use your noggin, first.

Many women’s self defense websites show really scary videos of women being victimized, attacked, or abducted.  That could potentially happen to any one of us.  Martial arts training or at least a little martial arts knowledge can help.  Practically, the best thing you can do is scream and fight.  Karate can give you a few good tools to use that can assist.  The simple techniques work the best in a adreneline-filled situations.  A good block, the ability to break a hold, a strong punch in just the right place.  If you have never learned any techniques then I suggest you try a martial arts class and learn a few things that might help save your life.

But, self protection is not just for women.  My husband was once attacked while in his car by a gang.  They physically drove on either side of him and caused him to swerve to the side of the road where they all jumped out of their vehicles and surrounded his car.

Thanks to the fact that he had taken some karate classes (he was a green belt) he at least had learned a few things about patience and quickly thinking things through.  Somehow, while they were trying to punch at him through a window that he hadn’t had a chance to close, he previewed the area around him and quickly put the truck in gear and sped in between the gang’s parked cars while they were all standing around him.

Honestly, he was scared.  Who wouldn’t be?   One of him, many of them.  But, the smartest thing he did, that martial arts taught him, was to remain calm.  So, there goes the theory about punching and kicking your way out of a situation; a martial artist finds the right technique for the right situation.

 Self-Confidence- This world is full of ways to shake us to our core.  It’s so easy to look around and feel inferior.  Gosh, I didn’t know that!  How did they get that big house?  Their kids are always so well-behaved. I have gained so much weight!  

Don’t let what  others have or do shake your confidence.  You have and do just as much, just in different ways.  In fact, with the determination and perseverance you pick up in your karate class, you will become the one others admire.  Once you apply some of the mental aptitude from martial arts, you will never see yourself in that inferior light again.

The martial arts is a total build-your-character type activity.  The more you practice, the stronger you get and the more balanced your life feels.  Your response to #1 Self Protection above, is positively multiplied.  You won’t look like a victim because of your confidence, and that is a true deterrent to any monster lurking in the shadows.

Along with learning martial arts skills, your balance and posture will get better.  So, to top it all off, you truly begin to walk tall.    Now that’s what I call confidence!

 Accomplishment- Taking a martial art takes a little bravery, doesn’t it?  To walk into a dojo full of people you don’t know, try to understand words and terminology you’ve never heard before; and contort your body into a stretch you never even knew existed.  It all rolls up into a great big powerful life accomplishment.  And, that’s just one class! Imagine how you feel when you earn a belt, learn to teach others, and can harness enough power to win a sparring match.

Now that you’ve met your challenge head-on, you can do just about anything.  Martial arts is many things to many people, and I believe everyone finds a certain sense of accomplishment once they start a martial arts journey.  The best part is there is no end to the journey.  It goes on and on and gets even better along the way.

It peaks when you receive a black belt; and yet, that is still just the beginning.  It is like receiving your Bachelor’s Degree in college.  All those years of studying, effort and hard work culminate in this piece of paper that says “You’ve made it; you’ve earned it.”  And, with pride you accept the day as one of your most memorable ever.  But there is so much more to do.  Now, a job search, more training, a career.  Your life is just beginning.

The same thing happens when you earn a black belt.  It really is just a beginning to a whole life time of accomplishments.  From there, perhaps there will be a second degree earned, or you’ll teach.  Maybe you will start your own karate school, or do some community service.  You can blog or just quietly practice on a sandy beach somewhere.  Like riding a bike, you will never forget it; and like earning a degree, it can never be taken away.

No matter where your martial art takes you, it is sure to be a place you’ve never been before.  It’s like visiting another country, or learning a new language.  You can start at any time.  Take the journey and achieve.  It’s worth it!

Trying a martial art is winning at life.

Andrea