There is something about martial arts that interests just about everybody, from practitioners, to kids, to movie enthusiasts, to grandfathers, to writers, and everyone in between.  Why is it so well-loved, so sought out?

Because martial arts seem magical.

The human body and the human mind working together in unison is important, but the reason so many people are so enthralled with martial arts has little to do with its physical attributes; it has more to do with the transformation of the human spirit.  The practitioner of a martial art feels it and the audience of the martial art sees it.  Both are captured by it and are in awe of it.

The magic permeates the lives of everyone and anyone who tries it or sees it.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles grabs the hearts of children; Power Rangers inspires kids; Jackie Chan makes us laugh; Bruce Lee left us in awe; Chuck Norris is an American hero; and other movies and television programs bring the martial arts to life.

Police Officers learn it.  Moms learn it.  Kids try it.  It is for everyone.

We can’t shun the movie-version of martial arts; after all it is the byproduct of a lot of hard work and years of dedication of these martial arts actors that make karate and martial arts athleticism coveted, mainstream, and recognized.

Whether you are a martial artist, an observer, or a movie lover, I think you will agree that the magic of martial arts touches you in one way or another, and epitomizes how to overcome limitations and develop inner strength.  Whether you practice it or watch it, there is wonderment in the martial arts.

Overcoming Limitations

I didn’t start learning martial arts until I was twenty-six.  To me that seems a little old; but, for others who don’t start until even later in life, it sounds young.  Perspective makes a difference.

The very thing that scared me on the first day that I walked through the dojo door is the same thing that captured my interest and my heart and secured my place as a martial artist forever.  It was the acknowledgement that I had a lot of work to do to become a better martial artist and a better person and an acceptance of the challenge to overcome my physical and mental limitations.

I had no plans of ever breaking a board and no desire to learn kata after kata.  I was just there to get in a little better shape and see what the martial arts mystery was about.  I was a little taken aback by the number of students in class back then and how they were so proficient and incredibly strong and agile.  On occasion, twenty little kid bodies would crouch down in a big long row and another youth would run, fly over top of them like superman to the other end where he would break a board with a flying side kick.  No, I didn’t know that was possible.  The magic started to settle in.

Over time, I realized something.  The magic and the mystery of a martial art is different for each person.  It is something within.  What others can do will motivate you, but what you can do will surprise you. Each martial artist has different strengths.  No two are alike.  Your unique flair will work to your benefit.  You will stand out on your own merits.  You must always remain true to you.  As unique as your personality, your martial art skills and strengths are yours and yours alone.  Those who simply enjoy watching a martial artist or a karate movie see that there is something very intimate about a martial artist and his martial art.

I never could do those running jump side kicks very well.  I worked for years practicing them along with everyone else, but they just were not my thing.  I did break boards even though I was scared and nervous.  I also stood up in front of others to be tested and I did what I was asked, even when I wasn’t sure I could do it.  I stood out because of my intense focus.  Running jump side kicks eventually did not matter to me.  Here in my office as I write sits three trophies for best exam performance and a beautiful large certificate with my name on it that confirms that I overcame the most difficult boundary of all:  disbelief in myself.  The release of the disbelief obstacle opened the door to my understanding of martial arts magic.

The important thing is to find what motivates you and build upon it in your own way.  That is part of the magic.

There have been many times in my karate journey that I have overcome limitations, from changing my lack of self-confidence to using my martial art mindset to overcoming personal challenges to accepting life-changing situations.  I could have done it without karate; but, my rate of success would have been lower.  You see, you cannot overcome obstacles unless you believe in yourself, use a positive mindset, or open up your heart.  These are the things that separate how I deal with difficulties from the way others deal with them; my success in areas where others have failed.  You and I can face the same obstacles but unless we think alike, one of us will learn from it and move on while the other will self-destruct and lose focus about what is important.

Like any martial artist, though, you can find a meaningful approach to your life.   There are definitely a lot of hurtful, hateful, horrible situations going on in our world today.  It is easy to feel discouraged or dwell on them.  What if, instead, you found something good on which to focus?  You don’t need to get hung up on all the negativity just because it is blasted via news constantly.  Sure, know the world, understand the strife, and don’t be content with how things are, but don’t center your entire focus on what is wrong.  If you must focus on something, make it worthwhile, that directs you to push yourself and overcome limitations, not to wallow in the difficult situations.  Know that the role you play in this world can illuminate a path for others; or darken it, if you choose to shirk your responsibility.  Choose wisely.

Just as I was in awe of that incredible jump side kick over all those crouched down bodies, you must start your realization by finding something amazing that inspires you.  You will feel cornered in life sometimes.  You will struggle with having to push through, but the fact is that you are resilient and can move forward if you have the right mindset and motivation and some inspiration that is powerful to you.

The magic that engulfs the martial arts is all about exceeding limitations and becoming the person you never knew you could be. The rest of the people seem to have forgotten this message.  The rest of the world is still hoping someone will just come along to save them.  The martial artist faces personal limitations with the same fear as everyone, but the difference is, the magic is, that he does something about it.  What he learns and what he shares is the hope that each person can make a change and a difference.

You must do something about it, too.  The magic of the martial arts, the magic of life, is as available to you as it is to me.  Live with magic in your heart and the belief that you, too, can make a difference.

Inner Strength

Not only do martial artists find inspiration through the realization that they can overcome personal limitations; they learn, over time, to engage inner strength.

Inner strength?  Is this some kind of hidden secret?  Another martial art mystery?

Well, no.  The secret of inner strength is available to all of you.

There comes a time for a martial artist when he recognizes that he has settled into his style, he has overcome some physical challenges and limitations, and he has applied a new approach to his practice.  It is one thing to push physical limits so the body reacts in a certain way; it is another thing to push mental boundaries with an everlasting, ever-strong mindset.

The magic that an extremely well-trained martial artist has is partly in his physical capabilities:  a mile-high kick, rapid punches, training precision, and breath that builds like a tornado as he readies for his next movement; however, what he is feeling and what you are seeing is not really physical at all.  The reason you enjoy watching martial artists, Ninja Turtles, or martial arts movie stars, is because they exhibit something most of you don’t understand.  It is their inner strength, not their physical strength, that is actually responsible for pushing them beyond their limitations.

This martial artist appears to have something incredibly powerful and magical; his inner strength that gives him his physical power.  What you see, the delivery of a martial arts style, is a finished product.  You never see the behind the scenes work, the thought process and meditation, the reflection and thoughtfulness, from which these martial artists draw.

I often refer to myself as the “everyday martial artist.”  I see myself as the average person who has learned a very valuable art that I can apply to my life each and every day.  I choose this view of myself but the truth is, others who are non-martial artists, find something very special in what I do.  They watch a kata and comment on its beauty, or they watch a punching drill and remark how quickly I can shoot out a few punches.  To me, it’s average; to them, it’s intriguing because they know that I have overcome physical limitations to be able to do any of this.  I have applied an inner strength that is so engrained in me that I don’t even recognize it anymore.  The magic of inner strength in martial arts is that it is internalized and blindly accepted by the practitioner, but clearly visible to the observer.

Inner strength is not just for the martial artists, it is for you.  Without it, the burdens of life can be cumbersome and tough to manage.  It is uncomfortable to face difficult issues or decisions in life ranging from financial burdens, mental illness, health issues, addictions, grief, and worry.  The person who uses inner strength as a guide through life won’t feel these things any less, but in my personal experience, he may recover a little faster.  Inner strength must be built, just as physical strength is.  It is flexing the muscles of your mind where all the powerful can-do messages that you need are stored.

How can you build inner strength?  There are a few things you can try.  They are approaches that I use that have helped me.

Physically work out on a regular basis.  I use karate, Zumba, and weight training to keep me balanced.  I don’t get bored because of variety.  If I don’t work out, I get grumpy.  There is a relationship to my mental health with physical exercise.

Address any health issues with a professional.  I put off being diagnosed with restless leg syndrome because I felt it impinged on my otherwise medicine-free life.  Once I allowed a diagnosis, I slept better and I’m proud to say it is the only medication I take.

Find inspiration in others and apply it to your life.  I use other bloggers and other martial artists as personal inspiration, as well as the stories of others who have overcome situations that personally touch my heart.

Use another successful person as a role model.  Because I like to write, I focus on other writers and I always remind myself that if someone else can do something, I can do it too.

Think of  your goals.  As I write this, it’s that time again!  A New Year is rapidly approaching.  I’ve already started a list that includes losing a few pounds, increased weight training, writing 2-3 blogs per week, and writing a print-on-demand book, to name a few.

All of these types of activities help solidify your inner spirit and bring you the contentment and peace that you need to increase your physical and mental energy.  They put in motion your own personal inner strength.

The martial artists you admire, who perform amazing flips, star in movies, or capture the hearts of children did not get there by happenstance.  They have applied many positive, goal-setting concepts to their lives. They have been dedicated and committed to their personal focus and style.  They share what they know so that others can benefit from the truth and integrity of martial arts.  It ends up looking a lot like magic to those of you watching, when in fact, it is the most real thing there is.

Magic is not real, nor are illusions.  They make us believe in something, though.  They give us hope that there is a way to erase the bad and evil and transform emptiness into fullness or worthlessness into fortune.  Martial arts magic takes the ordinary, like me, and changes it into something extraordinary.  It takes what is old and makes it new again.  It cultivates an atmosphere of harmony in even the most burdensome part of your life.

The magic is not in the martial art, but deep within you.  It is the magic of you.  You can use the right approach, the right mindset, and a positive outlook anytime you want to overcome your personal obstacles and to increase your inner strength.

If writing this has taught me anything, it is that the magic of you and the magic of martial arts make up a big part of who I am.  I’m forever grateful to know that the power of martial arts is magical, but real, and I plan to rely on it for the rest of my life.

Make your life magical by accepting that you can overcome limitations and use your own inner strength to live a better life, to Win at Life, each and every day. When you accept that, you believe not in magic, but in you.

Andrea