Ok. Why?
Did somebody tell you something about self-esteem, or self-control? Maybe something to help concentration and focus? Did your doctor tell you to lose a few pounds?
If that’s the case, maybe better to re-think taking up martial arts. I’m not saying martial arts can’t help with these things. But that’s not what martial arts is designed for, and you can get the same benefits with other things, like soccer, baseball, swimming, or bicycling.
Or maybe martial arts is on your life’s bucket list – you know, one of those 100 activities you must do before you die.
If that’s the case, maybe better to re-think taking up martial arts. I’m not saying martial arts can’t be on a bucket list. But you’ve got the wrong mindset. Wanna take on somebody in a cage? Then head on down to the nearest MMA school, tell them you got no experience, but want to get in a cage to see what it’s like. Let me know how that works out for you.
Or maybe the kid down the block is taking up martial arts, and so maybe you should, too.
If that’s the case, maybe better to re-think taking up martial arts. It’s not for the dating scene. Here’s a tip: Walk up to his front door and ring the doorbell. When mom or dad answers, ask if you can get an ice cream with him. Or, you would like a date for the upcoming prom. Or you need a bridge partner. There’s a thousand pickup lines you can use. None of them involve the phrase “KIIIIAAAAHHHH!”, “Keep your head tucked in and roll forward”, “Protect your head”, or “Here, grab my wrist”. Well, that last one might work well for you 😉
Are you a victim of a crime? Is your child a victim of bullying?
If this is the case, you’re off to a good start. But be cautious, there will not be much progress for several years. Martial arts might have helped you or your child, had you started martial arts years ago, and kept at it. But you’re starting on it now, don’t expect immediate results. It’s a slow process, and anyone who tells you you can defend yourself after your first class is lying to you. That is the mistake of self-defense seminars, and is what is perpetuated by Hollywood’s half-hour shows where the protagonist takes up Judo and by the end of the episode, manages to deal back some karma.
Maybe, you aren’t a victim – but you want to prevent that. Or maybe you want to compete in fighting – like UFC or the Olympics.
If that is the case, you’re off to a good start here, too. Be cautious again: not all schools will teach you self-defense, and not all schools compete.
Believe it or not, many people don’t know why they are interested in it, they just think it’s the right thing to do. That’s one of the biggest reasons for failure and disinterest, as well as the plethora of misinformation about any particular style.
The most important factor is deciding what you want to get out of martial arts. If you are taking it for the wrong reason, you won’t last long, and your goals will be cut short. If you want weight loss, best to join a gym: the resources there are better for all-around training. Martial arts training, even if you end up at an active school, will not work on all parts of the body all the time. Such places can augment the gym or your private workout routines, but it is not a means to that end.
If you want self-defense, be careful that the school doesn’t suck you in under the guise that their training can be used for self-defense, and then they teach nothing about self-defense. This happens all the time.
Read up on how to find a martial art school.
Don’t get caught up in the myths in martial arts.
Don’t find out until a few years later about what the differences between a “dan” and a “black belt” are.
Nervous about your next test? You can’t possibly do any worse than me, and I was testing for my 3rd dan.
Do you understand what style you are practicing?
