Why the Martial Arts?

[shevbo]

The first time I did an MA was karate at the age of 13. I remember clearly that I got really fed up of it because I just wasn't any good no matter how hard I tried.

Then when I was around 17 or just before that a friend persuaded me to go to one of his kickboxing classes. I went and loved it. The teacher was great and I made good mates there. I'm 19 now and even though train in boxing now also and MT I still go back to that class because I always learn something new there.

When I started out I suppose my intention was to shut my mate up and to I suppose be able to defend myself. Since then there is the bonus of improving confidence, and releaving stress.

I now train because I want to push my body further and further. And see what I can do with it. And i'm actually good at what I do now, and getting better.

Although I don't train as hard as I would like to

[SheWolf]

Up until I started practicing the sword arts, I never even DREAMED of being a Martial Artist. Never even considered it. I spent my life assuming that I wasn't the physical type and anything that physically demanding was beyond me.

Then my boyfriend decided to look for a 'hobby'. He looked into Krav Maga first but then he came up to me one day and said "you wanna do some sword fighting?"

(ok, Martial Arts = out of my league ... SWORD fighting = WHAT #?$^^$#$???)

But I went along anyway thinking ... actually I was that baffled I wasn't thinking anything. I continued to be baffled by the funny clothes all the guys wore in the dojo (what!? omg ALL guys... eeek!) and then I promtly placed BOTH LEGS INTO ONE HAKAMA LEG and said "what does this other bit do???"

But now one year later I believe it is the best thing I have done in my life. I continue to do it because of the person growth, confidence, the support network, and improved fitness.

[Adon4Ever]

Why did you begin your martial arts? What was your goal and has it changed?

To beat up all them Street Fighter II opponents

What makes you get off the couch and train everyday?

What!? GET UP OFF THE COUCH!?



Okay, serious now: I picked all of the above, because I just can't pin it down to one reason. I've actually been at least exposed to a lot of different styles of martial arts. I started when I was about 7 or 8 taking Tae Kwon Do (Jhoon Rhee). My parents enrolled me after I had gotten into a fight at school. I did it for about 5 or 6 years, before moving from FL to OK (where I live now). And I also had a 1 year hiatus when I moved to Chicago.

In Oklahoma, sports were my big thing, in school. Through Jr. High and High School, I played football and I wrestled. Then about my Junior year of High School, I got into a MMA program. I was involved in that for about... I think 3 years. I ended up getting sidetracked with other stuff (that little thing called "life"), so I let my membership expire. But while I was in it, I was at least exposed to a lot of different martial arts.

The core martial art was Wing Chun Kung-Fu. But it also incorporated Jiu-Jutsu (the more traditional Japanese version), Muay Thai, Filipino Arnis, Northern Shaolin, Penjak Silat, boxing, wrestling... the list could go on and on. I enjoyed them all, and I enjoyed the Tae Kwon Do that I took as a kid. I can safely say that every single martial art that I studied has taught me at least one thing that benefits me to this day. But I would say that Muay Thai was my favorite.

I believe that there is no "best" martial arts system. That there's no one system that is better than another. But I also believe that there is such a thing as a martial arts system that works best for the particular person. I guess I feel that Muay Thai is the best fit for me because I have a knack for delivering power kicks, forward attacks (like knees and "tiip" type kicks), and elbows. So naturally Muay Thai would work best for a guy like me.

I guess why I'm into it now was because I was getting to be a rather sedentary person. I had put on a lot of weight, and I knew that I needed to do something physical. But I wanted to do more than just go to the gym. I knew that a great way for me to get back into shape was to take up a sport. I almost immediately thought of the martial arts, since it never did me any harm when I was taking it. And almost immediately after that, I thought of Muay Thai, since I liked it so much. So after a little searching, I found a place in Norman that offered Muay Thai training, and decided to hop on board.

So I guess my biggest reason for studying it now is the physical fitness, and to drop some weight (though I got a long way to go on both counts). And of course there's the self-defense aspect. That's always good to have, whether you ever end up needing it or not. I also love the self-confidence factor, and the spiritual aspect of it (I'm not a Buddhist or anything). Plus, after a workout (and after catching my breath), there's this incredible rush I feel - a rush that no drug could ever give. Plus I like the people I train with - they're a pretty cool bunch of guys. My instructors too. And I've grown up watching MA movies, and have always liked them, and gotten a bit of inspiration from them. Even now I do. Lots of martial artists from Bruce Lee to Chuck Norris to Jet Li to Tony Jaa.

So... why do I get off the couch to train? I guess because I know that if I don't do it now, I'll never do it. And that's NOT how I want to turn out.


Josh

[Jaclyn]

I started mainly for fitness. Going to the gym was just really boring for me. I'd always loved the Ninja Turtles, so I figured I'd give martial arts a shot.

Now I take karate mainly because I enjoy it. It's just a lot of fun, which is something I never thought I'd say about any kind of workout.

[Cougar Claw]

I voted primarily for self defense, but the others apply too.

[Koshu]

Primarily self defense. What I found in addition was an art with such depth that, beyond the issue of rank, I see it as an ultimate life's goal to achieve mastery in the art (though I may never get there, it's worth the effort) -- an art that offers worthwhile physical and mental/intellectual challenges to spur personal development, as well as provide mentoring to others.

[GeeBee]

1. Fitness
2. Self Defense
3. Personal Development

Peace
GB

[Brian Dugger]

During my last year at college, I met a fella by the name of Brent Beck. He'd been studying a little known system apart from Arkansas called Taiho Ryu (www.taiho-ryo.org). After seeing his workout bag lying in the corner, I made a few inquiries. After he indulged me with a "few" kansetsu waza with knife disarming techniques, I was intrigued.

After spending another 1.5 years in a specialization school for a subsequent degree, I decided it was now time to exercise physically instead of mentally. Boy, I was I ever wrong. Loathing running and the commercial gym mindset, I decided maybe a martial art was the thing to do. After spending a year and half in Taiho Ryu (primarily karate now, with little if any jujitsu these days)with Larry Fliss, I moved to New Orleans. Dr. Faucett, a sempai in the Taiho dojo, recommended that I train with Mikami or a former Mikami student named Chieng Lam.

Spending my obligitory three months with Chieng doing shotokan wasn't quite my interest nor being taught by Smokey and seeing Chieng a total of only three classes in three months. I paid Chieng (3 months in advance, I might add), not Smokey. So, I called this 800 martial info number in the yellow pages. It was a hub number to Ronny's Karate Shop out on Vets. Ronny says you need to see Jack Garrett for jujitsu. After talking to Jack's mother, Jack's brother Ted calls and says, "You go to UNO for his aikido class tonight at seven (this was a Tuesday), I'll let him know to look for you." I thought to myself I asked for jujitsu, not aikido--well okay. I didn't know Jack did several things. He primarily taught jujitsu at the dojo, but aikido to the university students at the time. I show up for the aikido class with my gi, Jack grabs me in a nikajo that hurts like the blazes to this day and he asks me, "Was it good for you, (I was nodding emphatically and tapping)?" He retorts, "It was for me toooooo!" and he grins.

[Aruko]

Why did you begin your martial arts? What was your goal and has it changed?

What makes you get off the couch and train everyday?

I hate the couch now. I much more prefer the open Dojang with the varnished wood floors. ^_^

[Daniel N.]

I picked other. In the beginning it was for Self defense only. Then I started getting fit, so that became a reason. Then by that time I made friends in the class, so that became a reason. It was some time later that I realized my self confidence had improved, and now for all of these reasons, and a desire to have a competition entry be it BJJ tournament, or a full contact MMA fight, or some other form. I like competing and I think I would enjoy that as well.

[Pathfinder]

I picked self defence but as I get older I am finding so many other reasons to train. I am at a flat point in my life right now and I haven't trained for over a year (many reasons, financial mainly) but the sure knowledge that I will begin training again keeps me sane. This thread has been quite inspirational for me and one reply really stood out for me.

I think it was Aikidogirl that said...

Just the thought of the person I have become since I started MA and the person I was before gets me off the couch. I don't want to be that person anymore. It's the best thing that ever happened to me. That's what gets me off the couch.

I have wasted the last few months of my life on a mental and spiritual couch and I cling to the memory of who I was and who I will be again... that is what the martial arts mean to me at the moment.

Great thread.

[Kusarigama]

For a perspective from Katsuse Yoshimitsu Kagehiro, serving as the 15th Generation Headmaster of the Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo, please follow this link:

http://suioryu-usa.org/bucreates.html

[cnada]

Can I say "ALL OF THE ABOVE"? I got interested because of the Power Rangers. I train because it's fun, helps me lose weight, and boosts my self-confidence.

[Da-RiSiN-sMoKe]

There's nothing else to do in this hellhole; that's why I started. Also, I don't want to be that victim or punching bag; I was that quiet kid.

I'm not a sports person.
It's not like you can trust anyone.

It's life...

[Bushido Hurley]

It's a total mix of everything for me. I really enjoy everything about the martial arts from the culture, to the history, to meeting senseis that have ranged from soccer-moms to former army rangers.

Also has managed to keep me away from bad habbbits, and may end up protecting me and those around me some day =)

Oh and Chuck Norris totally. =)

[tntma12]

when I first started martial arts many years ago, it was mainly for self defense. But the more I trained, the more I just fell in love with the training, and the arts itself. I train now because I just love to train, and learn and help others learn.

[tiger_rf]

all of the above

[Padamil]

I started training after watching Kung Fu Theater on USA in the mid 80's every Saturday and Sunday for a year. Then at the beginning of summer 1984 a local karate school decided to open up a club in the youth center on the base where my dad was stationed (I'm an Air Force brat.) So me, my brother and my best friend went to the orientation and were hoooked. Even though it was Shotokan instead of Kung Fu, we had a blast. At the end of the summer my brother and friend quit, but I kept going.

[Joe]

When I was younger (maybe 6 or 7 years ago..some where around there) my parents signed me up to get rid of that energy all little kids have. Over the years It's changed from getting rid of energy to Self Defense , Confidence , and , because I enjoy practicing Martial Arts.

-Joe