Is martial arts for me?

Question

I am interested in studying martial arts, but I am nervous about it. How do I know if it’s right for me?

Answer 1

Most martial arts schools will offer a 2-3 week "trial" to see if you are ready to train full time. Keep in mind, training is a strong commitment and you should attend classes at least 2-3 times a week (1 hour per class) to fully benefit from the lessons. With this in mind you can ask yourself if you are ready to commit.

Martial arts is self discipline that places heavy emphasis upon training your mind and body. The lessons learned during your training will be applicable to many other aspects of life such as schooling. You will be strengthening your mind as well as your muscles.

It is very understandable to be nervous during your first few classes. But remember every single person, no matter their skill level, began exactly in your position. Everyone starts as a white belt and grows into a black belt. The instructors are very understanding, patient and very willing to work at your pace. They will make you feel at ease and work within your skill set. I highly recommend at least trying a 2-3 week trial period to see if it is a good fit for you. If you find that it is you will be very impressed at how you will grow as a person! If you would like additional information I would be happy to set up a session with you! Best of luck on your journey!

Answer 2

Let's dive in! Martial arts is for everyone! The intensity is up to you though! If you are just interested in dipping your toes in, try to find a local gym that offers lesson! Not only will you meet people who have a similar interest in learning, but you also won't have to be around anyone TOO intense for your first time! Always go for open classes when you wanna dip your feet in. After that, try to find a HIGH RATED gym in your area that teaches either a specific style of martial arts, or teaches mixed martial arts!

Answer 3

You

 

TUTOR

 You don't need to start with sparing from the beginning, you can try by learning how to properly stand, move, block, punch and block, that are the basics. Then if you find what you learnt met your needs, you can only work on improving those techniques. If you feel you want to proceed to higher level then you can start learning katas(forms) and Komite(sparing). I am Shotokan karate black belt with over 30 years of martial art experience, if you are interested in some trial lessons, please contact me for some lessons.

Answer 4

Martial arts can be intimidated. It does take commitment and perseverance. I will suggest to first get familiar with the styles (i.e. Taekwondo, Shotokan, Karate) and the origins of the practice. In your journey to find a studio, pay attention to how the instructor teaches techniques, the credentials and what existing students are saying about the school. As an example, in Taekwondo is highly recommended to have a master or grandmaster with a Kukkiwon certificate as well as a college education (i.e. Yong-In University). The education and certification, as in any other profession, supports not only the teaching qualifications, but also the quality of your learnings.

Remember always that martial arts focus on the balance between your mental heatlh and physical strength; therefore, your instructor needs to be detailed oriented, challenge you to be out of your comfort zone and motivate you to develop your own confidence. Finally, visit different dojos or dojangs and observe the dynamic of the class before committing to any martial arts school. Patience to identify the ideal place with good instructors is key to your success.

Answer 5

There are a couple of different ways you can “study” martial arts: self-defense or full program; and which is right for you is going to be based on your needs.

Many people are interested in martial arts as a way to protect themselves. Either they have been attacked in the past or they are just afraid of being attacked. In that case, what might be best for you is a basic self-defense course. You may still want to pursue the full program after you get a taste of it, but that is entirely up to you.

Some people are interested in martial arts as a way to learn focus, self-discipline, coordination, and/or other self-improvement reasons. If that is you, I highly recommend starting a full martial arts program.

If you are just nervous about martial arts, I recommend talking with an instructor and see if they can show you a few things to see if it’s right for you. A good instructor will help you with this.