Using Martial Arts to Take Your Skill, Discipline, and Confidence to the Next Level

Some people are afraid of trying martial arts, believing them to be either ineffective or overly violent...depending on which art you're talking about.

But I've had the interesting experiences of being molested once, mugged once, and stalked and sexually harassed many, many times in my young life. So, if someone wants to tell me why it's OK for anyone to not know how to protect themselves and their loved ones, then by all means.

Go for it.

Martial arts come in many different shapes and sizes, and you're encouraged to find the one(s) that suit you best. After all, if you don't enjoy the style, you won't stick with it.

I've had the very fortunate chance of experiencing many different martial arts, so I have a bigger picture than many beginning students, and even many masters who focus on one single discipline.

Although I could take a lot of time to explain the subtle nuances of each of the different styles, I'll focus on some specific categories I've noticed each art tends to fall into. These categories are very general, and are here to serve as an overview of some of the disciplines.

~ Focuses on physical contact.

~ Emphasizes self defense.

~ Uses strikes, blocks, throws, take-downs, etc.

~ May train either empty handed, with weapons, or both.

~ Examples are Jiu Jitsu, Krav Maga, MMA, and Karate.

~ Focuses more on mental aspect.

~ Promotes gentle movement.

~ Promotes healing of the mind and body.

~ Frequently uses meditation as a cornerstone of practice.

~ Examples are Yang-style Tai Qi and Qi Gong.

~ May use traditional weapons that are no longer used in much of the world, but are important for history's sake.

~ Specific forms; traditional and inflexible, but used to adapt to different situations. If the instructor is good and the student is persistent, that is.

~ Usually places more emphasize on tournaments than "real world" self defense.

~ Usually involves many different formalities to cultivate discipline and respect.

~ Examples are Kempo, Ninjutsu, and Tang Soo Do. And although I have not had any experiences with them yet, Aikido and Kendo are also great examples.

~ Emphasizes self defense above all else.

~ Includes street fighting.

~ Relies on instinctual movements to make it easy to learn and remember under pressure.

~ The only rule is to get home safe.

~ Examples include Self Defense classes and Krav Maga.

I'll just use what I'm doing now as an example: I regularly practice the hard style/practical style (two for one!) martial arts of Krav Maga and Jiu Jitsu. I also like to meditate on my own, giving me some elements of the soft styles. And I occasionally practice Yang-style Tai Qi and Qi Gong, as well, to give me greater benefits of the soft styles.

Now get training! You've got yourself and your loved ones to protect, and a mind and body to cultivate!