| For those people who have never started a | | | | 5. Summarize the information you have learned |
| martial arts training program, their first response | | | | and match your preferences to a martial arts |
| is usually about how they underestimated how | | | | style that supports your physical state and |
| difficult the training itself is. Learning any martial | | | | long-term interest. |
| arts style is first and foremost a physically | | | | Some important factors to evaluate include |
| demanding activity. Having said that, it should not | | | | hard-style versus soft-style training. Hard-style |
| deter you from your goal. After all, getting in | | | | tends to be more physically intense. Examples of |
| good physical shape is a healthy thing to do. | | | | hard-style are Karate and Tae Kwon Do. |
| Here are the five steps to selecting the right | | | | Soft-style training tends to be less physically |
| style: | | | | challenging. Therefore, soft styles are more suited |
| 1. Consult with your doctor before beginning any | | | | to older students and those with physical |
| exercise program. | | | | limitations. Examples include Aikido and Tai Chi. |
| 2. Assess your physical condition. If you have any | | | | Remember that practicing martial arts can be |
| limitations that might affect your ability to practice | | | | dangerous, so exercise caution. Talk to people |
| a certain martial arts style, take that into | | | | that have experience studying martial arts and |
| consideration before making your decision. | | | | get their suggestions. Make sure to talk to several |
| 3. Watch practitioners from the various styles | | | | people who have learned different styles so that |
| before making your decision. Many schools have | | | | no one person influences your decision too much. |
| an observation area that allows you to watch | | | | There are many benefits to learning martial arts |
| while a class is being taught. Ask permission first. | | | | which include self-defense and self-confidence. To |
| 4. Decide whether you can visualize yourself | | | | learn more about various styles, there are many |
| learning to perform the techniques within a style. | | | | websites which have good introductions. One such |
| If not, consider another style. | | | | example is Martial World. |