| Just about everyone knows about the popular | | | | anything you put your mind to. |
| martial arts, such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung | | | | Coordination |
| Fu and Tai Chi...some people have even thought | | | | Martial arts does require a lot of hand, foot, eye, |
| about trying out a class. Bt have you ever | | | | and mental coordination, but all of this is |
| actually done it? Do you need a reason? | | | | developed over time. If you consider yourself as |
| Just about everyone has thought about taking up | | | | an uncoordinated person, training in the martial |
| a martial art at some point in time. Maybe as | | | | arts will help you grow those skills. You'll be |
| another way to stay in shape. Possibly as a | | | | amazed what your body is capable of doing! Even |
| means to protect yourself from the school bully. | | | | if you are a natural athlete, standing on one foot, |
| There are hundreds, if not thousands, of reasons | | | | while kicking with the other, and blocking with |
| why people choose to take up an art, but I want | | | | your hands is quite difficult and involves |
| to take a second to outline what I feel are the | | | | coordination. |
| most important reasons to at least try a martial | | | | Fitness |
| art. Maybe it's for yourself, maybe it's for your | | | | Martial Arts does not have to focus only on |
| children...whatever the reason, all martial arts | | | | fighting or self defense as some styles are based |
| contain a unique wealth of knowledge and discipline | | | | more on fitness. Tae Bo and Tai Chi are two |
| that you simply can't get anywhere else. My hope | | | | examples of this. However, those with an interest |
| is that this article will inspire you to get out of | | | | in the fighting & self-defense aspects of Martial |
| your chair and into a school to see what martial | | | | arts will find their fitness levels quicly increasing as |
| arts is all about. | | | | training not only develops various muscle groups, |
| Self Confidence | | | | but flexibility and balance as well. One's level of |
| As you train in martial arts, you will notice a lot if | | | | fitness can be just as important in winning a |
| improvements, such as your physique, balance, | | | | match as one's skills and abilities. |
| awareness, flexibility, and many other physical and | | | | Family Enjoyment |
| mental characteristics. Martial Arts will teach you | | | | Most people don't know that this is an excellent |
| how to combine these capabilities and use them | | | | way to spend time together with your family! |
| to succeed in competitions, attaining higher belts, | | | | Some martial art schools allow families to train |
| building friendships and protecting yourself if | | | | together and others separate classes by age |
| necessary. The more you can do, the more | | | | groups. Regardless of how classes are |
| confident you will be. | | | | segregated, families find themselves enjoying the |
| Self Defense | | | | time spent together. It is not unheard of having a |
| One of the most common reasons to study | | | | family all test together for various ranks and |
| martial arts is to learn how to defend one's self. A | | | | black belts. |
| number of schools may dedicate class time and | | | | Meet New People - Martial Arts is for everyone... |
| or offer a scheduled class that strictly goes over | | | | Many martial art schools structure their classes |
| self defense tactics. Also, depending on the MA | | | | into three age groups: Kids - usually ranging from |
| style or school, self defense can be a large part | | | | about 5 to 11 years old, Teens - 12 to about 16 |
| of the curriculum, which can be beneficial to those | | | | or 17, and Adults - usually starts at 18, but some |
| interested in "applicable arts" (arts you can use in | | | | schools make exceptions when necessary. Some |
| everyday life) as opposed to "traditional arts". | | | | schools also offer a "Little Dragons" program |
| Self Discipline | | | | geared towards the 4 - 6 year old crowd. Age |
| Webster defines self-discipline as the "correction | | | | groups are then broken down into belt ranks |
| or regulation of oneself for the sake of | | | | allowing you to train with people that are relatively |
| improvement". Whether it be trying to make a | | | | of equal skills and age. Often times people who |
| high school team or meeting company deadlines, | | | | begin martial arts together will develop a bonding |
| once you learn the focus necessary to succeed in | | | | friendship and even obtainin their black belts at |
| Martial Arts you can apply it to the rest of your | | | | the same time because they pushed one another |
| life. Success is mental, and Martial Arts will teach | | | | during their tuff times. |
| you the self discipline necessary to succeed at | | | | |