Martial Arts

[Armando]

After reading a few discussions on IPower i realized that a lot of people do some kind of martial arts.

Now i would really like to know WHY and what it does for you (help you with stress, etc.). If you like, you can also tell what you do and for how long you've been doing it.

[Armando]

I started my marial arts training about 2 and a half years ago. I've been fond of it all my life, but never really crossed the barrier of just doing it till then.
Started with Wing Chun Kung Fu, a really effective self defense art. I really enjoy it and it has taught me a LOT about myself! It also helps me to get away from the computer, stress and capitalistic world.
In April this year, i attended a Kombatan (fighting with sticks and knives mainly) camp in the philippines for 2 weeks. Continued training afterwards because i felt how i got more relaxed and flexible while training :-)

I'm pretty sure that martial arts will guide me through my entire life!

A really positive aspect of martial arts for me, is to have some kind of 'joker' in my hand, because i know how to defend myself if the need arises. I feel a lot more self-confident than before and have also met a few really nice and trustworthy people.

[James Mc]

I've only been doing Taekwondo for a few months, but I really do love it. Yeah, it does seem that a lot of people you talk to are involved in some sort of martial art. I do it because I get an unbelievable sense of self-satisfaction, it's great stress relief, and also great exercise. I see the ability to defend myself as a sort of perk, although it's a very useful perk.

[Martin aka Mithadis]

I agree that martial arts are one of the best way to gain a self-confidence without resorting to any mind-training or stuff like that ;) You get confidence in your physical abilities and skills, and about your ability to defend yourself or other people, which really affects your overall confidence. Not to mention the other good things you get from learning martial arts (fitness, better health, more energy). It's simple as that: physical health = mental health.

[Armando]

I like your answer!
Do you practice martial arts yourself as well?

[Dan]

This thread is getting me excited! I'm going to my first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lesson today!

[Armando]

Thats great! Making the first step is the hardest. And you're making it today, so i wish you tons of fun ;-)

[Dan]

It really was a ton of fun! I got beat up pretty bad, but it's only my first day! haha.

[Armando]

Only by knowing your weaknesses can you develop power to overcome them :-)

[Vodka]

I've been inactive for 5 years, but I found Aikido to be the art for me. Your mileage may vary.

Learning to control pressure points, learning to redirect energy, learning about your body and posture, learning defense... it all just felt very 'right' to me when I was doing it.

I couldn't tell you the difference between nikyo and sankyo (or why I remember the terms or what they even are) anymore. But I want to get back into it. Control of myself and my environment, or at least the perception of it, is very needed in my life presently.

[Agz]

Definitely allows you to become more confident. Also gets rid of stress and all, helps a lot mentally and physically.

I was reading another post on iPower, it was a about depression, see this is one thing that takes your mind off things you dont want but rather what you do want. Its simply a self development technique that helps in almost every area of your life.

Another thing is, it will stay with you for the rest of your life. Its not something you do one day and then its gone forever. Oh yeah, self defense, obviously. Sometimes, trouble comes your way, its good to be prepared for these sort of things.