The Value of Martial Arts
by Christine Gallagher
Have you ever considered martial arts as a way to get fit? You may be surprised to know that there are no special entry requirements or fitness levels expected. I've seen children as young as 3 or 4, mums and dads of all shapes and sizes, plus seniors and people with disabilities at our local karate class.
Some people may be put off by the defensive/combat nature of martial arts but in reality there are many clubs out there with a focus on family, fun and fitness. This has been my own family's experience. A new karate club opened in our area and we thought it would be a great activity for our kids to do. Little did we know at the time that they encourage mum and dad to join in too, so we bit the bullet and decided to give it a go. It has been very rewarding for us and it can be for you too.
What can martial arts offer you (and your children)?
Health and Fitness - work out muscles you didn't even know you had! You will gain strength, coordination, balance, flexibility, endurance and you might even lose excess weight.
Self-defence - develop techniques that can help you in real life situations. Some styles have more focus on self-defence while others are more on general physical techniques. A combination of the two is good. Clubs with good values should stress the importance of using your training only in a defence situation and only using as much force as necessary to enable you to get away from the attacker. You should stay away from styles that focus too much on 'attacking' another person. This is never the goal of 'self-defence'.
Discipline - styles that focus on teaching respect and discipline are especially beneficial for children. This may involve bowing procedures, expectations for behaviour and how to address and respond to the teacher (sensei - pronounced sensay). However, you'll find that the 'discipline' aspect of martial arts is both mental and physical in nature.
Confidence and Self-Esteem - martial arts is very rewarding for people of all ages, not just children. As your techniques improve and your mental and physical faculties strengthen, you are filled with a sense of empowerment. Your achievements are also recognised when you progress to new levels and work on mastering even more complex techniques.
Traditional/Cultural Arts - some styles more than others are heavily based on the tradition of the art which can be very interesting to explore. Knowing that the style you are learning has remained true to the original creation can give you a sense of being part of something special.
Spirituality - many martial arts incorporate some level of focus within and this is especially obvious with Tai Chi. While on the outside, martial arts may appear a 'fighting art', the true essence of most martial arts is the development of the whole person, self-improvement and being part of a community.
Sport/Competition - some styles are heavily involved in combat via tournaments (e.g. Muay Thai), while others can provide that option if you should choose to participate (e.g. Tae Kwon Do or Karate schools).
Do Your Research
Look into some of the martial arts clubs in your local area and go along to watch a class so you know exactly what to expect. Most clubs will offer a free introductory class so you can try before you outlay any money. You will want to find a club that is in line with your goals. If you are looking for a family activity, then look for clubs that do not separate adults and children into different classes. If you want to predominantly use martial arts as a way to get fit, then you may prefer classes that focus a lot on technique rather than combat/self-defence practice. Other people are interested in learning additional crafts such as weapon wielding which some clubs focus on. However, for beginners I would recommend finding a club where you can develop initial fitness and techniques. Then further down the track you can decide whether moving into a more combative style is for you. The key, as I have mentioned, is to look around, find out the values of the club, who attends classes and what is involved in that martial art.
You can always look up more information about your local martial arts options on the internet, but do realise that many individual clubs place their own twist on the overarching martial art style and this may or may not be in line with your own goals.
Martial Arts Styles
There are thousands of individual martial arts styles, though generally they will fall into one of the following style categories:
Standing - These are your most popular martial arts styles such as Karate, Kung Fu and Tae Kwon Do which focus on punching, kicking and blocking techniques. These styles are great for all round fitness, technique and discipline. Most will be non-contact and their names usually suggest something along the lines of 'the way of the open hand' - meaning no weapons are used.
Throwing - These styles start from a standing position but incorporates trips, locks and other techniques to send the opponent off-balance, e.g. Judo, Aikido and Hapkido. Obviously there is more physical contact with these styles and therefore more chance of bruises and so on, but if well-managed these styles can be lots of fun for all ages.
Low Impact/Inner Focus - Very popular for fitness of the body and mind are Chi Gong, Tai Chi and Ba Gua styles. While many of the styles were traditionally created for combat/self-defence, today's value is generally placed on the low impact fitness, stress relief, inner focus and breathing techniques. Great for older people and those with injuries that exclude them from more physical styles.
Ground fighting/Grappling - The largest focus of these styles is in grappling and locking (like wrestling) with an opponent, e.g. Brazilian Jujitsu and Sambo. Kids really enjoy being able to throw an opponent who is bigger than them and this in turn can build self-confidence.
Weapons-based - Styles such as Kendo work to master the use of one or more weapons in combat. The style may be traditionally-based in its weapon use, or may focus on a more modern use of weapons for self-defence and combat. Check these styles out thoroughly as there is no overarching body governing martial arts clubs and therefore the intentions of some clubs may not be what you are looking for.
Other Factors to Consider
There are other practical factors that will determine your choice such as membership fees, cost of lessons, clothing, equipment and grading (you generally pay to grade to the next level and buy your own belt). The availability of classes on the days and times that suit you will also make a difference. Clubs with various options are great because you can make up classes if you are sick or do additional classes to progress at a faster rate. The length of lessons is also a factor. You won't get much done in a half-hour class, especially if you have to warm up first (which should be essential). An hour or hour-and-a-half is a good length. Finally, meet your instructor before signing up. It is important that you feel comfortable with this person and feel that he or she is competent in their knowledge and ability. I find the best instructors work you hard, are respectful and approachable. A sense of humour doesn't go astray either as all work and no play is rarely fun!
I hope you feel you have a better understanding of the 'whole picture' of martial arts now and the many benefits it can provide you and your family. I encourage you (and your family, if relevant) to look further into something that could be a lot of fun and a different way of getting fit and healthy.