Hudson Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 Ok, let's set aside philosophy here. You can debunk this question all you want but: How many people on the forums train a martial art mainly to have a self-defense? And for people who have been training for a good while, what was the reason you started? Why have you continued? Is the reason you practice now any different from when you started? The game of chess is much like a swordfight; you must think before you move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torris Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 I needed to lose weight, exercise, get in shape, yada yada. I hate aerobics. TKD offers the benefits of exercise, and the bonus of being able to defend myself. Since I am relatively new, my reasons haven't changed. I always dreamed of wanting to do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotten Head Fok Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 I started because I wanted to become a teacher, I train because I love what I do. Because I love what I do I have developed skills that can be used to defend myself. I still want to be a teacher (but that will be decided by my Instructors at my new school). You must be stable and balanced in your foot work, if you have to use your martial knowledge in combat, your intent should be to win. If you do strike, you must release great power! The martial arts are easy to learn, but difficult to correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenStar Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 I don't train for self defense, I train for offense. I may not be able to defend myself, but I sure as heck can fight... As for why I started, my parents put me into it when I was a kid - I just kinda stuck with it. It was mainly off and on until a few years ago when I decided I watned to compete. Now, it's the drive to continually improve and compete that keeps me going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorinryu Sensei Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 How many people on the forums train a martial art mainly to have a self-defense? Self-defense isn't my primary goal, but it was one of the goals I had when I began, and is still to this day.And for people who have been training for a good while, what was the reason you started? I've been at it since January of 1975 and the main reason I started was curiosity because it was pretty new to this area, and Bruce Lee was "the man" everybody wanted to be like at that time. Why have you continued? Because it's FUN! Also, it has become a way of life.Is the reason you practice now any different from when you started? Not really. Fun, self-defense, fascination, exercise, friends..those and more keep me going. My nightly prayer..."Please, just let me win that PowerBall Jackpot just once. I'll prove to you that it won't change me!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravencroft Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 Haha...i wont lie...i train to be a tough guy. not a violent bully, but someone who can step up to the plate and deliver. in terms of health it has its benefits but that sort of takes a back seat to combat seeing as how i go to the gym anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vito Posted August 21, 2004 Share Posted August 21, 2004 not unlike sevenstar, i train for offense as well. you ask me, its the best defense. and not unlike ravencroft, i also train to be a tough guy. i dont want to start * or anything, but i want to be that guy- the tough one. dont * with me, baby. yeah. "If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared." -Machiavelli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karategurl Posted August 21, 2004 Share Posted August 21, 2004 The reason i started my martial arts training was for my senior project (a project in which we pick a topic very new to us, and do a hands on part, then write a 10 page paper, then do a oral report) in high school. We do this instead of a high school exit exam. My science teacher from 8th grade was the master of his dojo and has always wanted me to do karate. So i did. After my project was over, i continued because i loved it so much. I just love the self defense, excersize, and relaxation of the body and soul that goes along with it. Thus is why i continued. Now that i am on my way to college, i plan to find a dojo nearby to continue my training and earn my black belt. Hurt rather than injure,Injure rather than maim,Maim rather than kill,kill rather than be killed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta1 Posted August 21, 2004 Share Posted August 21, 2004 How many people on the forums train a martial art mainly to have a self-defense? ...what was the reason you started? Why have you continued? Is the reason you practice now any different from when you started? Self defense was one of my main reasons for starting martial arts. I wanted to become a better figter, and when I tried it, I loved it. I've allways been verry active and extremely competitive. Me and my brother got back together many years ago (much to the horror and disgust of the good folk) and he introduced me to Kenpo. I was hooked! It is an extremely self de/off-ense oriented system. You learn to not only fight offensively, but to take an opponents successful attack and turn it on him. If he wants to grab you, don't just let him, make him hold, then make him regret it! Another thing I love is the mental aspects of the martial arts. Again, Kenpo is perfect for me in that it demands some understanding, but allows you to get a deeper understanding if you wish. I also like playing with other styles, and Kenpo's emphasis on understanding principles helps me to understand and appreciate what, and how, they do things. Then it all comes together when you spar. One of the reasons I like contact sparing is that, to me, it is like working a very large multideminsional jigsaw puzzle. The pieces must go together very quickly, and with varrying degrees of difficulty. And, the puzzle constantly changes. In no contact, you are mostly completely upright and fight in two deminsions. But, add contact, and suddenly you are reaching deep, filling voids, moving by sight, feel and instinct. Range control becomes a factor, timeing and technique are more critical. You are working off your opponents reactions, and trying to control yours. Again, in Kenpo, we say "Without contact, there is no reality!" That is why I started, and why I do what I do. My reasons are still pretty much the same. But as I get older, it also is something I can do to keep active and motivated. I don't do as much hard contact as I used to, but I still like to mix it up. Right now, I'm taking Celibrex and herbs like candy because I over di it last Monday. Oh, yeah... for the spiritual stuff, I do Taiji. And Arnis- them sticks will make a believer out of you! Freedom isn't free! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudson Posted August 22, 2004 Author Share Posted August 22, 2004 Heh, don't worry, I'm not criticizing any reasons for starting martial arts. As for me the reason I do martial arts is because I want to be stronger, faster, and deadlier then anyone on the planet. Yeah, I want to be the tough guy as well. But also, I love feeling fit. I don't want to fit into the stereotype of being an overweight American, I want people to know I can run circles around them. I feel sorry for people who can't jog a mile without getting short of breath. I heard recently a claim that over 50% of america is obese and something like 62% of that group is obese - scary. The game of chess is much like a swordfight; you must think before you move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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