Reasons for training in martial arts

[TriStateTerror]

A) Used to fight a lot and get into trouble as a kid.

B) Dont wanna get into anymore trouble as an adult so NOW I seek Legal Competitive ways to get out my aggression.

C) Now Im a daddy and I wanna know that Ill always be able to protect my babies and my family under any circumstances.

D) Discipline so I learn how to control my anger and use it as motivation so that I dont end up in trouble again.

E) Wanted a good workout a couple times a week.

[Aodhan]

1) I saw a movie called "The Octagon" with Chuck Norris and Tadashi Yamashita (Who teaches currently in Michigan, I think), and was absolutely fascinated. Add to this that I was an undersized, overmouthed punk in high school (I graduated at 5'2, 110 lbs), and I wanted to learn martial arts in the worst way. Wasn't until I was 21 that I was able to start.

2) I've found that I am fairly good at MA, and I get a lot of satisfaction out of teaching as well, so I am in the process of making it my career.

Aodhan

[CapitalKarate]

I think a lot of us either wanted to learn MA initially for self defense or to show off or to fight.

[Mr. Mike]

I started because i used to watch MA movies as a kid and all we ever wanted to be was either ninjas or Black Belts...well, which one is more realistic? So, I recently got back into it(last couple of years) to get my life back on track.

I'm still with it because it's keeping me firmly rooted in reality and out of trouble...also helping me to be the kind of parent I always wanted to have and to be. I'm also still with it because a member of my family, my big brother who started at the same time as me, told me that I was too far out of shape and that I would never stick with it. Also told other members of my family that I would drop it in short time. Said I just couldn't handle commitment and all kinds of negativity...well, he quit and I'm teaching now. Hmmmmm....

[goju-dave]

A friend of mine had told me that it is best way to get into shape and learn how to defend yourself at the same time. I've lost a lot of weight.

But I had a lot to start with. the black Belts uses me for targeting practice from time to time. But, I don't mind. I learn a lot from them and what my weight has in advangement and disadvangeies. I learn what best works for me. He had also told me it is usally cheaper than going to a gym.

[RaidenTB]

a) Cause I promised my best friend I'd give it a try. I also needed some kind of a workout that would make my joints stronger. Even tough I was fascinated by the martial arts world as a kid, I never saw myself in it - so at first I was a bit skeptical about the idea...

b) Initially it helped me get trough some tough times, but later on I grew to love the journey.

[hajimekyu]

I got into it initially as something that I thought would benefit my son and myself.He needed self discipline and self confidence.And I had been hurt a lot in the past.I wanted to be find ways to get beyond fear and to be able to defend myself.As it turned out,my son is not very interested in karate.Sometimes he will participate but not that often.I discovered a passion for it in myself.I love the fluid grace that develops with continued practice,as much or more than the actual self defense applications.I also love the focus on personal growth and accomplishment.In Sanchin Ryu we do not compete with each other,but we do strive to become better each day than we were the day before.

[cheeks]

got into MA because it looked fun to do....and i was hooked. to the point where i cant imagine my self NOT doing some form of Martial Arts

[Sam]

(a)I got dragged along with some friends of mine who were too nervous to go on their own.... now im the only one who's still there.

(b) cos i love it - wouldnt know what to do with all that time i spend training if i quit

[CadetRay]

-fight

-not sure