Advice to someone just about to start their MA journey

[Lupin1]

1) Figure out your own path-- where you want to go and how you can get there-- and then concentrate on your path without worrying too much about the paths of others. If your path involves multiple arts, don't let anyone tell you you can't. If other people are getting their black belts before you or are in what you think are McDojos, don't let it bother you too much. If you have a family and a full time job and only want to do it for the exercise a few days a week, don't compare yourself to the super karateka who train six days a week. Concentrate on your path and work as hard as you want to accomplish your own personal goals. Be satisfied with yourself and your journey. Everything else is immaterial.

2) A black belt is just a white belt who never quit. Probably the single best martial arts quote I've heard and it motivates me now to just keep on truckin' through the challenging times.

[MasterPain]

Love the art.

This is it. I don't have nearly as much time to train as I would like, I'm not a natural athlete. If I needed to be the best to enjoy it, I never would have kept it up. I do martial arts because I love it and it makes me happy. If you can find joy in your art, what more can you ask for?

[Wastelander]

Well, my answer applies to both questions, quite honestly:

There will be days when you feel like you are a terrible martial artist, and nothing is clicking. Don't let those days stop you, because working through those moments will enrich your life. Those are the days that help you build your discipline and determination, and when you finally start feeling like you're making progress again you will be better for the experience.

[bushido_man96]

Love the art.

This is it. I don't have nearly as much time to train as I would like, I'm not a natural athlete. If I needed to be the best to enjoy it, I never would have kept it up. I do martial arts because I love it and it makes me happy. If you can find joy in your art, what more can you ask for?

Good words.

[guird]

1. don't get caught in a no-sparring or no-contact dojo

2. cross train.

[MasterPain]

1. don't get caught in a no-sparring or no-contact dojo

2. cross train.

I agree, but you gotta understand that there are people who just want to twirl there nunchucks and call it a spiritual practice.

[guird]

1. don't get caught in a no-sparring or no-contact dojo

2. cross train.

I agree, but you gotta understand that there are people who just want to twirl there nunchucks and call it a spiritual practice.

True, and there's nothing wrong with that (as long as you're honest about the purpose of the training). It depends on what your goal is in training martial arts.

[Harkon72]

The practice of Martial arts can be a very personal thing. If you set your own goals, you will be your only true opponent. Do not measure your success with anyone else's ruler; if you seek enlightenment, beware that you might already have it. If you seek the perfect fighting body, beware the demons of injury and ego. It is true that you will receive as much from a Martial Artist's life as you put in. Let your far mountain be as high as you can perceive, but your journey must start at your feet. The spec of dust in your eye can hide the path from view, heed the advice of those that have gone before, but know that with a good heart nothing happens without it's lesson. Wish never to experience violence, calm the mind but make savage the body.

[Herminiadalton]

You should join some martial arts classes who knows self defense lessonsvery well

[Hawkmoon]

Simply put...

Enjoy it!