sansoouser Posted June 22, 2003 Posted June 22, 2003 What has martial arts done for you? Self defense? Self confidence? Self control? Or anything just like what it has done for you and please list how many years you have been doing it and your " art ." The amateur shoots his hands out ferociously, but lacks any true power. A master is not so flamboyant, but his touch is as heavy as a mountain.
Icetuete Posted June 22, 2003 Posted June 22, 2003 there is somewhat of a quite similar posting regarding the health benefits down in another channel, but i am looking forward to the answers in this one too !!
gheinisch Posted June 23, 2003 Posted June 23, 2003 For me all the things you mentioned I have experienced and I continue to grow in many of those areas. One thing you didn't mention is the extended family you gain in the dojo, I consider everyone from Hanshi to the newest white belt in class a more then just a freind and I know that if I ever needed anything they would be there for me. I guess that's been the most important part for me. I've been training for a little over four years. Respectfully Yours, Greg "If your hand goes forth withhold your temper""If your temper goes forth withold your hand"-Gichin Funakoshi
theswarm Posted June 23, 2003 Posted June 23, 2003 I dunno if it's just because I'm older or something but when I got into a different course (i'd previously dropped out of a uni course) I've just gone all out, I work so hard now and i don't just find other things to do instead. Physically I feel so much stronger, and so much fitter, and that in turn makes me feel so much happier. Mentally - I'm so much more confident....except in one case when I started cross training: I feel so unco in my second art but i know i won't be unco forever. Self Defence wise - I've managed to not get into situations of danger several times, I haven't been in a real altercation for a while now - although my friends who I wish didn't know i did martial arts always seem to try and kick me from behind, sometimes i catch it in the corner of my eye and then take them down - other times they hit me without me even realizing it then i say 'what the fuck was that?' and at that point I say well I do martial arts i'm not a jedi
pmh1nic Posted June 24, 2003 Posted June 24, 2003 It's allowed me at fifty to do things most thirty-five year olds can't do. My strength, speed, agility, coordination and reflexes are actually better now than they were ten years ago. Along with the health benefits (both physical and mental) I've gain some very effective self-defense skills and have discovered a deeper connection between body, mind and spirit. "The longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?" Benjamin Franklin
IAMA_chick Posted June 24, 2003 Posted June 24, 2003 all of the above and more Tae Kwon Do15-years oldpurple--belt
capn_midnight Posted June 24, 2003 Posted June 24, 2003 Studying at the school I started at has taught me to be a little more cynical when dealing with people. Just because someone is your instructor, doesn't mean you should trust them completely, especially when all they have done for you that you are loyal to them for is really just the normal course of their job. Certainly, I have the health benefits, the confidence boost, and the peace of mind that comes with skill. But I have also learned that you can become blinded by "loyalty", and "respect" will hold you back from standing up for yourself. The martial arts teach us to stand up for ourselves. Don't forget, this is in ALL situations, not just for physicall attacks from strangers. Mental and financial attacks should be defended against as well. Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling a pig. After a few hours, you realize they both like it.
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