Why practise martial arts?
I’ve been practising a wide variety of martial arts for around 30 years. During that time I have met many people with many ages from many countries. They all have different motivations, some of which they are aware of, some of which they are less inclined to admit. Many people have a variety of reasons, and they tend to fall into the following groups.
Many people who train for social reasons. Clubs can be fun, and the people they attract vary a great deal. People are primates, and primates enjoy physical contact. Not many people get enough touch. While some of the touch in martial arts is a little rough it has the virtue of being uncomplicated and socially ‘safe’. It helps create links between people, a space where other conversations can take place. Incidentally martial arts classes are often a great venue for women to meet men…
Other people are attracted to martial arts out of fear. Fear of aging, or fear of conflict, fear of being beaten. In some clubs this fear is tangible. It is the driving force towards ‘street realism’ at one extreme, or an obsessional search for ‘magic chi power’ at the other. Fear can be corrosive if it drives the training. It can be healthy if there is space to notice that fear is just one part of training that needs to be accepted and integrated to progress.
Health and fitness is another motivation. Martial arts provide a great way to develop strength, flexibility, grace of movement and endurance. The best piece of exercise equipment you can ever have is your own body. Combine that with another body and the possibility for extending your limits of awareness, skill, strength and speed are endless. Martial arts are also a fine way to encourage relaxation and deal with stress. Combat is as stressful a context as it is possible to be in. As a result martial arts have developed methods to balance this stress with relaxation.
Some people are fascinated with martial arts for the richness of philosophy, culture and understanding that they embody. Chinese martial arts touch on Chinese medicine, cosmology and art. Study of their techniques reveals volumes about biomechanics, physiology, and psychology. Each art has a history filled with colourful characters and courageous deeds. Some people take this to an extreme where their identity gets wrapped up in the exotic culture from which their chosen art originates. Their art becomes a way to stand out and be different. They usually grow out of it though…
Finally some people devote themselves to their arts to contribute to the people around them. Martial arts provide discipline and insight. They put you in touch with fear, aggression and provide a way to control or transcend negative impulses and desires. They build confidence and are humbling at the same time.
Being clear about your reason to train is important. It allows you tro create goals of what your training will bring you, and know whether you are achieveing them, or whether you need to change your approach.
Whether you already train, or are thinking of starting what’s your reason?