Top 10 Reasons to Take Martial Arts Classes

1. It builds confidence

One of the biggest advantages to taking martial arts classes is the way it makes you feel afterwards. A lot of people are not confident with their ability to protect themselves before they join classes. Martial arts classes will build confidence in yourself and ultimately mold you into a better person.

2. It works on your balance

Let’s face it, some people have difficulty walking and chewing gum at the same time. Our classes require a lot out of your body, including the ability to do two things at once without falling over. Improving your balance also means improving focus. TaeKwonDo classes teach you how to focus on your target while you control your body. Without balance it is almost impossible to fight. Through gaining your body control and balance, you will be better prepared to protect yourself.

Martial Arts Student

3. It helps develop self-discipline

“The only discipline that lasts, is self-discipline.” In order to learn and grow with your martial arts abilities, you have to develop self-discipline. You have to be motivated and dedicated to the practice. In order to be better protected, you have to keep practicing. Actually going to class and showing up on a regular basis develops discipline. Taking these types of classes will get you focused on your personal protection and on your surroundings. Like anything else, you can’t get better if you don’t practice.

4. It helps improve your physical conditioning

The whole point of martial arts classes is to prepare you for any situation that may bring harm to you. Physical conditioning is extremely important when it comes to martial arts. Training and practicing prepares you for the adrenaline dump when a situation arises that may require you to fight. When someone comes after you, you will experience what is called an adrenaline dump. It’s your body’s way of responding to the fight or flight situation. It only lasts a few seconds, so you need to be physically conditioned to appropriately deal with a dangerous situation. If you aren’t, your body will not work as well as you need it to after the adrenaline dump. Physical conditioning will work on your reflexes and your awareness of an attack. When you are fighting it is important to be focused both mentally and physically. If you are prepared, you will be more successful in a dangerous situation and the dump won’t take all your energy from you.

5. It improves your street awareness

Martial arts classes will make you more aware of your surroundings. You’re never planning to be attacked, but your attacker is the one with the plan. Martial arts classes will help you be aware at all times and ready should this type of situation arise. You might be shocked for a second, but you will have the necessary reactions to protect yourself. 90 percent of all encounters can be avoided with situational awareness. So, always be aware of your surroundings.

6. It teaches you self-respect

The practice of martial arts is centered around trust and respect. It teaches respect of each other and respect for yourself. Is this beneficial in life? You bet! If you don’t respect yourself, then how can you respect others? When you are practicing your martial arts moves, sometimes you will be practicing with a partner. There needs to be mutual trust between the two of you to not hurt each other, but still practice with speed and intensity. If you do not respect yourself it is unlikely that others will respect you and have that mutual trust.

Virginia TaeKwonDo student

7. It helps to develop a warrior spirit

We all watch the news and see how terrible it can be. Taking martial arts classes will help you develop a sort of warrior spirit. We all know that if we are attacked, the last thing we want to do is get in that van of our assailant. Martial arts classes can prepare you for battle and, most importantly, survival. If you are attacked, you don’t want to go to a secondary location, and having martial arts on your side will help prevent that from happening. You will have a sense of “I am going to make my stand here, not down the road.”

8. It helps you develop a fighter’s reflex

In a fight, movement is power. You can’t stand around and wait for your attacker’s next strike, you have to move! Martial arts classes will help develop your reflexes, and you will gain a fighter’s reflex. A fighter’s reflex is different from your normal reflexes. In normal situations you respond to something that happens. When you are being attacked it is better to know how to respond. Fighter’s reflex will allow you to move quickly and smartly in the situation. You will know where to step and where to throw your punch. It is preparing your mind and your body to work together for your protection.

9. It will help you with goal setting

Martial arts classes help you set goals. Whether you want to perfect a specific move or work hard to feel like you can protect yourself, you are setting a goal. It gets you back in class each week and will help you in your everyday life. It helps you develop a drive that you may not have had before. If you take your goal setting seriously within your martial arts classes, it can roll over into your everyday life, helping you get through any tough situation that comes your way. Short-term goals can lead to long-term goals like the rungs in a ladder. Small steps get you to the top.

10. It has a positive influence on your life

Unlike a lot of things in life, taking martial arts classes will always have a positive impact on your life. Each and every one of the reasons above are proof of this. Taking martial arts classes can boost your spirits and make you a more confident and better version of yourself. It’s important to have things in life that we can rely on to make us happy – taking these kinds of classes does just that.

Are you ready to start taking martial arts classes? See our current class schedule or contact us for more information and to sign up!

previous post: Sometimes You Need to Sink to Survive next post: 5 Lessons From a Navy SEAL