Why do you practice martial arts? What are your goals with the arts?

Question

Me - I don't want to hurt anyone and I don't want to get hurt by anyone. Discipline is very good for my life as well. I have never had a desire to get into the ring and go 'Hollywood' with my practice. I'm not criticizing anyone, I'm just telling you where I stand.

What are your motives?

Answer 1

I just wanted to heal myself, but I got far more than I ever thought was possible.

Answer 2

There are many reasons why i train, but i first started for fitness and self-defense. When i first started i was pretty paranoid, i was always afraid that a some thug would zero me out for no reason. Soon after i started taekwondo i learned that i could defend myself against most normal attackers, thus ending my paranoia. Another reason i started was because i was really fat, i lost a lot of weight during the first 6 months of martial arts. After attaining my brown belt in taekwondo i found that i wanted to do something more entertaining with martial arts, so i was invited to join my schools demonstration team. Now i train i like to train for show, (but i still train for self-defense) i hope to one day be a fight choreographer for movies.

Answer 3

Its fun, useful, healthy, a good way to make friends, and makes me feel good.

Answer 4

I train for self defense. By saying self defense I mean: to protect myself from a life threatening attack (only). I believe there is a misconception regarding self defense. I think a lot of people see it as, what to do in a confrontation between two individuals. I think in terms of situations. For example, being a female I felt more vulnerable in bed at night (when I was single). Unfortunately, it is not completely uncommon for a women to wake up to find someone standing over her bed. In this case I felt that grappling would be a good source of self defense. What better position to learn to defend yourself from then having someone in your guard? Or walking through a parking lot and someone grabs you from behind. A good throw would come in handy or how about a choke escape. I have received such good information from different arts. I have worked hard to put together different situations and techniques to protect women from specific attacks that are productive and practical.

Martial arts gave me the mental security to be on my own. It also taught me that I am still very vulnerable to attack. Which only drives me to learn more. Even if it means coming up with a different place to park at the grocery store.

Sorry my answer was so long, but I do appreciate the opportunity to express my goals in martial arts. Thank you and have a great day.

Answer 5

i took it years ago because my mom wanted me to be able to defend myself, but i found it was more of a lesson in discipline, as you obviously have. very relaxing and good for dexterity.

Answer 6

I love your question, and have been asked this alot of times, and I haven't been able to give a definite answer. I too don't want to hurt anybody (unless they threaten my life or people i love), but competeing for me isn't all that bad, because i don't take it as seriously as others.

And, I find it as time goes on, and you achieve a higher understanding of what you are doing there, you can answer this question better.

To answer your first part, I will say that i practice martial arts so that I can find myself.  I am currently going to be a Junior in high school in a couple of months, and every morning, i ask myself, Why do I go to school everyday, and what is the purpose of my life? I believe that through martial arts, and the focus and meditation, I can find out why I am here, and what is my part in life.

My goal, To become a tenth degree black belt in Tae-kwon-do. And through this goal, maybe I can achieve a higher understanding of life, and the purpose of it is.

Answer 7

well me i got into tae-kwon-do for confedence....that and although i hate fighting (like the ones at school or the kind where they kick someone when they're down)....i LOVED fighting fair xD sounds funny but i loved the thrill of fighting and learning all the different forms and stuff....that and I love the fact of knowing that if my family or friends needs me in any way...i can help and not just be in the sidelines, and i don't think i'll ever be good enough to go hollywood lol

Answer 8

since i am a girl, my parents wanted me to take tae kwon do to learn how to defend myself. it has given me the confidence to know that if something were to happen, i know how to get away from my attacker. i also think that once guys hear that i take tae kwon do, they show more respect, i guess they don't hear that many girls doing this.

but the one thing i never did was tournaments. i hate those. that never appealed to me at all. i am just fine with sparing and learning my routines and practicing with my instructor