subject: Is Martial Arts Self Defense For You? [print this page] Is Martial Arts Self Defense For You? Is Martial Arts Self Defense For You?
You have listened to all the great advice out there for staying safe. You are vigilant and aware when you are out. You don't venture into areas that you know to be unsafe. When you are travelling you do your research so you know what areas to avoid in a strange place.
Yet, you still feel like you may need to get better at defending yourself should the need arise. So which way do you go. Even though it is not the only method of self defense out there, people tend to think of martial arts self defense as the primary means of protecting oneself from harm. And certainly, learning martial arts techniques can't hurt.
But, there are a few things you need to consider before you embark on any kind of martial arts self defense regimen. All programs are not the same. They vary based on an individual's age, their fitness level and even their competitiveness. Not just anyone can learn martial arts techniques.
Like most things today, the best place to do research on self defense is the internet. Once you gain a basic understanding of the many martial arts programs out there, star formulating some goals as to what you want to accomplish. Do you just want to be able to learn the basics so you can break free from a mugger? Or do you want to become accomplished. Are you looking just to improve your physical fitness and confidence or would you like to perhaps enter competitions one day?
Once you have an idea of what you want then you can start asking intelligent question of local martial arts professionals. A good studio will give you some kind of fitness test to see what level of martial arts self defense you should begin with. There is no sense in even trying to learn basic martial arts techniques if you lack the strength, flexibility or cardiovascular health needed.
But if you are say ,older and a little out of shape, does this mean that you will never be able to defend yourself. Certainly not. There are excellent programs that teach the basic minimum moves of martial arts self defense to people of all ages and fitness levels. Now that doesn't mean that you will able to fight like Bruce Lee when you are done. But you will be able to temporarily disable an attacker using martial arts techniques.
And when all is said and done, this is the main reason so many people turn to martial arts techniques when it comes to defending themselves. Using the principles of leverage and balance, someone of any age, gender or physical ability can be taught the proper moves to get out of an unforeseen confrontation for as much time as it takes to get away.
What I have found in my experience is that when even the most novice student starts to learn the basics of martial arts self defense, they become more sure of themselves and decide to stay with the program to improve their fitness, meet folks just like them, and have some fun.
