What are Martial Arts?

Martial arts are an ancient method of training mind, body and spirit to act as one. Martial arts practitioners strive for harmony, but also learn effective self-defense techniques. Most martial arts originated in Asia and include Karate, Kung Fu, Jiujitsu, Aikido, Taekwondo, Judo and Muay Thai among others and their different styles.

Fitness is an element to all martial arts classes: warm ups with jumping jacks, push ups and stretches are common, and the movements of the martial art itself often challenge your muscles and cardiovascular system.Martial arts help instill mental focus in your child, giving the ability to concentrate on a task and see it through to its conclusion. The discipline that is taught in the dojo in regard to uniforms, customs and techniques often translates into other areas of life, including school and household chores.

Martial arts are all about respect. Punching, kicking, throwing and locking are all secondary to the respect that is shown form the moment you walk into a dojo. Students learn to bow to the instructors who came before them, and to their current instructors. They also learn to treat other students as they wish to be treated. Quality instructors press upon the respect issue regularly and instruct students to practice respect for self, parents, teachers and peers at every opportunity. Little things should never be over looked, as simple as answering "osu Sensei" as well as: yes, Mom, yes Dad, yes Sir. Simple things in the training become part of daily life.

Martial arts practitioners are generally confident. Working through a martial art and the belt ranking system gives a measurable goal to follow that are realistic to attain. The sense of accomplishment by mastering a new technique or graduating to a new belt follows the practitioner for the rest of their lives, whether adult or child.

Pressure to succeed is high in all levels and ages. By achieving measurable goals, practitioners learn to set standards to get to their goals.

Martial Arts are not only a way to fitness but a philosophy, a path.