Choosing a Martial Arts Class

The term 'martial arts' covers a very wide variety of self defence styles and techniques. Most people when considering joining a martial arts club usually start off in one of the many styles of karate classes on offer today. Karate has its origins in Japanese fighting systems that use self defence techniques without the aid of weapons to fend off an attack. The word karate itself in Japanese means empty hand and can bring a practitioner of the art to confident proficiency in a relatively short time. Different styles of karate use various approaches in their training methods. Some rely on power strikes with short compact techniques while others use more flowing and intricate techniques only turning on the power when the strike actually hits the opponent. All karate clubs will put emphasis on whether their students are to use full contact, semi contact or no contact whatsoever when training depending on the style and the point of view of the club's founder. I personally prefer semi contact fighting and training as this toughens the body and mentally prepares a student to react in a real world incident without the shock of being struck for the first time ever in a life threatening situation in the real world.

Most karate clubs are very economical with regard to fees for each class and in my experience are within the price range of just about anybody and with discounts offered to the unemployed. If the class you are thinking of joining is asking for fees in the region of 200 to 300 dollars/euros per month then join up if you are getting value for money but 10 dollars/euros per class is the usual rate when classes are held in community centres or school halls and the training will be just as effective. Usually fees are paid at the end of a class after what is known as the group bow to each other. Karate clubs generally count in Japanese when doing repetitive techniques and mutual respect for each other is shown in Japanese together with a bow when receiving or giving instructions.

Children benefit greatly from martial arts as it can teach them about group interactions and mutual respect for themselves and others. The health benefits are manifold as the exercises involved promote sturdy bone growth and maximum joint flexibility giving a greater resistance to injury whilst improving their concentration levels and boosting their immune systems. The coloured belts give a child a goal because they can advance up the belt system each time they complete the required techniques and can demonstrate proficiency of each stage completed.

Adults can see in a very short time a noticeable difference in their muscle tone and strength in only about 4 weeks. Tai Chi is a great introduction to martial arts as the techniques can be performed as a form of meditation but can also be used as strikes if the practitioner wishes to bring these techniques to the next level.

All clubs should have basic safety as their first requirement. Mats for throwing techniques should be provided by the club sensei and personal protective apparel should be worn at all times on the dojo or club floor. Senseis which are usually black belt practitioners who will instruct the class always welcome questions on technique and student improvement. If your instructor constantly disregards a students safety or dignity then it is time for that student to find an alternative class. Martial arts to me is about mutual respect and the constant learning from each other student regardless of their standard of martial knowledge. My own sensei would consider the opinion of a beginner at white belt standard to be just as important as the opinion of a Master. We are all constantly learning.

An exciting aspect of martial arts training is that it does not need to be confined to empty hand techniques and perfect roundhouse kicks. In many clubs their is the option to learn an array of traditional weapon techniques. The Chinese styles of Kung Fu use ancient Chinese swords, knives, and other types of weapons like bo staffs and tonfa. My karate club teaches us the way of the Japanese sword which is known as a katana. The katana is the sword that was traditionally used by the Japanese samurai warriors of old Japan. Training is with the use of wooden practice swords called bokken but the techniques of blocking, striking and also the katas or floor techniques give a student an awareness of their surroundings and a pride in their techniques that is unique to this Japanese art.

Choosing the best martial arts style that suits you can sometimes take a bit of searching around. If you know friends who practice then they are the best for first hand advice but try asking at any local club arriving about 15 minutes before the session begins and ask about the club from the instructor. The responses from a dedicated and responsible instructor will soon reveal if that club is a possible choice for you to join. Usually the first class is free and won't be very demanding physically. When you do find the class for you, keep at it for at least two months and then decide. Martial arts will change your life and the benefits never stop. Usssssss ........... !