By Danny Lowery
Martial arts is a sport that requires your combat skills in order to engage in it. It originated from Japan as a form of attack or self defense.
Most people consider it a dangerous sport to engage in simply because it involves fighting. However, there is more to learning martial arts than just learning how to throw punches and kicks.
Here are some of the other benefits of learning martial arts:
1) Discipline
The instructor - referred to as Sensei - drills into his student the need to be disciplined. Instructors especially insist that having the martial arts knowledge is not a certificate for you to walk around picking fights.
It should not be used to show off. In case of a conflict, you should devise a way that resolves the conflict without much need for a fight.
2) Sport
Other than competition, sports generally bring people together. It is also an avenue through which champions are born, friendships made and networks created. A person participating in it would achieve all those if he/she wanted to.
3) Exercise
One can hardly learn all the techniques there are to be learned without burning calories in the process! A person gets to enjoy benefits like; losing weight; improved cardiovascular system; improved mood; faster reflexes and increased muscle tone among other benefits.
4) Development
Some kids who are shy, quiet and reserved become transformed to confident in class, outgoing, social and independent after going through the martial arts process. This is because they are gradually motivated to achieve their goals.
It is said that even children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can develop self-control and achieve an improved level of concentration.
5) School Projects
One can choose to carry out a school project about martial arts. A person who knows the ins and outs of the topic, would easily cover the topic from any angle. Better still, it would be easy to have interviews since the people involved are known to that person.
6) Creativity
If you happen to double up as both a martial arts expert and a creative person, then that is a perfect genesis of great entertainment. Whatever your creative drug is, just look for a way in which you can incorporate martial arts in it.
Say for example, a writer can write a novel or short stories and/or a script based on fictional (or real) characters, or a sketch artist can come up with a great comic. Also, one can come up with an idea for a music video.
A photographer can also use his/her magic to come up with creative concepts for his/her photography. The list is not limited to these examples since there is no limit to creativity.
There are probably many more reasons why people can get involved, other than for self defense. However, I hope those listed above are reasons good enough to encourage you register for that class.
Do not be afraid to let your child get involved too. He/she will probably learn more than just how to fight.
Martial arts and self defense is too often mistaken as just "learning to fight." If you want to learn the real benefits of martial arts and how it can effectively bolster your mindset, visit http://www.fightingtips.org/
Article Source: Why Martial Arts Is More Than Just Self Defense