Beginner's Guide to the Martial Arts

For some reason, the topic of martial arts is one of those subjects where people have a wide range of opinions, and practitioners who can be very vocal about their viewpoints. Keep in mind that what follows is my own personal opinion, based on over 20 years of experience. There really is no single "right" way to approach the martial arts.

If you do an internet search for "martial arts", you will get a list of about 20 million results. If you ask someone who is currently a martial arts practitioner, they will usually tell you all about the style of martial arts that they prefer. But if you are considering getting involved in the martial arts, either for yourself or your children, none of that is going to help you choose the right style. There are at least 40 different distinctive styles to choose from.

First, let's look at the benefits that all martial arts have in common (in no particular order.)

1. Physical fitness. All of the martial arts, from Qi Gong to full-contact mixed martial arts, offer a way to improve and maintain your physical fitness.
2. Better balance, coordination, and stamina.
3. Improved self-image and confidence.
4. Mental and physical discipline.
5. Increased ability to defend yourself.
6. Martial arts are just plain fun to do. Families can practice together!
7. Improves childhood behavior, directing their energies into something positive.

There are of course, many other benefits, but these are the primary ones.

Now let's look at some of the differences in martial arts styles in a broader sense. There are obviously some areas that overlap. I see the martial arts as having four basic forms.

The first form is the slow martial arts like Qigong and Tai Chi. The primary purpose of this form is to improve balance, coordination, and stamina. There is little or no physical contact with others. Many people are attracted to the spiritual aspects of this form of martial art. The emphasis here is on proper breathing, feeling one's internal energy, and being at peace with the world.

Next we have sport martial arts, such as Taekwondo and Shotokan Karate. These forms are great for beginners, especially children. The emphasis here involves increasing and supporting one's self-esteem and confidence. Physical contact is a significant part of this form, but students use pads and other protective gear and the physical contact is "controlled". Tournaments are very popular in these forms, and the belt ranking system is an important component.

The self defense martial arts such as Judo and Aikido emphasize ways to stay safe, and if confronted, defend yourself from serious harm. This form is very popular for those who are smaller in stature, or simply don't want to fight. They want to defend themselves, then get away from the fight.

Last, we have the combat martial arts such as Ju Jitsu, Muay Thai, Sambo, and Wing Chun. The emphasis here is on fighting. A practitioner of these forms is striving to become a good street fighter. If they get into a physical confrontation, they want to end the fight by disabling their opponent. This form will use "sparring" where physical contact may be quite significant.

Another element of the martial arts is the use of various weapons. Many styles of martial arts include weapons. I don't consider weapons a "form" of martial art, they are more of an extension to some of the styles. Some martial artists enjoy perfecting their use of weapons, and many tournaments incorporate weapons as part of their competition. Although I am proficient with a number of martial arts weapons, I don't foresee ever using them in a real fight. Most are illegal to carry, and the chances of finding a set of nunchakus nearby during a confrontation are pretty slim. On the other hand, if I can get my hands on a broomstick or pool cue, I will likely use them. Martial arts weapons should not be approached as a beginner.

So now that you have decided which form of martial arts is "right" for you, how do you choose your school? Depending on where you live, your choices may be quite limited. So the first thing you have to keep in mind is that a martial arts school is a business. Like any business, the goal is to earn enough income to keep the school running, while also paying for the instructors' living needs. The days of masters of the martial arts taking in select students at no monetary cost are long gone.

Also keep in mind that many martial arts schools mix and match from other styles, and many of the schools that offer "Karate" are using the term in a generic sense, because most Americans are not familiar with the names of all the different styles available. Most schools operate the way any gym does - they want you to sign up for a membership with monthly dues paid. If their style uses the belt ranking system, they usually charge an extra fee for the testing and belt ceremony. Here is where you need to be careful. If you approach a martial arts school, and they tell you that you can get a black belt in one or two years, then I suggest you go somewhere else. Getting your black belt in just a year or two means a lot of belt tests, with the accompanying extra fees. A true black belt is earned over a period of years. A true black belt is not something you can purchase.

So how do you find a reputable school? Start by talking to other people. If you are looking for a school for your child, talk to other parents and see what they have to say. When you find a school of interest, call them and ask if you can arrange a visit. Schools should be more than happy to give you a tour of their facilities, and will let you watch classes in session. Most will also allow you to participate in a couple of free classes before committing yourself. I don't recommend trying to evaluate a school with just a phone call.

Some things to look for are:

1. Is the school clean and sanitary? If the school absolutely reeks of sweat and dirty clothes, go somewhere else.
2. Are the instructors patient, competent, and professional? Some shouting and yelling is normal in certain styles, but the boot camp drill sergeant routine, where the instructor screams in the student's face, is not appropriate.
3. Is the instructor to student ratio acceptable? As a beginner, you will want and need some extra attention. Are there enough instructors available to provide it?
4. How do they handle the monthly fees? It is not unusual for a school to request automatic payments from your bank. Do they insist that you sign up for a one year term before you even get to try it out? Many schools have flexible payment programs, with discounts for longer commitments.
5. What is their class schedule? You don't want to practice in an advanced class if you are only a beginner. Most schools stagger their classes, so that students of similar age and ability are taught together. The absolute minimum in my opinion, is to take 2 classes per week, with lots of practice at home. But the more frequently you go, the better martial artist you will become.

It is okay to change styles if you find one better suited to your needs. But jumping from one school to another on a frequent basis will only degrade your skills, not improve them. Many martial artists believe that mixing styles is the best way to go. I agree, to a point. First you have to have a good solid base to work with. Hopefully this article will help you get there.