Why and How to Start Training in Martial Arts

I started training in martial arts just after I turned 18. At the time I was a little down on my luck and was dealing with the repercussions of a serious injury. About a year before I started I was in a car accident that had broken my right femur and caused some irreversible muscle lacerations. Still recovering from the injuries and trying to find a place for myself in the world I began studying Kung Fu. The process started slow at first trying to regain movement and strength and generally learn my body over again. After time things began to speed up and I found a new sense of vigor and pride. My friends will often tell me now that I have a new aura about me, that I'm different in very good ways. I recently attained my black belt in December of 2011 and am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to come this far. I'm 70lbs lighter then when I started, far more athletic, more sociable, and more confident in everything I do. This is just my background and my experience in the martial arts, everyone's outcome and outlook is different. I highly recommend training in an art in order to better yourself and gain those things you might have been missing or looking for.

Starting out in Martial Arts can be very intimidating. It often takes a leap of faith to start training with people you don't know or have never met before. I often suggest asking around your circle of friends, sometimes one of them attends classes but never says anything. If that is not the case you can go about these quick steps:

• Google Martial Arts locations in your area. If you have a particular art you want to study in mind, look for those locations and make a note of them.
• After you've found a few locations give them a call. Ask if it would be alright to come watch a class or to talk with an instructor to get more information.
• Make sure to find out what is included in their programs and to check their backgrounds to make sure they are legitimate.
• Remember that you will be training with these people on a regular schedule, so picture yourself involved in the group and make sure it'll be a good fit.

If your not sure if you really want to start training or you feel that your not in shape for it here is some information for you:

• In my personal experience with the arts I have lost 70lbs (I started training at around 300lbs) I didn't push myself too hard to start I just went and did what I could. My Kung Fu family helped me get through the tough stuff and I'm better for it.
• The physical fitness and flexibility benefits come after you start, not before. Every art has its basic training regiments to help you achieve strength and flexibility.
• Martial Arts has ranking systems for a reason, it is not to make you look weak or unable. Belts and rankings are in place to give you goals and milestones in your training. They help you achieve something and ultimately serve as a way to track your progress not impede it.
• There can be more to it then just learning how to punch and kick. Physical defense is a great attribute of the arts and it builds confidence in ones self. The arts often also include some philosophy or mental training to help balance out our mind & body too. You don't have to be the strongest or the fastest, there is something for everyone.
• It is a great way to keep the body, mind, and spirit healthy. A person who is healthy in just one area will still find things difficult, keeping balance helps us in everything we do.

If you've always wondered about training, or always felt the urge to, I highly recommend getting out there and trying. Take a friend with you to make it more comfortable and remember your not being judged. A good school will be open and welcome to your visit and will want to help you in your adventure. You never know till you try is a great way of looking at this. Everyone in the end has their own art and ability, if we never try and find those things we'll never know. Knowledge creates wisdom and wisdom spreads into everything we do. Martial Arts can enrich your life and give you a new wonderful outlook on life and its many adventures. If you have any questions please let me know in the comments below. I love trying to help people into this new and exciting world of the arts. Good luck and remember, this is about you and is for you, so do something for yourself for a change.