If you’re an adult who has already taken the first step of booking and attending your first martial arts lesson, congratulations! You’ve already achieved something that many others are still thinking about.
Give yourself a pat on the back and attend your next lesson as soon as possible.
Why is this important?
Don’t Let Fear Stop You Before You Start
While there are many reasons to start martial arts, but reasons can also arise that cause adults to stop before they really get started (we’re excluding all of the legitimate reasons such as work/home schedule, health, moving away, finances etc.)
One reason may be given, but the real reason may also be plain old fear:
- Can I do this?
- Will I be any good?
- Will I look silly?
(For the record, children generally do not analyse their participation in martial arts in this way).
When you take steps to better yourself and gain new skills in a new environment you naturally run some risk of the points above, and these are situations that most adults would rather avoid. So your best option here is not to hesitate; if you enjoyed your first martial arts lesson, ride the wave of enthusiasm and schedule your next lesson right away.
The thing about martial arts is that they can actually help you overcome these fears and issues. There is often a focus on the physical benefits and the self-defence attributes, but there are many positive psychological benefits too. For example, Choi Kwang-Do martial arts classes are an excellent way for adults to feel fitter, stronger and more confident.
- You can engage in exciting martial art workouts that will stimulate your brain through co-ordinated movements, and challenge your body to improve your mental and physical fitness.
- You can set short, medium and long term training goals and feel a sense of achievement when you accomplish them.
- You will learn scientifically designed techniques that are gentle on your joints but will enable you to produce explosive striking power for self-defence.
- You can train and socialise with a group of like-minded people to provide you with a feeling of purpose.
- You can develop new self-defence skills in a structured, non-competitive environment to build your confidence and self-esteem.
We’re fully aware that the martial arts class environment can be strange if it’s completely new to you – odd phrases and chants, oriental customs etc. So our friendly team of Choi Kwang-Do instructors will help you feel welcome and support you in each class as you learn valuable new skills. In addition, Choi Kwang-Do’s non-competitive training philosophy means that everyone – students and instructors - are supportive of each other’s development in class.
The only way that people grow and develop is by taking on challenges and aiming to get better in life. Yes, there will be days when the thought of attending class or practising at home after a stressful day at work isn’t very appealing, but the discipline involved with martial arts can help you realise that you have to put effort in, in order to get the benefits out and begin building a better you. Similarly, there will always be reasons to stop or hesitate doing something that challenges you, but when you succeed at something that challenges you, you can find many more motivating reasons to keep going…and it all starts with taking that first step.
Take the first step to building a better you with a 3 month trial membership for only £99
Jason Wright is a 6th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor in the martial art Choi Kwang-Do. For further information on Choi Kwang-Do classes in Ealing, West London visit www.TheMartialArtForLife.com
