Benefits of Training

In the Modern Age we can often give self-defense a second... third.... last.... glance on the list of things that are important to us. Until it is too late and we need the skills that we didn't have.

Beyond the psychic (mental and emotional benefits) that martial arts offer, there are very real, pragmatic tools that freqeunt training imparts. Months of training can be necessary, at an intense rate. This isn't to say that there are not tools that can be learned in the course of a single seminar, or "tricks" of self-defense that cannot be learned in a moment. But fundamentlal tools take more, and only to basic proficiency in a short time. Sports coaches recognize this. This is true of all things. Otherwise continuous traiing would not be part of sports programs and most places employment would not demand continuing training and education.

2,3, or 5 years might seem like a long time to achieve a "Black Belt Status" in a school. In perspective it can also take 4 years to gain a starting Varsity position in most High School, or College programs. There are always execptional prodigies, but just like in high school sprot programs the advice is this: learning and drilling the fundamentals will never go away. And if you want to teach others, you have to work for perfection, where there is never an end. Even as a Master Instructor I think about how to refine my low blocks, center punchs, and hook kicks.

There are two reasons we pass over things: fear and pride. Don't let the timing scare you. And don't think yourself so perfect that you don't need training. Too often is it said "I don't want anything to do with fighting or dangerous situations so it doesn't apply to me" and "I think I can handle myself so I don't need training" until a fight descends upon you then it does apply to you and you do need the training.