Why do Karate or Kickboxing
There are lots of reasons to
consider taking up Karate/kickboxing. Below are some benefits to taking up karate for you to consider, as well as some of
my thoughts concerning those reasons.
Self-Defence
Probably the most common reason for someone
to take up karate and one of the first an instructor will mention to a prospective student. Loads of people join karate classes
with the desire to better defend themselves being at least one of the goals.
As well as learning physical skills, karate/kickboxing
can help us to understand that a threatening situation may be around the corner and allow us to avoid it. Training can also
give us strength and confidence that can better ward off potential thugs from a distance, as they usually prey on those who
appear weak.
Your health
Karate/Kickboxing is one
of the best forms of exercise you can get. There may be some that are more aerobic, others that are more strenuous. But, overall,
karate ranks very highly. However, you do not have to be in perfect shape to do it, so it is perfect for anyone looking to
improve their health and general well-being.
Take some minor precautions to
ensure you get the maximum benefit from your kickboxing classes. Do you sufficiently warm up before stretching? Do you stretch
out enough before training? Did you build up the muscular activity gradually (not just starting with jumping kicks)? Is your
heart rate in its proper range? If you have any health questions or concerns, see you doctor.
"A Way of Life"
Some people may wish to try karate
to live the "Bushido Way." Although this may seem noble to some, it is not all that practical in the modern world. To be ready
for a self-defense encounter all the time is good. To act as though you're ready, though, may give people the impression that
you are a freak. Keep that "Samurai" inside. There is nothing wrong with devoting a large chunk of your life to karate, but
there are other aspects of life which need to be kept in balance.
Training to train
Some people just train to train.
They need no particular reason. They like doing it. That's all there is to it. Sometimes this is good. Sometimes one just
needs to sweat it out, to forget about all the things that happened at work or school that day. While training without a specific
goal is good sometimes, though, if that is the way it is every day, chances are that development is being hampered. Training
without thinking may impede progression. Sometimes this is fine. Sometimes, however, we need to focus our minds on the task
at hand and think about our training, not just repeating moves mindlessly.
Why Not?
A very good friend of mine had
a philosophy final exam that consisted of one question: "Why?" His answer was simply: "Why not?" Somehow, he passed. Don't
worry if you don't have the perfect answer when people ask you why you do a martial art. You don't always need a reason
to do something, especially when it's something as good as Freestyle Karate and Kickboxing
