How as martial arts affected you as a person physically, spiritually, and emotionally?

Question

I think there will be many good answers! As for myself at the onset of my martial arts training the first thing I noticed was an increased energy and better physique. Having my body in good shape also increased my intellectual capacity(being able to think clearer than ever before). At some points early on I noticed I had quite a chip on my shoulder from all my concentration on fighting techniques making me think I could defeat anyone out there. Later on I realized that there is always someone better out there somewhere and it would always be that way no matter how skilled I became and how hard I trained for the rest of my life. At this point it was quite a parodox for me to understand the relationship between Master and Student. I had thought the Master was the man and I had to bring myself to his level. What I eventually realized was that being a Master and a Student meant that both grow and become more knowledgable and refined as time passes on. What a revelation!

I know now that what you become as you grow as a human being is a great teacher. A progression for your life to make others as well as yourself better in all aspects of your life. I'll finish with a quote I heard recently. "It is not enough to stand on top of world but it is a loftier ambition to lift mankind as a whole from where you are."

This will be my last question or answer here for a while. For those who have agreed or disagreed with me, liked or disliked me, enjoyed or hated me, I thank you all for the insights into my own life that you all have brought. Wherever I am I know every human has something to offer and teach me whether I choose to except it or not.
Aloha and Mahalo

Answer 1

ive read your question and i wont answer all of it,but i will give you a bit of advice pertaining to it overall.
don't aspire to be anyone even your master,everyone has faults and if you emulate anyone you also emulate their faults.
you learn more by listening even if you think that person doesn't know what there talking about than talking just to hear the sound of your own voice.
and i didn't read that anywhere,noone told me that.it's what iv'e learnt from "experience"
yours in bushido.Dai Sensei Wayne.
PS.just one more thing nothing to do with ma,just a general thing about the way you interact with ppl-you catch more flies with honey than vinegar?

Answer 2

It gave me confidence, but not just confidence itself. to say it only gives confidence and that is all is missing out on why it gave it to us.

confidence came about because I could observe and use my intuition better than before. my understanding of my abilities showed me that others could have the same or better experience in them. this kept me wary, yet not paranoid like before.

I took control of my situations. I took the lead in my decisions, and stood upon my own feet without second guessing. I stopped thinking about what if's and just did what I knew was the right thing to do.

before training back in my teens, I was a scared, beaten, unsure kid. training and the places and situations it has taken me through has opened up my world.

so it just doesnt get confidence, like it is an end. but you gain your life back as your own, never to doubt yourself, or rely on other peoples actions or beliefs to affect your own.

in the end I would question even my training and see it from retrospect and decide for myself what is worthy. we eventually become our own teachers, if we listen to ourselves, and believe what we hear.

a foundation in the arts is awesome, but to take it beyond the training halls is the goal of freedom. we have to be masters of our own game not only inside the hall, but throughout our life.

treat people how they treat you, and if they cross the line, ensure they know.

Answer 3

Physically I am stronger & more flexible (or maybe it would be more accurate to say less inflexible).
Spititually & emotionally (I don't think it's possible to seperate the 2) I am much better able to control my emotions.

Answer 4

Martial arts just increases your confidence... that's all.