Why are you a martial artist? I'd like to know what motivates people to study the martial arts?

Question

Are you into martial arts because you like to fight, are competitive or enjoy tournaments, or bouts?
Is it fitness and health that motivates you?
Is it spiritual?
Do you want to be able to defend yourself and others?
Is it because you like to be a showman and entertain others?
Perhaps you're artistic and enjoy perfecting the techniques of your chosen style?
Or is it a way for you to maintain self-discipline and a sense of control and personal strength, achievement or self worth in your life?

I'm genuinely interested and would value your honesty. Thanks.

Wow you guys rock!
I'm blown away by the response to this question and the detail in some of your answers, thankyou!
I have extended the expiry date to allow for more answers to be forwarded.

Answer 1

I acatually got invovled in the martial arts formally as a means of staying fit ( I had a relatively sedentary job as a consultant computer systems engineer and applications developer) as I absolutely detest gyms and wasted countless hundreds of dollars on gym memberships that I rarely used.

As a British ex-military guy with a police background, I already had exposure to techniques and concepts, but no structured training or formal philosophical instruction. My job used to take me around the world on one year assignments, so it was tough to formally train until I got a four year gig in California.

I had always had a passion for doing community work and spent many hours volunteering for a variety of non-profits and good efforts as a kid, teenager, and young adult. When I began training formally in TaeKwon-Do and HapKi-Do I saw the tremendous impact it had on peoples lives and was truly impressed by the positive change it brought about in so many individuals. That motivated me, and within a year of beginning my formal martial arts training I was putting in a 40 hour work week at my regular job and 15 to 20 hours assisting and helping out at my martial arts place.

My primary motiviation and goal, beyond my own continued training and advancement, is really the difference I see martial arts making in the lives of the students who come to train with us - even if they only stick around for six months or a year. I've witnessed many signficiant life changing adjustments in students over the time I've been teaching and I know I've made a positive difference in the lives of quite a few who had largely given up on themselves for a variety of reasons.

My father, who is now dead, always used to ask, "will you make a positive difference in the world, or will you just simply exist and survive?" At his funeral, ex co-workers from years ago came to pay their respects and I was impressed by their stories of his friendship, support, and the quiet encouragement he provided so many to excel or succeed. So I guess in part, I'm trying to live up to the example he set. I'm trying to "made a positive difference."

For me, of the three paths martial arts takes - mental, physical, and spiritual - it is the spiritual path that drives and motivates me. I would probably be best described as agnostic with respect to traditional religions, but I have a strong sense of community and an over-riding desire to help make this world a slightly better place. Hopefully, I pass that on to some degree to my students who will some day carry on my legacy.

Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 2

Since I was 8. I'm now 34 and I've studied a few arts in that time, mainly Shotokan Karate, (which I gave up when I was 15) muay thai, Jeet Kune Do Concepts, but my passion is the Fillipino Martial Arts. I hold a black belt in Doce Pares Eskrima and I'm a group leader in Dog Brothers Martial Arts.

Answer 3

I became interested in Martial Arts to be able to defend myself and others less able to defend themselves.

I don't like to fight,I prefer "Peace & Quiet",(But I enjoy training and sparring)

I have fought in tournaments since I was a kid.I enjoyed the competition,and even more the comradery of all the competitors regardless of style.

I am a bit of a ham and like to do demos,it is great to be validated for all the hard work.

Perfecting a technique is is something every true Martial Artist enjoys,it's what we do,it is never ending.

"Or is it a way for you to maintain self-discipline and a sense of control and personal strength, achievement or self worth in your life?"

Yes,you hit the nail right on the head!

You hit "all' the high points here,this is a very good question.

Answer 4

Well its kinda a mix, I have 3 other brothers (I'm the middle child) and we have always been beating the crap out of each other as long as I can remember. I always have been involved in sports since I was 5, I was just a normal kid that would play baseball,soccer,football and all that normal stuff and I finally realized I was not very good at any of it, I was not horrible but I was nothing special. So finally I asked my mom if I could start boxing when I was 12 and she said yes, I did it for 2 years but had to stop since it started getting expensive, after that I wrestled in high school, and now since I have money from my job I have got back in martial arts (BJJ and kickboxing) so that's where I am at now.

I think the thing I like the most about martial arts is that its a individual sport, I really like that since your the only person to blame if you lose...

I do martial arts because I love the competition, always have always will

Answer 5

1. Somewhat: That competitive side is the emulation needed for street situations, which is what many martial artists practice their arts for as the main reason. I do like a good sparring match, as it's fun, challenging, and it has that emulation factor.
2. Yes, but I really enjoy martial arts and exercise on their own. I practiced when I was heavier, and I still do today. Activity is a very strong indicator of health, and my martial arts, running, and cross training keep me happy. The classes themselves are very fun, but a little music doens't hurt when you do kicks here and there in your house, or practice your Ginga (The base movement of Capoeira), et cetera... :P
3. It is in most cases, but this is an area I've slacked on my entire Martial Arts journey. It sucks, but my life has been too inconsistent for me, and I shouldn't be so concerned with the past. Their is a side to it with meditation, deep breathing, finding your center, so on and so forth: The more spiritual movement.
4. Yes I do. That's one of the major reasons I am in Martial Arts. To be able to defend myself, and my family, while striving for peace.
5. Not really too much here. The only thing I show off is usually just my ability in the elements of fitness, but even then: I don't show off, but rather I'm observed when I run six miles, or do a side split, squat twice my weight, et cetera...... I try to be quiet about it, and even though I rarely ever speak of martial arts: People always find out about it.
6. I just want to learn the techniques that work for me, in a way that I perfect for my purposes: Whether it's to teach, defend, exercise, and so on.
7. Not self worth: Just a piece of my overall self-worth. Value cannot be determined by one thing, but being interested in this world is something that sometimes makes me different from others, especially when they assume I'm in it because I want to kick everyone's *** supposedly. *Rolls eyes*

It's a piece of living that can make stronger, fitter, more aware of your surroundings, more confident, more spirtual, and more. It's subjective in who is affected in whatever way, and you can tell by the variety of angles that come from these various replies. Maybe the question is: Why wouldn't we be, if it's so much fun? :D

Answer 6

Originally, I got into martial arts for self-defense and the challenge of doing something new and difficult. As time went by, I realized the idea self-defense is based on fighting ability is mostly due to insecurity, because street smarts is what will keep you out of trouble and should be enough to keep you out of 99 percent of situations. So it very unlikely that I'll ever use the art outside the dojo.
I still like the challenge aspect of it, but with time, it has become so much more. It's a whole way of relating to your body and, through it, the external world. Movements (all movements) become more gracious with time. Martial arts now provide me with discipline, structure, and a sense of harmony. It's like nothing I've ever done before in my life.

Answer 7

It's a never ending thing. Your motivation canstantly changes, as do your goals. I've been involved in the martial arts most of my life. Today I tested for my third dan in TKD. I first started, because it looked cool (honestly, those were my words). First you have goals: break that board, get to my favorite colored belt, develop that technique to second nature, get my black belt. etc. And as you change goals, your motivation changes. When you get way up there, it's no longer about getting to the next belt, it's about living the rest of your life with such a great quality to it. I'm not so sure I can answer the question of what motivates me, I have the rest of my life to figure that out. Whatever martial art you choose, it's the right choice.

Answer 8

Like for most people my goals and motivations changed over the years.
First I wanted to know how to defend myself.
Then something else took over, a deepening awareness of the "Do".
Then I wanted to achieve black belt ranking.
Then martial arts became a lifestyle.
Today my partner and I own a fulltime dojo, and I pass on my knowledge, trying to get other people into better habits, better awareness, teaching humility, integrity, honor, etc.
Although being tough at times (in particular with younger children and some problem teenagers) it is all in all a very rewarding life.

Answer 9

Martial Arts for me is that striving for knowing ones self and seeking self improvement. It allows me to center myself, see my strengths and my weaknesses. It lets me know what I need to improve on both physically/mentally and spiritually and gives the tools necessary to make those improvements. At the same time it allows me to gain a confidence that I will be able to protect myself and others should the need arise and the determination and will to accomplish what has to be done.

Answer 10

Mainly for self defense and discipline, but also because it makes a lot more sense to spend an hour learning how to defend your self while working out than to sit on a bike or treadmill that don't move.