Why you started in Martial Arts

[philliptwyford]

Hi All,

Thought this would be a nice thread to start for nostalgia. I started training back in 1985 is it that long ago. Not too sound to cliche or sad but I started because of bullying and very poor lack of confidence. Very soon the bullying stopped as I found a new self worth and I felt very empowered. For me Martial Arts has had a huge impact on shaping me as a person and has given me a set of values that I utilise in everyday life. I could never see myself not having some involvement in MA and I was very lucky to have trained with my first instructor, Don Johnston and now with Rob and all the team at MAI who both share an approach to Martial Arts that is so refreshing and innovative. What has made you take up Martial Arts and how do you feel it has shaped or impacted on your life and how you carry yourself as a person?

Thanks
Phillip

[johngolden]

Howdy,

The first time that i started was in 1993-1995, I was doing kung fu was only 7 when i started. The reason was that it had just came too our area and in the country a new thing like that was massive. But it only lasted 2 years and there was no where else close by that did it, so i had too stop.

But always loved it and always watched all types of M.A. on telle. K1 on eurosport was someit i really enjoyed. Always kept the interest and held it in high regards, so when i moved up too dub it was one of the things i said i'd definately do, and its something that i would love too be able too compete in one of the days. !!!hopefully!!! So got on the phone too M.A.I. and now i'm training. Love every minute of it.

So in summary its one of my dreams to some day hopefully get too black belt in kickboxing and too compete in events.

Thanks for reading.
John

[Deleted]

Phil- You are full of good threads! Another whopper.

I just started for fun. I did a course in school, and decided to have a look at classes. Best decision of my life!

Martial arts has changed me too. It gave me a lot of confidence growing up- I started at around that age when you start to grow into your personality a bit.
Teaching has been the number one thing that changed me. Since I became an instructor I really got a sense that I was doing things right, and a real confidence in myself started to grow.

I'd hate to think what I'd be like if I never walked through that door!

[Pete]

Ive been into martial arts whole my life, but never had time to start it back in Finland, way too many hobbies. Now i finally got a change to start when moved to Dublin and old hobbies stayed behind. and havent regret that this happened, cos finally got a change to do this!

-Pentti K.

[Stephen Kavanagh]

I'd always wanted to do martial arts. Growing up i had 2 uncles who were black belts in different disciplines and i always found it fascinating but i never pursued it because i was very self-conscious and intimidated by the sport.
I have always been involved in some sport throughout my life but i found it very difficult to juggle sport and study while i was in college and my fitness and motivation fell by the wayside. After a couple of years i realised that my self-confidence was suffering too and looking back at how sports training had helped me growing up i knew that it was something i had to return to.
Still intimidated but intrigued, myself and a friend decided to try MA and after our first class at MAI all my worries were gone and i was instantly hooked! It's one of the best decisions of my life. I broke my ankle a couple of months ago and i was so lost, i couldnt wait to get back to the dojo! ;D

[philliptwyford]

Thanks to you all so far for your response to this thread. I think the training ethos in MAI has allowed Martial Arts to be enjoyed by so many different people and I think this is very much reflected in the enjoyment you have all mentioned in your replys.

John good luck with your goal of becoming a black belt. I have no doubt that with your dedication and support from everyone in the dojo it will become a reality.

Yours in Martial Arts
Phillip

[jamesm]

I've always been fascinated with martial arts from when i was younger from cartoons to films, but never got around to doing anything about it, always kept putting it off, pure laziness!!
so decided to do something about it when the d.15 club opened up and being a few hundred yards away from my job there was no excuses, and time was ticking, not getting any younger now!! since then it's been great fitter, skinnier, learning alot.
and have never regretted it.
And thanks to everyone at M.A.I for there time put in to training us.
james

[Stuey.K]

Well if you want the truth, I wasnt really to intrested in martial arts and knew little about it, but it seemed like an alternative to football, which I was muck at! So yeah I liked and eh stuck with it.

[dkidd]

Yeah Phil another great thread. I started Martial Arts with Kempo karate in 1974 (oh my god ) I was nine years old and nervous and shy and being bullied so my Grandad dragged me kicking and screaming to my first class but hey I loved it. It has certainly being the most important moulding force in my life and at times kept me away from the other bad stuff that kids in my area were involved in even in those days. It has been a long journey but a fulfilling one and I still feel that i am only starting to grow with it so hey bring on the next 34 years of kicking butt

[VMatos]

Nice post, Philip... and maybe an insight into a girl's point of view will be deemed interesting, although I apologise for the size of it (I'm inspired to write today!)

Personally, many things made me want to start in Martial Arts: fitness, self-defence, self-control, discipline (and the fact that it all looks sooooo cool, I'll admit to it), but above all, it was the sense of helplessness and insecurity, having been in a few rough situations in the past. I did the CQC course within my first few weeks at MAI and something Declan said to me stayed with me to this date: “Regardless of what happened before, this will make sure it will never happened again”

As much as I find impressive how some people have been involved in Martial Arts for a long time, regardless of the length of time one might be involved in it, the most important aspect is how it makes you feel (this to say I went to the Dojo for the first time in November 2006 - not that long ago ;D )
Saying that, it also depends on the type of Dojo you join - when I first arrived in Ireland 8 years ago, I joined a Dojo on Leeson St... let's just say the video "Good Dojo Bad Dojo" sums it all - I didn't stick around...

My view of the influence of Martial Arts on my life and how I carry myself as a person is probably not as clear as yours, since I wouldn't be certain where the influence of Martial Arts starts and where the influence of Martial Arts through the MAI Dojo ends (hope this makes sense). I say this because I personally feel I can take a leaf out of the book of every person I have met in MAI so far, instructors and students. Some lessons that I have learnt through Martial Arts (or the dojo) do impact my day-to-day life. Amongst many things:
I have learnt to acknowledge my weaknesses (which wasn't an option before), and work on them.
I have learnt that everybody at some stage gets insecure or nervous, and that is OK.
I have learnt that we all make the most ridiculous mistakes at the most inopportune times; just make sure you learn from them.
It’s an ongoing learning curve… which makes it a continuous improvement, physically and mentally.

MA is helping me with my confidence, my health (8 weeks off the smokes and counting), my discipline (Saturday mornings, team MAI, enough said)… and above all, should another bad situation come up, I know I will be in a better situation to deal with it than I ever was before MA.

*flexing muscles and looking angry*

[R. Devane]

Hey Vee,

That was one of the best posts on this forum so far. Honest, down to earth and from the heart.

Well done with all your achievemnets - you fought very well at the club comp by the way.

Robert

[Deleted]

Yeah, I have to say, that's a great post. If you skipped it because it was long, read it now!

You hit on something which training in MAI has changed in me, too. That's reckognising weaknesses and working on them. In all facets of life, this is a really useful thing to have to help anyone grow as a person. If things go wrong, you just look back and change what you can so that next time it goes right. Eventually, you'll never go wrong!

[dkidd]

Emotive and honest some guys could learn a lot from that one vee it must be all those Coelho books lol
Keep up the work and ps The Cigs battle is a very worthwhile one.

[mickroch]

The reason why I started martial arts was because Rob said he would pay me to make the club look full, the place just looks fuller when Im around I dont know why.

Seriously my story was that I intended to train to get into shape. The more I trained the more and better the kicks and punches flowed. Jamie told me about the grading system and I decided to go for the yellow belt, now its a long time since I did any kind of exam so it was a real pressure cooker situation. My stomach was turning with nerves but I got through it. Looking back the first belt was the most nerve racking.

There are some people who are absolute naturals at this martial arts game. Not me, I have to work harder than most when it comes to a grading. I am harder on myself than anyone cause of the standards I set myself. I dont go for grades until I am really ready.

My next grade is for the third brown and I have to say I never thought in a million years that I would get this far. The brilliant thing is that with every grade comes a new set of challenges that pushes the body and mind further and further. This grade has the lock set which is tricky but very enjoyable.

Anyway every journey starts with a first step and would recommend our club to anyone.

Best of luck everyone with the grades this year, chin up (And covered!!!!!!)

[philliptwyford]

Hey all,

delighted so many people have found this thread has struck a note with everyone. What Mick and Vee have said I think encapsulates what Martial Arts have brought to those who threw themselves into it. I for one owe so much to Martial Arts both from the personal friendships gained as well as the confidence to face adversity in various situations.

Thanks
Phillip

[Christopher M.]

Hi,
I am plobly the youngest person on the forum ;D.I started Martial Arts during the summer of 2007. Before that I was often bullied and did nothing about it. But since I Joined I am starting to get respect of my class-mates and as an added bonus I am fitter than I was then. I even have the courage to stand up to people IF they bully me. So I would like to say a HUGE thank you to all the instructors in Martial Arts Inc.

P.S: I'd like to start a new thread on bullying. Can I do that?

bye,
Chris

[mickroch]

Hi Christoher,

Firstly, you are more than welcome to start a new threadon Bullying I think that would be a very interesting topic especially in todays world. When I was in school I used my brain and the fact that I was a fast runner to keep me out of harms way. I think for your circumstance even the fact that the word has spread in your school that you practice the art of kickboxing is a very clever without (hopefully) ever having to use it.
You will find that the bullys are more afraid on the inside than anyone realises. They prey on your insuecrities as a way of masking their own.
We have seen the way bullying has effected some people and it would break yor heart to see yong people pushed to the edge.
I think that kickboxing and other martial arts should be offered as an option as part of PE.
It would be great for fitness and for confidence building.
Sometimes its not a superman punch followed by jumping axe kick that a person needs it is the confidence they need that they know they can step up to the mark when all other tactics have been exhausted. For me in school I have many times been the winner of a slagging match with these bullys where I have nearly made them cry in front of people. They never layed a hand on me after that because they new that If they did it was because they could not take a slagging.
Anyway, start your thread and above all, enjoy your kickboxing and work on the other and most important part of self defence, using your brain.

Best of luck,

Mick

PS (superman kick followed by axe kick mmmmmmmmmmmmmm)