Why Martial Arts?

Martial Arts Masters

Evolve or become a relic. Over the next 20 years unless masters of ancient traditions such as martial arts can find a new way of delivery, most will become outdated and irrelevant and eventually disappear. Already great traditional masters are passing away, taking their teachings with them.

Why Martial Arts

So in this day and age, “why do people choose martial arts?” That is a difficult question and  there are numerous answers. From our own research at Northstar, it appears that most people have the idea that martial arts is an interesting way to get fit as opposed to being one of the masses at the fitness chains.

Kids Martial Arts

It seems self defence and personal empowerment are rarely mentioned, though I suspect that is a strong motivator. For children, martial arts programs designed specifically for kids are a fantastic innovation with in the industry. Though many schools have to get with the program and stop teaching watered down adult programs if they truly want their schools to have impact.

Bully and stranger danger

Learning martial arts is a fantastic foundation. If children are taught personal protection skills that includes ABC (Anti Bully Confidence) and stranger danger and a code that includes; self discipline and respect to name a few, they have these skills for life.

For martial arts to remain relevant the need to follow tradition and dogma can be acknowledged but should remain in the background. When the master of a school realizes that the true essence of martial arts is self knowledge, he or she can stop identifying with what they think they need to become, release from the powerful grip of the ego and gently guide the student to a better life by using what ever techniques are relevant to the times, which includes fitness and meditation.

Andy Dickinson