Have you ever watched one of those spectacular martial arts movies thinking: "What would I not give to be able to do it too!" Well, anyone willing to get involved can learn martial arts. Changing one's way of life is in fact of fundamental importance to practice any style of struggle.
Steps
Step 1. Change your mindset and way of seeing things
Martial arts do not teach so much to fight as to achieve a new awareness of one's means by training the body and mind to work together.
Step 2. To become a martial arts practitioner you will inevitably have to attend a school, which also means choosing a fighting style
By joining a group, you will find a teacher who will guide you step by step during your learning. The benefits that can derive from training are more important than the style itself but, if at the time of the choice you know that you can rely on two equally valid masters, opt for the fighting style that you feel closest to you.
Step 3. Change your mindset and don't let the fighting style you have chosen fully define your martial figure
Study every possible style and don't despise another fighting style a priori, because this would limit your open-mindedness and make you weak.
Step 4. Study more than one martial art
Find the right blend of different styles. It is a very personal matter; each of us is different from the other and what may be good for you may not be good for a friend of yours. Experiment and find the combination that suits you best.
Step 5. Always try to improve and train every day
The most important thing in learning martial arts is training. Always train, even if only by performing the simplest technique.
Step 6. Be patient
It can take 3 to 6 months of constant training to make significant progress. A martial artist takes years to learn the BASICS of his fighting style but, once acquired, they become second nature to him.
Step 7. Start developing your own fighting style and your own personal way of interpreting the martial art you have dedicated yourself to
There is no single way to interpret a technique. From the very first steps, feel free to express your personality. Don't let the models influence you too much, but interpret them instead of repeating them mechanically.
Advice
- Don't set limits. Learning more fighting styles can only bring benefits.
- Be aware of EVERYTHING happening around you during a fight; don't focus your attention on just one point.
- Watch many recent videos from various martial arts competitions.
- At the beginning of your journey, everything will seem very complicated, but things will improve over time.
- Remember that it takes time and practice to improve. Don't give up on the first difficulties.
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Watching martial arts movies is an excellent opportunity to observe how industry experts express themselves.
When it comes to entertainment films, always consider the techniques used by the actors very carefully. Bruce Lee himself admitted that many of the spectacular techniques used in his films should never be employed in a real fight, as they are completely impractical
- The books written by masters such as Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris are truly exceptional. “The tao of jeet kune do” is a fantastic book for learning to interpret your fighting style more freely (even if some do not appreciate it as a reading).
- Reading books is an excellent opportunity to learn about different fighting styles and learn more about your own.
Warnings
- Martial arts do not make you invincible: expect to suffer a few minor injuries every now and then!
- Remember that it is against the law to use martial arts against a person, unless it is self-defense.
- You may be made fun of for practicing martial arts, but don't let that influence you. You don't have to tell your friends you're working out (you can always surprise them on some special occasion).
- Practicing a martial art is a lifelong process. It can take years to master the basics - be patient.
- Beware of those teachers who are in the martial arts field only for money. Look for a teacher you love to teach. Those who demand less are, in all likelihood, the same ones who aim for mere gain. Don't go to a franchise school!
