MMANiagara.com

I do it because I enjoy it and because I want to be able to defend myself should the need arise. I know that if I get into a fight, I deserve to win it.

To make people know whos the boss and who to respect. LOL. just joking. i learn because in my school, theres a lot of gangster and they would whack you even if you did nothing, not even looking at them. So when i learn JKD, i wouldn’t be so scared to face them as compare to my other friends. so all in all, its for self-defence.

Because I got a E for my physical education grade and my parents went mad, worried that I’ll die of some heart disease if my health level doesn’t improve. I tried out for several teams (school and local) but got rejected because I was so unfit (I was 5"3 and 120 pounds). My sister who does muah thai in another country (she’s studying abroad) suggested me that I join a martial art club of some sort through phone…

men (and some women too) are supposed to have something in their lives that gives them an adrenaline rush. just think man back in the caveman days we had to fight off wolves, bears, other humans, even big dogs to survive. just treat your martial art with respect its self defense for a reason. the real brave people are the people saving lives every day like firefighters etc, not tough guys so best of luck with your training i am a martial artist too.

I started TKD for fitness, strength and stamina. I also figured that if I was going to work out, it made sense to learn something like self defense in the process. I’ve been going for 16 years and have lots of friends that I train with. I’m addicted. It is comforting to know that you have the skills to get yourself out of almost any situation. Of course, I do not intend to put myself into such a situation.

I started training in Tae Kwan Do at first strictly for health reasons. I found I wasn’t getting motivated and had no structure working out on my own in a gym.
After about a month I began to realize that physical gains were not the only gains I was making. Self confidence, the ability to focus, spiritual well being, were also fringe benefits. A few years of training and I now am trying to give back as an instructor. It is more than getting a but kicking or giving one. The benefits of self discipline and finding your mental and physical limits are mind freeing experiences. Few pastimes in life can match this in my experience.

Im a Kung Fu practitioner and will start studying Muay Thai soon and then move on to BJJ. If you practice MMA, then why ask this question? You already stated that you feel more confident, even though you stay getting ur a$$ handed to you. Is that chest that u stick out not enough to ward off would be offenders? I do it becuz I like knowing that I can hold my own against ANY martial art.(I knew I could without martial arts)when I hit 36 im hittin up Kali. Its all an ongoing learning process based on skill level. And when I hit 41 im going back to my Praying Mantis Kung Fu roots at the Wah Lum Temple, and stay there till im old an gray and pick up Tai Chi with Sifu Mimi Chan, as we both age. At that point I would have my own "MMA" regimen at home and for my children. Why do you practice Mixed Martial Arts?

To be the ultimate fighter and never feel powerless……………..altho i have a long way to go

Because it’s fun.

MMA is a sport, i practice self defense for confidence, competence and of course to defend myself. I wouldn’t practice MMA because i don’t want to fight in any sport. Boxing, or MMA. Put a black belt in BJJ against 2 people he’ll get 1 in an arm bar then the other one will kick his teeth in. BJJ is not self defense.

http://music.yahoo.com/track/455975

I wanted to be stronger. When you do martial arts, not only are you facing your opponent, you’re also combating against all the anxiety, doubt, and fears in yourself. To have that strenght to endure those obstacles and rise above them through your own effort is priceless.

The most important reason to study a martial art is the inherent balance it brings to living your life. The health, defensive ability, self-discipline and mental focus all become a part of the whole. Thus creating a more complete person in the end.

The draw the brings you in is the physical abilities displayed by masters. What keeps you in is the "oneness" that completes you as a person.

If all you study is the physical aspects of martial arts then you’re missing the boat. The meditational and mental focus exercise aspects that are necessary to complete the study are the other half of martial arts, bringing the person to a state of wholeness as a bud becomes a flower.

Hope that makes sense to you.

I did tae kwon do reason because i always wanted to be a ninja to be honest truth lol. But I still loved how I learned all this cool stuff, from self defense, forms, sparring ect. It made me really Flexible and and noticed a that my body actual changed and got in alot better shape. I was always fascinated with martial arts and the history of it and would still like very much to learn more.

I feel the same way. And in my dojo, everybody is always all hyped up about training. The morale is high. I love it!

cuz i have nothing to do on my spare time….(really)

Not to be melodramatic about it, but I study martial art because I see life as combat. Not necessarily just in the sense of physical confrontations where your aim is to overcome an attacker, but also mental and maybe to some extent spiritual conflicts where you must overcome obstacles such as fears, uncertainties, avarice, greed, hatred, etc. We all do battles each day of our lives in that sense. What better way then martial art that not only keeps you physically fit and tough, but mentally, too.

I also study it or more accurately continue to study it because I like the (for a lack of a better word) purity of purpose about the community of serious martial artists – we are ultimately searching for the truth. When you go toe to toe with a 250lb and 6’5" of angry bent on hurting you maniac, you better have done it right in your training. You better have seen the true way or you are toast.

Exploring things and knowing if what are the weaknesses of other styles, skills and knowledge needs and expansion for the better ways of self improvements.

This is not about any tournament or competition but it’s the well of enhancing things, knowing the most effective methods and applications speaking about self defense.

Good luck

…………..

For fun, for fitness and for money (in my case) and really, because I enjoy it. On Sundays I go roll around with the local wrestling club. At the gym I lift to stay pretty and do a lot of bag work, Nothing helps endurance for fighting like hitting stuff. In the early morning, I do the Wu solo form (108 posture), keeps my flexibility and balance better than they would be otherwise.

When I look at my student’s progress, I am happy, it’s not about me when I’m teaching, it’s about them, how they are doing. When I hear things like "I need this class" it makes me feel good. When I demonstrate, I have to be smooth and strong, it makes me better.

Because I teach a military based system we do a lot more PT than other arts, so I can see my students getting harder stomachs, stronger arms and shoulders. I have families that join so they can work together, well, it’s great, they practice a little outside of the gym.

Why train, because it’s fun.

I have been in martial arts all my life before the age of 10 which of course was just for fun.

Unfortunately, my mother married a man who was very abusive. The day that we left( i was 10) I vowed to my mother that I would never let anyone hurt us like that ever again, and I kept my promise.

That’s why I got into martial arts, I continue to train because I love what martial arts teach and the wonderful gifts and rewards that come with the territory

I do it because it develops you into a better person on the inside. I do martial arts with my mind. Everytime I walk into the dojo, I tell myself, " you’re not just here using your body, but youre also using your mind." Commitment, perseverance, physical health, concentration, right attitude, self-respect, these are all good qualities one can attain from martial arts.

Sometimes I don’t know why I am here, so tired and sore, but I just want to be here.
there will be a smile inside when I know I’ve managed to stay committed once again, sometimes that matters even more then what techniques I’ve actually learnt. The inner character is growing. You have integrity with yourself.