Martial Arts: Is it really for me?
by Sensei Lynne Myerscough-Newton
No matter your age or ability Martial Arts really can offer
you something but you should really understand the reasons behind you joining a
club. Before you begin training.
·
Are you looking for competition?
·
Do you want to learn new skills?
·
Are you looking to improve your health and
fitness?
·
Do you need a confidence boost?
·
Do you want to learn to protect yourself?
This list goes on and on…
Your first job is to find a club that best matches your
needs and suits you. Don’t feel
pressured into choosing the first club you visit and don’t be pressured into signing
a membership and buying a gi and insurance on the first lesson. Shop around clubs offer many different
options, talk to instructors and watch a session to see if it fits in with your
expectations.
Also check club
credentials because there are no restrictions on who can open a club, do your
homework and find out:
·
What qualifications do the coaches have?
·
What Policies and Procedures are in place?
·
Are the instructors DBS checked and how often
are they renewed?
·
What Risk Assessments are in place?
·
What measures are taken to ensure your safety?
If they say ‘no’ to
anything, you cannot see evidence or if you don’t feel completely happy then
walk away. Don’t forget a simple google
search on the instructor can reveal an awful lot. Although people can request that certain
information be removed, if you scroll all the way down to the bottom of the
page it will tell you information has been removed.
Am I too old?
Again, I would suggest you have a clear idea of why you want
to do a Martial Art and think carefully about your choice of club.
Mostly, I would say ‘no you are not too old’. Just make sure that you are not overdoing
it. The fact is you will not be able to
keep up with younger students, but by building it up slowly and will be able to
give them a run for their money. Above
all be sensible, know your limits and stick to them, don’t be tempted to over
do it because you will regret it later.
I have a health condition!
Always check with a healthcare professional before starting
any new Martial Art. Once you have been
given the all clear and found a suitable club I would be honest and upfront
with your coach, share the information you have and the medical advice you have
been given.
As a sufferer of Multiple Sclerosis I have never had a
problem doing Martial Arts as long as I stuck to my limits and didn’t over do
it. So STOP when you need to and see the
session as a positive – look at what you have achieved and not what you haven’t
done. I try not to measure my progress
against other students but against myself (I am not always successful, but I do
try!)
Remember it’s your
lesson and you control it
Overall Martial Arts can really enrich your life building on
your fitness levels, confidence, concentration, flexibility, coordination,
friendship, self discipline and this is just the start. However, to be successful you need to be
dedicated, have courage, be optimistic, honest and open minded only then can
you really progress after all ‘a black belt is a white belt that never quit’
So if you are new to Martial Arts or fancy a change fill out
a free lesson coupon and get yourself to an IJJA dojo – You have nothing to
lose and everything to gain!