What is my motivation for wanting to learn a martial art?
There are as many wonderful reasons for studying a martial art as there are martial arts themselves! Knowing your motivations will help you pick the best martial art school for you.
Achieving higher ranks takes years of practice. Training with a supportive group of friends helps too!
Do you want to learn self-defense? Does the thrill of combat appeal to you? Are you looking for a physical activity that you can do with your kids rather than watching on the sidelines? Are you tired of the treadmill and searching for a fun way to improve flexibility and stay in shape?
Shotokan Karate and many other styles can fulfill these needs, so it’s important to do a little self-reflection alongside your research into the variety of martial arts schools out there.
It is worth noting that it will take a long time, possibly decades, to master any martial art. Beware the school that promises you a black belt in just a few months. If your primary motivation for starting a martial art is to achieve a particular rank or title, I recommend you consider another pastime.
What is the best style for me?
Once you know what you want to get out of practice you will have an easier time choosing a style that fits your goals and personality.
All martial arts are great for developing strength, flexibility, and speed, but they offer a variety of approaches to self-defense. Some styles, like karate and kick boxing, focus on developing fighting ability while one is “on their feet,” while arts like jiu jutsu and Greco-Roman wrestling teach how to fight on the ground. Other styles, like aikido and judo, are excellent for learning how to throw an opponent.
It is important to understand whether a particular school focuses their study on sport and tournaments, or self-defense and combat. Of course, there are always school that are excellent at teaching both aspects. For instance, a Brazilian jiu jutsu dojo might train in self-defense and tournament fighting, while others will focus entirely on preparing pupils to protect themselves in a real-life situation. Your personal goals can help guide you in whether to
Gichin Funakoshi
choose a school that is heavily involved in tournaments or one geared toward teaching self-defense. Of course, there are school that are excellent at teaching both aspects.
At Indianapolis Shotokan Karate we practice traditional Shotokan karate-do in the same manner as it was first taught by Master Gichin Funakoshi, with the greatest emphasis placed on the “art” aspect of martial art. Developing self-defense skills through rigorous training is our method toward self-development. Though we do participate in tournaments on occasion, new students should know that developing real self-defense prowess comes only with discipline and hard training.