That’s the sixty four thousand dollar question for today -- What are you training for? -- Why do you study martial art?

 

• Some people say they are seeking the health benefits martial arts training offers.

• Some people use the training to learn about themselves or help them understand themselves better.

• Some people are training to help them to develop or increase their self-confidence.

• Some people are training because they feel it will help them develop discipline that they can use in other aspects of their life.

• Some people are training to help them deal with the stress in their daily lives, whether of a professional or personal nature.

• Some people train in case they get into a fight or have to defend themselves at sometime.

• Some people, such as law enforcement and military personnel, might train because their profession or livelihood can at times put them in precarious and perhaps very dangerous situations. 

• Some people enjoy the physicality of martial training. For them there is something almost primal about it and it feeds their psyche in some way.

The bottom line is that each individual trains for their own reason(s). And the reasons are many and varied. I have my reasons for training, and you have yours. They might be similar, or they may be very different. It might be a single reason or a combination of reasons. If you make it a point to know or find out why you are training, it can go a long way in helping you stay on track with your training, and to keep training. Understand too that your reasons for training may change as well over time. Some people may begin training as a means of developing greater self-confidence then continue training as they discover how much it helps them to deal with the stresses and challenges of their daily life.  So take the time to find out why you are training and what you are training for.