As you pick up a leaflet, or see a poster or find us on Google, this may well be a (very valid) question that pops into your head!
- Martial arts are suitable for everyone
I think one misconception is often that martial arts are only for a select few people who fit into a certain age/gender/fitness level bracket. Whilst I can’t speak for all clubs and styles, at WCA this really isn’t that case. I am a HUGE believer that martial arts can benefit you wherever you are in your life at this point.
We have been around for 7 years now and in that time, the youngest students that I have taught was 3 years old and the oldest was 102! So if you’re within that 99 year age gap, then I think there is something we can offer. We have seen people from a multitude of backgrounds (and fitness levels) walk through the doors and embrace what we have to offer.
By offering both Tai Chi and Kung Fu, whatever your age, there is something that you can gain from training in one of our classes. Whether it be the slow, graceful, relaxing Tai Chi; the self-defence and conditioning of Kung Fu; or the competition and intensity of sparring, you can find something of interest and suitability.
2. Variety is the spice of life!
The martial arts are a vast subject area and mastering even one style is a lifetime -or even several lifetimes – work! With the huge array of styles on offer, it is wise to look around and find one that is best suited to your own proclivities.
If you are thinking of coming along to WCA, whether you want to just choose one element of the style we teach, or throw yourself head first into everything (or something in between), the breadth and depth of what we teach means that there is always something else to learn, or you can take your learning deeper by training and studying more.
You might want to flit in and out of a drop in class each week, or you may want to become completely absorbed in the arts. Either is great and you’ll find both catered for.
3. Get fit, have fun
Okay, I’m cramming a couple of reasons into one but getting fitter and having fun don’t have to be mutually exclusive activities!
I’m sure we all know people who have joined the gym in January, only to have quit again by March. Whilst I think they have their place, I personally don’t really see gyms as fun places to be. It’s almost like a lot of people end up there under duress and don’t actually enjoy their time exercising.
Half the battle is finding something you love, if it’s an enjoyable activity you’ll naturally want to keep going.
Whilst we take our martial arts seriously, we definitely enjoy what we do here and that is reflected in the students who return year on year. So instead of churning out miles on the treadmill three times a week, try a martial arts class – you’ll encounter so much more variety, learn something new and exciting and who knows, it may last longer than a couple of months!
4. Self-Defence
Historically this is probably one of the most obvious reasons for why people start martial arts training. However, I think it is important to look at it a little bit differently these days.
We all know that traditional martial arts developed out of a need to defend oneself, family, home, monastery, village, etc.. but in reality (thankfully) this isn’t such a pressing need these days – not to say it isn’t useful or still needed but that necessity is somewhat diminished.
So why still do self-defence?
Just because a band of marauding Mongols isn’t going to attack your village or thieves aren’t going to try to steal your wares as we travail along the Silk Road, doesn’t mean we don’t have any enemies!
These days our enemies are far more subtle and ever present! Here’s a short list of just a few everyday enemies we all face and how our martial arts training can help us defeat them…
- The sedentary lifestyle – sitting in office chairs all day long hunched over a computer, shortens out hamstrings giving us aches in our back and shoulders, reducing mobility and flexibility (at a frighteningly young age sometimes!). Martial arts training is so effective for correcting posture, balance, flexibility and keeping practitioners moving efficiently and comfortably.
- Diet – whether it be an excess of the wrong types of food or the junk that our food is treated with, it’s clear that what we put into our bodies isn’t always doing us the best of good. By getting fitter and healthier in general, we can counter some of these issues and the problems with disease and illness that they inevitably cause.
- Stress – if we let it, stress can invade all areas of our lives, from home life to work life (as well as in the car between the two!). Whatever your preference, whether it’s meditative deep breathing or kicking and punching pads, martial arts helps you deal with stress, keeping you calm, peaceful, relaxed and mindful.
So just a few reasons why you could choose to make martial arts part of your fitness resolutions and goals for the coming year, if you’d like more information then please don’t hesitate to contact me (Mark) on 07834 375776 or whitecraneacademy@gmail.com.
Thanks for reading and have a very happy new year!
