It’s Time to Start Martial Arts
Written by: Instructor Brendan
It’s time to start martial arts. This is a sentiment we find that many will experience, often from different ages and backgrounds. Why? Perhaps it is curiosity, perhaps need. There are many varied reasons why we start martial arts.
Martial Arts Benefits
There are many benefits of course, both physical and mental, as well as social. Increased good health, strength, body tone, weight control, stress release, co-ordination, flexibility, concentration, self-discipline, self-control, confidence, all achieved in a structured and respectful environment. Achievement awaits.
Martial arts is now prominent in our society and it would not be easy for one to overlook, whether it be a friend who trains or a story in social media. And upon seeing the benefits, the curiosity perhaps becomes a sentiment felt for as long as martial arts have existed, everyone’s watchful eye ever fixed upon this strange activity.
Which Martial Arts?
Perhaps it’s one thing to accept that it’s time to start martial arts. However, the question one may ask: with so many types of martial arts, and so many deviations from ancient arts, which is the best martial art to start? There are almost 200 martial art styles [1] across the world, with some having histories that date back thousands of years [2]. Naturally many of these martial arts styles are deviations from older martial arts, updated and evolved to suit different needs. An example of such a martial art is Taekwondo which evolved from Tae Kyon (Soo Bak), where the changes were so significant as to make it a separate art entirely.
Combining different martial arts is usually not beneficial, the systems not able to properly connect. But there are exceptions, provided the philosophy of movement is similar. For example, Sun Bae Korean Martial Arts offers three styles: Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Kumdo [3]. These are all Korean arts which have emerged from the same origin. As a fighting art, Taekwondo and Hapkido are very complementary.
As you narrow down the best art, you may begin to wonder - are you too old, are your children too old, are you too overweight or too skinny, too tall or too short, are you flexible enough? And, for the student that once before practiced martial arts, has it been too long to start again? No, of course.
At Sun Bae, classes are structured for all levels and there is even a special program for beginners. But what about an overweight person in their later years who cannot get close to doing the splits - is it really time to start? We say, yes! Simply, yes, the same answer to all the previous questions. You have to start somewhere and Sun Bae classes are designed to go at your own pace. With so many styles out there in the world, there are martial arts that can suit any size, shape, or level of fitness and Sun Bae is one of them.
Excusing some of the more extreme cases such as an underlying medical condition, we believe almost anyone can learn at Sun Bae. The best time to start is yesterday. For those who didn’t start yesterday, the next best time to start is right now.
Martial Arts Styles
So, it is decided. The next question is, which style best suits you? There are martial arts for grappling, wrestling, joint-locking, kicking, boxing, weapons and simply those that fulfill the purpose of performing patterns and forms. Looking at the oldest of all these styles, the styles which stand out as the most reliable are the striking and grappling arts.
For a new student, grappling can be highly technical and difficult to use, meaning this may not be the best option to begin. This is especially true if the student’s goals are to go at their own pace and learn by their own limits. This leaves striking as the best martial art with which to start.
A striking martial art will usually start with the basics, simple and effective. Taekwondo is known as an exemplary introductory martial art and it is a striking art. The basics consist of striking with hand and foot techniques, whilst evading with fast footwork and deflecting attacks with guards and light blocks. If a student goes into a reputable school, they will walk out of the first lesson knowing how to stand, how to move, how to punch, and how to do the first of the many kicks that Taekwondo is known for, the front kick.
Learning the basics of Taekwondo instills simple self defence immediately and within three months you will have some confidence if attacked. At Sun Bae, Taekwondo basics are essential to growth, paving the way for learning more advanced techniques such as Hapkido grappling. The goal of course being to blossom over time.
It is widely known that Taekwondo has strong (and even outright lethal) techniques. Learning these at Sun Bae will be rewarding, but with it comes an ethical responsibility not to mis-use. Your instructors will guide you and your children. You will learn not just the how, but the why and the when. It is for everyone, no body strength required, nor a specific body type, a specific age, or even a specific gender. Taekwondo benefits all who are willing to learn and combined together with Hapkido, a very strong martial artist emerges.
Our existing students have proven that Sun Bae was a great way to start martial arts. There is a logical progression, belts earned and after that a lot more to be learned. Even black belts are still learning. With a clear ranking system, you know how well you are doing (and where you need to improve next). This allows you to go at a pace your willpower and your ability will allow.
Sun Bae kicking will favour the slow and powerful student just as much as the fast and the light, meaning the only limitation is the one you place on yourself. Sun Bae will encourage you to break through those self-imposed limits. Discipline, etiquette, fitness, respect, technical skill, speed, power, and the development of a sense for potential danger. These are some of the many positives picked up in Sun Bae even after just a few months of just two lessons per week.
We have found that students who have learned enough of the basics in Taekwondo can eventually take on the option of learning Hapkido. Hapkido employs joint locks, throwing techniques and grappling, as well the array of punches, kicks, and striking attacks already learned in Taekwondo. This makes it the best next step for students that have found their comfort zone in Taekwondo. And it is all achieved in the same class.
At Sun Bae, we also offer Kumdo, the art of the Korean sword. This is a martial art that teaches the highest levels of discipline and martial skill (and uses a real sword). But it is not a hand to hand street defence of course.
Progression At Sun Bae
Progression at Sun Bae starts with a grounding in Taekwondo. Explore the higher limits with Hapkido later. And with Kumdo, you can develop a unique aspirational level of martial arts mastery. Sun Bae Korean Martial Arts is unique, a great combination of styles for any student of any type - and the best time to start training is today.
References
[1] wayofmartialarts.com/list-of-martial-arts/
[2] oldest.org/sports/martial-arts/
[3] sunbae.net/
