Attitude survey - all answers welcome!!!

[amedia]

I'm trying to get a handle on how people feel about martial arts - it's one of the ways I can become a better ninjutsu teacher. If you can take a minute and answer these questions, I'd *seriously* appreciate it!

If you are into martial arts...

Before you got into martial arts, what did you think about it? What kind of positive/negative ideas or impressions did you have of it? What was the positive idea that finally prompted you to become active?

If you're not into martial arts...

What's your impression of martial arts? Both good and bad impressions are valuable to know about. Is there anything you've heard/seen about martial arts that makes you want to try it? Is there anything you've heard/seen about martial arts that makes you not want to try it?

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I am a friend of mama_beast. I have been interested in martial arts for as long as I can remember. It was not something I pursued, because of body shape/size, transportation issues, and money.
I did take a couple of months (many many moons ago) of Tae Kwon Do from an instructor, moonlighting extra training classes from his house. I would have continued it, but he moved.
A local black belt opened a school in town. Out of curiosity, I visited and took the "free class". It was cool, but I wasn't ready.
Years later, I started taking the classes and was a month from testing for my green belt when I broke my foot. I haven't gone back because I don't know what happened to the extra time I had for the classes. But I am going back!
I link my instructors philosophy. Where some disciplines won't advance you unless you mastered everything at the lower level, where I train as long as you are able to perform the moves, proficiency will follow.
The instruction is a combination of various disciplines including karate and akido. We do escrima (Philipine stick fighting) and practice defense against weapon attacks and spar 2x a month. There are special classes offered including swords. Personally, I hate the 1,000 kicks classes.
Bruce Lee (who died 32 years ago) was a big influence, but with today's movies, the effects are great, but they paint an unrealistic view of actual fighting because of all the special effects.
My name is Synlab and mama_beast knows where to find me if anyone wishes to follow up with more questions or comments.

[amedia.livejournal.com]

I am a friend of mama_beast.

Thanks for taking the time to respond, Synlab!

I link my instructors philosophy. Where some disciplines won't advance you unless you mastered everything at the lower level, where I train as long as you are able to perform the moves, proficiency will follow.

I like this, too. It seems similar to my instructor's way of looking at things. As a trainee instructor, I've been told not to expect perfect forms or movement from the students, especially the beginners, because a lot of things will get fixed naturally as they progress.

The instruction is a combination of various disciplines including karate and akido. We do escrima (Philipine stick fighting) and practice defense against weapon attacks and spar 2x a month. There are special classes offered including swords.

This sounds like a really cool program! I have to confess, I feel as if my IQ drops about fifty points every time I pick up a weapon... but I keep reminding myself, ken tai ichi jo, the body and the weapon are one!