Is martial arts worth it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was amazing for my DCs confidence. She started at 6 and still practices, including teaching during school breaks, almost 15 years later.

If you’re looking for self defense techniques, I’d look elsewhere. Some dojangs teach some, but it’s not a focus (my kid could do it, but again…a decade plus of experience and extra instruction as an instructor…your average tween lower belt student won’t have that ability). For exercise, discipline and self confidence, IMO it’s an excellent option.

Why is it better at building confidence than other activities or sports? Genuinely asking as we are considering this too.

All I can say is that my kid took to it. I’m sure other things can help too, but swim, soccer, dance…all busts with my kid. TKD stuck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was amazing for my DCs confidence. She started at 6 and still practices, including teaching during school breaks, almost 15 years later.

If you’re looking for self defense techniques, I’d look elsewhere. Some dojangs teach some, but it’s not a focus (my kid could do it, but again…a decade plus of experience and extra instruction as an instructor…your average tween lower belt student won’t have that ability). For exercise, discipline and self confidence, IMO it’s an excellent option.

Why is it better at building confidence than other activities or sports? Genuinely asking as we are considering this too.

DP. Wrestling, bjj, etc, give a different kind of confidence because you’re giving your kids the gift of being able to defend themselves. At least they won’t be completely helpless on a subway, plane, on the street, locker room, bathroom, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah TKD is good for dressing up and chopping pine boards I guess. You gotta prepare your boy for some real tusslin. See if he's open to wrestlin/BJJ to start.

unfortunately, this is true.

Kid's BJJ for now since you missed wrestling season, but make sure to sign them up net winter. It's a life-changing sport

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was amazing for my DCs confidence. She started at 6 and still practices, including teaching during school breaks, almost 15 years later.

If you’re looking for self defense techniques, I’d look elsewhere. Some dojangs teach some, but it’s not a focus (my kid could do it, but again…a decade plus of experience and extra instruction as an instructor…your average tween lower belt student won’t have that ability). For exercise, discipline and self confidence, IMO it’s an excellent option.

Why is it better at building confidence than other activities or sports? Genuinely asking as we are considering this too.

DP. Wrestling, bjj, etc, give a different kind of confidence because you’re giving your kids the gift of being able to defend themselves. At least they won’t be completely helpless on a subway, plane, on the street, locker room, bathroom, etc.

Not just that. But in combat sports, there is literally no place to hide. You can't look be stuck in the outfield. You can't just a center waiting for a rebound to come to you. you can't be a goalie that just sits back there for 90% of the game.

It's you and your opponent on the mat. That's it. Whether your win or lose will is entirely up to you.

That builds character like nothing else.

And then you couple it with the fact that for the first few weeks/months, newbies usually get their butts whooped HARD each and every mat. But the emotionally strong kids stick with it. And when they get their first W (especially their first pin), its huge. Confidence like no other

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was amazing for my DCs confidence. She started at 6 and still practices, including teaching during school breaks, almost 15 years later.

If you’re looking for self defense techniques, I’d look elsewhere. Some dojangs teach some, but it’s not a focus (my kid could do it, but again…a decade plus of experience and extra instruction as an instructor…your average tween lower belt student won’t have that ability). For exercise, discipline and self confidence, IMO it’s an excellent option.

Why is it better at building confidence than other activities or sports? Genuinely asking as we are considering this too.

I'm a mom who took martial arts in my 40s. I feel much more confident about my ability to physically protect myself. I don't relish the idea of getting into a fight, but I feel less scared about it.

For the kids at my dojo, they take turns leading exercises at the front of the class and teaching younger students. They also see themselves progressing in skills through hard work. Learning to lead and mentoring others and mastering hard skills through hard work teaches confidence.

I'm not trying to troll here, but asking respectfully: do you participate in bouts? Bc a lot of these places market to middle aged people and its really just glorified dance, where you go through some motions in order to move up a level. In fact we know plenty of "black belts" that have never had an actual bout

But the real growth comes from stepping into the ring/mat against a complete stranger for a bout. That's where you'll learn if you're actually able to defend yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was amazing for my DCs confidence. She started at 6 and still practices, including teaching during school breaks, almost 15 years later.

If you’re looking for self defense techniques, I’d look elsewhere. Some dojangs teach some, but it’s not a focus (my kid could do it, but again…a decade plus of experience and extra instruction as an instructor…your average tween lower belt student won’t have that ability). For exercise, discipline and self confidence, IMO it’s an excellent option.

Why is it better at building confidence than other activities or sports? Genuinely asking as we are considering this too.

I'm a mom who took martial arts in my 40s. I feel much more confident about my ability to physically protect myself. I don't relish the idea of getting into a fight, but I feel less scared about it.

For the kids at my dojo, they take turns leading exercises at the front of the class and teaching younger students. They also see themselves progressing in skills through hard work. Learning to lead and mentoring others and mastering hard skills through hard work teaches confidence.

I'm not trying to troll here, but asking respectfully: do you participate in bouts? Bc a lot of these places market to middle aged people and its really just glorified dance, where you go through some motions in order to move up a level. In fact we know plenty of "black belts" that have never had an actual bout

But the real growth comes from stepping into the ring/mat against a complete stranger for a bout. That's where you'll learn if you're actually able to defend yourself.

Of course she doesn’t do thar

[Anonymous]

Taekwondo is the martial art most focused on respect, from what I’ve heard. Every time you get a top, the whole class claps for you. It’s taken my kid 9 ( yes, 9!) months to get his yellow belt, and all of the teachers are so supportive. For context, most students get yellow belt within 2 months, but kid is not coordinated, due to hidden special needs. No snark from any of the young people, because they’re in the same respect-based culture. He’s treated exactly like every other student. He lives up to the teacher’s values in class. This activity will be the making of him as a human.

[Anonymous]

Tip, not top. Every time you get a tip for your belt, the whole class claps.

[Anonymous]

I’m sure bouts andd even more value, but my kid got a confidence boost from the culture of universal respect. Everyone is sir or ma’am. It’s his job to be a good example for newer students. He benefits from just learning the kicks, receiving applause, and participating in the community, but the culture is why it’s worth your $$$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was amazing for my DCs confidence. She started at 6 and still practices, including teaching during school breaks, almost 15 years later.

If you’re looking for self defense techniques, I’d look elsewhere. Some dojangs teach some, but it’s not a focus (my kid could do it, but again…a decade plus of experience and extra instruction as an instructor…your average tween lower belt student won’t have that ability). For exercise, discipline and self confidence, IMO it’s an excellent option.

Why is it better at building confidence than other activities or sports? Genuinely asking as we are considering this too.

I'm a mom who took martial arts in my 40s. I feel much more confident about my ability to physically protect myself. I don't relish the idea of getting into a fight, but I feel less scared about it.

For the kids at my dojo, they take turns leading exercises at the front of the class and teaching younger students. They also see themselves progressing in skills through hard work. Learning to lead and mentoring others and mastering hard skills through hard work teaches confidence.

I'm not trying to troll here, but asking respectfully: do you participate in bouts? Bc a lot of these places market to middle aged people and its really just glorified dance, where you go through some motions in order to move up a level. In fact we know plenty of "black belts" that have never had an actual bout

But the real growth comes from stepping into the ring/mat against a complete stranger for a bout. That's where you'll learn if you're actually able to defend yourself.

I’m not that PP but I also took up tkd in my 40s and we certainly did bouts. I don’t think there’s any way you could progress in my dojang without doing some, but at the same time some people like bouts and some don’t.

But tkd isn’t really teaching self-defense. We used to also spend separate time learning and practicing self defense moves, but those are too dangerous to use in “bouts”.

Learning both tkd and self defense increased my confidence and I definitely think that is useful.

[Anonymous]

Just be aware that you might be paying a lot more money than the monthly price. Sometimes you need to pay extra money every time they get a new belt, for leadership, etc.

[Anonymous]

It’s a huge waste of time and money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a huge waste of time and money.

+1