Unless you’ve taken the time to do in-depth research, chances are that you’re unaware of the primary reasons why people choose to study martial arts. Though you may assume it’s because those who take such classes want to learn self-defense, it goes much deeper than that. Throughout history, martial arts have been used to prepare students for war, competition, or as a means for self-development. While competition remains the focus of many martial arts schools, this isn’t the case at The Academy of Self-Defense schools in Akron, Twinsburg and Mayfield Heights. As the name implies, these schools teaches self-defense martial arts and believes that martial arts can be used as an adult or youth activity to improve the mind and body.
At The Academy of Self-Defense, the Masters and all the senior instructors, explains to students that martial arts have historically been studied for three main reasons. The first is for a means of self-preservation during war. The second is for the fame and glory that comes with winning competitions. And the third is because it’s one’s chosen lifestyle, such as those who attend live-in schools and monasteries. What’s interesting about martial artists around the world is that they may have crossed through some or all three along their journey.
In the “olden days,” families developed and shared their knowledge of martial arts within their family. It was common practice for the military to visit a village and conscript the young males into service. Typically, these “foot soldiers” were not very well trained. The martial art training gained in the family helped to give parents peace of mind and afforded the young men a best chance of returning home from war.
Once the wars were over the best fighters needed an outlet, and many times a way to make a living. These excellent martial artists would travel around the country, competing against one another in matches, gaining fame and attracting students who wanted to learn their style or system of martial art. Schools of martial arts were established and began competing amongst themselves. This is the model that most martial arts schools follow today. Go to other studios around the Northeast Ohio region and you’ll see countless trophies displayed in their windows, validating their proficiency at winning competitions. Some of our schools do offer the option of competition to those interested.
With age and wisdom, some martial artists realized that they gained so much more from their diligent practice than just how to fight. It’s this realization that caused many of them to go deeper in their practices for the purpose of self-development. Eventually, martial arts became a vehicle for spiritual growth and enlightenment. No longer did students merely study martial arts in order to perfect the body, but to open the mind and enrich the spirit.
While self-defense is still an important focus at all The Academy of Self-Defense schools, a person’s self-development is the goal and most important martial arts benefit we provide. Our schools teach to seek a win-win in every situation. The students at these Northeast Ohio schools are encouraged to study martial arts as a way to enhance virtually every aspect of their lives. Our students confirm the fact that The Academy of Self-Defense’s teachings provide them with the best self-defense training and so much more.
Akron: (330) 814-5058
Twinsburg: (330) 237-9594
Mayfield Hts.: (440) 409-6954
