MARTIAL ARTS MYTHS

One of the most potent martial arts myths is the belief that they automatically teach their practitioners respect. Unfortunately, learning something like Karate doesn't magically transform you from a wretched vagabond into a gentleman. If you are thug by nature, then learning martial arts is unlikely to change this. If anything, having greater fighting ability is probably going to make an aggressive bully even worse as they use their new found skills for the wrong purposes. While martial arts aims to teach respect, it cannot change human nature. Also, a teacher who doesn't know the meaning of the word 'respect' will cause their attitude to rub off on their students.

Very similar to the above in terms of martial arts myths is the school of thought that suggest martial arts will teach you discipline. Again, this is an aim but it cannot be enforced outside of the dojo. When you are under the watchful eye of your teacher you will perform the tasks assigned to you and execute the moves that are taught to you each class. However, once you go home there is no one to scold you if you are too lazy to practice at home. This could hardly be described as disciplined behavior. It is much the same as army discipline. How often do you see soldiers behave abominably when out of uniform?

The most dangerous of all martial arts myths though is the suggestion that it is a successful method of self defense. If you are highly trained then yes it can be. However, if you think that learning a few basic moves and practicing them on rare occasions is enough to protect you from an attacker, then you will find yourself in a whole world of trouble. Anyone who has years of training and is dedicated to their art will cope much better in an attack situation but you have to remember that most martial arts techniques are designed to protect you from a particular form of attack and don't take into account the unpredictable reality of street fighting.

Don't fall for so called 'experts' who think they can turn anyone into a fighting expert with a few easy classes. These people are swindlers, are actually placing people in danger and should be ashamed of themselves. Martial arts does not teach you respect or discipline and a few classes will not prepare you for a proper street fight.