Martial Arts Portland Oregon For Fitness, Self Defense, Competition

Martial Arts Portland Oregon For Fitness, Self Defense, Competition

by Jocelyn Davidson

Hundreds of martial arts programs are available throughout the city. Whether your goal is fitness, competition, self defense, or personal development, there's a <A href="http://www.wctpdx.com">Martial Arts Portland Oregon</A> program to meet your interests and needs. Don't think just eastern style Karate and Judo. There's also opportunities to learn boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling.

Most Eastern styles use a belt ranking system. Students test to prove their skills, then receive a colored belt signifying rank. Most Western styles engage in competition. Winners are awarded a Title, sometimes a decorative belt, worthy of their skill set. Advancement style and criteria varies widely among and between the different systems and styles.

Although hard contact sports have injury rates to be considered, many of today's martial arts use soft contact training. The physical and mental benefits of training are many: aerobic fitness, stamina, strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, self control, focus, self discipline. Training also teaches respectful conduct, responsible behavior, self discipline, commitment.

Self defense and competition require confidence in the face of danger. Taking a strike or fall and getting back up is as important a skill as taking down an opponent. Eastern styles practice meditation, breathing exercises, and the practice of choreographed fighting routines to develop muscle memory. Some use soft contact for training, and even competition. Opponents stop a strike inches from the target to be awarded points by a judge.

Training for children focuses on self control, listening skills, stranger awareness, anti-bullying strategies, respect for others. It's a sport that many children find exciting, and it gets them moving and training their bodies. It also allows children to progress at their own rate. No team pressure to win the game, catch that ball.

Kung Fu uses fluid movements easier on the joints than the hard and fast moves of Karate and Taekwondo. If your goal is self defense, good choices are Kempo Karate, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, Hapkido. If your goal is to competition, some choices are boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, Taekwondo, Judo, Karate, MMA. MMA blends Eastern and Western styles. Use whatever moves outmaneuvers your opponent. To learn to take a fall, use your opponents weight to take him down, how to keep him down, consider training in Wrestling, Aikido, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu.

If you love Martial Arts, but your joints won't take it anymore, don't overlook the fitness benefits of Tai Chi. Focus is on the mind and body connection. It's noncompetitive, taught as an exercise program, not a sport. Movements are slow and fluid, emphasizing flexibility, focus, balance, proper breathing. Movements can be modified to meet the needs of the disabled and infirm.

Decide on your goals. Are you striving for fitness, personal development, self defense skills, or hungering to test your skills against the competition. Meet with the teachers/coaches. Ask about their experience and qualifications. Observe a class of experienced students to see the schools training methods and philosophy in action. Explain your goals to be sure the program is compatible with your goals.

Martial arts centers that focus on a particular style are a good choice if you know what you want to study and are willing to make a commitment. These centers generally require a contractual commitment to pay for a minimum period of time, whether or not you continue to attend classes. If you're not so sure, and/or money is a major concern, check city recreation classes, local after school programs, city gyms.



You can visit <a href="http://www.wctpdx.com">www.wctpdx.com</a> for more helpful information about Discover Martial Arts Portland Oregon.

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