How To Learn Self Defense and Martial Arts Fast

How long does it take to learn the best martial arts style?  Moreover what does it take to enroll in self defense classes and come out proficient in the fighting styles we want? The physical and psychological demands of martial art lessons depend on the fighting style you want to learn.  However, moving from a newbie to an expert will require a lot from you.  But there are several strategies to learn martial arts fast and become proficient in self defense weapons and tactics.  Here’s how you can learn faster.

Commit to the learning process

Have you seen the mixed martial arts competitions?  These MMA bouts are between individuals from different martial arts styles.  In fact, some have combined different fighting styles.  One of the most important steps they undertook in order to master their chosen martial arts is to commit to the martial arts training.  Both body and mind are tested and honed in order to become proficient.  Martial arts lessons are demanding to say the least.  They will test your physical endurance and more importantly your mindset.  If you commit to the martial arts lessons, you can accomplish more thus learn faster.

Embrace the Philosophy behind the martial arts styles

Different martial arts styles have varying philosophies when it comes to fighting.  Being able to to understand the fundamental principles of the self defense technique will allow you to appreciate the subtleties of the fighting style.  Some self defense techniques use certain distance management strategies.  Some like to grapple and fight in close quarters like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Others make use of kicks and strikes like Tae Kwon do, karate and Muay Thai. Some self derense styles like Aikido focus on locks and pins.  Martial arts like judo and Aikido have a great arsenal when it comes to throwing techniques.  Krav Maga has proven itself in the field as an efficient style.   Understanding the principles behind the martials arts that you are learning allows you to appreciate the techniques better.  Likewise, it will give you a better understanding how the techniques work so you can practice the right body movements.

Practice to become Proficient

Regardless of your chosen martial arts style, practice is an integral component in learning self defense fast.  Techniques should be reflexive, thus muscle memory is a key ingredient.  When you practice constantly, your body learns how to execute the technique.  For example, ukemi or proper falling technique is one of the first lessons in Judo.  I remember spending a lot of time just practicing my break falls. Understanding the principles behind ukemi allows me to perfect my technique so that I can be safe during practice and competitions.  Another example is the time when my Aikido instructor asked us to do forward rolls and backward rolls along the length of a basket ball court.  It was a dizzying experience.  But it paid off.  Both the ukemi and the rolls are done every time we start the martial arts lessons.  It has become part of the routine.  The more we practice our fighting styles the more w get used to the body movements.  Moreover, executing the techniques becomes reflexive which is critical when engaged with an opponent.

Proper conditioning of the body

The demands of learning martial arts are high.  One is required to push the capabilities of one’s body beyond the usual.  It is therefore important to do proper body conditioning in order to learn martial arts fast.  Depending on the martial arts style you want to learn, certain body parts will get pushed to their limits.  But regardless of your fighting style choice, endurance and power are necessary.  Although executing the technique properly is at the top of the learning goals, having the endurance and power adds to your proficiency.

It is essential that you have the appropriate workout plans ironed out.  Moreover, you have to stick to the workout routines so you keep your body in shape.

Find a good martial arts instructor and a good martial arts school.

A critical ingredient in learning martial arts fast is having a good mentor.  Likewise, having a martial arts school that guides you is important.  The quality of teaching and the productive relationship that you have will add to the speed at which you learn the fighting styles of your choice.  Whether you sign up for an individualized instruction or take martial arts lessons in a school, the amount of quality time you spend with your instructor is important.

Today, there are online martial arts lessons like the one provided by the Gracie academy.  They teach students the Gracie Jiu Jitsu system through structured videos.  This is one of kind and has been proven to be effective.  Testing can be done through videos as well as on site evaluations.  Of course, these online martial arts lessons is one of the avenues they teach their style.   

Learning martials is often a lifelong pursuit.  This a commitment to continue to improve one’s skills and techniques.  Fighting styles evolves.  For example, the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) continue to morph as new techniques are incorporated.  By understanding the fundamentals, you can become proficient in any fighting styles that you wish to learn.  From these basic principles you build up your proficiency. And expand your skills and knowledge. You can lean matial arts fast when you discipline yourself to learn.

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