Martial arts as an approach to life and badassedry

"The desire to know is natural to good men" - Leonardo Da Vinci

I'm drenched in sweat circling around the ring. I think it's been 3 rounds but It's hard to keep track. I'm desperately trying to not look tired but my heavy breathing and lowered defenses show otherwise. I thought the adrenaline would block out the pain but my left foot feels swollen and restrained.Boom. I get hit with a leg kick to my thigh. My knee buckles for a quick second,  I bob my head back and forth to confuse my opponent. I keep throwing punches but they only hit air as I smile at my lack of range. I land a body shot as my opponent returns with another kick.

The bell rings and I hold on to the ropes to alleviate the stress on my legs. Every little bit helps.

It seems like a brute sport, what kind of testosterone filled idiot would engage in receiving and causing damage? It doesn't have to do with proving anything to anyone but yourself. Muscle memory, discipline, and a chess like brain to dominate ones own instincts. The first instinct when you train is to cower away, cover your face and turn your back. That's the worst possible approach, our instincts fail. Were not a moving target, were a wide open target with no sense of direction.

To those that have never done striking, engaged in grappling or other combat sport you've never faced the impact and maturity of martial arts. It isn't a sport for brutes or those lacking confidence, instead it's an embrace of ones sorroundings and their opponents technique.A street fighter very often gasses themselves out with their posturing and rush of adrenaline instead of relying on technique instead of emotion.

Martial arts comes from the latin meaning art of war. There is a mind state inherent.

A breaking point emerges in any and all fighter, beggining with the novice being overwhelmed by proper technique, falling under the stress of being attacked and cowering away from punches, giving up during submissions. Convincing oneself that they should quit or experience pain and loss.

An street fighter will be overwhelmed by anxiety and adrenaline that by the time they commit to the fight they will exaust themselves and instead of being in the moment they will become one dimensional and only attack from one angle. Their technique causes their defenses to be weak and easily countered, and their offence lacking strength or finess.

An experienced fighter will ideally be cautious and perhaps scared, but ultimately muscle memory will kick in and they will flow combinations and techniques to counter and push their tempo. I don't know if one can fight without fear, but the idea of being confident in ones own abilities causes the brain to become more focused.

When I started striking my instinct would be to circle around away from the punches, after throwing the same basic combos I would be countered and stifled. At certain points after being struck I felt an urge to stop. The reptilian brain would kick in after much practice and I would set up combinations with proper footwork, head movement, precision and then finally committing to well timed combinations and set ups. I would feel secure that I could defend myself and face adversity with a steady hand instead of squirming out of movements.

Technique is the number one tool, speed, strength and elusiveness come second always. If you get stuck in a bad position no amount of energy will negate that. Leverage and position rival all. A mental acuity of being able to maneuver around your opponent kicks in. Even if one is struck you gather your self and see that you can challenge your opponent. The lucky punch is very rare.

Being comfortable in ones own skin was a great offshoot of my training. I didn't ever have to prove to people I was tough because all my aggression had an outlet. I knew I've faced adversity and my mind was prepared for any task that was in front of me.

My self esteem sky rocketed because I felt reassured that I could conquer life it with a proud sense of direction. After every training session I would feel happy to know I made myself better and more capable.

You learn to respect others for their capabilities and potential.Facing life and death because the body knows no different when you're being attacked.

Every human being should know how to defend themselves as well as know what being dominated and close to death feel like. Unless you're training partners are completely savages they're never going to submit you to unconsciousness or break a body part. But to have to forcefully say you give up due to a bad position humbles you. It makes you understand that you have room for improvement but also that another human could to that do you makes you respect people's capabilities.

I recommend  Jujitsu as a first time sport. There's no striking as it is a submission based martial art. You tap out when you get in a bad position and there's very little risk of injury. It gives you the thrill of the hunt without the brain damage essentially. Everyone is different though, my girlfriend would rather watch netflicks instead of trying to tap out sweaty people. But I hope you at least see it as a character builder and a humbling activity instead of a aggro douchy sport.