Whether your goal is health and fitness, competition, self defense, or personal development, there's a class to meet your needs and interests. There are hundreds of different styles and systems. Although most people think of traditional eastern systems, martial arts Portland Oregon includes western forms such as wrestling, boxing, and kickboxing.
How students progress varies from school to school and system to system. Most Eastern Martial Arts use a skill testing system with colored belts showing a students rank. Most western systems test through combat with winners receiving a Title. Ranking systems vary from system to system, and sometimes from school to school.
Eastern traditions emphasize respect, self control, responsibility. All training requires commitment, self control, focus, and discipline. The fitness benefits are many including aerobic fitness, stamina, strength training, balance, flexibility, coordination.
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.
Kids find Martial Arts exciting. It's a great way to get them moving and training their bodies and minds. Children's classes focus on character traits of respect, self discipline, self control. Many include discussions and demonstrations of ways to handle bullies and strangers. Kids strive to achieve a higher rank, minus the team stress of fumbling the ball or losing the game.
Kung Fu focuses on strikes using fluid movements instead of hard and fast strikes. Judo, Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu focus on throwing and falling, pinning and holding. Boxing, Karate, and Taekwondo will teach you how to take a punch, avoid a punch, land a punch (or kick). If you're interested in self defense, Kempo Karate, Hapkido, Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai are good choices. Competitive sports include Taekwondo, Judo, Karate, MMA, Wrestling, or Boxing. Tournaments and competitions are a way to test one's skills against other practitioners outside your own school.
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.
With so many choices, it's important to clarify personal goals. Decide what's important to you: competition, self defense skills, fitness, personal development. When you've narrowed down the possibilities, discuss your goals with the teachers/coaches. Ask about their experience, training, Titles or rank. Observe a class to see firsthand the training methodology and philosophy. Ask about affiliations and opportunities to participate in tournaments.
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.
How students progress varies from school to school and system to system. Most Eastern Martial Arts use a skill testing system with colored belts showing a students rank. Most western systems test through combat with winners receiving a Title. Ranking systems vary from system to system, and sometimes from school to school.
Eastern traditions emphasize respect, self control, responsibility. All training requires commitment, self control, focus, and discipline. The fitness benefits are many including aerobic fitness, stamina, strength training, balance, flexibility, coordination.
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.
Kids find Martial Arts exciting. It's a great way to get them moving and training their bodies and minds. Children's classes focus on character traits of respect, self discipline, self control. Many include discussions and demonstrations of ways to handle bullies and strangers. Kids strive to achieve a higher rank, minus the team stress of fumbling the ball or losing the game.
Kung Fu focuses on strikes using fluid movements instead of hard and fast strikes. Judo, Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu focus on throwing and falling, pinning and holding. Boxing, Karate, and Taekwondo will teach you how to take a punch, avoid a punch, land a punch (or kick). If you're interested in self defense, Kempo Karate, Hapkido, Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai are good choices. Competitive sports include Taekwondo, Judo, Karate, MMA, Wrestling, or Boxing. Tournaments and competitions are a way to test one's skills against other practitioners outside your own school.
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.
With so many choices, it's important to clarify personal goals. Decide what's important to you: competition, self defense skills, fitness, personal development. When you've narrowed down the possibilities, discuss your goals with the teachers/coaches. Ask about their experience, training, Titles or rank. Observe a class to see firsthand the training methodology and philosophy. Ask about affiliations and opportunities to participate in tournaments.
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.
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