The Importance of Self-Defence in the 21st Century
The world is in a constant state of change, that will never change and society moves with the times and that is not always positive. Knife crime, for example, is fast becoming a big issue here in the UK, which is a worry for parents of teenage kids and in this article, we outline the importance of everyone being able to defend themselves from a physical attack.
Combining sport with self-defence
The best way to learn self-defence is to take up a martial art; you may not be aware that you can learn kickboxing in Reading at an established MMA gym. Kickboxing is becoming a very popular discipline, which uses Muay Thai techniques along with boxing techniques and for a beginner, there are classes during the evenings and the weekends. Of course, kickboxing is not for everyone and the instructor usually allows a new student to join a beginner class to see if they like it. Using this system, you can quickly discover where your interest lies and book a beginner’s course, which is the correct entry level for all inexperienced students. This is definitely not a passive sport, you only get out what you put in and if you are committed, you will be successful.
Wrong place, wrong time
We all know about mindless violence here in the UK and in towns and cities, you could easily end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you have teenage kids, why not enrol them in a kickboxing class, which will give them the basics of self-defence and who knows? It might just save their lives! Even with contact sports that involve attacking, a high level of self-defence is required. Boxing, for example, is the art of not getting hit; Floyd Mayweather is a prime example of a professional boxer who could dodge and weave to avoid his opponent’s punches. His record of 50-0 is very rare in this sport and it shows what is possible. Just being out on the street at night is risky and as a parent, you will feel much happier if your children are competent regarding self-defence.
Rising crime rates
The UK is experiencing a shocking rise in crime, with many thousands of illegal immigrants that seem to be invited by the government. They are staying in hotels and committing crimes at will, which seems kind of insane; either way, we all need to know how to protect ourselves in the event we are attacked and the best way to learn these skills is at an MMA or boxing gym. If you have young kids around 7-8 years, that is the right age to get them started on martial arts. Who knows, they might love the discipline and end up competing. Click here for an article about kettlebells.
Fitness
If you are looking to regain that six-pack, your local MMA gym is definitely the best place to go and whether you prefer learning in a class or one on one, their instructors are ready and willing to get you into shape and teach you self-defence skills at the same time. Before starting, the instructor would assess your fitness levels and he or she would advise you accordingly, as to which class is right for you. It does take a few months to develop fitness and stamina, your body needs time to adjust to the extra activity.
Self-discipline
We all need a high level of self-discipline and learning a martial art definitely develops this in abundance; the training gets progressively harder as the students become fitter and stronger. This is character-building, especially for young people that tend to be a bit complacent and most teenagers have a lot of pent-up energy waiting to be released. Training can be gruelling and you need self-discipline to keep turning up week after week; with 100% application, you can smash your fitness goals and reach a level you never thought possible.
Pushing the boundaries
Learning a martial art will push the student’s boundaries, which is always a good thing and that helps to develop self-confidence. Young people need a positive outlet for their energy and contact sports are ideal for developing a positive direction in life. We are all capable of much more than we think we are and starting a course in kickboxing or MMA brings out the best in you.
Weapons disarming
It is very useful to learn how to disarm an assailant who has a knife or bottle and MMA gives you these skills; you practice in pairs until you both get the hang of it. These skills stay with you for life and that is so important in this day and age. The course instructor is happy to help you with specific attack scenarios, whatever they might be. What would you do if someone came at you with a knife? The course can teach you these skills. Here is some UK government information on the use of reasonable force to stop an intruder at your home.
Online solutions
If you would like to learn more about MMA or kickboxing classes, Google is your best friend and can help you locate a local gym and you can pay them a visit and see for yourself what goes on. The best time to visit is in the early evening or at the weekend when classes are running. Gym people are very friendly and you’ll feel right at home as soon as you walk in. Spend 30 minutes watching the various sessions and when you are ready, talk to one of the friendly instructors about joining a class for a trial.
Now that you know a bit more about martial arts, the next step is to find a local MMA/boxing gym and visit during opening hours. The courses are set at convenient times and days, so there will be a class that is right for you and with the help of a professional instructor, you will learn valuable skills that will stay with you for the rest of your life.