Mental Benefits of Martial arts

purewanderer

Okay, so this might sound a bit ridiculous but I'd like to learn martial arts for the mental benefits such as discipline. I don't really have much interest in fighting and would like to learn from a Mr. Miagi type, you don't have to be a small Asian man but I'd like a trainer who teaches that fighting is just a secondary benefit to martial arts. Does anyone know anyone working in Dublin like this? Cheers.

Peetrik

I strongly suspect this is a troll...

Black Swan

purewanderer wrote: »

Okay, so this might sound a bit ridiculous but I'd like to learn martial arts for the mental benefits such as discipline. I don't really have much interest in fighting and would like to learn from a Mr. Miagi type, you don't have to be a small Asian man but I'd like a trainer who teaches that fighting is just a secondary benefit to martial arts. Does anyone know anyone working in Dublin like this? Cheers.

MA tends to focus on procedural knowledge through years of repetitions, from basic to advanced techniques guided by an experienced or master instructor. They are fighting arts, and minimally you would be expected to spar with other students in varying degrees when training, so if "discipline" without "fighting" is one of your primary goals, you may wish to consider procedural arts outside of MA (e.g., yoga).

Doug Cartel

Peetrik wrote: »

I strongly suspect this is a troll...

One post and you're calling it already?

If you genuinely suspect trolling, there's a little "report post" icon at the bottom of each post where you can register your suspicions. Don't go driving off new posters with public accusations like that.

Doug Cartel

purewanderer wrote: »

Okay, so this might sound a bit ridiculous but I'd like to learn martial arts for the mental benefits such as discipline. I don't really have much interest in fighting and would like to learn from a Mr. Miagi type, you don't have to be a small Asian man but I'd like a trainer who teaches that fighting is just a secondary benefit to martial arts. Does anyone know anyone working in Dublin like this? Cheers.

Most of the mental benefits and discipline stuff comes from just turning up and training. Putting effort in to learn something difficult, facing your fears and living in the moment - all that jazz.

That said there are a wide range of arts available in Dublin running from the very practical focused to the more spiritual stuff (for lack of a better word). At one end you have stuff like judo, BJJ and Thai boxing where the classes focus on teaching you techniques and having you apply them on a resisting opponent, then somewhere in the middle you have styles where you spend a lot of time learning to perform patterns of moves with a bit of ritual, and then at the other end you have things like iado where you practice drawing a sword, doing a cut and then putting the sword back in its scabbard in a really formal manner- something of almost zero practical application these days.

Furious_George

What about something like tai chi? I have never done it myself but i have spoken to others who have said there are significant mental and physical benefits. Plenty of good info about it out on the web.

pearsquasher

Personally I think "discipline" can be an interesting side-effect of ANY endeavor pursued with enthusiasm, dedication and hard work.

I think its utter BS that its inherently a part of martial arts and I think that is mainly the fault of films and other popular media that that's the case.

For any "disciplined" I know in MA there are fairly flakey people too and equal amounts of both types in other sports/hobbies.

irateghost

Tai chi sounds like just the ticket. Id say chen tai chi is a good style for someone with no intrest in sparring but who wants the physical and mental benefits of training. Plus if you train weapons forms you can get into pretty good shape too.