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By Paul House  The martial arts are many things to different people. For some it's about self defense, for others it's about physical conditioning. Whatever the martial arts mean to you, there is one ideal they all have in common. They are a way of life.
Photo courtesy of Paul House
Paul House practicing Karate
One of the most amazing aspects about any of these disciplines is their non-discriminatory nature: anyone from any walk of life as well as at any age may begin to study them. There are so many things one can and will learn in the process. Each lesson has many attributes and life applications. These benefits become ingrained in the practitioners "self" over time, and from there a way of life begins to emerge. I have witnessed physical, as well as mental healing from practicing martial arts. Students who have trouble with concentration become focused. People with weight problems, become fit and are then able to enjoy a better quality of life. Of course these are only some of the benefits of training in the martial arts. Each student will have his own learning experience, often on a deep personal level. In the process he usually becomes a better person inside and out. Those who choose to take this journey, soon begin to understand the complexity of the martial arts experience. Martial arts are often misunderstood by the general public, however. Television, movies, and the occasional martial artist who displays an inappropriate attitude are usually to blame here. When people see a character in a movie who is beating up everybody they come in contact with, viewers draw the conclusion that all martial arts practitioners are aggressive, offensive and violent. Even though the character in the movie might fight to protect others who cannot protect themselves, the general public fails to recognize the honorable effort. In my opinion these heroes should be portrayed with reverence and respect. These are the values I have learned on my path in the martial arts, which sit at the core of the way of life known as the martial arts.
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