Sensei Swingle's Thoughts on Karate - Karate Fit USA LLC | Lawrenceville, NJ

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Sensei Swingle's Thoughts on Karate

Sensei Swingle’s Thoughts on Karate
Why train in the martial arts? Different people have different reasons for training, and that is fine! Some popular reasons are: Self-defense, Fitness, Discipline, Confidence, Focus, Respect and Fun! For me, martial arts practice has provided a path toward Self-Development through Self-Defense training. We also learn traditional Japanese cultural points, respect and other aspects beyond fighting. The skills and techniques we practice are focused on self-defense, but the physical and mental challenges along the journey allow us to develop as people. Proper practice of the techniques is what best develops our skills – even if there is hopefully no need to ever defend against real attackers.
What are the secrets to successful self-defense? If I may oversimplify, success results from 3 things: (1) Don’t let the attacker accomplish what they are trying to do. (2) Be able to respond as necessary. (3) Make sure your response has the desired effect(s).
What does that even mean? It is ambiguous, because specific responses would depend entirely on the situation.  For example, the best way to accomplish #1 above is probably Awareness, such that a would-be attacker never actually attacks you. Park your car in a well-lit area. Don’t allow an argument to escalate to an altercation. The easiest way to avoid losing a fight is to not get in one! Proper responses for #2 are likewise varied: If a mugger is after your money, could you throw cash on the ground and run away unharmed? If you need to block an attack, are you walking with your hands in your pockets and unable to respond? If a block or counter is needed, do you know how to properly do it and are you ready? For #3, if you need to respond your response needs to be effective. The mechanics of what we practice become important here: Technique and Body Positioning, Distance and Timing, Balance, Speed, Support and Strength, etc. A response does not need to be “perfect” to be effective, but a mistake in any of the above would make the response less effective.
If Self-Defense is not my focus, why should I study the martial arts? We are lucky to be able to avoid physical confrontations in most of our lives, so the self-development is likely more important for most people than the self-defense. However, our training keeps us fit and healthy, and helps us better understand and coordinate our body and mind. Improving our speed, strength and flexibility develops self-confidence, and we learn to persevere to overcome challenges, all of which will benefit us even if we never get in an actual fight. Many studies show martial arts training leads to improvement in school and at work, and better health overall. We also learn to respect everyone, whether instructors or new students, and that also helps us in our daily lives.
What if I am not strong or coordinated? The best part about the martial arts, at least the way we teach it, is that we do not compare you to others. The goal is for each person to improve, so the only competition is within yourself. Perhaps it is hard for others to understand, but we work with others (including sparring against them) to improve ourselves.  At our school, effort always beats ability, because those who continuously make a proper effort will continue to improve –and that is the goal!
Kids Martial Arts Classes - try for free!

Kids Martial Arts Classes - try for free!

Thank you for your interest in Children's Karate / Martial Arts Classes. We have separate classes for different age groups and experience levels, allowing us to have group-appropriate content and activities. We also sometimes use our two different rooms to focus on subgroups within a class. Our students learn to protect themselves, express themselves, and grow as people and as martial artists.

We focus on self-development and fitness through self-defense, but in an age-appropriate, safe and fun manner. -This is why some of our Instructors have been with us for 10, 15 and even 20 or more years, often themselves starting as a Little Ninja!

We always offer a free trial, either in their group or private mini-class if preferred, and we offer a New Student Special to allow for an extended risk-free chance to confirm they want to continue training longer-term with us.

Thank you for contacting us. We will follow up with you as soon as we can to answer any questions you might have and to schedule your free trial class! You can also call or text 609-690-9060 for more info, and can pre-register for your trial class at www.karatefitusa.net/signup

Adult Martial Arts - Try a Free Class!

Adult Martial Arts - Try a Free Class!

We offer Adult classes for all ability and experience levels, sometimes using our two rooms and offering variations to challenge Beginners and Advanced students and properly direct the material.

We focus on self-development and fitness through self-defense, but in a safe, fun and effective manner. Our classes include Karate, Weapons and Small Circle Jujitsu techniques, with both solo, partner and group work.  Training brings mental and physical health benefits, and increases confidence to help improve your life outside of karate as well - even if you hopefully never need to use the many techniques you will learn!

Please come in for a free trial, either a regular group class to see what that is all about, or we can also arrange a private mini-class if preferred. We then have a New Student Special to allow for an extended risk-free period to reconfirm you like our approach and look to continue longer-term.

Thank you for contacting us. We will follow up with you as soon as we can to answer any questions you might have and to schedule your free trial class! You can also call or text 609-690-9060 for more info, and can pre-register for your trial class at www.karatefitusa.net/signup