Martial arts poll - why you practice

[stephencp]

Sorry, I lost the poll part. Here it is again:
Another poll asked WHAT martial art you studied (with only about 80 responses), however I'm more interested in WHY you study. (self defense - you're actually concerned with protecting yourself and others from violence, ego defense - you want to be a bad ass and/or you don't want have to avoid conflict, physical fitness, social, discipline, entertainment)

[Zukin]

When I studied Tae Kwon Do, I did so mainly for the physical fitness benefits. I ended up losing weight and getting toned, so it definitely accomplished that goal.

[openeyes]

For me, martial arts covered all the above reasons in one way or another. Most of all, socially, it was a way of getting connecting further with my dad, as he's been my primary teacher since I was a child. Even now, one of his main motivations to recover from his stroke is so that he can continue teaching me. I enjoy the awareness, speed, and abilities engendered in it all. My education was fairly broad in that I wasn't simply taught Tae Kwon Do and a bit of Aikido, there was also weightlifting, meditation, and training in various weapons.

Before I could even walk, my dad was stretching me out so I could do the splits and high kicks that I later proved highly capable of. My games growing up involved throwing shuriken, shooting a bow, various rifles and pistols, a blow dart gun, and learning to use whatever was around me as a weapon. In my late teens I was expected to always be "on", as my dad may throw something at me at any moment, and I was expected to block it, even if it was just a pillow. If I ignored it, he'd throw something harder Wherever I go, I'm expected to always be aware of my surroundings, and how best to defend myself/escape. Rather than being stressful it simply becomes a habit.

[Buddy]

I teach taijiquan (tai chi), xingyiquan, and baguazhang. I've just plain loved martial arts ever since seeing Bruce lee on The Green Hornet.

[MartialDev]

I think most of the people who should be checking the ego defense box won't recognize it, or won't admit it. Kinda like asking "Are you an above-average driver?"

[dennis08]

I took two years of Ti Kwon Do and six months of Kung Fu. I did it because it was fun and I got to kick some people around LOL It helped with my memory because I had to learn all of those forms. I have been thinking about getting back into it lately.

[Razo]

I have never really felt unsafe in my life (though I can't tell if that has anything to do with being a black belt or not ), so to me self defense, though important, has never been a big priority for doing martial arts. the exercise I get out of it, the like minded people I meet, and the discipline it gives me to push me to my limits, are definitely what keeps me going in this great practise.