How to boost your confidence with martial arts

Practising martial arts gives you a full mind and body workout, and can really help boost your self confidence. Some people take classes to increase their self-defence skills while others enroll their kids at a young age for the principles and discipline the classes instill. Regardless of the reason you sign up or enlist your children, there's one outcome that most people aren't expecting: a significant increase in self-confidence and self-esteem.

One of the main principles of martial arts is that you will develop strength and the ability to defend yourself when the need arises.

• Additionally, you will see your body start to transform, developing muscles and toning up. This in itself is enough to bolster confidence.
• Despite the training, however, one thing that instructors are adamant about is that you not use your skills to purposely harm people -- only in self-defence.

Once you get some training under your belt, you'll be asked to spar with other members in your class, including the instructor at times. It's not uncommon to feel butterflies when you face the challenge of sparring, but over time, you'll welcome the opportunity to show off your skills.

• Many people take this focus and face their fears outside of the class head-on. The butterflies that you feel in an awkward situation will eventually disappear, as any lingering self-doubt is replaced with the confidence and belief in yourself.
• Just think, the next time you want to ask your boss for a raise, you'll be able to confidently stroll into his or her office.

The classes definitely help to boost self-esteem, especially as you become more accomplished and progress through the belt levels.

• Additionally, you're likely to build up friendships with people who share the same common interest as you: the martial arts classes themselves.
• As you gain more confidence in your ability to carry out the moves, your self-esteem will increase and you will begin to feel better about yourself.

Even if you start out your martial arts classes with plenty of self-confidence, you'll be amazed at how much more you develop. It doesn't matter if you take Karate, Jiu Jitsu, or MMA, the principles are all the same, as is the result.