By Rochelle E. Brenner
Martial arts isn’t just about fighting—it’s about thriving. It’s the toolkit for life’s weirdest, wildest, and most unpredictable moments. So before you reach for something scary and deadly, consider training in something quiet, powerful, and always ready: your own body.
Want to learn how to roll, dodge, block, and stay cool under pressure? Join a martial arts class. When is it better to have a knife than a gun fight? It’s never a good idea to be in a fight with a weapon. Read on:
1. For Survival and Escape
A gun can’t get you out of a burning building. The ability to stay calm, react quickly, navigate multiple flights, maintain spatial awareness, are all improved in martial arts.
2. In a storm
You can’t shoot ice to stop yourself from slipping on it. And a gun won’t give you the strength to shovel all that snow.
3. For Everyday Heroics and Physical Rescue
Carrying an injured kid, or rushing up the stairs. Martial arts has every sweaty physical benefit of moving your entire body, not just your trigger finger. Martial arts includes strength, coordination, cardio, full-body fitness for a healthier lifestyle and the strength to help.
4. For Verbal Confrontations and Confidence
Speaking up to a boss/teacher/bully/customer service. Martial arts instills internal and external confidence to discuss issues with respect. Many people had confidence instead in their gun and it misfired, missed or was taken away.
5. In a Crowd Crush or Stampede
A gun only makes a stampede worse. In the case of a crowd that’s pushing and shoving, the best way to stay on your feet and protect your vital organs is a traditional martial arts guarding stance.
6. For a Child’s Split-Second Crisis
When a child runs to the street, or teeters on the edge after climbing too high. Martial arts teaches the child about safety to look both ways, wear a helmet, and overall be adventurous but also safety-conscious. But it also gives adults training to respond quickly, have the strength and speed to potentially save someone from danger. You’re not drawing a weapon—you’re sprinting like a cheetah and scooping like a linebacker. Martial arts includes explosive movement, fast reflexes, and the ability to act under pressure.
7. For the Most Common Accident: The Fall
Falling. Out of a chair, off a ladder, or strolling down the sidewalk. Martial arts improves balance, footwork, how to fall to reduce injury, and builds strength and grit for a speedy recovery. Breakfall techniques teach you how to land safely, protect your head, and bounce back.
8. For De-escalation and Protective Restraint
Deescalating a situation when the aggressor needs help: a mentally ill person, a relative, or a child. Being able to physically restrain someone is possible through a variety of martial arts techniques. When someone is out of control, unarmed, and in need of help – a gun is not the best response.
9. Against Unconventional Animal Attacks
Getting chased by a dog – or goose. Unless you’re planning to duel a goose – hich we do not recommend – you’ll need agility, directional awareness, and evasive maneuvers. Martial arts teaches you how to pivot, dodge, and escape without tripping over your own dignity.
Once in a while, a parent will say they’re not interested in karate, because they have a gun. This blog is the reaction to that objection. Martial arts will benefit families day to day a million times before a gun comes in handy.