This is possibly the most important question of them all.

Opinions and claims on this topic will vary but our answer is:

To be the best YOU that YOU can be.

Martial Arts can help you with:

Self Confidence, Self Control, General Fitness, Flexibility, Strength, Coordination, 

Self Defence and more.

Martial Arts study is a journey in self development.
It is about you challenging your boundaries and striving to continually improve yourself. Your Mind, Your Body and Your Spirit. 

I have been lucky enough to see examples of this first hand in my own students. 

For Example: 

1) When a student does a grading and is almost in tears at the end. Then thanks you regardless of whether they have been successful or not because they have pushed themselves to do things they had never dreamed possible. 

2)I had a student who passed on a couple of simple techniques to his girlfriend. Within weeks she was attacked by an ex-boyfriend and she prevented a sexual assault using these techniques. 

3)The simple look of achievement in a student's eyes after their first grading. Completely exhausted and yet so fulfilled. 

This is helping to 'Make You the best that You can be'.

Most people get into martial arts study for one of three reasons.
They either see a movie and have thoughts of "being like Mike" seeing themselves emulating their favourite movie star. Or they are having self defence issues. That is they fear for their safety in some way.
Or they think it will be a 'fun' form of fitness.

Later these people may develop different reasons for staying in martial arts but usually the reasons for starting are not so grand. We claim that through the study of martial arts you can improve yourself in numerous areas. BUT the level of achievement is up to you and how true your instructor is to what martial arts is really about.

We at Fudoshin Budo Ryu like to say you should be like bamboo. These words explain why.

" It is said that the bamboo symbolizes all the virtues of the true warrior. It stands tall, yet bends humbly at the slightest breeze.............. it is firmly rooted in the ground; it endures the harshest conditions, including the coldest winters. ............. the warrior, like bamboo is ever ready for action. Bamboo is also the only hollow tree. This hollowness symbolizes the ideal of the warrior's spiritual empiness.............for its lack of solidity and dimention, bamboo is an incredibly strong and flexibly wood and thus has infinite uses.

These are the warrior's ideals: to be strong, yet flexible, and to be humble, yet epitomise total versatility."

The Late Reverend Kensho Furuya

What is Fudoshin Bujutsu?  What makes it Different?

Let's explore some of the claims that are being made these days.

1. Martial Arts is the ultimate form of self defence. 

This is obviously false. Basically if you want self defence buy a gun and wear it around 24/7. After that, your best self defence weapon is your mind.

2. Martial Arts will give you self control. 

The name should be a hint here. It is called Self Control. Martial arts will show you repeatedly the benefits of having self control but it won't 'give' it to you. No one and no thing can 'give' you self control.

3. Traditional martial arts is not a good form of self defence.

Tell that to my student's girlfriend who didn't get raped due to martial arts. 

While you are at it tell that to the generations of martial artists who have used these techniques to save their lives, on the battle field, over the centuries. 

Tell that to the local law enforcement officer who is not allowed to train with me because "your techniques are too effective." In other words they are considered excessive force if the officer goes to court. 

4. Only Commando Style self defence courses can teach real self defence.

Well I wonder who is spreading this one around. Could it be those ex-commando types who charge hundreds of dollars to do their 'anyone can become a lethal weapon in five days' course. As one close quarter combat instructor said the technology has changed not the way people attack each other.

5. You can't get fit doing martial arts.

Granted if you want to just get fit then go to a gym.
But I challenge any average person to train with us and not get fitter and stronger. ( we are talking functional strength here not just big muscles) Remember the mind and spirit get a work out too.

6. If you join us today and join our 'black belt club' you'll have your black belt in two years.

There are no shortcuts in traditional martial arts. If there was a black belt club guaranteeing you success, guaranteeing anyone who pays the appropriate 'fees' a black belt in a short period of time would you really want one?  Wouldn't you always wonder if you really earned it? Yep you'll own a black belt. You just wouldn't Be One!

Anyone can buy a black belt but it takes years of dedication to become one.

Martial Arts study may or may not be the best form of self defence or fitness. However, it does deliver in both of these areas and many many more.

This is where I remind you these are the thoughts of 

Graeme Dunning Sensei and may not reflect the opinions of other AOFA members.