Introduction
Martial Arts Westchester: White Plains, New Rochelle, Yonkers,
Bronx
The Martial Arts Info Westchester section of Aikido Westchester is educational and designed for beginners in their search
for martial arts or self defense training. Aikido Westchester provides instruction in the martial art of Aikido and the
Shaolin Temple Overseas Headquarters provides instruction in the martial arts of Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan,
both in Scarsdale (centrally located in Westchester for the White Plains, Yonkers & New Rochelle region).
Martial Arts Westchester: White Plains, New Rochelle, Yonkers,
Bronx
The Martial Arts Info Westchester section of Aikido Westchester is educational and designed for beginners in their search
for martial arts or self defense training. Aikido Westchester provides instruction in the martial art of Aikido and the
Shaolin Temple Overseas Headquarters provides instruction in the martial arts of Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan,
both in Scarsdale (centrally located in Westchester for the White Plains, Yonkers & New Rochelle region).
Basic Attributes of Different Martial Arts Available in Westchester, NY
Locating a Martial Arts or Self Defense School in the White Plains, New Rochelle & Yonkers Triangle of
Westchester, NY
Why am I interested in Martial Arts Again?
Why am I Interested in Martial Arts Again?
An important part of martial arts training is to understanding why one wishes to train. We may begin thinking we
understand, but over time we may realize our motivations were actually somewhat different than we originally thought.
Understanding ourselves is important. This section is designed to clarify the typical reasons for training in martial arts
and bring out the relevant attributes of training for each purpose.
The reason most people begin martial arts training may fall into three categories: learning self defense, an exercise
alternative for fitness/health or interest in the underlying discipline. As we discussed in numerous places, all martial arts
are effective for self defense purposes. That said, we often tend to obstruct our own success. Training in martial arts is
no exception. However, martial arts training itself is a means to stop obstructing our own effectiveness in accomplishing
our aims. By training, we do not spend our time worrying about whether we can defend ourselves, but calmly spend time
studying methods to avoid harm. The circus acrobat, one who walks the tight rope, does not spend their time looking
down, lest they certainly would fall. In martial arts, we do not look down either, but confidently look forward and move
towards our goal. Many, but not all forms of self defense target the development of this confidence at early stages by
providing instruction in destructive technique from the outset. Aikido (possibly Hapkido as well) and traditional Tai Chi
Chuan differ by teaching one to control the attacker from the outset. These methods are not less effective, but more
suited to some individuals over others. The means to develop confidence is just approached differently. So by choosing
any martial art that suits your character and training with confidence, effective self defense skills will naturally develop.
Other people begin training because they need to exercise, and working out at a gym or health club seems boring and
pointless. Why not exercise and learn something meaningful at the same time? Some alternatively are concerned about
specific health issues. For general exercise, both aerobic (e.g. Judo, Aikido, Jujitsu, Kung Fu, Karate Tae Kwon Do) and
anaerobic exercise (e.g. Tai Chi Chuan) may be found. However, exercise in a relaxed state as taught in such disciplines
is certainly better for the body than exercise under tension or duress. Martial arts training can also provide certain health
benefits in addition to medical intervention. In fact, one might look at an illness with the same eye as an attacker. We
come to see that the illness and the attacker each are not our true enemy, but our problem lies in our own responses to
these situations. We properly wish to survive an attack, either from an opponent or disease, but need to consider how to
accomplish the goal effectively. If we can learn to defeat the enemy within ourselves, we may improve our health,
supplementing medical intervention. Many martial arts may be useful in dealing with disease, but Tai Chi Chuan
specifically emphasizes health benefits. In short, martial arts training is an excellent source of exercise (aerobic &
anaerobic as above) that provides health, self defense and discipline related benefits as well.
Many people find the benefits of developing discipline, concentration, etc to be their pursuit. Some have their own
discipline already and wish to utilize martial arts training as a vehicle to enhance their methods. Others wish to establish
themselves on a calmer and more effective path in life, using martial arts training as a starting point. A third group of
individuals begin with painfully little interest, but begin to see over time how discipline enhances the other self defense or
health benefits they seek. Interest can begin surreptitiously in such cases. To pursue one’s goal in a disciplined fashion
is more effective than our typical haphazard approach, and the importance of such benefits cannot be overstated in the
life and death situations common to martial arts training. Once discipline is established in confronting dire circumstances
common to martial arts training, the discipline carries over to increase our effectiveness in all our endeavors.
Ultimately, a martial arts school itself is not in the business of developing a set protocol of benefits and enforcing it upon
their membership. Rather the process is more one of determining the interest of each individual at any given moment
and aiding them in the process of achieving their desired goal. That said, in order to achieve one’s desired goal, one
must first clearly recognize the goal. Clearly identifying the goal is therefore an aspect of training itself. Study of the
means to accomplish one’s goal can then be undertaken…
An important part of martial arts training is to understanding why one wishes to train. We may begin thinking we
understand, but over time we may realize our motivations were actually somewhat different than we originally thought.
Understanding ourselves is important. This section is designed to clarify the typical reasons for training in martial arts
and bring out the relevant attributes of training for each purpose.
The reason most people begin martial arts training may fall into three categories: learning self defense, an exercise
alternative for fitness/health or interest in the underlying discipline. As we discussed in numerous places, all martial arts
are effective for self defense purposes. That said, we often tend to obstruct our own success. Training in martial arts is
no exception. However, martial arts training itself is a means to stop obstructing our own effectiveness in accomplishing
our aims. By training, we do not spend our time worrying about whether we can defend ourselves, but calmly spend time
studying methods to avoid harm. The circus acrobat, one who walks the tight rope, does not spend their time looking
down, lest they certainly would fall. In martial arts, we do not look down either, but confidently look forward and move
towards our goal. Many, but not all forms of self defense target the development of this confidence at early stages by
providing instruction in destructive technique from the outset. Aikido (possibly Hapkido as well) and traditional Tai Chi
Chuan differ by teaching one to control the attacker from the outset. These methods are not less effective, but more
suited to some individuals over others. The means to develop confidence is just approached differently. So by choosing
any martial art that suits your character and training with confidence, effective self defense skills will naturally develop.
Other people begin training because they need to exercise, and working out at a gym or health club seems boring and
pointless. Why not exercise and learn something meaningful at the same time? Some alternatively are concerned about
specific health issues. For general exercise, both aerobic (e.g. Judo, Aikido, Jujitsu, Kung Fu, Karate Tae Kwon Do) and
anaerobic exercise (e.g. Tai Chi Chuan) may be found. However, exercise in a relaxed state as taught in such disciplines
is certainly better for the body than exercise under tension or duress. Martial arts training can also provide certain health
benefits in addition to medical intervention. In fact, one might look at an illness with the same eye as an attacker. We
come to see that the illness and the attacker each are not our true enemy, but our problem lies in our own responses to
these situations. We properly wish to survive an attack, either from an opponent or disease, but need to consider how to
accomplish the goal effectively. If we can learn to defeat the enemy within ourselves, we may improve our health,
supplementing medical intervention. Many martial arts may be useful in dealing with disease, but Tai Chi Chuan
specifically emphasizes health benefits. In short, martial arts training is an excellent source of exercise (aerobic &
anaerobic as above) that provides health, self defense and discipline related benefits as well.
Many people find the benefits of developing discipline, concentration, etc to be their pursuit. Some have their own
discipline already and wish to utilize martial arts training as a vehicle to enhance their methods. Others wish to establish
themselves on a calmer and more effective path in life, using martial arts training as a starting point. A third group of
individuals begin with painfully little interest, but begin to see over time how discipline enhances the other self defense or
health benefits they seek. Interest can begin surreptitiously in such cases. To pursue one’s goal in a disciplined fashion
is more effective than our typical haphazard approach, and the importance of such benefits cannot be overstated in the
life and death situations common to martial arts training. Once discipline is established in confronting dire circumstances
common to martial arts training, the discipline carries over to increase our effectiveness in all our endeavors.
Ultimately, a martial arts school itself is not in the business of developing a set protocol of benefits and enforcing it upon
their membership. Rather the process is more one of determining the interest of each individual at any given moment
and aiding them in the process of achieving their desired goal. That said, in order to achieve one’s desired goal, one
must first clearly recognize the goal. Clearly identifying the goal is therefore an aspect of training itself. Study of the
means to accomplish one’s goal can then be undertaken…
Scarsdale Aikido
4 Gray Rock Rd
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-648-0492
or Contact Us
4 Gray Rock Rd
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-648-0492
or Contact Us
| Martial Arts Info Westchester: White Plains, New Rochelle, Yonkers, Bronx Self Defense: Tai Chi - Kung Fu - Karate - Tae Kwon Do - Aikido - Judo - Jujitsu - MMA - Weapons |
Overview Martial Arts
Locating a School
Why Train in Martial
Arts?
Kung Fu
Karate
Tae Kwon Do
Tai Chi Chuan
Aikido
Judo
Jujitsu
Mixed Martial Arts
(MMA)
Weapons (Sword,
Staff, Archery)
Locating a School
Why Train in Martial
Arts?
Kung Fu
Karate
Tae Kwon Do
Tai Chi Chuan
Aikido
Judo
Jujitsu
Mixed Martial Arts
(MMA)
Weapons (Sword,
Staff, Archery)
