This came to me via the Dojang Digest, which I highly recommend to any serious student/practitioner of Korean Martial Arts. The nature of the post was in relation to sword practice, but I found this particular paragraph effective in regards to all Martial Arts. I hope you all enjoy.
"If one wants to get in shape, or get involved in a fun social activity, we
can join a health club, yoga, church, etc. There are many avenues, but if
one wants to learn to defend oneself, we choose some sort of Martial Art.
That is what they are for. As I said, can they mean other things non-self
defense oriented to certain people. Sure, and that's great. There are many
positive attributes that come from training in a martial art. But let's not
deminish the main reason that they exsist. SELF DEFENSE."
Grand Master De Alba
