Reflections on Leaving a Martial Arts School and Exploring Different Styles

Every martial artist at some point in their journey may find themselves asking: 'Why did I leave my martial arts school or style?' This article explores the reasons behind such decisions, offering insights into personal growth, career priorities, and the importance of adapting to changing life circumstances.

Why Did You Leave Your Martial Arts School or Style?

The decision to leave a martial arts school or style is rarely easy. For many, it signifies a shift in priorities or a need to reassess their goals. In my own experience, the commute became too long and my exhaustion after work made it challenging to continue attending regularly. However, my step out of the school door was not a decision I took lightly.

It's with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to Krav Maga Experts, a place where I found not only my martial arts journey but also some of my dearest friends. My choices often come down to practicality and reality. Work, as essential as it is, often takes precedence over hobbies and secondary interests. While self-defense and personal development are crucial, the demands of a 9-to-5 job mean that I must allocate specific times for training. Unlike before, when I could visit the dojo for training, now I must take a break from my routine to prioritize my job.

Leaving Multiple Martial Arts Schools

Obstacles and changes in preferences have led me to leave several martial arts schools in my life. Let's take a look at a few of those experiences:

Tae Kwon Do (TKD)

My initial foray into martial arts was with Tae Kwon Do. It was a thrilling period filled with fun and fond memories. However, as I got older (over 30), I realized that some techniques like spin kicks were becoming too challenging. For most, TKD is a youth activity, making it a temporary stop in the journey.

Overall, I spent around 5 years practicing TKD, with 2 years in one program and 3 years in another. Despite my advanced age (I am in my 50s), I can still throw side kicks, back kicks, and round kicks at head level on a heavy bag. While my flexibility has declined, I still enjoy the physical and mental discipline of the art. My last physical activity at TKD included losing my flexibility.

Kickboxing

My interest in kickboxing arose from my experience with TKD. However, I left kickboxing around the age of 26. The reason was simple—could no longer take the punches in the face. While kickboxing was a blast and a profound learning experience, I eventually found the level of sparring too intense. I was not a standout student, and my lack of natural talent or drive made it increasingly difficult to keep up.

Aikido

Aikido introduced me to techniques such as wrist locking, shoulder locking, and jo-jitsu. This was a transformative time, exposing me to a wide range of martial arts techniques. A pivotal moment came when I visited a Japanese Jujitsu school with a fellow training partner. The hip throws they demonstrated were mesmerizing, leading me to leave aikido and move on to more throwing techniques.

Wing Chun

Wing Chun was a side project, not something I intended to pursue for a long time. My instructor had some concerning mental health issues, and financial constraints forced me to leave. Despite my brief stay, I learned a lot of joint locks and traps. I can still perform techniques like bong sau, lap sau, tan tau, fuk sau, and pak sau. Similarly, since I took joint- locking classes, I can still configure locks from those movements.

Townlake Jujitsu Club—Ameri-Jap Jitsu

Perhaps the longest-lasting martial arts relationship was with Townlake Jujitsu Club. I trained from 1992 to 2000, and the school eventually closed its doors. My training came to an end when the instructor began to ask if I could run some classes during his absence. For 18 years, I remained a dedicated student, holding a brown belt and having no idea that the instructor had a long-term absence that eventually led to the closure of the school.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Leaving a martial arts school or style is a journey that involves personal growth and life adaptation. It is a natural part of the martial arts journey, and each person's path is unique. As individuals, we must balance our priorities and ensure that our training aligns with our current life circumstances. Whether it's focusing on work, attending a school closer to home, or pursuing a different style, the decision to leave a martial arts school should be a carefully considered step, reflecting our dedication and the evolving aspects of our martial arts journey.