If I were to learn a martial art (in a class or club), how likely is it that I would get hurt or injured during the learning process?
by 
lady fuschia
ANSWERS: 5
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I would pretty much guarantee that you would. Now, unless you have a careless instructor or you do something really stupid, you are probably not going to have anything serious. Contusions, bone bruises, maybe a fracture or so is par for the course. I have seen someone shatter his knee and another sever his Achilles tendon. That sort of damage is not common.
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Minor strains, bruises, and very painfull pressure point nerve pinches are very common ... major injuries are extremely rare, but do happen accidently. "We cry in the dojo so we may laugh on the battlefield."
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In Tae Kwon Do you'll be sore after class until you get used to it. If you don't wear pads when sparring you'll bump shins, which can be pretty painful, and even if you do you'll occasionally hurt your toes kicking until you learn to do it correctly. Other than that, it really depends on the school - are they focussed on turning out hard-core fighters, or is it more of a recreational environment, in which case your partner will most likely be willing to back off on the contact when you ask him to. Visit a few schools to observe a lesson or two to see what they're like, and maybe talk to the women after class.
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The short answer is, the chances of a serious injury are very small. You're guaranteed to get bumps and bruises unless your training is so un-martial that you might as well take dance classes or yoga (both fine challenging activities). The simple fact of the matter is, if you're learning a Martial Art that's you know... MARTIAL, you're learning how to injure and kill people. It's serious stuff. To think that you can learn killing arts without getting hurt _at all_ is sheer fantasy. That being said, if you're smart, well-instructed and careful, you'll be fine in the long run. Any minor injury you sustain will likely prevent you from getting serious injuries later on, both in class in life in general. The burned hand learns the fastest. In general, it's worth it. I used to be a physically timid person, but thanks to swordsmanship (and other things), I am a new person. Besides, if you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room. :)
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I studied martial arts for several years. I did blow out my knee, but that was a long time coming from other sports. Really, it's not a dangerous hobby, generally speaking. You can get bruises and bumps, but martial arts concentrates very hard of form and perfection of style. It's not about pummelling other people. Even in competitions, I didn't come across anyone who got seriously injured...or even moderately injured. Do some research into different styles and arts. Everyone who has trained will have their favorites. There are harder styles and softer styles. If you find one that suits you, martial arts can be a tremendous benefit to your life.
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