Are Martial Arts Self Defense?

Many of us are under the impression that martial arts somehow translate into self-defense. My opinion is that martial arts are not self-defense.

What martial arts provide is the training, discipline and exposure to many techniques that, with enough time can comprise a form of self defense. When I say martial arts in this context, I am not referring to any particular martial art. I believe in the old adage, there are no superior martial arts, only martial artists. The reason I bring this topic up is that many schools purport to provide "self defense" and they play on the insecurities of the person considering practicing said martial art. What happens is that self-defense becomes a marketing tool to rope in prospective students.

Now I'm not saying you won't learn to defend yourself if you practice a martial art. Most martial arts have components of self defense, the issue lies with the timing of when the student is exposed to the application of techniques that would make up a self defense curriculum. Also lacking in most schools (not all) are the other sides to self-defense. The psychological aspect of self defense, the physiological aspects, what happens during an adrenaline dump, what is an OODA loop? These are some of the subjects that a good self defense class should address.

I am learning that the subject of self defense is wide broad and deep. I hope to continue learning so I can share with those I teach.

strong spirit-strong mind-strong body

Sensei Orlando