A few weeks ago, I shared a post on our social media talking about how we believe martial arts is a mandatory life skill — the same as swimming — for all kids. In everyone's lifetime at some point they are going to face the threat of physical violence and being able to cope with or overcome a bully is so important.

A few days after I posted it, I had a message from one of my adult students who has been training for just under 50 classes:

"Last weekend I was involved in some road rage. A guy sped up and pulled up in front of me, blocked me in, got out and shouted through my window and threatened to pull me out. For the first time in my life, I was able to keep calm in a possibly violent situation. I looked him in the eyes and spoke steadily and politely and he just backed off. I'm not saying I could have defended myself, but it was great to think clearly under pressure. Martial arts give you confidence but more — it grounds you."

A lot of people think martial arts are only about being able to react physically to a threat. This is only part of the story. The confidence and self-assuredness it gives also helps you be able to talk people down, stopping potential violence — knowing that if things do get physical you have the tools to look after yourself.