Black Belts Anybody?

[arwarfighter]

Ok, yesterday I read that there have been some informal studies about the benefits of training in martial arts for veterans with ptsd. This got me thinking. Since I have been back from the sand box I went through a period of craziness. But when I returned to studying martial arts it helped me quite a bit.
I have been studying martial arts for the better part of 23 years. I hold instructor ranks in two forms of martial arts and low/middle rank in 3 others.
Now, anybody who has trained in martial arts knows that the best way is to train in person with a qualified instructor. But for a vet with ptsd, the anxiety of going to a dojo (school) to train with people you don't know can be enough to keep them from ever trying it. So, I am wondering if there would be any interest if I put together a martial arts home study course specifically for veterans.
Yes there are already a slew of dvd courses out there. But not ones that are taught for vets by a vet. And most of the ones I have found are pretty pricey. I am not doing this for money. I would need to charge enough to cover the cost of the dvd's, ink and paper for certificates and training manuals, and shipping to mail everything out. I haven't done the math yet, but probably something like $25 per belt level for a student and a training partner. Mainly depends on the cost of shipping. The main idea is to give vets with ptsd a training option that won't break the bank.
But before I go breaking out the camera and spend the next six months or so putting together a program, I first would like to know if there would even be any interest in the first place. So I am turning to you, my fellow veterans, to find out.
Questions? Comments? Anybody?

 

[Deleted member 43454]

I'm interested. I had attempted to get into martial arts at a dojo while back, but like you said. It was right around the time I really started noticing my anxiety was pretty bad.

 

[Friday]

Yes. Absolutely.

I was going to ask which schools, but then realized I really don't care.

 

[JarHed]

I'm a practitioner of TaiChiChuan and have been for many years. There are no belt levels. One of the primary aspects of it is to be calm and mindful in your actions. There are other aspects as well but these two especially have helped me immensely in dealing with PTSD. So, whether it's any one of the Martial Arts, I think the concentration necessary and the general exercise involved is a benefit for us.

 

[Sapper1]

I'd be down!

 

[Barberian]

I'd love to, but don't have the concentration abilities anymore. I studied on 1st and 2nd cruise. Loved it. Back then was before the beast settled in. I know... Practice makes perfect, but I think my head would explode within the first half hour.

I can literally put myself into a panic attack at the thought of tasks that require long, intense concentration.

 

[Chin Strapped]

Nice idea. I'm currently debating on BJJ, which I think I will at least try in a normal setting first.

One of those things you just know will help you.

 

[Sleeping Dragon]

arwarfighter,

After returning from the jolly green jungle I got deeply into judo, both competition and combat, and loved it. My knees won't take that kind of action anymore.

But, something like Jar's TaiChi might be a good mix with the yoga I do now.

 

[arwarfighter]

Yes. Absolutely.

I was going to ask which schools, but then realized I really don't care.

I hold Nidan in Sentou Kempo Karate and Guro(Teacher) in Arnis. I hold ranks in Kajukenbo, Ninjutsu, and Aiki-Jujutsu as well. I have also studied with a "mixed arts" (pre-UFC years) class that taught a mix of Muay Thai JKD and Wing Chun but like jarHed's TaiChiChuan classes they did not give rank.

 

[arwarfighter]

I'm a practitioner of TaiChiChuan and have been for many years. There are no belt levels. One of the primary aspects of it is to be calm and mindful in your actions. There are other aspects as well but these two especially have helped me immensely in dealing with PTSD. So, whether it's any one of the Martial Arts, I think the concentration necessary and the general exercise involved is a benefit for us.

I agree. I think study of the martial arts no matter which "style" you choose, is good for vets. I have studied in classes that had no rank structure before, and I am fine with it. But I think for the application of vets with ptsd having the rank system there to give a target to reach for may help.

 

[arwarfighter]

Nice idea. I'm currently debating on BJJ, which I think I will at least try in a normal setting first.

One of those things you just know will help you.

Sweet! I encourage you to try and stick with it. If your symptoms allow it training in person with an instructor is the best way to go about martial arts training. And BJJ is definitely not a bad choice of disciplines.

 

[Friday]

I agree. I think study of the martial arts no matter which "style" you choose, is good for vets.

LOL. Yep! At the very least, good for me / why I realized I don't really care. Took me ages to find a good dojo & school for my son, because it's so vital to have both for kids... But I can/have learned anything from anyone. As such, apart from LINE, have a smattering of Aikido (ueshiba), Karate (couple schools), IDF superfun, police defensive tactics, street, etc.

I'm all fat and outta shape right now... Not to mention in a tail spin... But when I've been doing my best? There's always been lots of physical contact / controlled violence/ body-mind connection.