A martial art is not something that should be pursued casually. It takes a considerable commitment on the student's part to succeed and attain the maximum benefit from a particular system. Commitment of time, money, mental and physical devotion is needed to master a given system. If one is fortunate to find a qualified person who is willing and able to teach, expect between five to ten years of dedicated study to master the fundamentals and working concepts behind a particular system. The two Ps, patience and perseverance are key elements.

Generally, it is best to choose one style and stay with it until you have learned its essentials before trying another style. Some martial artists like to be exposed to a variety of styles and will skip around after a year or two at a school. This type of student appears to know a lot about the martial arts, but usually has not mastered a single one. As some schools will offer multiple styles it is possible to sample them in an effort to find one that suits you best. Although, some people find it desirable to study multiple systems as they can be complementary and enable the practitioner to more thoroughly enjoy and advance within their specialty. This is usually most effective for the advanced student.

There are no short cuts or secret methods to make you into a martial art master overnight. Some students come to a school and expect a teacher to bestow upon them some secret knowledge. It is easy to understand theory or discuss a particular technique. It is quite different to be able to incorporate that theory into practice or daily life. Discussing and understanding is sufficient on one level, but that alone will not enable a student to perform something flawlessly or efficaciously. Discipline and persistence are required of the student. The benefits, however, can be both enormous and permanent. Whatever style you choose, be prepared to integrate your training into your everyday life.

Through hard work and persistence one can achieve the level of teacher, but making it to the level of master requires inner cultivation. More important than physical skills are the elements that comprise an individuals personal characteristic. A dedicated student must be prepared to make sacrifices and shore up their life if they want to make way for inner contentment in body, mind and spirit. Few people are capable, willing or prepared to reach that level, yet if one keeps training in perspective and strives for balance in everything one does, it is attainable.