What place does martial arts have in 2026?

In a world with quick forms of dopamine. Tablets to keep kids quiet, phones to keep adults quiet. Why would anyone willingly train in martial arts in 2026?

People Hitting bags...

Introduction

*Cue dramatic voice over* IN A WORLD....with unlimited entertainment. One man will try to convince you, the reader, that Martial arts is important, not just for fighting off wierdos in an alley but also for your mental health....

Why should I do Martial Arts?

I think everyone should do a martial art, not necessarily something hardcore like boxing or MMA. It can be a traditional martial art where all you do is choreographed moves. like karate, taekwondo, or aikido.

And I believe this for 2 reasons. 1) You need friends. 2) You need to suffer. If you have friends disregard (and where did you get them? Asking for a friend). If you have an activity that is difficult that you choose to do, disregard. But the beauty of martial arts is that you get both. friends and a challenge.

A dojo is one of the few places that you can work out, lovingly talk smack, solve a high-level puzzle, while feeling like John Wick. There is something about the camaraderie built through shared honest suffering that will never come close to other friendships. Every practice is like a mini journey to Mordor; you don't know what setbacks you will have, you don't know how or if you will overcome them.

I think this heros journy that happens in a dojo. The mental friction that plagues every judoka, karateteka, boxer, and wrestler. is also the glue that makes long lasting friendship.

And this is true not just for adults but also for kids. I have seen kids who literally don't talk, some due to trauma, and some just because they are shy. And slowly, through sparring, rolling, and exercise, they realise that the dojo isn't like school. The dojo is a place where vulnerability is rewarded with skill acquisition, friendship, and confidence.

Don't get me wrong its not just because they are going through difficulty that these kids come out of their shell. its that they are able to look next to them, and the kid next to them is also struggling. And if they aren't struggling, they are there to help you.

And I think everyone needs more of that.

Conclusion

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