Interesting thoughts on how martial arts can be therapeutic to those with ADD and the like. Styles can be important in this regard, but I believe what's equally important is how they're presented. Choosing the right school - and especially the right instructor - are key.

I found your article interesting. As a 42 yr old practitioner of kung fu and a former gymnast, I admire your ability to do back hand springs at 46!

I could not agree more about martial arts helping with ADD. I have someone with spectrum disorder in my kung fu class and it is amazing how much progress he has made over the past 2 years. He is able to learn forms now, when at first, he had trouble focusing even for a few minutes. He also is better socially and at looking me in the eye.

In regard to the comment about traditional kung fu not using forms for application. I suppose that depends on the teacher but at my school we are asked to research how forms can be used for application and by having to figure this out for yourself, you deepen your understanding of both.

In the first course I took as a Psychology grad student, our professor was explaining how it was often necessary to try to use the patient's animosity as a source of positive energy for the therapy (this was a course about addiction, and we were speaking of patients who were coerced into therapy by police/spouse/boss, etc.). I said something about how this sounded a bit like psychological Aikido. After the class, the professor took me aside and said, "Listen, this isn't something I can say openly, but I learned far more about doing psychotherapy from my Aikido study than from anything I ever studied in graduate school. Get your degree, because you have to, but study Aikido if you really want to understand."

That was fifteen years ago, but every passing year shows me how right he was. Alas, what you say about the scarcity of good schools is all too true.

An interesting idea....One other thing though--you separated the arts based on use of forms/fighting applications, you only grazed the surface of the internal/external differences between arts. One of the aspects of Aikido which is perhaps so beneficial, and perhaps why it is so difficult to find a good teacher, is the phlisophical basis.

While it is true that tai chi is perhaps a little slow, the other internal arts, ba gua and hsing yi (xing yi). also have a very strong internal component that includes a rooting practice, and teaches the proper circulation of energy throughout the body. The key, unfortunately, is having a good teacher. While for ba gua, it makes a difference wether you learn pre-birth or post-birth ba gua, these chi practices are built into the form, as are the practical applications, it is important to have someone who can explain all of this to a student.

But all things considered, I think finding the right teacher is of great importance. The best art can be taught incorrectly, and the most unlikely art can help someone develop great discipline. The other possibility is for people to take two or three arts, at least in the beginning, until they find one that really moves them. But maybe that makes things worse...

Any thoughts on martial arts and victims of domestic abuse would be appreciated.
Thank you

I am involved in the sport of fencing and see many parallels to the martial arts, such as the ritualized etiquette (salute of your opponent and the official), required self-restraint (blatant shows of temper are not tolerated in the least)and as you noted about Aikido,technique is applied "on the strip" exactly as it is taught "at the salle". Fencing has strict rules regarding right of way, which determine to whom a point is awarded, making focus and quick thinking a critical part of the game-enough so that it is refered to as "physical chess".

Needless to say, the correct coach for any given child is critical, but bearing these similarities in mind, it seems that fencing would also be beneficial for ADHD kids. I realize that your personal background is in the martial arts,but what do you think; am I on the mark here?

It's Really great work compare to your age and I appreciate you.

Yes,

Self defense is essential for men and most importantly for women. Some people mistake self defense for fighting. That is one thing that you should know. Self defense is not fighting.
Self defense refers to actions taken by a person to prevent another person from causing harm one's self, one's property or one's home.

I'm 22 years old and I've been struggling with ADHD for my entire life. That being said I've since about 19 have been trying to take Bushido seriously (in a rational sort of way) I'm pleased to find out that the Japanese martial arts I've been investigating will actually help me. I crave self-discipline like a dark sky craves the moon,your article has helped rekindle hope. Now the rest is up to me.