From my 23 years of experience in Wushu (Chinese Martial Arts) and Muaythai Boxing I have learned that martial arts are among the most important cultural tools to help us to develop ourselves.  I am strongly convinced that martial arts help you to find your own center, the truth within yourself and so also to benefit others.  This is mainly so because during your training you are confronted with your own physical limits. This makes you realize you can only become one with the forces that created us, never stronger.

To reach a high level in a specific martial art technique there is only one way: practice, practice and more practice.  The more natural talent you have and the more you practice, the better you become (relative to others).  Your progress will also be determined by how well and how often you practice mentally (positive thinking, affirmations, etc).  Even your diet is a very important factor, as proven by science, which evolves daily.

Progressing in technique is a life long evolution.  From ages 30 to 35 you will begin to physically deteriorate, due to the laws of nature.  But the art of martial arts is not to become stronger than others through training, rather to become stronger than your original self.

Competitions, shows and movies are great motivating factors and are great for comparing yourself with others, but in essence I do not believe they should be the main reason for your practice.  For many people they will be, in the beginning, but after many years of training you will realize that the enemy lies within.

The combination of different martial arts is a precondition, to give each person the chance to develop himself or herself in his or her original way. The focus can be on meditation, self-defense, competition, show, technique and/or physical development.