A little bit of martial art goes a long way

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I have been doing a martial art for approximately 3 months now, so basically up to the point of moving up two levels, which should happen sometime next week. I have been doing it pretty intensely though, unlike most people who do this.

I've noticed that even with my little bit of training, many aspects of my attitude have changed. I no longer feel nearly as uncomfortable around (most) members of the same gender as I used to. When I feel threatened by other men, I just imagine myself beating them up, and realizing that in many cases, I'd actually be successful, this causes my anxiety to melt away.

Something others should try. I don't know if it works for girls or not.

Not via a martial art, but as I've gotten fitter I'm much less anxious about any (usually unrealistic anyways) potential confrontations as I know I could defend myself better than ever. Add the mindfulness of yoga/meditation and it's great combination - which is similar to the benefits you'd get out martial arts physical training + mindfulness/breathing exercises.

It may be in part a bit of confidence due to gaining a bit of strength, but also just a calmer clearer mind from getting dopamine & other neuroreceptors pumping.

I did martial arts and I recommend it.

I'm doing martial arts because a therapist suggested it (for discipline and also for my posture).
Martial arts are cool.
People in my martial arts group are cool.
I've even met a dyslexic guy there.

I have Aikido twice a week. I'm just a beginner but I'm already feeling the benefits.

I've often though of talking up martial arts. It's a great study of discipline. And I think it would help me with my dyspraxia, provided my dyspraxia doesn't make me hopelessly bad at it.

I practice Aikido 2 to 4 days a week depending on my schedule. I have practiced for about 2 years. It has helped with my posture and a little with coordination. I love it and the people there are really nice and my sensi is understanding of my AS.

This reminds me of "The Karate Kid" movie where the main character earns a black belt after practicing for just a few months.

I do the exact same thing. I've been doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the last 5 months. It's really helped me get into shape too. I've lost 30 pounds so far.

Just weeks after starting Taekwondo, I was more self-confident and my self-worth went up a notch. Now a year in, and still loving it!

Started judo when I was 9, my confidence went up a little bit because I didn't need to feel threatened. In secondary school I got picked on but only verbally because they knew I did judo so it wouldn't end well! Ended up quitting judo when I was 15.

Doing judo and kickboxing now (started in January) and really enjoying them and its nice to know a offensive martial art and a defensive martial art! My confidence is pretty high too, it kinda helps that I'm 6'1 . Tempted to go further and do MMA, not decided yet!

Yeah, MMA sounds good. I would like to do it some day as well.

I have natural talent for fighting; it's just tough at the beginning because I am not good at following directions or movements from someone facing me due to conceptual difficulties with left and right. But, once I know the movements, it's not much of a problem. I don't have much trouble doing the movements; I just have trouble with directions.

In my martial art (TKD) I've gotten to the point of knowing most of the movements anyway, even the advanced ones, sort of, since I'm the only basic level who comes.

I've been doing martial arts (karate) for five years and I absolutely love it. My confidence is higher and even my tolerance for touch is better. I've lost weight (though I have a long way to go) and I'm even proficent at using different weapons. I'm four ranks from black now, and never thought I'd make it this far. It's wonderful and I so reccomend it.

I took capoeira lessons for a short time, although I didn't find thinking about beating people up to be the biggest benefit. More, it was something I really enjoyed.

I stopped going because a family visit disrupted my schedule, and they refused to listen to me when I told them I needed to return home in a timely fashion. Actually, that visit was its own little hell on earth. By the time I did get home, all of my routines were completely demolished and I had unwanted guests (other family members) who invited themselves over for a full month. I needed extensive time to decompress and had none for a long time. By the time I got a routine again, I was not able to work it back into my schedule.

I find the kickboxing combos hard, as you make up different combos etc so I end up throwing a straight and a hook and forget what to do next in sparring so I just get punished! I use too much power instead of accuracy, but I'm working on that! Because I did judo beforehand, in judo you hold your hands a lot lower then you do in kickboxing so I tend to let my guard down a lot too, which hurts when people notice in sparring .

See, I just can't imitate others; unlike some autistics who are masters at this. I have no problem doing my own thing and responding appropriately (good depth perception, etc.), so I just have to memorize the moves. Then, putting them together is completely intuitive.

I had my amblyopia treated successfully at a young age and then a little bit again recently to the point that it's gone. I think a lot of autistics have it though, so it could be what's tripping you up in sparring.