> Self-defense. Know two other guys who have possibly had their lives (or at any rate, probably hospital visits) saved in street fights and muggings. There are also countless juniors who have been able to fend off bullies.
Some martial arts have some application to self-defense, but I don't think that's the real distinction - people don't seem to treat e.g. Naginata as a less serious martial art even though you'd never use it in practice. And many non-martial-art sports (I mentioned cycling in a parallel thread) are treated with the same seriousness.
> It's also exercise, which has extensive and proven benefits. It also has huge benefits in terms of bone strength and density.
Aren't those equally true of this hobbyhorse-dressage?
Some martial arts have some application to self-defense, but I don't think that's the real distinction - people don't seem to treat e.g. Naginata as a less serious martial art even though you'd never use it in practice. And many non-martial-art sports (I mentioned cycling in a parallel thread) are treated with the same seriousness.
> It's also exercise, which has extensive and proven benefits. It also has huge benefits in terms of bone strength and density.
Aren't those equally true of this hobbyhorse-dressage?