Valentine’s Day is almost here again. How are you celebrating? And who are you celebrating with?
Romantic love might be the primary focus of February 14, but that doesn’t have to be the only way to mark the day. Valentine’s can be about any kind of love you want to celebrate, whether that’s friends, family, or pets,. Or even the activities and things that give your life meaning. Like martial arts, for example.
So if you’re looking for an alternative way to get in on the festivities—or a way to spread even more love in general—here are 10 ways that you can celebrate your deep affection for martial arts this Valentine’s Day. And every other day of the year.
Try some partner drills.
What better way to celebrate your love of martial arts than to train or spar with someone else who shares it? Or someone who wants to learn more? Whether you’re going toe to toe with another seasoned martial artist or working through the basics with a friend who has never thrown a punch before, partner drills are a great bonding experience. Here are five partner drills from the AWMA Blog to get you started.
Teach someone a move.
Sharing is caring, after all. Showing someone a new technique or trading a few tips is way to share your love of martial arts that can benefit everyone involved. Your student gains a new skill—and they get to learn a little bit about your own passion for martial arts along the way. And you get to improve right along with them, because teaching someone else is one of the best learning experiences of all.
Give the gift of gear.
Treat a martial artist friend with a piece of your favorite training gear. It doesn’t have to be a big present. Sure, you can go all out and order them your favorite uniform or boxing gloves if you have the funds. But even a little gift like a set of hand wraps that have changed your Boxing or Muay Thai game for the better can let them know you care—and maybe improve their training for the better, too.
You can also share some gear and clothing with people outside of the martial arts bubble. Let them know how comfortable and stylish martial arts wear can be with a soft and cool pair of gi pants or Muay Thai shorts.
Watch a martial arts movie.
Share a favorite flick with someone who loves it as much as you do. Or show it to someone for the first time. Either way, enjoying a good action movie with a friend, loved one, or training partner is an excellent way to celebrate the skill and artistry that goes into martial arts-influenced stunt work.
Break down your favorite fight scene.
If you want to geek out a little, you can take the movie watching experience further and get into a specific fight scene you really love. Talk about the moments that make it work for you. Point out the techniques you recognize from your own training. If you’ve got a willing training partner, you can even try to recreate parts of it the next time you’re at the gym together. Just don’t try any death defying Jackie Chan-style stunts without proper training and supervision!
Send martial arts valentines to your training partners and instructors.
You don’t have to break out the paper hearts, unless you really want to. But a quick note, text, or chat after class is an easy and effective way to let your fellow martial artists know that you care. Tell a training partner how much you enjoy working together. Thank an instructor or coach for everything you’ve learned from them. Or tell a rival how much they’ve inspired you to keep pushing yourself.
Invite a friend to your next tournament.
If you know someone from your life outside of the gym who has expressed interest in your training, why not see if they want to tag along to your next competition? It gives you a chance to show off a little, get some extra moral support, and introduce them to your world. And it’s a chance for them to see some really cool martial arts skills on display.
Invite a friend to visit your gym
And if you know someone who is extra curious, you can also invite them to your gym for a trial class. They’ll have a chance to try new things and learn new skills. And you’ll have a chance to share something that’s really important to you. Worst case, you have a fun one off class together. Best case? You get a new training partner.
Go to a friend’s gym.
If you have friends who train in different disciplines, you can also share in their martial arts love. Ask them to show you a technique or two. Visit their gym for a trial lesson. Go watch their tournaments. You can learn more about something that matters to someone who matters to you and discover a new type of cross-training.
Host an open mat.
If you have the room at home, put down a set of jigsaw mats and invite a few friends over. If you don’t, see if you can book a studio in your condo or your local gym. Then invite a few friends over for an open mat. It’s a chance to bond over your shared love of martial arts—and maybe pick up a few cool new tips and techniques along the way
