I started training Arakan in 2011 as a fun way to spend some time with my wife where we could both learn a skill and meet new people. I started off with one private and one group lesson per week which quickly turned into 3 to 4 lessons per week because I enjoy it so much.
As an executive in a large business I face daily challenges in meeting the needs of staff and hundreds of customers which puts me under a lot of pressure. Arakan has given me a physical outlet for a lot of these pressures which helps me manage my stress levels.
As the training can be quite physical, Arakan has also helped me learn and push both my mental and physical limits which enables me to be more focused and clear headed when making decisions in my professional life. I’ve also met a lot of great like minded people through Arakan who are really positive and motivated.
Chris Bradd
I have been doing Arakan regularly since 2006, and I originally joined out of a starry-eyed idea of martial arts after viewing far too many movies.
The interesting thing is that while the fighting system is absolutely amazing, the gains I have made in other areas of my life have actually overshadowed the technical skills I have been taught. I've now been committed to Arakan longer than anything I've done in my life, (other than my marriage!), and it's certainly not because I have aspirations to become a professional cage fighter or something.
I cannot emphasise enough what it is like to regularly be around positive, motivated, and success orientated people. This extends from the instructors all the way down to the students.
These are people who live highly disciplined lives day in and day out and have strong character and convictions. Over a period of time I've noticed that my language, my outlook on life, and the way that I interact with others has changed. Problems now become challenges to be overcome, and I now have a very large network of friends that I was certainly missing before.
People ask my what Arakan is like, and why they should do it. It's extremely difficult to summarise, and I just tell them that it's the best thing I've ever done. Our whole family trains, and my children have been learning since they were 3 years old. Becoming fighting fit is great, but becoming a better human being is awesome.
Steve Gregory
Arakan Truly has given me a sense of purpose and meaning. Not only does it keeps fit, healthy, confident and safe, Arakan also gives me a huge amount of happiness. I laugh so much with my instructors and students and have some of the best relationships within the club, it takes a lot of trust to allow someone to throw deadly strikes to the mark and know they will pull them up at last minute! I see the other instructors who have wives or girlfriends train and their kids train and it's just their life, and it's keeps them happy and healthy.
This art is way more than a martial art. It can become a home if you are open to it and you can do this until you’re old and always learn something new! Sometimes I get home at 12 at night and get up at 5am to teach or I drive down the coast 4 times a week but it's all worth it for what Arakan gives me, I'm so proud and honoured to be a part of the club and get to do this.
Tom Wilson
Since starting in late 2009, Arakan Martial Art has truly inspired me on a day to day basis. It has made me feel incredibly empowered and confident.
I now wholeheartedly believe in myself and my abilities, be it physical or mental! Having dealt with some nasty bullying issues from the past, this is what pushed me to train harder and faster, never wanting to become the victim again.
Today I am loud and proud thanks to Arakan and the amazing people involved!
Tim Pitchford
Initially starting Arakan for fitness and self defence for myself and my wife, I didn't fully appreciate how practical it could be. Then after a few years the art starts to open up and you see where you may be in a few more years and enticing glimpses of the years after that.
Being taught by amazingly dedicated instructors amongst a diverse range of willing students without ego is a great and humbling experience.
Guy Abrahamsson
I originally started training Arakan Martial Art out of curiosity back in June 2010. I was new to the Gold Coast, had always wanted to try a martial art and saw the sign for the office just around the corner from where I was living.
Previously I had spent years at various gyms and had sought costly personal trainers which kept me reasonably fit but i decided I may be better spending the money to learn how to defend myself should the situation ever arise.
What I discovered from Arakan Martial Art was so much more. Of course it provides all the fitness and conditioning one would expect from a martial art however it is the "fight logic" that really differentiates the art. You are taught to assess your environment and use it to your advantage. This includes not only aspects such as where to position yourself in a certain situation but also how to deal with obstacles a situation may possess. There are a multitude of different locations where the art is trained that cater for everybody e.g.. nightclubs, home invasion, In your car, dark alleys, wide open areas, parks, beach etc.
Another important aspect to the art is the culture within the club. Ego is left at the gate. All of the instructors are very humble which stems from the top and is evident throughout the club. As everyone's journey is their own, you are only asked to do what you are capable of and you are only challenging yourself.
On a personal note I have found Arakan Martial Art gives me a release from the day to day pressures of work, which in turn has allowed me to become a calmer person and think more rationally.
It never matters how bad my day has been walking into a lesson, I always walk out exhausted, full of knowledge, relaxed and with a smile on my face.
Robert Mackay