Martial arts helped me a huge amount. You spend a lot of time doing very silly looking things in the company of others. There's a lot of physical contact with strangers. You teach and coach each other. You also gain a huge amount of confidence in yourself, that grows as you get better. It's a social activity without having the burden of being a team sport.
Been a sensei for about ten years now, so I'm also used to standing in front of large groups of people and delivering instruction, demonstrating techniques on a regular basis, planning lessons with other instructors.
Take one up, and don't fret about which one is the best. I started with TKD and Aikido, but now train in Karate and HEMA. It really doesn't matter which one you choose, just find a class you're comfortable being at.
Your milage may vary depending on which martial art you choose. In a very traditional studio, you may know your fellow students only by rank. None of this is to take away from the parent's point. Even in that environment, the stuff about physical contact and being awkward in front of others, all of it is true, and all of it is beneficial. Just don't expect that you will necessarily find friends in the same place you find your social confidence.
Yep, I was talking about social confidence and not necessarily making friends. You might very well make friends at a martial arts class, or just learn to deal with people you don't actually like, but have to fight with in a friendly way. I've had really good mates break my ribs, and people I don't actually like hug me at the end of a bout. It all helps.
Been a sensei for about ten years now, so I'm also used to standing in front of large groups of people and delivering instruction, demonstrating techniques on a regular basis, planning lessons with other instructors.
Take one up, and don't fret about which one is the best. I started with TKD and Aikido, but now train in Karate and HEMA. It really doesn't matter which one you choose, just find a class you're comfortable being at.