Secrets
I don't know about you, but I have spent countless hours surfing the web for videos, articles, or forums that give away secrets to martial arts. I have sat in bookstores reading books (yes I'm that cheap) looking for that little hint that concept that will enlighten me and take me to the a higher level. But alas, to no avail. In my quest, I either find something so esoteric that my mind cannot comprehend whether it is total nonsense or a nugget of gold; or I find a serious of "new" moves that serve little purpose other than to try to make me think I'm learning something essential; or I find some basics that have been regurgitated from some other source. I can't remember exactly but I saw a small trapping video on youtube, as I watched the person was teaching it very well - his physical and verbal actions were smooth, when I realized he was saying almost word-for-word, if not verbatim, of what one of Dan Inosanto's videos said. In fact he was doing the same exercises too! Are there really no secrets other than mastery of basics? Or is everybody being selfish and not sharing knowledge because its their style's secret. I understand if no one wants to passed down what they learned from their master(s). But hasn't anyone come up with something of their own or analyzed someone else's movements and style - found their secrets? I'm calling out to all the readers , who like me want to improve and absorb any and all concepts, to become better if not the best. Can we not share a little of our epiphanies, major concept, and understandings? For instance, if we take defense against a hooking action. If someone was to hook at me and he/she was on range. By applying the concept of distance if I was to step perfectly sideways (towards the hooking action if early enough or away from if too late) I would be on range to counter as he/she misses me. However, I would prefer reading the motion earlier and stepping towards the punch (but not too soon so he/she cannot change motion easily), as this will allow full access to the outside line. However, if I moved too early then the hook action will inevitably turn into a straight forward action (probably with little power too). All I would have to do is after side-stepping, turn. Yet this is only theoretical. Ultimately, it all boils down to thinking of distance beyond 2 dimensions.
But I'd like to consider myself a little responsible. I would prefer the postings to be on concepts, philosophy and theory; rather than in-depth analysis on a movement that can easily be learned and is quite lethal. I do not want kids and novices to have a little knowledge and cause themselves or other unintentional harm. I think the posters (if any) should understand that they should gear their posts to trained martial artists. So if we were to use the Japanese term of Shu-ha-ri, I would prefer the ha-ri opinions more. Also feel free to ask questions, but keep in mind that the responders may be from a variety of styles. If this post and blog catches on enough, down the road I would like to have people post videos on their own form, fighting, or drills and let the readers sagely critique and give their opinions on how to become better.
Perhaps I am living in a romantic fantasy world, where I envision manuals and poems when understood would divulge secrets that would improve someone many degrees. Perhaps the ultimate secret is experience and basics. But this post is for finding out if this is true too.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Martial Arts - Martial Arts, a Dying Art?
Martial Arts - a Dying Art?
Many many years ago martial arts, as I think of it, thrived. When man had to fight it out hand to hand, blade to blade, honor to honor. However, now a days with the perfection of long ranged weapons one needs little skill to push a button or pull a trigger in order to have frightening results. Not to demean warriors who are trained in modern weapons, but I am saying that modern weapons reduce the need for perfection of one skill. You may disagree, yet I still think that a guided missile may have a little bit more room for error than a blade fight. Although the weapon of choice is relative to the target size. But I digress from my original point. Now a days martial arts is learned for competitions, entertainment, health-reasons; and there is a shift of martial arts teachers teaching with money in mind. Some may know who they are, others won't. These aforementioned reasons are not necessarily wrong; however, if these are the sole purposes of martial arts I don't think that one will reach a master's skill level. Without surpassing the master a martial art will slowly deteriorate away.
In old times where survival was key, martial arts evolved. If you did something and survived, that something couldn't be too far off from correct. And if it was and you tried it again, you'd probably pay for it. In this manner Darwin's theory proves correct. However, a habit of the martial master was to keep "secrets" to themselves or maybe only the top students, so as not to have the students surpass them or some other reason. Although I understand why, I think that ultimately in more peaceful times, this secrecy led to a smaller population of masters. As time passed, with this attitude martial arts deteriorated at a snails pace; although this is debatable. But with the current generation where preserving and surviving is no longer the main focus, martial arts is doomed to become water-down. In fact there is a population of schools in which the focus of teaching has shifted towards a business model. So instead of passing on an art they are selling a product. Forms, belts, "secrets" are sold to the higher bidders. Even if the instructors do not have this mindset, the students today also seem to hinder the development of martial art. In todays world, efficient training methods are no longer used for liability issues, and more and more martial art schools are being geared to the students' expectations rather than the students' expectations geared to the school. In my opinion, in a school a student should expect hard grueling training sessions. People may get hurt, bones may be broken, eyes may be blackened. There is a certain risk one must expect in order to attain high level of proficiency. Therefore, you either stay and get good; or you leave and join the average world. But this is not what people today want to hear. They don't want to hear that only by pushing yourself to the limit can you ever expect to surpass your limit. The easy route is favored over the hard one, and people convince themselves that they are good merely because they can move through the ranks. Some of these disillusioned people break off and form their schools or styles before they can find out how little they actually know. In this manner you'll find "McDojos" popping up left and right. How can we expect martial arts to grow? Don't get me wrong, there are still good schools out there, but they are scarce and a dying breed.
But even if martial arts is dying what is my point other than to complain? Is it too late, can it still be revived? Of course it can, as long as there is still one good school out there. And the main focus of this school has to be producing quality students (a quantity of quality students would be preferred) whose goals are to develop and pass on their art eventually. The students themselves cannot be in a rush to open a school, they should open it when the are ready. Now, "ready" is a complex word, they have to be a good teacher, they have to have above superior skills, they have to not care about losing "bad" students, and they almost have to be altruistic and self-sacrificing. Perhaps this is a little extreme, but this is the fastest and probably most ideal way to revive martial arts.
Then again, some of you reading this will disagree - martial arts is alive and well. Thinking that I am a romantic idealist who himself is disillusioned. Perhaps, but I choose to walk the path I walk with little regrets. I'd rather reach for the stars never to touch them than to only touch the earth knowing I can.
Many many years ago martial arts, as I think of it, thrived. When man had to fight it out hand to hand, blade to blade, honor to honor. However, now a days with the perfection of long ranged weapons one needs little skill to push a button or pull a trigger in order to have frightening results. Not to demean warriors who are trained in modern weapons, but I am saying that modern weapons reduce the need for perfection of one skill. You may disagree, yet I still think that a guided missile may have a little bit more room for error than a blade fight. Although the weapon of choice is relative to the target size. But I digress from my original point. Now a days martial arts is learned for competitions, entertainment, health-reasons; and there is a shift of martial arts teachers teaching with money in mind. Some may know who they are, others won't. These aforementioned reasons are not necessarily wrong; however, if these are the sole purposes of martial arts I don't think that one will reach a master's skill level. Without surpassing the master a martial art will slowly deteriorate away.
In old times where survival was key, martial arts evolved. If you did something and survived, that something couldn't be too far off from correct. And if it was and you tried it again, you'd probably pay for it. In this manner Darwin's theory proves correct. However, a habit of the martial master was to keep "secrets" to themselves or maybe only the top students, so as not to have the students surpass them or some other reason. Although I understand why, I think that ultimately in more peaceful times, this secrecy led to a smaller population of masters. As time passed, with this attitude martial arts deteriorated at a snails pace; although this is debatable. But with the current generation where preserving and surviving is no longer the main focus, martial arts is doomed to become water-down. In fact there is a population of schools in which the focus of teaching has shifted towards a business model. So instead of passing on an art they are selling a product. Forms, belts, "secrets" are sold to the higher bidders. Even if the instructors do not have this mindset, the students today also seem to hinder the development of martial art. In todays world, efficient training methods are no longer used for liability issues, and more and more martial art schools are being geared to the students' expectations rather than the students' expectations geared to the school. In my opinion, in a school a student should expect hard grueling training sessions. People may get hurt, bones may be broken, eyes may be blackened. There is a certain risk one must expect in order to attain high level of proficiency. Therefore, you either stay and get good; or you leave and join the average world. But this is not what people today want to hear. They don't want to hear that only by pushing yourself to the limit can you ever expect to surpass your limit. The easy route is favored over the hard one, and people convince themselves that they are good merely because they can move through the ranks. Some of these disillusioned people break off and form their schools or styles before they can find out how little they actually know. In this manner you'll find "McDojos" popping up left and right. How can we expect martial arts to grow? Don't get me wrong, there are still good schools out there, but they are scarce and a dying breed.
But even if martial arts is dying what is my point other than to complain? Is it too late, can it still be revived? Of course it can, as long as there is still one good school out there. And the main focus of this school has to be producing quality students (a quantity of quality students would be preferred) whose goals are to develop and pass on their art eventually. The students themselves cannot be in a rush to open a school, they should open it when the are ready. Now, "ready" is a complex word, they have to be a good teacher, they have to have above superior skills, they have to not care about losing "bad" students, and they almost have to be altruistic and self-sacrificing. Perhaps this is a little extreme, but this is the fastest and probably most ideal way to revive martial arts.
Then again, some of you reading this will disagree - martial arts is alive and well. Thinking that I am a romantic idealist who himself is disillusioned. Perhaps, but I choose to walk the path I walk with little regrets. I'd rather reach for the stars never to touch them than to only touch the earth knowing I can.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Martial Arts - MMA vs. MA: The never-ending debate.
MMA vs. MA: The never-ending debate.
The phenomenon of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has swept across America. Many people watch Bodog Fights, UFC, IFL or some other three letter acronym show featuring athletes fighting. But a question always seems to pervade, who would win in a real fight - and MMA fighter or a martial artist (MA)? And which is better to train in?
Reviewing all the conversations I've heard and participated in, I think the question will never be resolved. In fact it is quite pointless. Whatever prejudice one starts out with one ends with, this is because though MMA and MA seem to be the same; I think they are quite different. It's comparing apples with oranges. Right now, some of you reading may think that I'm poorly informed, ignorant and out of my mind. Some may think the answer is as obvious as night and day. After all, there has been traditional martial artists that has stepped into ring only to find themselves dumbfounded on the floor or knocked-out(found on youtube). The champions of the MMA ache for any of the best traditional martial artist to step in the ring with them, with full confidence of victory. And under these situation, I would probably guess the MMA fighter to win. The MMA victors always look tough, skilled, destructive and unbeatable - warriorlike. But wouldn't we think the same thing of the late Mas Oyama, Ip Man or any of the other great traditionalists. I know if I was pitted against either of them I would tremble in my boots (if I wore any).
And yet traditional martial artist may think that ring and cage fighting is not "real", since there are rules and regulations and therefore no longer a real fight. Relatively little is used in MMA fights; where's the pressure points, the traps, the groin shots, eye gouges, the hit to the back of the neck - things that may be deemed inappropriate or too dangerous? Furthermore, the traditionalist can note that the masters of the martial arts tend to be of the older generation, while the masters (champions) tend to be of the younger generation. All of those 90 year old tai chi masters beating on the young'n in the parks. It can be said that traditionalists ultimate goal is survival of their art so their art evolves with them, making the practitioners better as they age. Of course there are always exceptions to these statements, for instance Randy Couture won a championship past the age of what is considered normal. Or how Matt Hughes recovered from a groin shot to win his match, outside of what the rules dictated.
But ultimately I think this question is pointless (as stated above), the only true way to find out which would win is to pit the best of martial artists versus the best of the mixed martial artists. But what would be the rules - would there be referees, a ring, padded hands, groin shots, or anything goes fight to the death like old old times? Even this I think that we would find it inconclusive. Finding out that there are no good martial arts but good martial artists. Chances are the victor will be the one who trained for whatever situation they fight in. If a MA and a MMA were mugged using a gun or knife which would do better? I think it depends on which person trains for this situation will be better off. All-in-all my ramble has done no help, but to insist that traditional martial arts and mixed martial arts are different beasts that should not be looked in the same perspective. Enjoy watching MMA and enjoy watching MA but don't try to see which is better.
The phenomenon of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has swept across America. Many people watch Bodog Fights, UFC, IFL or some other three letter acronym show featuring athletes fighting. But a question always seems to pervade, who would win in a real fight - and MMA fighter or a martial artist (MA)? And which is better to train in?
Reviewing all the conversations I've heard and participated in, I think the question will never be resolved. In fact it is quite pointless. Whatever prejudice one starts out with one ends with, this is because though MMA and MA seem to be the same; I think they are quite different. It's comparing apples with oranges. Right now, some of you reading may think that I'm poorly informed, ignorant and out of my mind. Some may think the answer is as obvious as night and day. After all, there has been traditional martial artists that has stepped into ring only to find themselves dumbfounded on the floor or knocked-out(found on youtube). The champions of the MMA ache for any of the best traditional martial artist to step in the ring with them, with full confidence of victory. And under these situation, I would probably guess the MMA fighter to win. The MMA victors always look tough, skilled, destructive and unbeatable - warriorlike. But wouldn't we think the same thing of the late Mas Oyama, Ip Man or any of the other great traditionalists. I know if I was pitted against either of them I would tremble in my boots (if I wore any).
And yet traditional martial artist may think that ring and cage fighting is not "real", since there are rules and regulations and therefore no longer a real fight. Relatively little is used in MMA fights; where's the pressure points, the traps, the groin shots, eye gouges, the hit to the back of the neck - things that may be deemed inappropriate or too dangerous? Furthermore, the traditionalist can note that the masters of the martial arts tend to be of the older generation, while the masters (champions) tend to be of the younger generation. All of those 90 year old tai chi masters beating on the young'n in the parks. It can be said that traditionalists ultimate goal is survival of their art so their art evolves with them, making the practitioners better as they age. Of course there are always exceptions to these statements, for instance Randy Couture won a championship past the age of what is considered normal. Or how Matt Hughes recovered from a groin shot to win his match, outside of what the rules dictated.
But ultimately I think this question is pointless (as stated above), the only true way to find out which would win is to pit the best of martial artists versus the best of the mixed martial artists. But what would be the rules - would there be referees, a ring, padded hands, groin shots, or anything goes fight to the death like old old times? Even this I think that we would find it inconclusive. Finding out that there are no good martial arts but good martial artists. Chances are the victor will be the one who trained for whatever situation they fight in. If a MA and a MMA were mugged using a gun or knife which would do better? I think it depends on which person trains for this situation will be better off. All-in-all my ramble has done no help, but to insist that traditional martial arts and mixed martial arts are different beasts that should not be looked in the same perspective. Enjoy watching MMA and enjoy watching MA but don't try to see which is better.
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