What martial arts do you study?
- Thread starter Loyalist
- Start date
Swordheart
Go Rin No Sho
- 27 Aug 2006
- 11
- 3
martial arts vs. guns
Sigh. I have heard this so many times. Why train when you can just shoot anyone who pisses you off, right? Flashjeff, you seem to have a complete mis-conception of martial arts are all about. I respect your opinion and agree that there are much more effective means to kill a person than using your bare hands. However, what you say may be likened to "since we've got the nuke, our generals no longer need to understand strategy and 'small-scale' warfare". If you look at martial arts in the limited scope of "defeating the other guy", then you should know that not everyone that wields a gun is prepared to use it - there are much graver consequences if you shoot someone than if you get into a bar brawl. Increased agility, coordination and strength can really tip the scales in your favour if you are confronted by several bare-handed attackers or if someone comes at you with a steel pipe or knife. So being better prepared is what it is all about if you stick to such a shallow point of view.
If you have never practiced martial arts, you may be incapable of understanding the deeper meaning, but I shall try to explain anyway: it is not about defeating the opponent. it is not about being able to hit harder or stretch further. it is not about the competitions, fame or money. All these things are weaknesses that seek external approval. If you think of yourself as a soulless sack of meat, these worldly boons that also come as a result of training will be enough, but if you are a true warrior, you will see past these things and never loose sight of the true goal of your training. It is about geting to know one's true self - one's limit of endurance, one's strength of will. Developing discipline and energizing one's spirit! You may be 47 years old, but it is not too late to take up an internal style like Tai-Chi, Yoga or mild Qui-Gong. It doesn't have to be all smash'n'crush like in karate. These gentle practices will open your true eyes, strengthen your body and literally extend your life! I also suggest you take some time and read Miyamoto Musashi's "Go Rin No Sho". Maybe then you will understand why billions of people practice to improve themselves every day. Martial arts is like religion: it does not matter what style you practice - what matters is how and why!
By the way, I've been studying Oyama's Kyokushin-kai Karate for the past7 years, Qui-gong for 2.5 years and I recently added Tai-Chi and Escrima/Kali to my training and next year I will look at Iado/Kendo as well. not a "jack of all trades" by nature so although I have many other interests including Yoga, weight-lifting, Japan etc. I have to split the time between family, work and myself so I never take up a practice if I cannot dedicate at least 3- 5 hours per week to training. I hope you find a discipline to meet your needs and change your point of view.
Good luck.
Sigh. I have heard this so many times. Why train when you can just shoot anyone who pisses you off, right? Flashjeff, you seem to have a complete mis-conception of martial arts are all about. I respect your opinion and agree that there are much more effective means to kill a person than using your bare hands. However, what you say may be likened to "since we've got the nuke, our generals no longer need to understand strategy and 'small-scale' warfare". If you look at martial arts in the limited scope of "defeating the other guy", then you should know that not everyone that wields a gun is prepared to use it - there are much graver consequences if you shoot someone than if you get into a bar brawl. Increased agility, coordination and strength can really tip the scales in your favour if you are confronted by several bare-handed attackers or if someone comes at you with a steel pipe or knife. So being better prepared is what it is all about if you stick to such a shallow point of view.
If you have never practiced martial arts, you may be incapable of understanding the deeper meaning, but I shall try to explain anyway: it is not about defeating the opponent. it is not about being able to hit harder or stretch further. it is not about the competitions, fame or money. All these things are weaknesses that seek external approval. If you think of yourself as a soulless sack of meat, these worldly boons that also come as a result of training will be enough, but if you are a true warrior, you will see past these things and never loose sight of the true goal of your training. It is about geting to know one's true self - one's limit of endurance, one's strength of will. Developing discipline and energizing one's spirit! You may be 47 years old, but it is not too late to take up an internal style like Tai-Chi, Yoga or mild Qui-Gong. It doesn't have to be all smash'n'crush like in karate. These gentle practices will open your true eyes, strengthen your body and literally extend your life! I also suggest you take some time and read Miyamoto Musashi's "Go Rin No Sho". Maybe then you will understand why billions of people practice to improve themselves every day. Martial arts is like religion: it does not matter what style you practice - what matters is how and why!
By the way, I've been studying Oyama's Kyokushin-kai Karate for the past7 years, Qui-gong for 2.5 years and I recently added Tai-Chi and Escrima/Kali to my training and next year I will look at Iado/Kendo as well. not a "jack of all trades" by nature so although I have many other interests including Yoga, weight-lifting, Japan etc. I have to split the time between family, work and myself so I never take up a practice if I cannot dedicate at least 3- 5 hours per week to training. I hope you find a discipline to meet your needs and change your point of view.
Good luck.
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Flashjeff
Pink Lady's Number #1 Fan
- 28 Dec 2003
- 2,585
- 77
To Swordheart: I appreciate your point of view and I repsect your argument, but unfortunately, it doesn't change my cynicism regarding the martial arts. Sadly, I live in a city where the murder rate is absolutely insane, where armed robberies (often for drugs) are commonplace, where turf wars (often over drugs) routinely turn into scenes from the O.K. Corral, where people have been shot and killed for nothing more than looking at someone else the wrong way, where teenagers are packing, even in school, usually out of fear of gangs and other thugs, where guns are disturbingly cheap and plentiful, thanks to weak guns laws, where the police are borderline helpless to even stem, nermind stop gun violence. I guess I'm too much of realist with that narrow mindset you mentioned and while the martial arts may well be helpful in terms of staying fit and strong, maybe even useful in unarmed combat, but those instances are rare where I live and, useless in the streets, especially the streets of my hometown where you never know when or where you'll encounter some fool with a gun in his hand and the mindset to use it, consequences be damned. Still, I'm glad you chose to share your opinions on this subject.
Swordheart
Go Rin No Sho
- 27 Aug 2006
- 11
- 3
To Flashjeff: First of all thank you for your honest reply. I do not wish to "preach" or appear like I am trying to convert you into a "health freak" or influence your opinion. I merely wish to state what seems obvious to me: death is seldom pleasant, but eventually we all must die.
I fully appreciate that the world we live in is becoming increasingly more dangerous, but just because sooner or later some punk or disease or accident is bound to get the better of us does NOT (in my opinion) mean that we shouldn't care about how we live and how healthy we feel. As I stated earlier, I feel that the least important aspect of martial arts is defeating the other guy - the most: defeating yourself. Becoming the best YOU can be at this time. Sure, there is always someone stronger, better prepared or equipped, but my purpose in life is to be the best I can be at all times - regardless of what the other guys are doing. However, even if you weigh martial arts in the surface aspect of win-loose, I hope you agree that nothing stops you from training AND carrying a gun, right?
The reason I wrote in reply to your comment in the first place, is to tell you the age old cliche: Prevention is better than cure. Why wait until your body locks up with rheumatism or some other Sure, it may seem like a waste of time, spending an hour on daily yoga or Tai-Chi practice, but after a few months you will begin to unlock hereto untapped energy and feel the benefits of taking time out for yourself. Your thoughts will become crisp and movements effortless and fluid. Correct me if I am wrong, but health is the one thing that you can't buy - sure, you can stuff your body with any number of drugs, but this is only a temporary solution and usually, what cures one thing, kills something else. Whereas martial arts and other physical practices (like yoga, good diet, etc.) prevent and cure most physical conditions - be good to your body and it will repay you in kind. Think about the non-combat, everyday applications and benefits - wouldn't it be nice: to travel with that heavy suitcase without getting pains in the back or needing help; have a confident walk and posture; impress your wife and kids with your physical prowess in the garden or your physique on the beach? and the list goes on and on.....
When and from what we die, is not up to us, what is important is how we live. So why not LIVE and be happy, rather than just exist waiting to see what finally kills you? I appreciate that you live in a dangerous town, but if you cannot relocate, then you can at least look after yourself, no?
So what do you say, Flashjeff, can we meet half-way on this one? For PROTECTION (if your laws permit), by all means, buy a big gun if it will make you feel safer (then again, what if your attacker has a rocketlauncher? - rhetorical...). But for your WELLBEING, look after your body - be it through martial arts or some other practice(s).
Stay safe and live healthy. All the best,
Oleg
I fully appreciate that the world we live in is becoming increasingly more dangerous, but just because sooner or later some punk or disease or accident is bound to get the better of us does NOT (in my opinion) mean that we shouldn't care about how we live and how healthy we feel. As I stated earlier, I feel that the least important aspect of martial arts is defeating the other guy - the most: defeating yourself. Becoming the best YOU can be at this time. Sure, there is always someone stronger, better prepared or equipped, but my purpose in life is to be the best I can be at all times - regardless of what the other guys are doing. However, even if you weigh martial arts in the surface aspect of win-loose, I hope you agree that nothing stops you from training AND carrying a gun, right?
The reason I wrote in reply to your comment in the first place, is to tell you the age old cliche: Prevention is better than cure. Why wait until your body locks up with rheumatism or some other Sure, it may seem like a waste of time, spending an hour on daily yoga or Tai-Chi practice, but after a few months you will begin to unlock hereto untapped energy and feel the benefits of taking time out for yourself. Your thoughts will become crisp and movements effortless and fluid. Correct me if I am wrong, but health is the one thing that you can't buy - sure, you can stuff your body with any number of drugs, but this is only a temporary solution and usually, what cures one thing, kills something else. Whereas martial arts and other physical practices (like yoga, good diet, etc.) prevent and cure most physical conditions - be good to your body and it will repay you in kind. Think about the non-combat, everyday applications and benefits - wouldn't it be nice: to travel with that heavy suitcase without getting pains in the back or needing help; have a confident walk and posture; impress your wife and kids with your physical prowess in the garden or your physique on the beach? and the list goes on and on.....
When and from what we die, is not up to us, what is important is how we live. So why not LIVE and be happy, rather than just exist waiting to see what finally kills you? I appreciate that you live in a dangerous town, but if you cannot relocate, then you can at least look after yourself, no?
So what do you say, Flashjeff, can we meet half-way on this one? For PROTECTION (if your laws permit), by all means, buy a big gun if it will make you feel safer (then again, what if your attacker has a rocketlauncher? - rhetorical...). But for your WELLBEING, look after your body - be it through martial arts or some other practice(s).
Stay safe and live healthy. All the best,
Oleg
Swordheart
Go Rin No Sho
- 27 Aug 2006
- 11
- 3
To Flashjeff: forgot to add: There is also of course a chance that your attacker comes at you empty handed or with a bottle or some other rarely lethal object, it is not a very good practice to go shooting everyone who pushes you in a bar, etc. Some basic self-defense may come in handy, don't you think?
Flashjeff
Pink Lady's Number #1 Fan
- 28 Dec 2003
- 2,585
- 77
To Swordheart: Many thanks for your opinions. You do indeed sound most passionate about the martial arts, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. And yeah, when you get down to the nitty-gritty, knowing basic self-defense probably wold come in handy. I appreciate reading your opinions. Peace.
fritzmonkey
後輩
- 6 Oct 2006
- 31
- 0
I've been taking Chinese Kenpo for a few years now and it has saved me more then once in street fights.
craftsman
************
- 24 Sep 2006
- 280
- 19
When I lived in Tokyo, I started to study karate. I didn't really want to but joined because my friend at the time wanted me to. The teacher used to be a 'yankee' and had a checkered past as a gang fighter but had since become much more respectable and had the ear of the Grand Master.
I trained and trained and got battered and bruised. I learnt how to fight against someone with a knife and a sword, I learnt how fight with a pole (NB: a piece of wood not a Polish man), I could land a flying kick on target. I could punch, kick, duck, side step and flip. In short, I was one lean mean fighting machine.
I was taken to the budokan for my black belt test and it was there sitting amongst more black than a funeral, that I realised I had not tried smashing the blocks of wood. This was a serious mistake as although I did manage to break those suckers, I broke a metatarsal in my foot and needed stitches in three fingers. Both of which I thought I hid for the next two hours of sitting straight backed.
It turned out the Grand Master was indeed all seeing and all knowing and decided that the time was not right for my joining his ranks. My teacher was rather angry with me and it was the beginning of the end of our relationship.
But I had learnt a valuable lesson about martial arts - it does not matter how well you can kick butt, it's the internal calm that counts.
I trained and trained and got battered and bruised. I learnt how to fight against someone with a knife and a sword, I learnt how fight with a pole (NB: a piece of wood not a Polish man), I could land a flying kick on target. I could punch, kick, duck, side step and flip. In short, I was one lean mean fighting machine.
I was taken to the budokan for my black belt test and it was there sitting amongst more black than a funeral, that I realised I had not tried smashing the blocks of wood. This was a serious mistake as although I did manage to break those suckers, I broke a metatarsal in my foot and needed stitches in three fingers. Both of which I thought I hid for the next two hours of sitting straight backed.
It turned out the Grand Master was indeed all seeing and all knowing and decided that the time was not right for my joining his ranks. My teacher was rather angry with me and it was the beginning of the end of our relationship.
But I had learnt a valuable lesson about martial arts - it does not matter how well you can kick butt, it's the internal calm that counts.
- 30 Apr 2007
- 1,173
- 84
same here
formally i take muay thai, have done boxing/thai boxing on and off for the last few years. More recently, with my friends we train informally in the basics of wrestling and BJJ, although I have yet to take any formal grappling under a master of some kind.
formally i take muay thai, have done boxing/thai boxing on and off for the last few years. More recently, with my friends we train informally in the basics of wrestling and BJJ, although I have yet to take any formal grappling under a master of some kind.
Aehm, some Aikido, when it came to Berlin in the middle of the 70ties, but my back was already damaged, so the falling did not work any more the way it should, as I sadly had to figure out. Some exercises I nevertheless still do, it would be THE thing for me, but. . .
Therefore I have it always close around via friends.
Then apart from MA I learned some Shiattsu and Reiki and particularly the last one, which is of big help.
Still yearning for more Aikido though. . .
Therefore I have it always close around via friends.
Then apart from MA I learned some Shiattsu and Reiki and particularly the last one, which is of big help.
Still yearning for more Aikido though. . .
I did Kyokushin for a long time. I also have done judo. Switched to kickboxing, did that for a long time. Now mma.
Wrestling would be cool.
Though judo seems pretty effective in normal situations, since everybody is wearing clothes and nobody has a gun in Japan(almost nobody at least).
If I was in the states maybe a gun license.
Wrestling would be cool.
Though judo seems pretty effective in normal situations, since everybody is wearing clothes and nobody has a gun in Japan(almost nobody at least).
If I was in the states maybe a gun license.
Kenjirou
Dude
- 30 Jul 2008
- 54
- 1
@Swordheart... YES I AGREE COMPLETELY!
Moving on. I did Traditional Karate (Okinawan) for upwards of 5 years (only got to Brown Belt though ><), afterwards I did what style Tae Kwon Do for 3 years, while doing Gracie (Brazilian Style) Jiujutsu in the last year of it, I also did a brief year and a half of "Ninjutsu" or so it was called, but it was more half stealth training and half kenjutsu. I remember having to swing the ******* Conan the Barbarian sword for 200 strokes on my first day (and then my Shishou smacked me over the head for accidently letting it go down too far and cutting the mat.) I did Muay Thai very very briefly, because I didn't have enough time, but it still kicked my ***. And I did a year of ITF Tae Kwon Do, which while similiar to what is very more kickass in my opinion, because you use your hands more and your feet less. Also in ITF you have to break a shitload of boards, I've broken a few knuckles and bones on my feet >< I am also doing Tantric yoga at the moment, which is relaxing while still being very painful. Sadly I havn't done any martial arts in half a year, and am looking forward to getting backing into it when I live in Japan this next year.
Moving on. I did Traditional Karate (Okinawan) for upwards of 5 years (only got to Brown Belt though ><), afterwards I did what style Tae Kwon Do for 3 years, while doing Gracie (Brazilian Style) Jiujutsu in the last year of it, I also did a brief year and a half of "Ninjutsu" or so it was called, but it was more half stealth training and half kenjutsu. I remember having to swing the ******* Conan the Barbarian sword for 200 strokes on my first day (and then my Shishou smacked me over the head for accidently letting it go down too far and cutting the mat.) I did Muay Thai very very briefly, because I didn't have enough time, but it still kicked my ***. And I did a year of ITF Tae Kwon Do, which while similiar to what is very more kickass in my opinion, because you use your hands more and your feet less. Also in ITF you have to break a shitload of boards, I've broken a few knuckles and bones on my feet >< I am also doing Tantric yoga at the moment, which is relaxing while still being very painful. Sadly I havn't done any martial arts in half a year, and am looking forward to getting backing into it when I live in Japan this next year.
practice which m.a.?
[Hi
I have practice Tae kwon do Tans soo do Wado Karate
Kenpo Koshoshorei Tai chi Iaido ...Judo, ( I began in 1967)
Actually I am Godan in Wado Ryu, I wish to say you that is not so important the style but who teaches....you Sensei he must be a good person, good master for tech. but for life education.
He should teach you the DO the way....
I have seen high ranking even 9th dan that are not so they out on more dans for commercial reasons... that it is not the DO
this happens in all styles...but many are good masters and not sales men.
oss
Ippolito
[Hi
I have practice Tae kwon do Tans soo do Wado Karate
Kenpo Koshoshorei Tai chi Iaido ...Judo, ( I began in 1967)
Actually I am Godan in Wado Ryu, I wish to say you that is not so important the style but who teaches....you Sensei he must be a good person, good master for tech. but for life education.
He should teach you the DO the way....
I have seen high ranking even 9th dan that are not so they out on more dans for commercial reasons... that it is not the DO
this happens in all styles...but many are good masters and not sales men.
oss
Ippolito
I thought that Viet Vo Dao is very popular there and not so much Karate
Riona-Chan
目は口ほどに物を言う
- 1 Apr 2008
- 31
- 0
At the moment I am doing nothing but I practiced Kendo for 8 years and 4 years of Kyuudo.
I might pick up Kendo again when I have more time.
I might pick up Kendo again when I have more time.
