When people ask me “why martial arts?” I can divide the reasons for separate groups.
Physical fitness and flexibility – martial arts are a great form of exercise. They train our bodies improve cardiovascular performances and our flexibility and have the advantage that of not being routine like a session at the gym.
Improved coordination, body movement and muscle’s movement are among the advantages of martial arts on the bodily level.
Learning tools for self defense are the second line of reasoning. No matter if you learn martial arts for the fun of it or just because this is the course that fits best with your schedule you are bound to acquire some important tools that would be of great service in real life situations if you are ever attacked.
It is not only the ability to move and counter aggressive attempts it is even the mere knowledge that you are not helpless that turns the way you cope in situation of fear and anger.
It might seem paradoxical but the better training you have the less you’ll feel the need to act in a violent way. I call it the vibe of the confident one. It works both ways you carry yourself better in risk situations but mainly it influences people not to pick on you. When there are other options that inner knowing is received by others and they would usually stay out of your way. As with animals and other forms of life, our communication is based on body language and telepathy at least to a degree so when you know you can cope with someone, he knows it too no words are necessary.
The third group of reasons is of a more holistic nature and deals with the spiritual aspects of the martial arts, being at one with your body, your mind the world and others. The result is usually much more inner peace and energy flow.
Being connected is a great way to live one’s life and martial arts offers at least part of the mental training and conditioning that is necessary for this connectedness and flow experience to occur.
Many traditions complete the martial arts with mediations and other ways of getting in touch with the world, but even otherwise it is a great way to feel alive and in touch with the inner master that sits and observes the flow of life.
Well ol’ Bob is busier than Bill Wallace in a butt-kicking contest! Due to that my at-home training is mainly when I have time. What to report?
My taekwondo school is literally in the last proverbial days. This week we are reviewing test materials and next week we are testing the remaining students for the belts. It will probably close one of the following weeks after the last test. This will end a five year legacy–three of which I was a part of.
This weekend I found the time to record my Korean short stick form. I’ve informally practiced it since that seminar back in winter. The video really showed me that it’s not ready to display on here! I’m annoyed to see that I’m making a bunch of sloppy mistakes including: Not chambering, not following through, not fully extending on a kicks, etc. So to focus on these things I have to practice the entire form at about 2/3rds speed. Give me another few months and I’ll see about posting it.
I’m suspecting that once I semi-retire from taekwondo and practice it at home some of my skills will degrade. So I plan to occasionally video myself and then critique. I know how the forms, techniques, etc., need to look and I think that will be an excellent way for me to not get into bad habits. For sure I plan to video at least one form per month and work on polishing it. I’m think once at the top of the month and once at the end to see if things improved.
As for chin na, well I finally ordered Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na this weekend. It was recommended to me by my chin na instructor as a good supplement. Hopefully it and the DVD of the same name will be a good addition to my weekly chin na reviews. (I’ll order the DVD next month)
I also need to invest in a cheap digital camera that I can keep in the car. I am constantly seeing things that are worth blogging about and the photo would only help. We have a very expensive camera but I don’t want to carry it in my vehicle. So, I’ll have to see what Mr. Wal-Mart has in the way of $20 models. Case in point: Last night we ate at a new strip mall (Indianapolis is the strip mall capitol of the world) and I see a brand new karate school. What did they name it? I kid you not. “Kid Lightening Karate School”! Mr. Patterson where do you train? At Kid Lightening Karate School! Ki-yap! A photo would only enhance that sarcasm!
Speaking of local martial arts schools…
When I was searching for the above link that takes you to the Wallace bio. I accidentally found a video of another local martial artist having a friendly sparring match with none other than Bill Wallace. His opponent is James Theros who owns Level 10 Martial Arts which are located in the Indianapolis area. In fact, one of his schools is about three miles from my home. Anyhow, here’s the video:
Despite the match being light contact and friendly there’s still a lot learn from it. Notice how many more hand techniques a tournament karate fighter like Wallace throws than a taekwondo master? Also notice how the taekwondo master has trouble defending against those hand techniques? This because when you spar taekwondo style–for the most part–you do not have to worry about hand techniques. Thus, you do not develop the muscle memory to slip head shots much less throw them! (or at least as well as a tournament karate fighter)
When people ask me “why martial arts?” I can divide the reasons for separate groups.
A photo would only enhance that sarcasm! 
