Spartacus Maximus

Some martial arts teachers who have many years of experience have been known to have the ability to tell after just a short time whether or not someone has any experience in martial arts. What are the signs that might indicate someone has any experience in martial arts? Is it really possible to know this at first glance or in a short time after meeting someone?

There is an established historical record of martial arts experts and teachers during the Old Ryukyu Era whose entire training consisted of no more than 3 kata. It is only much later in the first few decades of the 1900’s that some of these experts saw a need to compile katas into systems. This is how the different Okinawan styles came about. At that time several experts took it upon themselves to learn, preserve and teach all the kata they could manage. The clear distinction of the main Okinawan karate styles goes back no further than the 1930’s(when the first associations were formed by the founders of the modern styles). Before that Okinawan martial arts were not so clear cut. It was all called Tuidi and one teacher knew only one or two forms. It should also be considered that some of the kata that are practised nowadays are quite recent. These kata are usually composed of parts of older, longer kata. Sometimes Okinawan teachers divided a longer Chinese form into several parts to make it easier to teach(this is a possible explanation for the three naihanchi kata in shuri-te). Finally, from a practical point of view one or two kata ought to be enough for someone who just wants to train for personal defense. In the end what really makes the difference between an expert and a mere dabbler is not the number of kata. It is how well the kata are understood and whether or not the techniques have been assimilated to the point that they can be used spontaneously and effectively in the way which they were intended to be.

Quite simply after having been involved in martial arts, mostly the same karate since early childhood it is just impossible to imagine not training. When training has been part of one’s life for a certain time there comes a point where one just does it without consciously thinking of a reason why or a specific motivation. At That point, being awake and standing if all the motivation needed to do anything. One just does it because it is the thing to do. Like eating when hungry and sleeping when tired.

A worthy representative of karate and those who have taught me. Fit enough to keep practising until a very advanced age. All those Okinawan karate legends still training at over 80years old are a true inspiration.

The defenition of sharpness depends on the person who is observing the kata. Competition judges usually have very clear criteria for evaluating kata and in some cases they are judging a kata from a system they do not train in or have insufficient experience practising. A karate expert with decades of experience teaching and training in one system will have a much different idea of how said systems kata ought to be practised. The way a kata is done will demonstrate how well and how much it is understood by the subtle details only such an expert has the eyes and experience to catch.

The one reason everyone has in common for belonging to any organization is human nature. With only a few extreme exceptional cases, people will naturally want to find others to interact with and share an interest, an idea or an activity. Those with similar interests usually tend to seek each other out. The more people there are, the more organized they will get. Like this forum, for example.

Superstition never got in the way of training although there probably were some superstitious people in the dojo. If anyone had superstitious beliefs about anything it was never made obvious in any way. The martial arts are a physical endeavour that require nothing but the utmost concentration of mind and full physical capabilities. This cannot be possible with mental obstacles such as superstitions, negative thinking or a weak self-defeating attitude towards practice and training. Those things prevent and disrupt progress in martial arts and in general.

Also from a student’s point of view, organizations mean something only if one has a minimum of information about what to look for. The average new student has very little else to go on except personal first impressions. In the end everything depends on the intructor and whether or not said instructor provides what the student wants out of martial arts. Most students only learn much details about their organization or lineage after having training a few years.

Systema is most certainly a martial art. It is defined as such by nearly all the prominent instructors and practicionners. It also has most of the traits which indentify it as one. Systema originated as a method of individual defense. It has its own methods of training and its techniques are organized into a progressive order. It also follows its predetermined strategies for practical application. Like all other martial arts there are both solo excercises and partner drills.

In the overwhelming majority of case, becoming an instructor’s student means one is part of that instructor’s school, club or/and organization. The general reason for joining is an interest in learning the martial art which is taught there. The specific reasons are that training in a group allows more options to practise and opportunities to learn than doing it alone or privately with only one instructor. Strictly private lessons are not always available either. Personally the training methods, the content and the instructor’s vision were appealing.

One almost continuous difficulty is learning to move in ways that are usually not comfortable, and very awkward until the body builds up enough strength in the right places to get stability and fluidity.

Regradless of who one trains with everyone involved ought to accept the level of risk that comes with the contact intensity of whatever is being done. Unintentional injuries can happen with even the slightest mistake. Having said this, it is a prejudice to everyone’s training to give anyone any kind of special treatment. Men and women of similar age, skill level et cetera should be able to practise at an equal standard.

Making a living from martial arts (or anything) is not wrong by itself. It only becomes wrong when it is done by dishonest ways with the intent of purposefully deceiving people for personal gain. Simply said, it is lying and stealing. Both of these acts are to varying extents criminal under the laws of many countries. There is also a difference between intentionally defrauding people and just trying to make ends meet.

The methods for keeping track of everyone’s level and progress depends on the number of students. Usually large schools or schools that are the head of an association such as sensei8’s will have some sort of highly organized and elaborate system. For smaller schools, it is much less complicated. When a single instructor has just a handful of students(less than 50) it is possible to do everything from memory with very little detail recorded except maybe for names and dates of grades. As for gradings, these are scheduled when the instructor has explicitly told the students that they are ready to attend an evaluation. It is possible to fail these, but in principle they are more like a formal recognition of progress. Actual evaluation is done in regular training.

The biggest difficulty with the initial statement is that there will be some people will interpret it as an absolute. This completely ignores the reality that there will be certain circumstances in which striking is not only acceptable, but the only viable choice.

This concept is in the same category as the cultural construct which states that “nice girls” or “ladies” must always be mild and never too assertive or aggressive in their ways with others. In reality it is more complicated than that. Too many people misunderstand these and develop cultural and social obstacles which inhibit natural reactions. The first thing one must comprehend and accept is that there are certain circumstances where social and cultural rules must be overridden or broken. In addition, said rules might or might not be followed by everyone one encounters. It is foolish to assume these rules apply to everyone, everywhere at anytime. You may be a civilized gentleman or a refined lady but you might be facing a raging savage who shares none of your ideals. There maybe no other solution than violence. When training with the intent of defense, one of the most important things to learn is to never ever underestimate an attacker for any reason. A skilled woman can defeat a lesser skilled man and beginners of either sex can do something unexpected.

Mastering concentration in movement and technique is an important part of training. Especially for learning new ways to move and practicising the mechanics needed to do effectively. Such things as achieving balance and keeping it while simultaneously moving and executing different techniques requires a high level of concentration. Individual exercises such as kata usually helps develop concentration, but sometimes there might be a need for additional training. What ways can be used and what are your experiences? Do you do anything specifically for concentration?

Teaching titles used in martial arts and social forms of address are two different things. Both of them should be used in the context in which they are appropriate. Unfortunately, this is not understood correctly by everyone and it is what causes the confusions, misuses and excesses discussed here. Too much informality can lead to problems in social relationships. This is the reason for the saying that “familiarity breeds contempt”. There was a time not too long ago when people where taught early(school and parents) and expected to address each other with the appropriate form or title whenever known. Now that it is not as generalized as it once was, people find it strange and awkward to call someone “Mr”, “Mrs” or “Ms”. Some even find it “old-fashioned”.

The very nature of martial arts makes training potentially dangerous and it is precisely for that reason that self-discipline and self-control/restraint are important. An impulsive, undisciplined and short-tempered person should not be doing or teaching ANY activity involving physical contact with others. Such a person is a too much of a danger and liability to themselves AND everyone else. If nothing is done immediately, such a person will injure somebody, themselves or destroy something sooner or later. Whatever happens, the cost will be high and the consequences potentially very painful. In every school there is an appropriate and acceptable manner as well as a time for students to ask questions or exchange with instructors. Students must learn this and a normally socially educated person is expected to have at least a general idea of how to be civil, polite and respectful.

The reason why there is an issue or problems with the usage of titles in martial arts is that people will misinterpret their meaning and significance. Very often the title/rank is in a language not spoken by those who hold or use it. Other times a translation is used such as “master”, which causes more issues because this is not an accurate equivalent of the original. The word also has connotations that the original(Japanese, Chinese, Korean et cetera) does not. Martial arts titles express only the knowledge of the holder and whether or not the person is teaching. It has nothing to do with having any sort of authority over others or special social status beyond what any other teacher would have. It makes more sense to compare martial arts titles/ranks with academic degrees. If A and B both have have a Doctorate, but only B teaches, B would be called Professor by students and would only have some type of authority whenever and wherever B is teaching. A’s title would be limited to formal interactions in a professional context.

The problem of people teaching something in which they are not fully competent or do no yet understand is not exclusive to “traditional martial arts”. It usually happens unintentionally when someone teaches an eclectic system or intentionally when someone wants to offer two or more “styles” to appeal to more students and for personal benefits(reputation, pride, profits). A truly dedicated instructor who has a passion for teaching will remain within their field(style) of expertise, whatever that may be. They may or may not encourage students to seek training in other techniques or styles and give reasonably good advice on this, but it would not be ethical for them to claim knowledge or skill they do not have or attempt to teach or even demonstrate it. There are many highly skilled instructors with one or two styles in which they are an expert but at the same time have been practising for long enough to have a nearly encyclopedic knowledge OF and ABOUT many others. The good and rest ones will say: “I teach X, but I have only studied/observed Y. If you want to learn some Y, then you must find a Y instructor”

Boxing has a lot in common with martial arts, but it is and still been categorized and considered a sport for most of its modern history. Everything in boxing revolves around, and is geared towards one-on-one competition in a ring. It assumes the opponent will be an even match and that the bouts will follow a clear set of rules. This isn’t to say that boxing techniques or concepts cannot be used effectively outside of the sports context, but sports and competition is the main focus of training. Very few if any boxers actually train for a purpose other than the ring. Fewer still consider what they do as anything other than a sport. The general view of boxing reflects this because wherever boxing is offered as an activity, it is always listed under “combat/contact sports” or, more commonly just “sports”.

Even the most honest and dedicated instructor can make the mistake of assuming a certain technique or concept is easy to understand. Especially the most fundamental and basic things that said instructor has been doing with ease because of years of experience. It has become second nature and no longer requires a conscious effort as it does for intermediate or beggining students. What requires constant effort,on the other hand, is breaking things down, simplifying if necessary and explaining them in a way that students can eventually reproduce. Part of doing this is natural talent, but the most of it is gained by experience and patience. “Dumbing it down” is a skill that can and must be learned by anyone interested in becoming an instructor. The greatest teachers are experts in at least two things: whatever they teach and “dumbing it down”

The solution is simple: solve the problem through reason and discussion. Address it immediately and do not allow it to interfere with training. Most such situations can be avoided by establishing rules and protocol for everyone to follow. If discussion is impossible, then the parties involved must separate and return later after taking time to calm down and think. If the problem and disagreement cannot be resolved with a cool head and rational thought and discussion it is time for each person involved to leave for good. Of course this is assuming that one is dealing with a mentally and morally sane mature adult. Unruly children and youths should simply and promptly be referred to their parents that they maybe reminded how to properly behave. Lastly, the final recourse is for one side to quit and go elsewhere(student) or the instructor can refuse to teach a student who is unable to express and discuss a difference of opinion in a socially acceptable manner at an appropriate time.

Believe into or not there were some honour duels fought by prominent political and public figures in Western Europe as recently as the 1960’s. Times have certainly changed and there is much more understanding now as there used to be towards suicide and the reasons people might do it. In general, though loss-off-face, embarrassment or questions of honour are not thought of as something to die for. Suicide is still considered as an act of desperation from a deeply troubled person with serious problems, not just because they were ashamed or caused embarrassment.