ZR440

Throw in a Sponge Bob video.

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. It's a question that many have asked. Why do we do what we do? I'm sure you have friends or family who think you are slightly warped for beating yourself up trying to be the next Bruce Lee as they see it. It's bad enough that they can't pronounce what style you practice, but when they smirk or chuckle at you for practicing your techniques or forms at your workplace or school it almost makes a person ask them self why bother if nobody respects what you do? Is it respect from others that makes us live at the dojo? Is it the ability to be able to kick the you know what out of someone? Perhaps it's a combination of both that perpetuates a person to endlessly train. Or is it? I can think of a few big reasons why a person might not consider the martial arts. The amount of time that is required to achieve an advanced rank or status could possibly be spent on education, a second job, driving the kids to a soccer game, household repairs or attending a boring function scheduled by your spouse. I didn't say you have to enjoy it, did I? Secondly, training at a school isn't cheap. Students probably spend anywhere from twenty five to one hundred US dollars per month. Sure, it might not seem much for something you love, but figure out what that comes to per year and multiply by a lifetime (?). And I didn't even include testing fees, required gear, cost to drive there, medical expenses, etc. In my case I put medical expenses first. Finding a school can also be a chore for some, too. Maybe the person wants to attend a dojo many miles away, but is unsure of the instruction and it requires a two year contract? There's that money thing again. To me this all sounds like nothing more than a big hassle in the long run. Why would someone voluntarily subject themselves to the physical abuse that the martial arts offers and pay for it? Here's my list of reasons, in no particular order, why we choose this way of living. Think about one which, if left out or was missing, would probably make martial arts less motivating to us in general. I'll give my number one reason in the end. You were forced into it by your parents. Maybe you were not good enough for team sports or had a problem listening even when your father's boot was halfway up your behind because you cut off all of your sister's hair when she was sleeping. They had enough of your disrespect and felt you could benefit from the martial arts discipline. Hopefully, you didn't end up being barked at by a big hairy guy with a severe case of halitosis. You decided you need exercise, however, you don't want to join a gym or have the neighbor's dog chasing you every time you put your running shoes on. The pants are getting way too tight and you can't see over your gut when you are in the shower, so it's time to get back the shape and flexibility you once had. But that also means you have to cut down on the pizza and beer for it to be effective. No, really, you do. Bored with your life? Do you feel like you could do all the sweet fighting scenes that you watched in the last Jackie Chan movie? Or is it because all the television networks are airing reruns this time of year? Maybe you can meet some babes at the dojo while you're at it. Just make sure you don't eat tacos for lunch if you know what I mean. You need to develop your inner self. I'm no sicholo… ah, sychol… wait, psychologist, but I think everyone could improve their self confidence and moral character by participating I'm the martial arts. The feeling of being affirmative during a huge kiahp really helps when you are playing trash compactor with your foot because you ran out of garbage bags and the next scheduled pickup is tomorrow morning. Of course, it takes extra concentration to wrap that stupid little twist tie on the end of the bag when you barely have enough bag to twirl in the first place. A sense of achievement is missing in your life. You're still miffed for being tossed out of Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts when you were younger and now all you're thinking about is having that black belt around your waist signifying you accomplished something in life. Could also be a sign of boredom. Or maybe you're just a quitter, never finishing anything you start. At least that's what the wife tells you about painting the house. It wouldn't hurt to learn self defense. You were probably wondering when I was going to mention that. Sure, you see all the crime on the news broadcasts thinking if it happens to me I'll be prepared. That's a half truth. You will have the knowledge to break one attacker's neck, but watch out for his buddy behind you with a baseball bat. You might consider adopting a very large dog to walk you down the street at night if you are that concerned about your safety. The deep throated woof of one of those is more protection than you can provide short of packing a handgun. Finally, we are at the end of this mindless drivel. As I said before, I would reveal the number one motivating factor for training in martial arts for most people. In fact, I would have to say a huge majority of people. It's simply the social interaction that makes it appealing. What you say? Social interaction? You really are a loon, aren't you, Steve? No. Almost, but not quite. You see, all humans are social junkies at heart. We cannot be without our phones, nightclubs, theme parks, chat rooms, shopping malls, strawberry socials (Why?), sporting events, cocktail parties, nude beaches (???), coffee houses, church, whatever. We will always be addicted to functions that require groups of people. It's almost a genetic requirement. We mentally grow from the stimulus provided by interaction. We thrive for it. If we are denied it, we become social misfits. So what does all this garble have to do with martial arts? Think about how it would be to train without others in your class. Would you still do it?

Whew. I was only wondering because I visit there every two years (business related) and I've never thought that area would be a hangout for muggers. In fact, I'm heading out there in April or May. Need to visit the ESPNSportsZone for a Yeunglings or two.

That wasn't in Inner Harbor, was it?

I don't think his CO would appreciate him coming back from an off base competition all banged up.

Might be a good question for KSN Doug.

There's nothing wrong with tinkering with your car. You build good troubleshooting skills that way. There are quite a few Kuk Sool Won schools down in Texas. You may want to look into that.

Professional Snow Shoveler

Yup, just like anything, it helps to have a good instructor.

In my Filipino art there is no bowing.

The exhaust from a BB muscle car. My paycheck.

That's a good way of describing it!

I've only been in FMA for a short period, so I am only providing a view of what I've experienced. In my case, Arnis is the weapons portion of the art. It teaches disarms/defense as much as how to strike. When other influences such as Silat and Kempo are combined you complete the system. It's really no different than other martial arts. Kuk Sool Won combined religious, royal, and rural population fighting methods into a single system. To only practice a single element within a system can leave a person deficient in other other areas of defense/offense. That's why something like Arnis might be combined with another style.

I think it's Arnis all by itself, but I think a person will usually find that other styles like Silat or Kempo will be thrown in to make it a more complete art. At least that's the case in what I practice.

Enjoy your stay.

Welcome ranger. From the Philippines, eh?

Thanks man.

You meant to say behind, backside, or posterior, right?

No kidding. Must have been serious to put a Walmart out of biz.

My buddy left that town last year after working for Peavy for almost ten years.

Good game, terrible halftime.

You didn't really need to share that last part with us, Jeff.

An easy exercise to perform before class is standing on one leg (slightly bent) and raising your other leg slowly in front to simulate a snap kick for a few seconds, return, perform side kick for a few seconds, return, perform a back heel kick, return, then lower leg. Change sides.

And some of us are watching this thread to make sure it doesn't promote any trashtalking.

Ditto. And our techniques have three levels, no matter if you are defending with a weapon or not. Minor, major, and nasty.