What are the secret pit-falls of MA's?

[Draven Chen Zhen]

I follow Shaolin Kung Fu for 4 months now, and soon there is an exam coming up for white belt. Now there is not only a pratical exam but there is also a theoretical part.

 

Now I wondered what your opinions are about the theoretical question

 

"What are the secret pit falls of Martial Arts?"

 

2nd question I've got : Is it a good desission to give not only a pratical exam but also a theoretical one?

 

And last but not least my 3th question: Is it whise to train after you just have given blood?

 

Greetzz ChenZy

[White Warlock]

you want us to do your homework?

[Mc. Steve]

Is it essay style questions or single answers? I recon you should decide on your own answers, thats just me opinion. Like this:

 

Dunno about pit falls

 

"The fact that when you become a blackbelt ninjas jump you allll the time." No?

 

Practical+Theory

 

"To show you've developed your body and your mind"

 

After givin Blood

 

Question could go either way. Less blood, less oxygen absorbed, but should be the same sort of thing as training at high altitudes and getting your stamina up.

[WolverineGuy]

"The fact that when you become a blackbelt ninjas jump you allll the time."

 

Stupid ninjas.

[Draven Chen Zhen]

you want us to do your homework?

 

No, if I wanted my homework done I wouldn't have said it was for an exam.

 

I think the pit falls are mostly in your own mind ... Kung Fu is for selfprotection and when you study hard and see yourself grow to a better praticioner I think that it is possible that you start forgeting the true meaning of Kung Fu, that is self protection and inner peace. Not to show off your newly found skills or start seeking trouble.

 

It is not because you've acquired a belt, white or black that you have to walk around with your head in the clowds. There is still a lot of work to do to grow to mastery.

 

So to sum my beginners opinion up.

 

Always keep the following in mind:

 

* MA is for selfprotection, not for an otherone's annihilation

 

* Stay humble.

 

* Try to achief inner peace by training and understanding to way of Kung Fu.

 

Greetzz ChenZy

Edited April 1, 2004 by Draven Chen Zhen

[Draven Chen Zhen]

Is it essay style questions or single answers? I recon you should decide on your own answers, thats just me opinion. Like this:

 

Dunno about pit falls

 

"The fact that when you become a blackbelt ninjas jump you allll the time." No?

 

Practical+Theory

 

"To show you've developed your body and your mind"

 

After givin Blood

 

Question could go either way. Less blood, less oxygen absorbed, but should be the same sort of thing as training at high altitudes and getting your stamina up.

 

Lolz

 

It is essay style.

[Red J]

And last but not least my 3th question: Is it whise to train after you just have given blood?

 

I believe the blood bank will tell you to avoid serious exercise for a few hours.

[SevenStar]

MA has alot of pitfalls - not sure how secret they are...McSchools, loss of fighting instinct, in some cases, etc...

 

Whether or not you train after donating blood should depend on how soon after giving you are planning to train.

[Draven Chen Zhen]

loss of fighting instinct...

 

Can you explain this a little more...?

 

Thx

[delta1]

Biggest one I see is assumptions.

 

Includes: overestimating or underestimating either yoursef or your opponent. Unrealistic ideas about what the arts will do for you, or won't, for that matter. Ideas about other arts based on hearsay, national origin, prejudices of yourself or others you talk to (a real bigie). The idea yours is best, because you think yours is best. Thinking everyone wants the same things out of the martial arts. Thinking that because it worked on a compliant partner with a standardized attack it will work in a real situation. Thinking that when people find out you are a martial artist, you automatically get respect, or they think you are bad.

 

The list could go on forever, and you can develope it any way you want. But, especially for new people, and often for new blackbelts, making assumptions has to be the biggest, most common pitfall I've seen. And, I've made my share of assumptions, and gotten my comeuppances more than once because of it.