Martial arts brotherhood?

[Red J]

Last night I went to a neighboring dojo to try a class. By the end of the night I had met every single person in the class. Even though I wasn't a regular, I was welcomed. I learned a few things and some people learned a few things from me. MA people by and large do have a bond through participation in MA.

[White Warlock]

i do not think there is a brotherhood amoung martial arts schools. i never wear any apparel saying that i kickbox or do jiu jitsu but when people find out that i train (martial artist or average joe) they start going on about how they could kick my * or something.......

I must agree that over the years i've experienced many annoying attitudes from practitioners who felt the need to 'test' my veracity... escalating on me during training sessions or drilling me to find out if i was lieing, merely because i didn't claim to have any belt, yet had been practicing for most of my life. Yet, such instances likely occur because of a need to verify membership in the 'brotherhood,' as well as an underlying insecurity on their part.

 

Oh, and unknown, you may be sending out signals of hostility or obstinance... and these persons are reacting to such. Defense via offense, as it were.

[karatekid1975]

Ok guys, I'm not talking about dojo wars here, or bashing. I'm talking about the camraderie between martial artists. It does exist, more than the bashing does, believe it or not, as Red J was talking about. But yet, not just in the dojo/dojang.

 

There is a few with those attitudes, Warlock, but I wanna know who experienced the camraderie and brotherhood through MA, and what their story was/is (flame wars not included). I don't care about the ones who wanna "test" you. They have something to prove. We don't. I just wanna know about the ones who are true martial artists that have the respect of other martial arts.

[webb]

people showing respect because they wear a t-shirt isnt actually right i dont think really.

 

people could just wear a t-shirt for the fun of getting the respect.

[SevenStar]

bowing to eachother on public? because of a t-shirt? I've never experienced that. Sounds like something you'd see on tv...

 

Also, I don't think there's a "brotherhood" I think that, just like all other things, you have people you like and people you don't. I've trained at, visited,etc. other schools and met some really cool people. Then, at the same schools, I've met people whom I can't stand.

[Shorinryu Sensei]

bowing to eachother on public? because of a t-shirt? I've never experienced that. Sounds like something you'd see on tv...

 

Personally, I haven't experienced the "bowing" thing either. I don't normally go out in public wearing anything that says LOOK AT ME!!! I'M A BADASS MARTIAL ARTIST!!!, and I don't encourage my students to do that either for several reasons.

 

1. You lose any element of "surprise" if you need to defend yourself.

 

2. You bring attention to yourself, and possibly open yourself up to attack.

 

3. It's not being very "humble"..almost like bragging.

 

4. It's actually being rather aggressive I think, and could be seen as TRYING TO intimidate others. This, IMHO, isn't a good attitude for a martial artist. At my physical size, I have problems with people being a bit afraid of me anyway. I can see it in their eyes, their words and their posture.

 

Living in a small, rural (by most people's definition of the word anyway) area, and having lived in this area for nearly 20 years, I'm fairly well known as being a karate instructor, and occassionaly have students from other schools, or total strangers, approach me at Walmart or such place and talk to me and ask questions about my system..which I'm always glad to do.

Also, I don't think there's a "brotherhood" I think that, just like all other things, you have people you like and people you don't. I've trained at, visited,etc. other schools and met some really cool people. Then, at the same schools, I've met people whom I can't stand.

 

I'll disagree with this. Yes, I think we have a "brotherhood" of fellow martial artists, because we have something in common. If you are a firefighter/policeman for example, you have a brotherhood in that also. It is a common ground, and sort of an exclusive "club" that not everybody is into. We are unique in many ways and carry a great responsibility on our shoulders to behave in a civilized manner, not use out hard earned skills for evil, and to set an example for others to follow. The martial arts has rather a "black eye" in the non-martial arts community. Many think we are a bunch of thugs looking to pick a fight, or ready, willing and able to fight at the drop of a hat for little reason. Many people are afraid of us, and I try VERY HARD to dispel that attitude to non-martial artists.

 

Those are my thoughts on the matter anyway.

[wing chun kuen man]

I believe a type of "brotherhood" does exist amongst martial artists. Yes, we relate to; respects and identify with other martial artists in general.

 

Also, our brotherhood is divided into "microbrotherhoods", where each group of "brothers" practices different styles, systems etc. The feeling of brotherhood is amplified when we meet not just another Martial Artist but also someone who practices OUR particular style.

 

I am glad to say that I have met in person one or two great Wing Chun guys and even people from other martial arts.

 

Of course, there are the rare ocassions when a fellow martial artist will not see you as a colleague ("brother") but as competition/threat, etc. in which case one must remember that nowadays most dojos/kwoons will train anyone who pays his fees including social loosers and prats, who ofcourse exist in all walks of life.

 

Wing Chun Kuen Man

[delta1]

Ok guys, I'm not talking about dojo wars here,

 

I'm talking about the camraderie between martial artists.... I wanna know who experienced the camraderie and brotherhood through MA, and what their story was/is.

 

Oh! OK! Now I gotcha!

 

I think I've told this here before, but what the heck...

 

I once met a friend from another style (actually, he teaches 4 different styles, and has studied a couple more), who is also from Ellinsburg (quite a ways away), in the martial arts section of Hastings in Moses Lake (just a little closer). We had about a two hour workout right there, mostly light stuff, demoing techniques and moves and getting each others take on them. It was not too busy, so the staff was grateful for the distraction- either that, or they were a little intimidated by our show of comradery and respect. One good thing came out of it, though (civically speaking). The martial art section was right next to the pornography section, and for those two or so hours, there weren't any kiddies trying to sneak over there and peek!

 

On my last trip to California, I saw someone wearing an IKCA T-shirt. I introduced myself, and told him I also studied their system. Turned out he was an instructor who taught the system in his school, and used it to graft other styles onto. He invited me to work out with him and some of his students. Guy knew his stuff! I learned a lot, as they did grappling, a reality CQC system, sticks and some TKD for kicking. Oh, yeah, we shook hands instead of bowing when we met. But I'd say there was definately a lot of comradery and respect there.

 

ALl in all, I've had very few problems with other martial artists. But I've almost allways found a comraderie and respect when I meet up with a martial artist, whether I've met him/her before or not.

[Shorinryu Sensei]

Congrats on Member of the Month delta1. You look good with a rainbow belt!

[delta1]

Congrats on Member of the Month delta1. You look good with a rainbow belt!

 

Thanks, SS. But, I have totry and keep things in perspective. I just remember what Mr. Parker said, "Stripes show, don't mean you know!" Think maybe this is what he had in mind?