CloudDragon Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 What do you think is the perfect style? Is it just one style, or is it a combination of styles? Is it a new type of training not yet known to the public? Is it so simple that a child could learn it, or so complex that it would take lifetimes to master? Just looking for your thoughts. No one is right no one is wrong. Geez, should my next question be "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" A Black Belt is just a white belt that don't know when to quit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramymensa Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 I guess it's indeed to general. I'm almost sure there would be too few people (if any) to know and understand all styles in order to be able to utter such a decisive "theory". Otherwise, we'll pop in and say our style is perfect, and you know what .. each has a style that seems perfect (for that certain person). I fell in love with Shotokan and feel it gives me all I need. I know Chinese styles are great, still for me they are just another style. For me Shototokan is perfect (because I chose it and stayed with it). For others here KM, TKD, Hapkido and so on are the perfect style. Who's right? What's the perfect style? Mine, because I study it, got to know it a bit and love it too much, or all other styles loved by other people? World Shotokan Karate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CloudDragon Posted August 16, 2004 Author Share Posted August 16, 2004 Arrgh, you canned my whole post! That is a great way to look at it. How could I be so blind? Thanks for such a great post. A Black Belt is just a white belt that don't know when to quit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gheinisch Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Yeap! I agree with Ramy on this one. The style that best suits your needs is the perfect style for you. Everyone starts Martial Arts for a reason, many different then others. I started to have something to do with my son and have never looked back. I Love it! My son's teenage life got too busy for him to continue. My style is perfect for me because it gives me what I need. It may take someone longer to find the style that suits them best but if they are dilegent and truely love the art, it will come! "If your hand goes forth withhold your temper""If your temper goes forth withold your hand"-Gichin Funakoshi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karateka_latino Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 There's NO perfect Style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G95champ Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 The perfect style is the one that allows you to never be involved in a fight. (General George S. Patton Jr.) "It's the unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that ensures victory." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CloudDragon Posted August 16, 2004 Author Share Posted August 16, 2004 Very true Submission and G95. Let me narrow the focus a little. What are the technical aspects of the almost perfect style? A Black Belt is just a white belt that don't know when to quit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G95champ Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 simply put good decision making thus you will not have to fight (General George S. Patton Jr.) "It's the unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that ensures victory." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorin Ryuu Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 I think that asking about the technical aspects is going about it the wrong way, although that knowledge might aid you in answering the question. Since there is no perfect style, what distinguishes a bad or okay school from an excellent school is the principles and concepts inherent and the principles taught within a style's curriculum. It is at this point that my criticsm of certain styles begin. All styles should teach distance and timing. That is something you can find in anything from jujitsu to Tae Kwon Do. The biggest concept of all is proper Body Mechanics. I believe the biggest failure of many styles is a misunderstanding of this, most of the times due to a misapplication of physics. This doesn't mean just stances, but at every stage within every technique. An example of this is balance, which all styles teach, but most of it is a highly muscle-focused balance. This balance is necessary, it is not a bad thing. On the other hand, they neglect the balance inherent within proper body mechanics (in stances, for example) and prefer to use brute force to transition in movement. Excellent styles will teach you the in-depth aspects of striking. This includes more than just the fist and foot, and goes beyond having a broad spectrum of weapons to choose from (fingers, knuckles, etc.). There needs to be an understanding of what is effective and why it is effective (knowledge of human anatomy, BOTH yours and your opponents). I find this lacking in many styles, as the type of force generated onto an opponent is just as important as the amount. Furthermore, there needs to be an in-depth relation between striking and grappling. In my opinon, Kobayashi Shorin Ryu is not merely a "striking" art because every strike sets up grappling and every grappling manuever sets up a strike. Behind all of this, there is readily identifiable theory and concepts to integrate the two. Another concept necessary is pressure point theories (which also merge into joint and muscle manipulation). This is one of the most important concepts to grasp that help the "little guy" beat the "big guy". There's nothing mystical about it. It is what increases your chances in setting up any technique, whether a strike or a grapple or both. Joint manipulation and muscle manipulation are a part of this. (It isn't just about pain, but unbalancing). Another concept is yielding. Styles like aikido, jujitsu, taiji and (surprise!) Shorin-Ryu in my opinion teach this (this isn't an extensive laundry list, just some examples). There is too much emphasis on resisting techniques in some styles. I find subverting and enemy's technique far more effective... These aren't all the concepts, but some pretty important ones that a lot of schools miss out on. Techniques are a dime a dozen. You need to have an understanding of how something works and WHY it works. Stand up techniques can be easily adapted to the ground once this understanding is had. Yes, it helps to do groundwork, but there is no need to separate them completely because the principles are the same. It is merely the technique that is different. In short: Body Mechanics (and the effects of combat on the human anatomy) is the most important concept because it overaches all the other principles. Pressure Point (and joint/muscle) manipulation, integration between striking and grappling, yielding and the above body mechanics are the most important concepts that should be taught in a style. If you train in another style because you have something missing (concepts, not just techniques) in your style, than that reflects poorly on your style. If you train in another style to help you supplement your understanding of concepts in your style, then that isn't a bad thing. Martial Arts Blog:http://bujutsublogger.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CloudDragon Posted August 16, 2004 Author Share Posted August 16, 2004 Shorin Ryuu, Wow! What a great post! Thanks for your thoughts, I agree with you %100! A Black Belt is just a white belt that don't know when to quit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts