Username Posted September 30, 2004 Posted September 30, 2004 I haven't practiced martial arts in years, and when I did, it was only for a couple of months. I've decided to come back, but before selecting my art, I've done extensive study on the various martial arts. Because I am studying many systems, but practicing none, I can look at things objectively. I've noticed a few very disturbing things. It seems that thousands of martial artists in traditional systems are digging in their heels, trying to stop change in their art. Then there's the reality fighting systems who insist arts like TKD are useless. Do things have to be so black and white? Times change. Everything changes. Instead of trying to preserve tradition for the sake of preserving tradition, ask yourself: "Is this worth preserving?" Why not get involved in the evolution of your art? If your striking art is outdated as a fighting system, why not see about implementing some grappling? If you find that traditional values may help in your reality system, why not try to integrate those? I say with relative certainty that the art you practice now is an evolved form of an earlier art that just wasn't good enough. Lets not try to stop the evolution of our martial arts. Please reply with your feelings about my thoughts.
WapCaplet Posted September 30, 2004 Posted September 30, 2004 I guess it all depends on what someone wants out of their martial art training. Some people are in it purely to learn how to fight, while others are in it just because of the beauty of the art form. Most people are somewhere in the middle. I think some martial arts staying traditional is a very good thing. It's a reminder of history and can be a refreshing connection to something older than anything we know. At the same time, adapting to the changes of society and new techniques is also part of how we learn. There is always something new to learn. I'll use photography as a very basic analogy: All photography used to be black and white (and before that, I guess it was just paintings ). Today we have digital technology, photoshop and a million tools at our disposal for creating the best images imaginable. But some people still take black and white photos on regular film, and some people still do sketches and paintings. Does this mean the black and white photographers and artists should all switch to high-resolution, digital photography? Absolutely not. It all depends on what the artist is trying to do, what they are trying to create, or what message they are trying to send. Same goes with martial 'artists'. Do you express your art in terms of fighting ability? Perhaps you express it in terms of forms, or philosophy, or by practicing the traditions of the fore-fathers of martial arts. It's an art form. There is no right or wrong, as long as the martial artist is being true to what they are trying to do. Ok, that got a little deeper than I intended, but I think you get my point. There might be a better kick than the side-snap, but I'm going to keep practicing the side-snap because it's part of my art form. My thoughts... Wap "Fighting fighting. Same Same""But you know karate!""Someone always know more..."
delta1 Posted September 30, 2004 Posted September 30, 2004 Dang, Wap, that was a good reply (fer a trudishunal guy!). Sorta leaves me with nothing to do but agree. Freedom isn't free!
foreveryoung001 Posted September 30, 2004 Posted September 30, 2004 Well said Wap! Couldn't say it any better. Student: "Why did you hit that guy with a chair? Why didn't you use your karate?"Master: "Hitting him with a chair was the only karate I could think of at the time."Lesson: Practice until you don't have to think.
Master Jules Posted September 30, 2004 Posted September 30, 2004 Ditto......another great post WAP ! ~Master Jules......aka "The Sandman""I may be a trained killer......but Im really a nice guy"
Shane Posted September 30, 2004 Posted September 30, 2004 I think that all arts need to stay up to date with what works for self defense situations(S.D. is todays combat that were training for) and to do this they do not need to take away from a style, only add to it. If we were to take away the mixed martial artists, then who the the traditional artists make fun of on this forum. And if we were to take away the traditional artists who the the mixed artists make fun of while training. Okay so the 2nd statment was a joke, anyways good post and I do believe that the martial arts should change with the time but like I said before that doese not mean taking away only adding to. Just My Opinion A True Martial Arts Instructor is more of a guide than anything, on your way to developing the warrior within yourself!!!!!
aefibird Posted September 30, 2004 Posted September 30, 2004 Great post Wap! "Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My CologneSheffield Steelers!
Master Jules Posted September 30, 2004 Posted September 30, 2004 Copycat....lol.... ~Master Jules......aka "The Sandman""I may be a trained killer......but Im really a nice guy"
Username Posted October 1, 2004 Author Posted October 1, 2004 Point taken, Wap. Still, don't you think change in the MAs can be a good thing? Like Shane said, add to, don't take away. Shouldn't one strive to improve his/her art and preserve important values of it? Oh, and I have no problem with traditional arts, but often with reality (can't spell) systems because of how they present themselves. Thanks for the replies, hope we get s'more. This could be a good disscussion.
thaiboxerken Posted October 1, 2004 Posted October 1, 2004 Well.. has TKD evolved? Just kick 'em, they'll understand.- Me Apprentice Instructor under Guro Inosanto in Jun Fan Gung Fu and Filipinno Martial arts.Certified Instructor of Frank Cucci's Linxx system of martial arts.
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