What do you think of XMA?

[Syphax]

You cannot group all XMA practitioners together. Some of them are only concerned with gymnastics and showmanship, and that is just fine for them. But I know some who, although they are great at flipping and performing, can demonstrate an excellent traditional kata and have trained in traditional studios for years.

I would say that XMA, as a system, is great if used in a certain way. If it is used to enhance traditional martial arts, then I am all for it. But if it is used a substitute for the arts that have been practiced for centuries and are the "core" of true XMA training, then I do would not advise that training.

But each school/instructor is different. After all, would you group all TDK schools together based on what you observed at a TKD tournament?

[obiwansbane]

yes xma is fun to watch indeed, and those kids have a great talent being able to do these things... will it help them in a real fight? very unlikely, but it will give them the confidence in themselves to try new things that they most likely will excell at... TMA probably being one of them

[Elky]

XMA just bores the living daylights out of me. It's like watching someone flying a kite - there's only so many times you can watch a brightly coloured thing spinning in the air before your brain starts to go numb.

Boring - that's my assessment.

[shukokai2000]

What do you know of Mike Chat's Xtreme Martial Arts program? Comments, compliments, grips, rants?

Looks good like the movies, but not reality

[Soo Min]

To each his own.

I dance, and I know sometimes people think that the modern styles of dance are much cooler, much more flashy...In reality, the traditional ballet and pointe also take a very long time to master and are very physically demanding--maybe even more so--even though they are not always flashy or exciting. I guess it's the same idea...?

So I guess I know why traditionalists are annoyed.

[ninjer]

The difference is your dance instructor isnt leading you to believe that you can fight....

[lordtariel]

The difference is your dance instructor isnt leading you to believe that you can fight....

I don't know if they're telling them they can... Of course, someone who wants to be really serious about it should have a grounding in a practical style before they start.

[Rateh]

I've never heard of anyone teaching xma that said that they could fight with the techniques.

[ps1]

I've never heard of anyone teaching xma that said that they could fight with the techniques.

Good point, and I hope most people would share your sentiment. But I have met people who thought some of their stuff was appropriate for the street.

[bushido_man96]

I've never heard of anyone teaching xma that said that they could fight with the techniques.

Good point, and I hope most people would share your sentiment. But I have met people who thought some of their stuff was appropriate for the street.

Yikes, that would be ugly, quick, I think. Simple is better, in the street.