Self limiting

[Aodhan]

A few threads in the Korean section, and ones that pop up here have gotten me thinking.

Everyone debates which art is better, which people should study, and people often get pretty heated in defending their art. By taking the stance that your art is the best, and that all others are not worth it, then you are inherently limiting your growth and potential in martial arts.

If you close your mind to new possibilities in different arts, then you can potentially miss out on something that could improve your own art.

I look at it this way. Martial arts is like a picture. Theres lots of different pictures, and you may like one, or two, or more, but you've always got your favorite. That is your primary martial art. Everything else that you add (Weapons, grappling, striking, joint locks, etc) is like adding matting and framing to the picture. You can take the basic picture and enhance it in several different ways. The basic picture is the same, and the additions improve it according to every persons personal taste.

I am in the ATA, and I am perfectly happy with TKD. I feel that it gives me most everything I need to defend myself. I am also starting to pick up groundfighting, because I don't think the ATA goes far enough in that aspect. I don't, however, close my mind and say that "Well, I've never seen savate, so it must be no good". Doing so stunts my potential growth.

Attitudes of certain practitioners are a different matter, but we won't go there much. :D

So, the next time you either hear someone bashing, or start to bash yourself, stop and think if there is anything that you can learn or take from what you are bashing to make your own arts stronger.

Aodhan

[karatekid1975]

Great post, Aodhan. Well said.

[White Warlock]

I think a more apt metaphor would be that of food. There are different types of dishes, which vary depending on who presents/prepares it. All of it can be nutritious, but if your body rejects it, i would say stay away from that type of food. Different dishes complement each other, while others contrast so sharply that it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth for one or the other.

Yet, in every meal, regardless of its origins, there are fundamental principles to preparation. Learn these fundamentals and you can make almost anything out of almost anything.

etc etc...

[Aodhan]

I think a more apt metaphor would be that of food. There are different types of dishes, which vary depending on who presents/prepares it. All of it can be nutritious, but if your body rejects it, i would say stay away from that type of food. Different dishes complement each other, while others contrast so sharply that it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth for one or the other.

Yet, in every meal, regardless of its origins, there are fundamental principles to preparation. Learn these fundamentals and you can make almost anything out of almost anything.

etc etc...

That's a good analogy too! Nice comparison, war.

Aodhan

[h2whoa]

If you close your mind to new possibilities in different arts, then you can potentially miss out on something that could improve your own art.

Or save your life

[fallen_milkman]

This is the very reason I love my current school. Kuntao is considered a "live art" as it was termed to me. This means it changes all the time. If someone shows us something we like, we adapt it to our style and use it.

[h2whoa]

This is the very reason I love my current school. Kuntao is considered a "live art" as it was termed to me. This means it changes all the time. If someone shows us something we like, we adapt it to our style and use it.

Very sensible

[White Warlock]

That's a good analogy too! Nice comparison, war.

Unfortunately, shortly after typing that, i got really friggin' hungry!

[orion82698]

That's a good analogy too! Nice comparison, war.

Unfortunately, shortly after typing that, i got really friggin' hungry!

Me too!

[Mary Roses]

Great post! ^_^ It's always good to keep an open mind about things.