What makes a Martial Artist?

[DWx]

And I'm not talking physical skills.

Over here in the UK there's a set of TV ads running at the minute recruiting for the Royal Marines Commandos and in them they say "it's a state of mind". To me that's what being a Martial Artist is. It's the state of mind you have.

But is it born from your training or something you already have?

What qualities make someone a martial artist and not just a fighter?

[sensei8]

Great topic Danielle!!

In its simplest form...

But is it born from your training or something you already have?

I sincerely believe that the MAist within each of us is born from training. Yes, there is a thing called as "something you already have", but I believe that it's dormant within us UNTIL we've been training for some time: dedicated to ones MA journey, and not just a thing to do for the moment. Ones betterment begins to be birthed from our training in the MA.

What qualities make someone a martial artist and not just a fighter?

Interesting how you worded this one question. While it's believed world wide that it's the 'martial' we strive for and train in. I believe that it's again, the journey that we partake in for our betterment that makes someone a MAist; but it's the fight that we're striving to be prepared for.

I don't do the MA for the pure joy of fighting, no. That's only a ever so slight glimpse, imho, that makes a MAist. I do the MA because it's the JOURNEY that my betterment needs and desires. It's the ethos of the whole because the summation of "why" is to the summation of "because"!!

[mal103]

What you already have depends on the person, I was in my 30's before I started training and I already had a good set of values - partly from being in the military for 10 years.

I am not religious but can agree with most of their rules and ethos, like thou shalt not beat up your neighbour etc.

We generally don't get "bad" people join us, a few have not been great but they normally give up because they aren't learning how to fight effectively straight away.

Training in MA will/should bring out the best in you, some may take longer than others, a few don't ever seem to find it.

A lot start with the goal of gaining Black belt but hopefully realise it's the journey that is more important and the belt colour is just a mile stone.

A fighter will punch out their opponent until they fall down, some may still keep punching... A MAist will apologise and help them up, then give them tips on how best to avoid the same knockdown, then bow, then shake hands.

A good MAist should have qualities like humility, respect etc.

[bushido_man96]

It takes a combination of the physical skills and abilities, along with a good mindset and values. Most people already have a pretty good set of values. There are some in the world that do not, though, and I don't think that joining the MAs will typically yield many wholesale changes in such people. Most such people don't want to change. But, those with a positive mind set and good values that do join the MAs, tend to reflect these values more as they progress in the MAs.

[CredoTe]

Any intense training like MA begins and thrives on one's own mindset. Any physical abilities / techniques are derived from training with the right mindset. Character / values will determine how one uses given MA training in a situation.

But is it born from your training or something you already have?

IMHO, it's like a self-fulfilling prophecy, in that one's MA mindset is something they're born with, but in turn is cultivated by training. Thus, one's MA mindset is borne from training and fused back into what they already had....and it continues to grow and sustain itself in this cyclical fashion.

For instance, when I started with my current instructor 15 years ago, I had neglected much of my physical development (exercise) and thus was overweight. I thought that I wouldn't be able to continue my MA journey. However, I pulled on my inner drive to get back in shape and continue... By the time I had earned Nidan under my current instructor, I had lost near 100lbs and was in excellent shape. I felt like I could do anything.

Then, a few years ago, my appendix ruptured and I had emergency surgery. I almost died. The surgeon had to cut through my abdomen wall and make a big enough opening to pull out all my innards and clean them off and disinfect them; then had to put them back. Because of this, I am still dealing with the effects of this today. My belly / lower abdomen looks like a gut and is lopsided on my right side where my incision scar is. What happened is both scar tissue built up and my ab muscles atrophied causing my belly / lower ab to swell and become lopsided, and thus I gained weight again.

I thought my MA days were done. But, after many tests, MRIs, etc, my doctor cleared me for "hardcore" training, as long as I wear a weight belt. Instead of back support, he said they're also good for supporting abdomen muscles. So, my mindset changed positive again, and I started training like I did before. I'm back down 40lbs and my belly is like a boulder. I have a gut, but it's not squishy at all. Dealing with a weight belt and a boulder-belly has been awkward, but I regularly exercise and do the hard workouts needed for my Karate development.

It's all about mindset. The more I train, my mindset gets better and better. IMHO, it would be similar / same for any MA...

[sensei8]

Even more simple answer to the OP question...

It's heart!! No heart, then there's no MAist.

[lowereastside]

sensei8 says "It's heart!! No heart, then there's no MAist."

I would also add using your BRAIN(S) - avoiding getting into confrontations - that one can avoid. Knowing when to walk away.

[DWx]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm inclined to consider MAists as fighters who have a code of ethics or morals. Either a personal code stemming from their own pre-existing beliefs or from the system they followed. The Knights had their code of chivalry, the Samurai the Bushido code... basically some sort of notion of right and wrong and a level of honour.

[Harkon72]

What makes a Martial artist? Heart, pure and simple.

[sensei8]

What makes a MAist?

Hhhhmmmmmmm??

When is ONE a MAist?

From the very first day they started training or not until that one begins to understand or not until that one does understand?