What makes a Martial Artist?

[ninjanurse]

Without a code ( do-"the way") it's just fighting.

[sensei8]

Irreducible content!!

Can we, the instructors of the MA, teach someone to have the desire to want to do the MA? No, because it's within them. I can only create an environment that brings it out of them. I set the right tone and I set the right goals! When the practitioner of the MA gets on the floor, think of why you're doing it.

The MA; the training and all it pertains is something that the MAist should want to do, and in that, the MA isn't a form of punishment. I don't yield easily to adversity, I persevere.

The MA has birthed that in me.

[CredoTe]

Irreducible content!!

Can we, the instructors of the MA, teach someone to have the desire to want to do the MA? No, because it's within them. I can only create an environment that brings it out of them. I set the right tone and I set the right goals! When the practitioner of the MA gets on the floor, think of why you're doing it.

The MA; the training and all it pertains is something that the MAist should want to do, and in that, the MA isn't a form of punishment. I don't yield easily to adversity, I persevere.

The MA has birthed that in me.

Absolutely! Great post! We have that conversation / soapbox session with our students quite often, sometimes til we're blue in the face, that we cannot teach them drive / determination / desire... that, if they want to develop skill in MA, it's our job as instructors to show them the tools, it's their job as students to meet us halfway with the desire to train / learn how to use those tools properly.

[sensei8]

Irreducible content!!

Can we, the instructors of the MA, teach someone to have the desire to want to do the MA? No, because it's within them. I can only create an environment that brings it out of them. I set the right tone and I set the right goals! When the practitioner of the MA gets on the floor, think of why you're doing it.

The MA; the training and all it pertains is something that the MAist should want to do, and in that, the MA isn't a form of punishment. I don't yield easily to adversity, I persevere.

The MA has birthed that in me.

Absolutely! Great post! We have that conversation / soapbox session with our students quite often, sometimes til we're blue in the face, that we cannot teach them drive / determination / desire... that, if they want to develop skill in MA, it's our job as instructors to show them the tools, it's their job as students to meet us halfway with the desire to train / learn how to use those tools properly.

Yes...yes!!

[bushido_man96]

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?

That's a good question. I think it takes time. When you get started, you are "taking Martial Arts." Once you've been at it, then you become a Martial Artist.

[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?

I'd say that the three sentences would be done in order. The first day on the floor to learn their chosed MA, you're a MAist, then, as time passes and one begins to understand their chosen MA, you're a MAist, then, as knowledge is absorbed from their chosen MA, you're a MAist.

Can't have one without the other; it's repeatitive and continuous!!

[DWx]

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?

That's a good question. I think it takes time. When you get started, you are "taking Martial Arts." Once you've been at it, then you become a Martial Artist.

That old Bruce Lee quote fits:

"Before I learned the art, a punch was just a punch and a kick, just a kick.

 

After I learned the art, a punch was no longer a punch, a kick, no longer a kick.

 

Now that I understand the art, a punch is just a punch and a kick is just a kick."

[DWx]

Even more simple answer to the OP question...

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

So quite a few of you have said "heart". But what does that even mean and why does that make you a martial artist?

[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?

Triple dipple YES!!

That's a good question. I think it takes time. When you get started, you are "taking Martial Arts." Once you've been at it, then you become a Martial Artist.

That old Bruce Lee quote fits:

"Before I learned the art, a punch was just a punch and a kick, just a kick.

 

After I learned the art, a punch was no longer a punch, a kick, no longer a kick.

 

Now that I understand the art, a punch is just a punch and a kick is just a kick."

[sensei8]

Even more simple answer to the OP question...

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

So quite a few of you have said "heart". But what does that even mean and why does that make you a martial artist?

Heart is not going through the motions! Heart makes the intangibles tangible! Heart defines purpose! Heart makes the powerless powerful! Heart gives techniques absolution! Heart erases the blood, sweat, and tears! Heart welcomes the floor! Heart...Heart...Heart...Heart..................