The good the bad and the ugly in martial arts

[bushido_man96]

The best thing about the Martial Arts is that it offers the opportunity for physical improvement along with character improvement from having to work hard to get better. That creates physical and mental toughness, like many other physical activities do.

I'd say the bad and the ugly are the political aspects of the Martial Arts. I've come to accept that this is something that will just be in the Martial Arts world, so long as it is run by humans.

Overall, I'd say we've got a pretty good thing going.

[Alan Armstrong]

In my experiences, the best and worst thing about martial arts can be summed up in one word.

Tradition

Being part of a tradition gives one a sense of belonging to something bigger than oneself. You're learning from others who've walked that path, and hopefully, if you persevere, you'll teach those who come after you. This is how we human beings attempt to operate, after all.

Tradition is also what holds many martial arts schools back, however. The "We've always done it this way" or the "Back in the day we used to..." mindsets can be counterproductive and can deter new students. People's learning styles and needs have changed over the years. It is important to be fluid and adaptive. How many schools have Water Principles that they try to instill in their students when it comes to technique, forms or sparring? Is that not good advice in other aspects, too?

Tradition is part of the human condition; people don't usually like change.

There is a tug of war of sorts with tradition and change.

Very good points to consider singularity6

Martial arts is no exception to the complexities of tradition and changing with the times.

Tradition is usually trying to hold on to things that are good things or habits; passed on from one generation to the next.

Change is inevitable but too quickly is just as bad as stuck too deeply in tradition.

The Chinese deal with this in, how will the decisions today (change) effect the future generations.

Change for today might be a temporary good but bad in the future; very difficult to reverse once set in motion.

[sensei8]

The best thing about the Martial Arts is that it offers the opportunity for physical improvement along with character improvement from having to work hard to get better. That creates physical and mental toughness, like many other physical activities do.

I'd say the bad and the ugly are the political aspects of the Martial Arts. I've come to accept that this is something that will just be in the Martial Arts world, so long as it is run by humans.

Overall, I'd say we've got a pretty good thing going.

I most assuredly concur with Brian's assessment through and through.

[sensei8]

In my experiences, the best and worst thing about martial arts can be summed up in one word.

Tradition

Being part of a tradition gives one a sense of belonging to something bigger than oneself. You're learning from others who've walked that path, and hopefully, if you persevere, you'll teach those who come after you. This is how we human beings attempt to operate, after all.

Tradition is also what holds many martial arts schools back, however. The "We've always done it this way" or the "Back in the day we used to..." mindsets can be counterproductive and can deter new students. People's learning styles and needs have changed over the years. It is important to be fluid and adaptive. How many schools have Water Principles that they try to instill in their students when it comes to technique, forms or sparring? Is that not good advice in other aspects, too?

Tradition is part of the human condition; people don't usually like change.

There is a tug of war of sorts with tradition and change.

Very good points to consider singularity6

Martial arts is no exception to the complexities of tradition and changing with the times.

Tradition is usually trying to hold on to things that are good things or habits; passed on from one generation to the next.

Change is inevitable but too quickly is just as bad as stuck too deeply in tradition.

The Chinese deal with this in, how will the decisions today (change) effect the future generations.

Change for today might be a temporary good but bad in the future; very difficult to reverse once set in motion.

No matter how one slices it, change, as you've said, is inevitable; time is a beast that takes no prisoners. And whenever that inevitable change occurs, one had better decide which side of the equation that one want to end up on. And once that change occurs, go with it or run the high risk of being left behind.

[JazzKicker]

I would say for an adult, the best thing about martial arts is the health and fitness benefits. For a child, the benefits are more developing self control, discipline, focus, confidence.

The "worst" thing, as far as the individual goes, is the injury to self or others in the course of training.

Culturally, the worst thing (or the best, depending on your viewpoint) is the advent of MMA and the octagon-type ringsports. It's taken the "art" out of martial arts, reduced it to a sport that is not a gentleman's game.

[Trailer_Ape]

The good:

Increasing your odds of prevailing in a violent encounter.

The bad:

Falsely believing you have increased your odds of surviving a violent encounter.

The ugly:

The likelihood of injuries when training in a way that actually does increase your odds of prevailing in a violent encounter.

(Just one ape's opinion)

[MatsuShinshii]

Worse thing - the lack of integrity and earning what you receive. Seeing very young children walk around with BB's. Seeing overweight out of shape Nanadans, Hachidans, Kudans and Judans, much less Sandans, Yondans, Godans and Rokudans. High ranking instructors that will not demonstrate or get onto the floor with their students (translation = fear of being discovered a liar). Selling for minimum effort what most of us bled, sweated and cried to earn.

Changing the art to a ridiculous sport that no one respects as a legitimate combat tested self defense art. Oh and then there's McDojo's, Trophy hunters and those that sell out the art to line their own pockets by teaching ineffective you know what.

Best thing - everything not listed above.

[singularity6]

In my experiences, the best and worst thing about martial arts can be summed up in one word.

Tradition

Being part of a tradition gives one a sense of belonging to something bigger than oneself. You're learning from others who've walked that path, and hopefully, if you persevere, you'll teach those who come after you. This is how we human beings attempt to operate, after all.

Tradition is also what holds many martial arts schools back, however. The "We've always done it this way" or the "Back in the day we used to..." mindsets can be counterproductive and can deter new students. People's learning styles and needs have changed over the years. It is important to be fluid and adaptive. How many schools have Water Principles that they try to instill in their students when it comes to technique, forms or sparring? Is that not good advice in other aspects, too?

Tradition is part of the human condition; people don't usually like change.

There is a tug of war of sorts with tradition and change.

Very good points to consider singularity6

Martial arts is no exception to the complexities of tradition and changing with the times.

Tradition is usually trying to hold on to things that are good things or habits; passed on from one generation to the next.

Change is inevitable but too quickly is just as bad as stuck too deeply in tradition.

The Chinese deal with this in, how will the decisions today (change) effect the future generations.

Change for today might be a temporary good but bad in the future; very difficult to reverse once set in motion.

Thank you, sir.

Recently, the Shaolin Monastery in China has been rather progressive about trying to flow with the times. Not only have they embraced digital technology, they're branching out, making "kung fu reviews" similar to the Cirque du Soleil. Granted, that's not "traditional martial arts," it is something that could potentially generate more public interest. Change sucks. Most people will fight it, but the fight is a reaction we must overcome.

[bushido_man96]

The good:

Increasing your odds of prevailing in a violent encounter.

The bad:

Falsely believing you have increased your odds of surviving a violent encounter.

The ugly:

The likelihood of injuries when training in a way that actually does increase your odds of prevailing in a violent encounter.

(Just one ape's opinion)

Very nice!

[Fat Cobra]

To answer you question directly:

The Good - Hard training and seeing students accomplish goals

The Bad - those with potential who give up

The Ugly - Fat Cobra!