Keeping it real

Hi all

Is it just me, but don't you find it strange that as martial artists we spend years and years learning an art to perfection, that we never want to use?

I have been training know for 26 years and have never had to use it, nor would I want to. I began my training in Karatedo then JuJitsu because I was bullied at school. When I gained my 1st Dan in 1984 all the bullies thought I was going to exact my revenge, but I had to inform them that wouldn't be the case.

They all thought that you would gain experience and skill and then go around picking fights. Even provoked I would walk away. I feel that you would cheapen and degrade all the years of hard work and sacrifice just to prove to a drunken idiot what you can do.

Fights these days are so messy and often end in serious injury that could lead to a convinction. If it came out that you were a 7th Dan at Karate they would throw the book at you.

It's not a case of 'You need to prove you can handle yourself in the real world' you show respect and walk away knowing in your heart that you would win. I mean, we train against each other in the Dojo and perform techniques on partners who know what's coming, so imagine a technique against a drunken lout who hasn't a clue! And don't they always telegraph their punches in a 'windmill' style?

The martial arts is as it says 'An art' and is all about self belief. The motto of our association - The International Budo Association' is 'They Can Conquer Who Believe They Can'. We all preserve the true nature of the art and all should ambassador the true discipline that we learn over the years.

May you all prosper and enjoy your own martial art for many many years.

Best wishes

Dave

Hi,

Yes, with ability comes humility and as Mr lee says 'it's the art of fighting without fighting' that we should focus on once we have the knowledge and the abililty.

Cheers

Hi,

I'm ok with all your write, but I think, there are any differents between a competition fight, and a real fight. I used martials arts in the street ; it's not a glory for me, the violence is not good solution for problems. But the biggest difference is the emotion. There is not referee, not doctor, you're alone.Maybe it's deadly for you. Often, you lose your resources ; you must win your emotion.
How do you work this real emotion in your dojo ? The spirit is difficult to translate to students.

Ludo.

Hi Ludo,

I guess Sensai Phil brought the emotion of a "live" situation into any dojo he visited. When you stood toe to toe with Phil the subsequent encounter was a real as it could ever get. However, from the books I've read on related martial arts subjects a name springs to mind. His name is Geoff Thompson (karate ka and ex nightclub doorman). This man speaks very eloquently on "emotion" and stress during the real thing (fighting) and also training for this. His first book called "Watch My Back" is a brilliant read for any martial artist. His website is also full of pearls of wisdom.



Regards.