Martial Arts - Training for Life
A Chen Style Tai Chi master once told me over tea, that training in the martial arts is not great feat in, and of itself.
Training for life is the real secret to martial arts mastery.
If you are at the beginning of your martial arts career you might not fully appreciate this statement, but after a few years, when you start to develop some control over your art - the wisdom of “Martial Arts for Life” begins to sink in.
There are many reasons why people study martial arts but only a few of those reasons are strong enough to motivate someone to train for life. For example, if my goal in studying martial arts is self-defense, then after a few years I should have attained enough skill to be able to say that I achieved my goal - what then? How will I stay motivated to train.
The Cross Roads
It is at this point, being able to defend oneself reasonable well, when people either lose interest in studying or start to move beyond the self-defense aspect of martial arts. Some people become teachers, but their knowledge is only mechanical (strike this, break that, block like this and then a blow to the head etc…); others move on to another art, while others just move on - most unfortunate.
Those that Teach
Those who decide to teach after mastering the mechanics are not wrong. They are passing on what they know and people will benefit - plain and simple. If your definition of martial arts includes physical domination over all opponents then it does not really matter if the mechanical teacher knows the theory and sciences of martial arts - as long as they can teach you to kick butt. However, be advised that if all things are equal between two fighters, the one with the understanding of theory and martial arts science will have a decided advantage over the fighter confined to mechanical execution. Furthermore, understanding theory and science is really what makes one lethal.
Those that Move on to Another Art
Those that decide they have enough and want to cross train usually have not mastered their foundations style
enough to benefit from an additional style. Some have the necessary foundation, or are just outright talented, but these are few. So as not to be mistaken, I do not mean that having a black belt equates to mastering their foundation - with all respect due.
Moving on before your time creates a “Jack of all Trades/Master of None.”
There is benefit in experimentation but grounding in one style is fundamental. Not only does it give you a platform from which to fight from, but it teaches you patience and how to penetrate to deeper layers of knowledge in the martial arts. Once you know how to “get to the good stuff” you can shorten your learning curve in any and all additional styles you choose to study. Until you learn how to get to the good stuff, you will never be able to really take what is good and leave what you do not find to be of benefit.
Last year I met a young man who looked like a he did martial arts (do not ask me to explain how I knew - that is a secret). I approached him and we began a very friendly conversation. I understood from him that the studied several arts (over the course of five years) and he began to describe what was good and what was bad in those other arts - in his opinion. He then demonstrated a block where by he put his arm up by his head as if to ward off an elbow or kick to the head. He wanted me to try him out so I did. In his mind he was blocking my attack to the side of his head so when he blocked he was happy and declared how his hybrid technique worked. I saw no point in correcting him so I left the matter alone. What I did not tell him, but will share with you, is that even if he was able to put his hand up between my hook-style forearm attack it would make no difference. I would just be hitting his arm and his arm would be hitting his head - in fact, it would be more of a shock for him to have his own arm hit his head then for me to hit his head directly (although the result would most likely be the same). He could not see the theory of an attack of that nature, or the science of striking the block to attain the defended target. More likely is it that had he grounded himself in his original art - Thai boxing: either he would have figured this out that even though he “blocked,” I still hit him, or his teacher would have told him this point of science when he was ready to understand the theory. His loss on all accounts.
Those that Just Move On
Well there is not much to say here - except good luck in all your future endeavors.
Motivation
If my original motivation was to study martial arts for self-defense and to actually be a martial artist then when I reach “The Cross Roads” my focus will shift slightly from the physical to the theoretical and scientific.I am not talking about transporting your chi to a different dimension or anything like that. What I mean is that having attained the mechanical skills, they must be deconstructed so that one understands exactly how the mechanics work and what happens if you start to make alterations to the movement. This is where you let go of the hand of your teacher and begin to discover martial arts on your own.
All this may sound like wishy/washy emotional stuff, but for me, those few micro-seconds just before I hit my opponent, and I know that there is nothing he can do to stop me, I feel as if I am moving in slow motion as I pull energy from the atmosphere to blast my opponent. If it still sounds crazy - well there are those who will read this and be able to identify with what I am saying.
My motivation is sinking deeper and deeper into the arts and discovering little treasures and hidden gems, and sharing them with a selected few. You need to find what motivates you and move beyond it to explore other possibilities.
If you have reached the cross roads and you are one of those who are moving beyond the self-defense aspect of your art then congratulations. I think you will be practicing, to some degree or another, for the rest of your life.
When you look at the grandmasters who are in their sixties and seventies you are seeing yourself in another 20, 30, 40 or even 50 years. They are impressive, but so will you be impressive after another few decades of study.
This is what the Chen master meant.
Anyone can practice but not every practitioner will be a martial artist.
Keep your eyes on the prize but live in the moment.
The Coach
About the Coach
Excerpt from My Bio
I am firmly committed to the principle that martial arts and self defense are unique to each individual and everyone has a personal style that must be identified and cultivated. I am dedicated to sharing the finer points of what I know so that others may develop the ability to not only defend themselves, but be able to do massive amounts of permanent systemic damage to any opponent, if they must.
Read my bio at: About the Coach
Choosing A Martial Art - Beginner’s Series #4
Hitting the Road – Visiting the Martial Arts Schools/Clubs
Now that you have done a bit of research, made some calls and ranked the schools, you are ready to go and visit them.
I suggest, depending on how many schools you have on your list, that you visit the first one in each catagory in succession. Then visit the second rank schools in succession and continue to do so until you have looked at them all. If your list is not too long then I suggest going to a beginners class and an advanced class.
I do not imagine that this would take more than a week.
Even if you were assured over the phone that you could drop in anytime, chat with the teacher and have a ginsing tea, the reality is that some overzealous aspiring student master might make your visit unpleasant. Do not be put off. Just ask when the teacher/master will be in and go back at that time. If anyone gives you the guru tour that I described above, I do not recommend that you start your martial arts career at a place like that. Move on.
This reminds me of the time I visited a “Kung Fu” school while doing an undercover operatation in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was a summer long operation and I just wanted to connect to the local martial arts scene (no they were not the subjects of the investigation). Anyway, I dropped by a school, introduced myself as a fellow martial artist from out of town, and asked for a little tour. The student/marketing guru immediately began telling me about his decade plus journey through karate and kung fu, and how he is an advanced student etc… Facinating. The guru refused to show me the training area, citing some privacy, technique secrecy clauses. However, the waiting area had all the photos, trophies, and certificates to assure me that they were a legitimate school with a winning record but I could not get in the door to see for myself. I thanked the guru and left. I guess I should have paid for a few classes and see what my fortune would have brought me… Not.
In any event, you must commit to going to ALL the schools on your list. Do not stop after finding the first school that you find suitable. You might just miss a better school further down your list.
***Aside***
I did not tell you how to rank your schools because you must choose the value you put on each of the points. If price is a big factor for you then it will be closer to the top; if it is hours and class times then that will be closer to the top. The choice is yours, just be consistent.
**********
There is no special trick to visiting a martial arts school. Just be aware that some schools perfer you take your shoes off outside the training area while others have a visitor waiting area. Some expect you to bow, others realize that you do not know the rules so will forgive you if you do not bow. Just relax and go with the flow.
Do Not Be Intimidated
Many teachers and/or teaching assistants just love an audience and will take advantage of your visit to show off. This should not exclude the school from your list, but it is a red flag. Martial arts teachers are skilled in martial arts, but you have skills also – your skills just happen not to be in the martial arts, yet. What I am trying to say is just because they know something you do not is no reason to feel intimidated. I am sure you have lots of skill sets that those teachers would love to have. No human being is complete. Nevertheless, you should respect everyone equally.
If you look at the teacher just a human being and nothing more, then you should be able to focus more on the content of what is being taught rather than the flash being presented in place of the content.
Also, do not assume that oriental teachers are better than non-orientals. Be open minded.
Not to Do’s
Do not be intimidated.
Do not be snowed over by talk of lineage (i.e. this master learned from this master who learned from the grandmaster, grandson of the great grandmaster etc…). To paraphrase the grandmaster monk in the kung fu movie “Shaolin vs. Lama” - A good master may have a lousy student. If you have not seen this movie, I strongly suggest you buy it – Not only is it a classic, but it is filled with martial arts wisdoms and excellent techniques.
Do not be shy to bring a pen and notepad and take some notes. Discuss the points you noted with the teacher after the class. Most teachers will appreciate this effort – it shows you are serious.
Do not get to caught up in the details of the techniques being taught but rather focus on the methodology and the reaction of the students.
Do not leave until you have watched the whole class. If you sign up there, you need to see what a whole class will be like.
Things to Note
Before you hit the road… download a Choosing a Martial Art – School Evalation Form and take it along with you. It is just my way of being there to remind you of some of the points we discussed (and a few more points we did not get a chance to go over).
I do not expect you to glean much about the effectiveness of the art from watching one beginners class, that is why I recommend you go to an advanced class too.
Incidentally, this is not how I chose my martial art. My childhood friend was studying kung fu and suggested I come with him. I jumped at the chance, blindly forged ahead, signed up and the rest is history. I was just a kid. Had I had taken stock of the school in the same manner that I am suggesting you do, I still would have signed up (this was back in 1982/1983). Were I to evaluate the school today along the lines of what I am suggesting you do – I would not be signing up (but that is another story).
Get Out There
Okay, go look at the schools, take notes, be patient and open minded, for get any nonsense about one style being better than the other – just feel out the schools.
After making the rounds and having seen the arts in action, you should be in a better position to choose which martial art you want to study. Remember the focus of this series is Choosing a Martial Art and up to now we have not discussed the arts themselves. Why?
If you want to be a theoretical martial artist then we could have begun talking about the arts and what is right for you etc. But the reality is, that even if you wanted to study the Drunken Style of the Eight Immortals – you would need a school. Despite your heart felt desire that you were born to be a “Drunkard,” there is no place for you to drink. So, rather than leave off studying martial arts – look at what you have at hand and go from there. You can always train in another style later on (not the art-hopping I touched on in my earlier lesson).
Get out there, stay motivated and see what you area has to offer.
If you run into any problems just post a comment and we will find a solution.
The Coach
Next: Summary of the Major Differences in the Arts
Choosing a Martial Art - Beginners Series #3
The Ideal vs. The Practical
My last post was directed more to those whose focus was primarily on the social/fitness aspect of martial arts training. Their search for a martial art takes on a slightly different dimension than those who are looking for a martial art primarily for self-defense, or to defend others.
For the social/fitness oriented people, club atmosphere is number one, whereas for the self-defense oriented people, the martial-ness of the art is number one. These two positions are not absolute. Many intendant martial artists want the martial, the fitness and a good atmosphere. Whatever your motivation, what is important is that you want to study martial arts – period.
Putting aside the question of personal motivation, choosing a martial art means choosing an art with which you are in harmony. Ideally,you should be able to sample any and every art until you find one that suits your taste. However, practically, your choices will be confined to studying what is available in your town or section of your city.
Ideally, the club you choose should be close enough to where you live so you can get there quickly (or on the way home from work). If the club is out of the way, or you need to travel far, any time you feel lazy you will be inclined not to go. Until the study of martial arts becomes a regular part of your life, you want to eliminate any excuses not to train – especially in the beginning.
Practically, you may have to go out of your way if the school you find is a bit far. Just stay committed to training and you will ignore the minor inconveniences.
The First Step - Research
First get your local phone directory (or yellow pages) and look up the local martial arts schools. Of course you can use the internet but many schools are not internet enabled and you might miss a hidden gem or two. Some of the best training to be had is found in hole-in-the-wall schools.
Take a few minutes to read all the listings and getting a mental picture of where the schools are located. Take note that you are just getting the lay of the land and still have not chosen a martial art yet.
Make a list quick list of the schools, addresses and phone numbers and give them a call to find out when they are open and whether or not they permit potential students to watch classes. Stay away from any school that does not allow people to watch before they sign up. Although, they may have a legitimate reason for not allowing spectators (such as some secret techniques/training methodology), at your pre-martial artist stage, you will not be able to tell the good from the bad so it is better not to risk it.
I recommend that you go to wikipedia and do a search for your art:
or go to Wikipedia and type the art in the search box on the right side of the page.
Take some time to read about each of the arts so you can get a general idea
about their similarities and differences and then:
Second Step - Take Action: Give Them A Call
The initial things you want to know are:
- 1- Their prices (depends on your budget).
How much is the uniform?
Are there belt testing fees?
- 2- How many classes can you take per week as a beginner?
- 3- When is the best time for you to drop by (when the master/teacher/sensi/sifu or whoever is in charge is there)?
These are the basic things you need to know before you visit.
Important: If you call and no one answers do not be put off. It might be that the teacher is teaching and will not interrupt the class to answer the phone (This is a good thing). Just leave a message if possible and see how long it takes for someone to get back to you.
Third Step - Organize
Organize your list according to arts, i.e. karate in one list, taekwon in one list, kung-fu in another, grappling/judo in another and so on and so on,
Do not compare them all against each other. If you find that after you visit a few that you prefer taekwondo, then you will want to know how each school ranks insofar as the basic questions are concerned, against their peers..
Get them ranked and set some time aside to take the tour.
The Coach
Next: Hitting the Road
Questions?
This is the Place to Post Your Questions
Just post your questions and or concerns about training or any other aspect
of martial arts or self-defense and I’ll answer them right away.
The Coach