Is Traditional Martial Arts too regimented for our times?

Shaolin Kung fu

The term ‘Traditional Martial Arts’ doesn’t come up often nowadays. Except within the MA (Martial Arts) circles and in MA monthly magazines...

It refers to Martial Arts as it was practiced 70 to 100 years ago. Where you joined a school, it was kept sacred and you followed the rules to the letter. Anyone disobeying was punished or thrown out of the school.

It was also hard, hard, hard, with no considerations for life outside of your training. Your life was about training.

Martial Arts Worldwide

But round about that time it started to spread around the world to a much higher degree than before, and was practiced as a hobby by people who had jobs to go to and lives outside of MA to lead.

It was this along with breakaway schools and practitioners that have watered down the original methods of training.

In our modern world now. You still have schools that call themselves Traditional practitioners of the art. But this usually means they adhere strictly to the methods that were handed down and don’t accept any watering down of their system... It is in effect, the kick was performed this way 800 years ago and so that is how we’ll perform it now.

Although, these schools, in the western world anyway, have had to let go of the all encompassing nature of the art and accept that people, their students have lives outside the art.

A 'take down' in Karate

Martial Arts Today

The modern version of MA is what you see in most high street MA schools today. They may call themselves a Karate School or kung fu School, but are quite open to adding and modifying the techniques they practice with both other style’s they come across with effective techniques.

Or sometimes a modification of their technique that has proven to be ineffective in this modern day we live in now.

‘What has caused our openness to mix styles and modify our individual MA styles?’

A lot of people will name Bruce Lee and other Film stars of the modern day; Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen for demonstrating the effectiveness of a modified style where the best elements from each style are rolled into one.

Bruce Lee being the most popular pioneer of this ethos.

MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)

Enter MMA in the early 90’s, the cage came to our screen and we saw karate, Kung fu, wrestlers, ex boxers, practicing Judo artist, kick boxers and off course Brazilian jiujitsu  from the Gracie Family all thrown into the cage and which style came out victorious?

Well in that early 90’s era. It was the Gracie Family. Royce Gracie in particular, was able to literally take down contenders from each of the disciplines above and get them to submit.

Wow! So, Bruce Lee was right! When we saw him take down Kareem Abdul Jabber with a choke hold in the Film ‘Game of Death’... This was what he was alluding to.

Well MMA continued to develop and change over the years and the winners now are not specifically of any discipline. But instead are mixed martial arts experts who literally take the best from all the different disciplines and systematically hone each area to make them a well rounded fighting Machine. Throwing out unwanted baggage in the process.

It’s all about me

Ok... So you have to ask yourself the question. ‘What do I want to be and why?’

For me I practice Martial Arts as a way of life and use it as much to keep fit, keep the stresses of life at bay, have the health and vitality to come home after a day’s hard work and still have energy to spend time with the Family in a spirit of energetic joy (not too tired to do anything). 

And, of course I also enjoy MA competitions which are of the semi-contact nature. Where I know if it goes terribly, unimaginably wrong... I may come home with twisted ankle or dislocated shoulder.

In the final analysis

To answer the question; “Is traditional Martial Arts too regimented for our times?” My answer will be it depends on what you want...

If you are a purist, go find a traditional martial arts School, if you like the structure of a unique system with a bit of flexibility to adapt and try new things,  that are available. And finally if you can’t be bothered with the traditions; bowing, honour, kata (solo demonstration of MA techniques). Then MMA or Kick boxing may be for you.

This is by no means exhaustive, there are scopes of history that has brought us here... But a very rough guide it is



 Please leave a comment below if you found this post interesting or would like to know more.

Thanks for your time.

The Really Simple Way to get started in Martial Arts.

I put together the really simple way to get started in Martial Arts for you if you have been putting it off for a while, find it a bit daunting or would just like a little insight before taking the plunge.

Most clubs are run by regular people you’ll meet on the street, you wouldn’t have a clue they did Martial arts unless they told you or, you bump into them on the way to or from the dojo (Martial Arts School).

 

Students practicing a kata.

New Students welcome.

If there is one thing a Martial arts school loves it is new student’s.  Why? Because the nature of the sport is to teach students what they need to learn in a step by step fashion and as students move up the belts, the school continually brings in new student’s to have a well rounded class.

You see, the student’s who are going up the belts, benefit as much as new students do in that when they impart their skills and knowledge, they are also learning the other aspects of their training which is necessary for them to progress...

Hence, you don’t become a good Martial Arts teacher/sensei because you are a black belt, but rather become a good teacher because of the practice you had on the way up.

Research before you go.

A little research before you go to the School goes a long way. I recommend a call and talk to the Sensei of the school. This will give you the best feel for the school. Even if a secretary handles new enquiries.

It doesn’t have to be anymore than a question or two. Like, “I was considering joining your school, what sets you apart from the rest?” Or, “I’m new to Martial Arts, what advice would you give me, just starting out?” 

The responses to your questions will speak volumes about the man and the ethos of the school.

If the call goes well, but you feel nervous, share it with him or her and ask if there is a provision for new people who just want to take it easy to start with. He may recommend a...

Visit or taster session.

Pay a visit to see how a session is structured, you may be asked to visit when there are no classes so he can spend time with you... But I recommend you visit when a class is in session... This way you get a much better idea of what goes on, and may even raise a list of questions you’d like to get answered before you take the plunge.

Alternatively it may spell a “No! Don’t think I want to take this any further.”  At this stage, try a different school before you call it a day.

There can be huge differences between how Martial Arts schools are run, even when practicing the same discipline. 

Get your questions answered after the session. You may have to wait while the current students or parents of younger ones interact with the sensei. 

He’ll ask you what you thought and if you want to give it a try. Be honest, if there is something niggling... Ask for a resolution. You may have overlooked something.

If you tried a taster session on your first visit. Then you’d be even more certain as to whether you want to pursue it further or not... You’ve now gone from standing on the outskirts wondering to being present in the dojo.

Focus

Remember.

Most Schools welcome new students, research the school not just online, but make contact with the Sensei and get questions answered. Finally, visit during a session. If still happy, take part. 

Failing that, try another school, going through the same sequence before you throw in the towel.

If don’t like the schools you researched, but still want to take part in Martial Arts, then carry on looking till you find that school/Sensei combination that is right for You... 

Good Luck

Please leave a comment below if you found this useful or indeed have any questions.

Thanks for taking the time.

Am I too old to do Martial Arts?

Would you love to get involved? But feel you are too old to do Martial Arts? You don’t have to answer that till you’ve read the rest of the post.

Meanwhile, let’s explore some benefit’s of getting involved in Martial Arts. There are several, of which a few are listed below:

•  Better health
•  Fitness

•   Flexibility
•   Better concentration
  
  
•   Positive stress release
•   Confidence
•   Stimulation for the mind, body and soul.
•   Better memory
•   Increased coordination
•   You’ll look and feel great
•   You’ll have fun
•   You’ll meet new people
•   You’ll challenge yourself

Possibility...

As we get older, we tend to shy away from anything deemed to be too strenuous. Be it a sport or hobby.  And with good reason, we want to preserve and keep ourselves injury free.

The most popular expression of martial Arts in the media is based around fighting... This gives the impression that’s all there is.

Well, there is another side to the art which is the softer side of stretching, meditation, Kata (solo demonstration). All to be explored by the practitioner.

Slow and Steady.

Martial Arts is about the development of your potential at your own pace... Even youngsters are taught to learn the techniques slowly and correctly, speed will come later... It is certainly not a race...

In taking your time to learn and adjust, evolution kicks in, and regardless of your age, you’ll find yourself doing more, faster and easier over time. Simply because you have increased your capacity to apply what you have learn't and are now able to do more in less time.

New Friends.

A side benefit of joining a martial arts club is that you will meet new people who help and support you as well as make opportunities for social events. For some people, this is a welcome benefit... To forge new relationships that go beyond your Martial arts training.

It may also happen that you come along with an existing friend and find a new hobby/sport together.

Preparation.

Depending on your age and current level of fitness, you may want to get a health check or ask your Doctor if it is safe to take part. But this is a very individual thing as you could be in your sixties and able to run a marathon or in your forties and unable to walk a mile.

Then there is the best Martial Art for You. And again, your individuality comes into play here. Please take a look at my post “How to pick the Martial Arts that’s right for me”. But essentially, there are various styles of martial arts and you may find yourself more suited to one than the other.

If for example you have a previous injury or condition that you are concerned about, there is Tai Chi which is a soft non contact Martial Art which combines breathing techniques with flowing movements. 

There is also the very popular Karate, which has so many guises... You may not know there are lots of style’s where they focus more on kata than fighting or sparring. .. Again, you get to develop and attain all the benefits of the sport with much less risk of strain or injury.

So, why not give it a try... All ages are welcome.

You can find out more about why you are never too old to do Martial Arts by leaving a comment below...

Thanks for taking the time.

How do I choose the right Martial Arts for me?

Not a question that comes up often, but when it does, it can be the most perplexing... Simply because your reason‘s may be different to everyone else’s.

So, depending on what is important to you... There some ideas on what to look for or check out when choosing a martial Art... In no particular order. As it depends on what is important to you... I will highlight my top three considerations.

By the way there are over 20 main stream martial arts disciplines and probably hundreds more unpopular or confined to different parts of the world... Don’t be alarmed by this, as you’ll see, the cards are in your hands.

Things to consider.

·         What do you want to achieve, what is your goal or vision for Martial Arts?

·         What is your ‘Why’... The reason you decided to or are thinking of doing Martial arts? (In some cases, it might be the answer to the first question).

·         What you would like or enjoy doing the most, once you have looked at a few different types? It may be worth looking at this from a short and long term perspective.

·         Your ‘body type’ can be a reason for or against a particular Martial Art. But before you read too much into this one, remember, getting involved in a martial art where you feel you are not naturally talented for can mean you actually develop that part of your body, because you are in effect, predisposed to using it in that style.

Body type’s (not exhaustive). Think:
 

v  Fast and Flexible,

v  Solid and strong,  

v  All round flexibility (whole body),

v  Upper or lower body flexibility,

v  Any combination of the above.

·         Your location, proximity to the different Martial Arts centres can play a role in your choice...

·         Time flexibility, for you, the Sensei, the classes and the organisation itself (rules).

·         Go and take a look, watch a class in action or take part. You can do this for a few different styles to see what rings true for you. Failing that, you can watch online.

·         Ask a Friend, Neighbour or acquaintance who is involved to give you the pros and cons.

These are some of the main considerations when choosing a Martial Art. I’m sure you can find more that are unique to your situation... Hope this has got you started on the right track.

Ultimately.

If the ultimate aim of martial arts is to the development of the character of the participant... Then in most style’s, you’ll have a say in the direction you want to take your learning, training or expertise, once you have gone through the belts and become a black belt.

This is really where your journey begins... Therefore choosing a martial Art should definitely include a long term perspective.

Follows is a list of some of the more main stream styles of Martial arts:

•   Karate
•   Kung fu
•   Taekwondo
•   Muay Thai
•   Judo
•    Capoeira
•   Jujitsu
•   Ninjitsu
•   MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
•   Wing Chun
•   Aikido
•   Kick boxing
•   Brazilian Jujitsu
•   Kempo
  

As you can see there are quite a few, some very similar, while others are totally different in their nature, some use weapons and some don’t.

With this guide you’ll be better equipped to decide the one for you... Good luck.