The Best of TSM Martial arts – Spain

Hello Friend,

I’ve put together a roundup of the last week’s links and called it the ‘Best of TSM Martial Arts – Spain’.

They are helpful if you are interested in finding a Martial arts school or what you’ll gain from the sport. Regardless of your level, new to experienced.

Here you can get a review of some of the popular highlights of the week. All in one place... Here goes:

Links day

                             

Discover Martial Arts in Alhaurin

      In this post I talk about the peace that is derived from Martial Arts and linked it to one of Alhaurin's well know authors, the late Gerald Brennan.

 Will my child learn discipline from doing Martial Arts?

A post about some of the features of martial arts which will result in your child increased levels of discipline.

 How do I choose the right Martial Art for me?

Aimed at those who are struggling with the intricacies of which one to go for... This post deals with how You and your attributes go a long way to deciding what is the best style of Martial Art School to join. 

  Am I too old for Martial Arts?

Here, you’ll learn insights into the aspects of Martial arts that will affect you if you are up in years and how to navigate your way around them.

  Will Martial Arts stop my Child getting picked on?

A little bit of know-how, mixed with preparation and dial in some techniques can change the game in your child's favour. This post explores this touch subject.

 The really simple way to get started in Martial Arts

Sitting on the fence? This post gives you some pointers on what to do and what to expect if you are at all nervous about getting involved.

  5 hidden gems for busy Parents who do Martial Arts

Work – home balance is tricky enough as it is. Taking part in Martial arts is not like other sports I can do at home... Where will I find the time?” But do the benefits you get in return far outweigh the effort? Check out the post.

And there you have it, some useful links all in one place for anyone who wants to get involved in Martial Arts or get a perspective of the sport...

The best of TSM Martial Arts – Spain. Blog posts for the last week.

Please comment below and feel free to share. And of course also leave in questions in the comment box and I’ll get right on to them for You.

Thanks for taking the time.

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.