IronBear
Posts: 9008
Joined: 6/19/2005 From: Beenleigh, Qld, Australia Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: graceadieu quote:
ORIGINAL: IronBear Too many times have I seen a good Martial Artist beaten and hurt because he had been trained and used to the sports aspect and thus didn't have the instinct to harm or kill when the need is there. Still that's life. Each to his own. I don't think there's anything wrong with studying a sport style. That sort of thing is a great workout and has some mental/spiritual benefits and allows fun sports competition, which is why you study it. You don't do things like TKD to learn real self-defense, but IMO that doesn't make it inferior to an actual self-defense style like Hapkido where you'll develop the know-how and instinct to disable or even hurt somebody who's attacking you. You are quite correct. However whilst I did not either say it is wrong to treat any form of martial art as a sport, nor did I cast any doubt over then validity of those who do so. My comment which you quoted, is a simple statement of fact as witnessed by myself that some of those who treat and train their martial arts as a sport are not necessarily as well equipped mentally to user it in street combat. To add to this I would hazard a guess that many martial artists not blooded in life or death combat, are just as likely to make errors to their cost. I was interestingly, discussing this very subject with several friends who are long time Highly qualified and experienced martial artists (three who are 3rd Dan) over dinner at a restaurant this very night. Each one had memories of their first realm street fight and remembered their initial confusion and inability initially to react as their training, at that should have had then do so. My point is that those who are trained and oriented not toward sport but towards the original purpose of these martial arts, being as the term implies Martial Arts , or the Arts of War or Combat, have at least a psychological edge for their training tells them to kill or maim instinctively. This is similar indeed to when I face an opponent with my katana, The sword or indeed any weapon I am accustomed to using, becomes part of me and arrives at the point where I wish it to without any coinscious thought. But that is the rresult of harsh training and hard disciplines more than any ability I may have. For those of us who see things in a traditional manner, it is not and can never be a sport. For my sport I don medieval armour and fight with a 10lb broad sword or a mace. In conclusion perhaps mI should state that I am a keen and active advocate of children nand youth becomming involved with a reputable Dojo and encourage them to follow the sports route. It helps build good self defence, discipline and character.
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Iron Bear Master of Bruin Cottage http://www.bruincottage.org Your attitude, words & actions are yours. Take responsibility for them and the consequences they incur. D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F.
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