Martial arts discussion thread

[GoktimusPrime]

we are going to agree to disagree I think Gok. You love traditional styles and the mystery and mysticism and smoke and mirrors that surround them. I have come to appreciate more realistic methods of protecting myself based on real life experiences.

But I've REPEATEDLY harped on about how much I hate the "mysticism" and "smoke and mirrors" as well as unrealistic methods in martial arts. And yes, there are a lot of traditionalists who go on about the mysticism and stuff, and I don't agree with their approach at all.

Mind you, it doesn't necessarily mean that the "mystical" explanations are 'wrong'... sometimes they can be when people get a bit too deep into the spiritualism. You have to understand that a lot of ancient literature on martial arts was written before the advent of modern science. I prefer to think of martial arts in modern scientific terms.

e.g.
external "chi" = biomechanics and principles of physics (e.g. leverage, acceleration, force, torque etc.)
internal "chi" = metabolism (e.g. adenine triphosphate, mitochondria, adrenaline etc.)

A lot of these mystical terms are based on the ancient Asian understanding of medicine and science, for example modern medicine sees the human body as a series of systems whereas Chinese medicine divides into meridians. Chinese medicine may be more holistic but it's not necessarily outright incorrect. Asian medicine tends deal with looking after overall wellbeing whereas modern Western medicine looks at treating symptoms and curing diseases when they occur.

What is the most realistic form of fighting these days? MMA surely, yeah it is a sport but it is also the closest thing you can get to a street fight without being in one.

Or perhaps the style that works for you. If I train in a traditional style and it _works_ for me in a fight... then why tell me not to use it? Likewise if someone did a sport style and it works for them, then what right does anyone have to tell them to not do it?? I wouldn't.

How come we have never seen any traditional stylists do well in them?
I am sure you have an answer for this.

You do know that traditional martial arts - in their authentic form - aren't used in competitions right? Only modified martial arts are used in competitions.

Anyway I am tired of going round in circles, I never intended this to be a traidtional vs sport/modern arguement, merely that you should base your opinions on many different experiences instead of theory and reciting thousands of words of text that I have already read before in other media.

We've always tried to be tolerant of different styles on this thread - hence why I always say that the best style is that one that works for you. I've said this over and over again to try and be inclusive all all styles and forms of martial arts.

While I have a personal preference for traditional arts, it doesn't mean that therefore I will blindly state that sport styles cannot work, because clearly modern arts have produced some good fighters such as Mohammed Ali, Cung Le and of course, Chuck Norris. Likewise a person who has a strong personal preference for sport styles ought not go around putting down traditional arts either, because the traditional arts have produced good fighters too, such as Huang Feihong, Huo Yuanjia, Miyamoto Musashi, Bruce Lee, Yip Man, Alexander the Great, Attila the Hun, Hannibal Barca, Saito Hajime, William Wallace, Spartacus, Leonidas I and so on. (and of course, the countless number of warriors and soldiers who fought in pre-automatic machine gun warfare)

But in all honesty I wish you good luck with your training, I admire anyone who gets off their but and trains, I also hope that if you ever have to protect yourself or a loved one your training will be of use (though I pray that never eventuates, for you or anyone else here).

Well I know my style works for me so I'll continue practising it, thank you very much. And you should definitely continue practising what works for you and I also hope that it will keep you safe.

[5FDP]

Hit the showers you two

[Bartrim]

Hit the showers you two

I thought knuckle push ups would be in order