Thread: The Real Martial Art

Most gyms that i've been to that teach muay thai teach it pretty well, minus sparring with elbows, but on occasion they do elbow drills with the thai pads.

Regarding your story, I have met a group not long ago that teaches muay thai solely (but not MMA). The instructor is not a pro-fighter, but can throw decently hard thai kicks, so-so knees but doen't have much western boxing work. The students range from absolute beginner to so-so; they don't spar.

The instructor won't spar with me; not even light contact. I'd asked a few times if we could just go for 2-3 2 minute rounds, maybe at 60% and he still refused.

However, he emphasizes that he teaches classes mostly for fitness purposes and if that's his goal, I think he's doing well.

that annoys me, its like cardio not martial art, it makes me sad.

Originally Posted by chalambok

Is this what the martial arts have become, a venue for those who are willing to lie, posture or simply purchase accreditation?

this isnt something that only happens in martial arts, this happens everywere, everday, in all parts of life.

Originally Posted by Mike Brewer

Truer words were never uttered. I'm reminded of a conversation that occurred between two business associates as they parted company. The "senior partner" told the first he was making a mistake going out on his own, and that he'd never be able to compete with the quality he himself could offer. His upstart young companion said "You know, you just don't get it. Quality simply doesn't matter."

That young upstart was Bill Gates, and he buried his former partner with the truth of his statement.

Call me old-fashioned, but quality does matter. Doesn't it?

For example, if I am looking to purchase an automobile that will require minimum repairs over its usefull life, quality matters.

When a person looks at a woman as someone whom they may spend the rest of their life with, quality matters.

If you have enough experience in the martial arts and you know the good from the bad, quality matters.

Wow. Chalambok's words really rang true in my ears. I first started in MT 6 and some change years ago. The guy that I trained under in Richmond, Va, made some great claims, and promised the sky. As time went on, his web of deceit got thinner and thinner, until it was so painfully obvious to everyone, that there was a mass exodus of students. But, he really didn't care, because by then, we were all in 3 year contracts. Fortunatly for me, Frank Cucci, in Va Beach, honored the contract that I was paying the other guy, and allowed me to train at his school. It was a 100 mile drive, each way, 2-3 times a week, but I'm glad that I did it. It gave me the opportunity to meet and train with some great people, and to really grow personally. I really owe a lot to Mr. C for his generosity. Anyway, my first "instructor's" ways continue to this day, and have gotten worse. It's so bad, that he really is a joke to everyone that knows him, and even some of those that have just heard of him. It's sad that someone with so much potential to have a great school let's it all go because he's too lazy to improve himself, and is completely in love with money and himself.
Chalambok, with your permission, I would like to reprint your original post on the Jiu Jitsu Gear forum. I will give you full credit for the post, but I think that a lot of people on the site will be able to relate to what you are saying, and will appreciate it.

just one question... how/why did you get a 3 year contract with a martial arts school??

Put yourself in the position who is fairly new to martial arts. I had studied some Tae Kwon Do when I was a kid, and some Wing Chun as a teen. I was then in my mid 20's and wanted to get back into martial arts. I went to this school, and the "window dressing" that was presented was great. You first sign a 1 year contract for $XX whatever the monthly fee was. I later heard him refer to his first year students as his "money base". While you are in your first year of the 4 year "Black Belt" program, he really caters to you. You feel that you are learning a lot, and you get lots of personal attention. After you get through your first year, which was really good, and which you really enjoyed, he says, "Well, your contract is up. You can either sign this 3 year contract, and complete the program for the same amount of money, or you can pay monthly for $XX amount of money more per month." After one year of what you thought was great instruction, why would you take the cheaper price for what you were expecting to be more great training. Once you sign it, it's the beginning of the end. But, looking at the bright side, had I not signed the 3 year contract, I would not have felt compelled to continue, and started my training at the Beach. That is where my passion for the martial arts was born. So, I guess every cloud has a silver lining. Today, when I speak with anyone thinking of going to his school, I try not to bash him to hard. I just tell them to ask for documentation as to claims made, and don't sign any contracts, pay monthly.

how much were you paying? i suspect my gyms really cheap, its like $6 a week. good place tho, cant remember who trained Ian exactly but ill find out sometime. a name ppl recognise tho, Ian really does know his stuff. scary, scary punches... and breaking someones arm through the pads does imply that youve got the technique right...

I think I was paying $75 a month. If it went to monthly payments, it would have been closer to $100. Where do you train?

in a place called falmouth, in cornwall, england. so its actually 3 pounds, i gave conversion to $ a try thats all. problem the gyms got is that as soon as ppl leave the beginners class, conditioning rears its hed and they all run away cos it hurts a little. well, a lot. ill go find out who trained him now add edit this post with the name

"Ian Davies is the clubs senior instructor, and has over 20 years experience. The majority under the guidance of the legendary Master Sken and the his famous Sitnarong camp. In recent years kru Sandy Holt has played a major part in Ian’s progress" from www.falmouththai.co.uk

a link with most stuff about the guy: http://www.falmouththai.co.uk/index....d=18&Itemid=36