Why You Study Martial Arts? Pls Tell Us.

[konghan]

First, I am amazed to see that some of us have consistently practiced martial arts for such a long time. Konghan, for example, has practiced for almost 25 years! Congratulations! However, I believe at some time you may feel bored doing the practices again and again, what do you usually do at such moments? How do you overcome boredome?

Of that 25 years, 15 years serious training that include participating in contact tournaments, public exhibitions & performance competitions. 10 years & up to the present light training due to family, work & education. And the good thing about all these i`ve only concentrated myself in wu zu quan style.

Bored?, not really becuase in wu zu quan (ngo cho kun) or any kung fu for that matter have so much things to learn. I`m trying to perfect my go ki lat or 5 powers, qi power, & concentrating on making forms a more effective tool to develop the fighting instinct and how to adopt forms for health purposes like physiotheraphy or for older people who cannot perform hard style, same concept as tai chi.

Also, I do some private training with fuuture plans to have my team participate in martial art tournaments, and if things work out maybe open a kwoan ( martial art club) that teaches ngo cho kun here in West Coast.

[shuyun]

i do martial arts because its myway of life.

wax on wax off

the arts of war are useful in all situations for me and the attributes i have as a martial artist improves my social interaction.

heck it even cured my two left feet!

[Cue Ball]

I started TKD in a mistaken attempt to get fit and learn self defence. After 5 years of getting my ass kicked and a hyperflexed knee, I figured it might be time to try something a little different. Like NOT a McDojang. I now practice Chow Gar Tong Long, where my Sifu teaches for the enjoyment of teaching, and I train for the fulfillment of learning an art that is taught in a true manner, i.e: not as a sport. Anyone who learns an MA for the purposes of thumping someone els or personal glory really has to look deep within themselves and question their motivation.

[Dim Wit Moc]

Tjang: You can get this book off Amazon, and I guarantee you will find it very thought provoking. The memorable quotes are numerous. Here are a couple or three.

1) So hear this warrior, unless you have the courage to face your enemy and act against him in the open, your revenge is fearful and dishonorble. (pg 184)
2) Justice is simply knowing the difference between right and wrong, and doing right. (pg 144).
3) This afternoon, I realized that what many non-martial artists think about us is true, for all the hoopla about training and techniques, most martial artists can't really fight. (pg 197).

These quotes are taken out of context and don't really do the book justice. It is one of the the best I have ever read and highly recommend it.

[Smart Fighter]

I was a very awkward youth. Shy, introverted, and very frail. It looked as though I would have no athletic ability. Even as soon as kindergarten I was picked on, and bullied. On my seventh birthday, my Father took me to see a man, who was a Judo instructor. I fell in love with what I saw. I spent the next 11 years training under him. We parted ways when I went to college. I still had issues with confidence, and always turned away from conflict out of fear. I joined the Army, and was Infantry Airborne. I began studies in Kempo while in the service. Still shy, and reserved, I felt that martial arts was the only thing that I could do well. I applied, and was accepted to Ranger school, at that began to change me. Upon completing Ranger school, I continued on with my training in Kempo at various places. I re-enlisted after 4 years, and was approached to work in Special Operations. My confidence was greatly improved, and I became a formidable opponent when training. I went to Langley VA, to train in specialized combatives, and I learned how to combine all of my knowledge together. I served another 6 years, in which I saw actual combat, and honed my skills based on life experiences. The last seven years, I have trained in Chin Na kung fu, as used in the White Crane style, I use it to transpose from grappling to striking and connect my art and expand my thinking, as I incorporate the internal arts as well. Currently I teach what is basically the style of my life, which is a blend of what Ive seen and learned over the years. Im happy to say that on July 5th I will have 31 years of martial arts under my belt. There is no way to determin ehow much the arts have done to make me a better human being, and even today I am still learning. Thanks for this thread, I so enjoy sharing the comradery of being in the fraternity of martial artists.

[Cue Ball]

1) So hear this warrior, unless you have the courage to face your enemy and act against him in the open, your revenge is fearful and dishonorble. (pg 184)
2) Justice is simply knowing the difference between right and wrong, and doing right. (pg 144).

A couple of good calls to be true. One that myself and a friend are quite fond of is:

"I'll NEVER say anything behind your back that I won't say to your face"

Number two does beg the question though: What is right and wrong? Do we define right as to be the laws of the country in which you find yourself, or your own sense of morals? Both are intrinsically right, but try defending something morally right, but legally wrong in court. And try living with yourself after doing something legally right, but morally wrong.

[Dim Wit Moc]

Cue Ball: Forrest investigates these matters in depth. The quotes obviously need a lot of explanation and support. He is very much into the Japanese slant on things which is good, but my major criticism of his work is that it lacks cultural diversity of perspective. It is well worth reading and pondering.

[Cue Ball]

Cool, someone finally goes into depth about the concept of right & wrong. Strange that something so intrinsic to society, and so open to interpretation has had so little attention brought upon it. We just take right & wrong for granted, why? Because we're told, as we're told that colours are colours and that's that. I'm interested in any writungs on the subject.

[Mulan]

Well, I was always interested in martial arts. I think there's something very beautiful about a person whose mind and body are one, who is fully aware of their own mortality, yet embraces honorable combat. After all, the moment you feel most alive is often right before you die. I also like Hong Kong movies a lot (yes, I know they're fake). Yet I always stayed away from taking martial arts because of my very competitive nature... If I win, my ego gets inflated and I feel arrogant and self-centered. If I lose, my ego gets deflated and I feel depressed and useless. Neither feeeling is very pleasant to me. I was afraid that if I take martial arts and get beaten in sparring too many times, I would seriously find a way to kill somebody.

But then a month or so ago I caught a documentary about Shaolin Kung Fu, and it inspired me. Then I guess something inside of me of me snapped, and I felt like I really could pursue a martial art, and it would be alright, and I wouldn't end up killing anyone. I felt ready to take the responsibility of perhaps a lifelong commitment, do it for myself, and not make a competition out of it. After doing some reasearch on the different kinds of martial art out there, I settled on some type of Kung Fu. So I'm gonna start with Tai Chi Chuan, and eventually maybe add on some basic Wing Chun for more direct offense.

I'm more into the esoteric side of martial arts, so my reasons for studying it are to unify my mind and body, use it to help with my spiritual path, learn to flow and use chi, develop more discipline, character, and inner peace, perhaps even transcend limitation, feel connected to an ancient culture, look impressive in parks, and of course to learn some self-defense. Like science and spirituality, I don't think traditional martial arts and real self-defense are mutually exclusive. Traditional styles have always evolved over the centuries, and I plan to continue with that tradition of adaptability. After learning a style, I do not plan to be restricted by it, and will modify it if I feel something works better for me differently. I do hope that training in Tai Chi Chuan will diminish any urges I have to shatter somebody's arm.

[konghan]

Well, I was always interested in martial arts. I think there's something very beautiful about a person whose mind and body are one, who is fully aware of their own mortality, yet embraces honorable combat. After all, the moment you feel most alive is often right before you die. I also like Hong Kong movies a lot (yes, I know they're fake). Yet I always stayed away from taking martial arts because of my very competitive nature... If I win, my ego gets inflated and I feel arrogant and self-centered. If I lose, my ego gets deflated and I feel depressed and useless. Neither feeeling is very pleasant to me. I was afraid that if I take martial arts and get beaten in sparring too many times, I would seriously find a way to kill somebody.

But then a month or so ago I caught a documentary about Shaolin Kung Fu, and it inspired me. Then I guess something inside of me of me snapped, and I felt like I really could pursue a martial art, and it would be alright, and I wouldn't end up killing anyone. I felt ready to take the responsibility of perhaps a lifelong commitment, do it for myself, and not make a competition out of it. After doing some reasearch on the different kinds of martial art out there, I settled on some type of Kung Fu. So I'm gonna start with Tai Chi Chuan, and eventually maybe add on some basic Wing Chun for more direct offense.

I'm more into the esoteric side of martial arts, so my reasons for studying it are to unify my mind and body, use it to help with my spiritual path, learn to flow and use chi, develop more discipline, character, and inner peace, perhaps even transcend limitation, feel connected to an ancient culture, look impressive in parks, and of course to learn some self-defense. Like science and spirituality, I don't think traditional martial arts and real self-defense are mutually exclusive. Traditional styles have always evolved over the centuries, and I plan to continue with that tradition of adaptability. After learning a style, I do not plan to be restricted by it, and will modify it if I feel something works better for me differently. I do hope that training in Tai Chi Chuan will diminish any urges I have to shatter somebody's arm.

That is why people espacially those who train in combat donot understand what TMA is real about & what they don`t understand they redicule & make fun of . TMA is more than fighting, it is a long term committment it is about the development & understanding the psychological aspect of life &
our relationship with our surroundings, it is about culture, it is about spirituality, it is about health, it is about fighting to be a better person.

" Physically Fit, Spiritually Pure, Morally Straight, & Mentally Awake"
How corny it may sound, this is my guide to be a good MA.

[Cue Ball]

Mulan, I believe you have to only correct reason for learning a martial art, traditional or otherwise. For competitive or other ego related reasons is a dishonour both on the art and on those who wish to learn it for the same reasons as you. Bravo.

[shuyun]

I'm more into the esoteric side of martial arts, so my reasons for studying it are to unify my mind and body, use it to help with my spiritual path, learn to flow and use chi, develop more discipline, character, and inner peace, perhaps even transcend limitation, feel connected to an ancient culture, look impressive in parks, and of course to learn some self-defense. Like science and spirituality, I don't think traditional martial arts and real self-defense are mutually exclusive. Traditional styles have always evolved over the centuries, and I plan to continue with that tradition of adaptability. After learning a style, I do not plan to be restricted by it, and will modify it if I feel something works better for me differently. I do hope that training in Tai Chi Chuan will diminish any urges I have to shatter somebody's arm.

that's what i meant by the wax on wax off thing as a way of life. as you push your self to higher strata of skill you find more ways to resolve conflict without fighting. Not because you are afraid but because you are totally aware of yourself and others.

[Tjang]

Legitimate reasons

Once again, I see the flamboyance of life. There are different reasons for studying a martial art, and I think each of them is legitimate, although not everybody will say that he/she can approve of it.

I think reasons are reasons. They are true and they may be different from ours.

Even if someone would say, "I learn MA so that I can be a film star." I think he is also correct. Perhaps he doesn't need it for fighting, but for posing for films and getting money and fames.

Do you mind? Do you think such reason should be a shame for all of us, because we have higher respects on MA, for example? Pls give your comments.

[JosHetEi]

I'm having some problems with these guys I always have to pass when I ride to school by bike. They always shout at me and are agressive to me. Once they where driving on the wrong side of the road so they would be close to me and one pushed me really hard and I almost fell of my bike. That's when I realised "this won't stop 'till someone really gets hurt". So I started taking WingTzun-lessons. They really payed of and I'm feeling more confident even if those guys are bigger and there are two of them. Just yesterday I was going to the big fair in this city with a friend and I saw the same guys there. I'm pretty sure they noticed me to cuz I'm easely spotted in a crowd cuz of my curly hair (no afro). They started laughing and dare me but I just pretended I didn't see them. They ruined my evening cuz I was constantly looking behind me and checking if I dind't see them. I've been taking WT lessons for a month but I don't feel confident enough to take them on. I hope that changes soon.
Great thread btw

[Tjang]

Good Luck

Dear Jos,

I feel sympathetic on what has been happening to you. I think some people don’t have enough dignity to try to be respected people. Keep on learning the lessons and I hope you can make even greater progress, so that in the near future you can get firmer feeling and self-confidence to cope with the situation. Avoiding a fight or a quarrel is noble, I believe. And I hope this thread can be really beneficial to you. Good luck.