Masters of TMA

[pstevens]

I would like to share my insight on TMA Masters. When the first martial arts “Masters” came from the East, many people regarded them as deadly, unbeatable, unparalleled, etc... There was this mystique surrounding martial artists and few questioned their validity. And in truth, THEY did have an edge because martial arts possessed an unknown element.

Over the years, however, much has been dispelled... We know now that many of these “Masters” were simply couriers of systems, not the dangerous beasts we had imagined. In the case of William Cheung, Cheung believed that his lineage of Wing Chun made him a superior martial artists — which, as it turns out, was not the case. In Cheung’s defense, I don’t believe he understood the truth about martial arts because he has been part of the propaganda his entire life. But the truth is that the makings of a martial artist has more to do with personal attributes than lineage. Can a boxing coach out-box his best boxer? Ofcourse not, but that doesn’t mean his knowledge isn’t valid. The same is true with martial arts.

It’s no surprise that good fighters are also good athletes...they also need good guidance. That’s the role of Masters, instructors and teachers... Whether they’re athletes or not is another story. But it shouldn’t come as any surprise that your aged, crippled Master Instructor from mainland China cannot defeat a UFC champion. There’s no truth in that. There’s only confidence that someone with knowledge can bestow that knowledge unto you and maybe that will make you a better martial artist.

[krys]

But the truth is that the makings of a martial artist has more to do with personal attributes than lineage.

Not in TMAs...... there are outdoor students and indoor students and believe me that makes a huge difference in the quality of teaching received ......
Peoples who haven't been in the East or don't have a knowledge of asian culture will have problems understanding this....

You need to have good attributes AND to be an indoor student if you want to become a good TMA fighter....

Many of those so called masters who came to the west had only superficial knowledge of their art..... enough to give them an edge but still superficial...

[pstevens]

Not in TMAs...... there are outdoor students and indoor students and believe me that makes a huge difference in the quality of teaching received ......
Peoples who haven't been in the East or don't have a knowledge of asian culture will have problems understanding this....

Sure, I understand this is true, but it still boils down to personal attributes. Hence, I used the example of William Cheung. Cheung was an "indoor" student of Yip Mann and perhaps the most influenced by Mann's techniques and concepts. Yet, that doesn't make him a great fighter. Similar situations are true of Joon Rhee, among other Masters.

From my personal experience, the best fighters have been those that trained hard or were naturally gifted. In our little gym, we've had the privelege of hosting some extraordinary talent from across the globe and I'm led to believe that good martial artists benefit most from intensity of training and athletics, aside from mindset.

[jubaji]

Not in TMAs...... there are outdoor students and indoor students and believe me that makes a huge difference in the quality of teaching received ......
Peoples who haven't been in the East or don't have a knowledge of asian culture will have problems understanding this....

...

Believe you? Why?

Get over yourself.

[akja]

In defense of TMA

Theres something here that is overlooked VERY much. Personal attributes "can" makes us great fighters "today."

I'll use professinal boxing as a referance (MMA is to new to judge). Boxers and Thai boxers training is some of the most intense fight training on the planet. They definately produce some of the best fighters out there.

Now after these "pros" retire. What do they do? How many get fat? How many become couch potatos? How many become party animals? How many quit training altogether?

Thats the differance! A true master NEVER quits training whether it TMA, MMA. dosen't matter. Sure these "pros" can still throw a punch when they're 70 years old. But how good of a punch? How do they move?

History has proved it. The greatest percentage of "true maters" who are in better shape in their "old Age" are TMA masters.

Like it or not, it dosen't matter. But the proof is there. Look at Helio Gracie. BJJ is for the most part a TMA, a Brazilian TMA.

[krys]

Sure, I understand this is true, but it still boils down to personal attributes. Hence, I used the example of William Cheung. Cheung was an "indoor" student of Yip Mann and perhaps the most influenced by Mann's techniques and concepts. Yet, that doesn't make him a great fighter. Similar situations are true of Joon Rhee, among other Masters.

I don't believe Cheung was an indoor student.... his stories are not credible....
Cheung didn't stay very long with Yip man before moving to Australia and he would have learned more than Yip Man's own sons one of whom lived full time for 10 years with him? Even YM sons don't have the same level of knowledge.......

[/QUOTE]
From my personal experience, the best fighters have been those that trained hard or were naturally gifted. [/QUOTE]

Those are part of the conditions to become an indoor student.....

[pstevens]

I don't believe Cheung was an indoor student.... his stories are not credible....
Cheung didn't stay very long with Yip man before moving to Australia and he would have learned more than Yip Man's own sons one of whom lived full time for 10 years with him? Even YM sons don't have the same level of knowledge.......

Well, as I've stated before, knowledge isn't exactly fighting prowess in the martial arts... Knowledge is simply the knowledge, or the ability pass it on. There's nothing to suggest that Yip Mann was the greatest kung-fu fighter ever, simply because he had knowledge of wing chun. There is validity in Mann's understanding of wing chun.