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Martial Arts
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Post by
524425
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Post by
Orranis
I agree, 100%. While it's kind of hard to stop, I just wish more of the culture had stayed. I've been taking Judo since I was about six, and Judo means "Gentle Way" (Usually, depends on context). I find it really interesting, the art as well as the history.
Inb4 TheMediator going "Yes, some people just want to be Batman."
Post by
Adamsm
I don't study any of the arts anymore... but I've kept the stuff I was learning there with me since. But yeah, of course it's more spiritual in the East where it started, even now; they don't have the 'uber-ninja' and 'super karate' fighters like we do over here, showing that everyone who can do martial arts is a one man army... which is what sells to the Western World audiences.
Post by
524425
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Post by
Hyperspacerebel
I think the 'spiritual' side you keep referring to is (or should be) more of a means to an end, than an end in itself. You master yourself
so that
you can then you can then use your entire self as a weapon. Self-mastery leads to mastery of the world around you.
Post by
524425
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Post by
Hyperspacerebel
You would be surprised, hyper. That attitude of mastering yourself to better use yourself as a weapon is mostly prominent, based on the different classes I've been to and observed, in the U.S. On my recent trip to Korea for the W.T.F., my first ever trip, I realized how different the attitude is between nations. The Korean masters have a lot of respect for the spiritual aspect of Tae Kwon Do.
I got the chance to observe a Korean class taught by a friend of mine, and the customs are very different. They didn't practice sparring, and there was a heavy focus on perfecting your form. Almost two hours out of three were spent on the first five forms, first as a class and then broken up into belt appropriate groups.
The main reason I have for not taking Aikido is time. I would have to give up either fencing, TKD, or WoW, all of which I am very reluctant to let go of. And then of course, when I get back into a relationship, my time will be even more strangled.
All you're describing is more emphasis on mastering yourself. The doesn't change the ultimate end of the art.
Post by
260787
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Post by
524425
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Post by
Adamsm
Well yeah, it is about mastering everything about your body, but not for the purpose of attack; almost every discipline has the same mantra: Use only in defense of yourself and others. I mean sure 'you can' break someone's arm with a simple strike, but you shouldn't; most of the 'good' places here in the West try to match the original creeds as best they can.. those that don't are just out to make money from fleecing people who want to be 'ninja's'.
Post by
524425
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Post by
Adamsm
However, aside from spiritual martial arts, egotistic martial arts, and money making martial arts, another brand that pops up in dangerous areas is practical martial arts. I remember that, back when I lived in Detroit a few months ago, I went to a school that was entirely practical. We were taught sparring and specific gun and knife defensive techniques long before any emphasis was put on forms. I also remember a woman who was raped in Detroit and went to the same dojo as I did, with the single-minded purpose of learning proper self defense. She didn't care at all about the culture of it, which I do not hold against her at all, for her it was simply a practical way to protect herself unarmed.
I can't say that the world of martial arts is limited to those who care about their cultures, and those who do not. There are shades of gray in between.
You mean a self defense course.....
Post by
524425
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Post by
Interest
I wish my Martial Arts institute was any good. They were only interested in money.
Sighhhh...
Post by
524425
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Post by
Orranis
How long have you been taking martial arts? In other words, what belt are you? I only started two years ago, and it's already saved my life, even though I'm just a red belt.
Brown belt.
Post by
524425
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Post by
Orranis
We don't have that belt in the school I'm in right now, what gup is that? fyi, red belt is 2nd gup.
2nd to Black.
Post by
524425
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