Martial Arts - Reality or Fantasy
By Grandmaster Bob Chaney
What is the reason for the phenomenal success of the traditional Martial Arts and today’s incredible popularity of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts schools) opening on every corner?
The traditional Martial Arts are often misunderstood by the laymen as well as even the most experienced practitioners and instructors. One of the strongest human needs next to survival is recognition. Recognition provides self-worth, confidence, and self respect. Traditional martial sarts like Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Jiu Jitsu, Judo, etc. are popular for their character building attributes associated with traditional training. It provides students with status, leadership skills, builds athleticism, develops confidence and leads to academic achievement by enhancing concentration and the ability to focus. Athleticism is forged thru repetitive drills and strenuous exercise. The discovery of “I can,” takes over as students achieve rank and status while learning accountability and taking responsibility for leading and setting good examples for their peer-group.
Does two years of strenuous training make deadly fighting machines out of the average student capable of single handedly wiping out a gang of Hells Angels? Hardly! It takes the average student 2 to 3 years to achieve minimal success and any realistic ability to defend them selves.
Next we have The MMA schools opening on every corner that focus on totally functional combat. Choking out your opponent or pounding him into submission inside of a cage. But the good MMA schools also teach discipline, instill confidence and conditioning and enhance coordination and teaches focus which helps one to achieve academically. Like traditional Martial arts schools MMA schools are good for weight control and develop confidence and athleticism. But MMA schools tend to be more adult orientated with less of a focus on the character building attributes.
I don’t think Tiger Woods is any less of an athlete then John Elway or an Evander Holyfield. Gymnasts are not better athletes then Ballerinas. Base Ball players are comparable to Football players. But they are different. The popularity of the Martial Arts and the key to their success is in understanding why people study the various arts.
The traditional Martial Arts are often misunderstood by the laymen as well as even the most experienced practitioners and instructors. One of the strongest human needs next to survival is recognition. Recognition provides self-worth, confidence, and self respect. Traditional martial sarts like Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Jiu Jitsu, Judo, etc. are popular for their character building attributes associated with traditional training. It provides students with status, leadership skills, builds athleticism, develops confidence and leads to academic achievement by enhancing concentration and the ability to focus. Athleticism is forged thru repetitive drills and strenuous exercise. The discovery of “I can,” takes over as students achieve rank and status while learning accountability and taking responsibility for leading and setting good examples for their peer-group.
Does two years of strenuous training make deadly fighting machines out of the average student capable of single handedly wiping out a gang of Hells Angels? Hardly! It takes the average student 2 to 3 years to achieve minimal success and any realistic ability to defend them selves.
Next we have The MMA schools opening on every corner that focus on totally functional combat. Choking out your opponent or pounding him into submission inside of a cage. But the good MMA schools also teach discipline, instill confidence and conditioning and enhance coordination and teaches focus which helps one to achieve academically. Like traditional Martial arts schools MMA schools are good for weight control and develop confidence and athleticism. But MMA schools tend to be more adult orientated with less of a focus on the character building attributes.
I don’t think Tiger Woods is any less of an athlete then John Elway or an Evander Holyfield. Gymnasts are not better athletes then Ballerinas. Base Ball players are comparable to Football players. But they are different. The popularity of the Martial Arts and the key to their success is in understanding why people study the various arts.
