Why are you in the Arts? Aesthetic vs. Practicality

[Casey_Sutherland]

I find there are many different avenues which lead to why people study martial arts. Why are you in it? Martial artists don't fall from the sky, it takes time and character to build a competant student. Why are you in the arts? Is it mainly for its Aesthetic value i.e. It looks cool, keeps you in shape and lets you meet people. Or is it that possibly you want to know that if push came to shove you will shove back, harder, and faster, that you hone your skills to be an all round master?

Some food for thought

[arnisador]

I started out looking for practical self-defense, but now it's just the fun and indeed the aesthetics. I'm no longer so worried about self-defense for me.

But, I train my son, and for him my interest is self-defense.

[Casey_Sutherland]

I guess it is like the old adage of the Tiger and the Dragon. When we start our jorney we are more like the Tiger, interested in power and physical readiness. As we train we become more like the Dragon, training for wisdom and perfection in our art.

[terryl965]

well here goes again I started for I had no choice, Father was a Master drill instructor USMC, stayed in it for the Art itself. Martial Art is not a day to day encounter it isa life long journey that will never end. Wisdom cames from age and age brings wisdom.
Terry

[Rich Parsons]

I started for Practicality - On how not to break people

I stay for the beauty of how to better break people ;)

[Ceicei]

I guess it is like the old adage of the Tiger and the Dragon. When we start our jorney we are more like the Tiger, interested in power and physical readiness. As we train we become more like the Dragon, training for wisdom and perfection in our art.

I agree very much with this. It is pretty much how I started and how my journey is going....

- Ceicei

[Casey_Sutherland]

I agree very much with this. It is pretty much how I started and how my journey is going....

- Ceicei

Although I am still age wise very much a tiger, In my training I am very involved now with theories and ideas that arise. I remember my first class ever at 16 years old, and being introduced to kenpo with no other instruction than teenage mutant ninja turtles as a kid. I pretty much just wanted to learn how to kick @$$. 6 years later I find that I am more apt to not want to hurt someone but the psychology of conflict, conflict resolution and how the arts can be incorporated to other facets of life. Not only that but sampling theories or other arts and emptying my cup so to say.


On a side note, it's great that something like Martial Talk exists. Where else can you find so much enthusiasm about arts that have been so mystified for years, discussed on even basis with new students and seasoned instructors. I was tipped to this site a while back by my insrtuctor Mr. Rob Broad, and it has definatly opened a lot of doors.

[bignick]

Good question...because the voice in my head says I have to keep doing it...
:idunno:

[ppko]

I started for Practicality - On how not to break people

I stay for the beauty of how to better break people ;)You took my answer, I started because I always thought that the martial arts were cool and always wanted to learn how to fight, I stay to learn how to fight more efficiently.

[Gemini]

As the old addage goes. It isn't whether you win or loose that matters, it's how good you look doing it. :supcool:

Actually, practicality has always been my foremost concern, but whether people want to admit it or not, aesthetics plays a big part in how capable you're perceived to be at your art. As a practitioner, that may not matter. As an instructor, it does. So I practice with both in mind.

[OnlyAnEgg]

As with many, practicality, at first. Not long into it, though, aesthetics tied for first reason.

[MJS]

Originally started for SD, getting in shape and confidence. Some of those goals have remained and others have changed.

Mike

[Navarre]

My first karate instructor was my high school Social Studies teacher. After talking with him off and on about martial arts I realized it was something I wanted to pursue.

I joined for a chance to be considered based on who I was as a person and what I accomplished, not the labels that had been applied to me for as long as I could remember. Thus, my answer would be that I joined for aesthetic reasons.

It wasn't until about green belt level that I started enjoying the physical aspect of the Art. Now of course I see them as inseparable and appreciate both equally in their own right.

However, I also suspect that many of us had to find the Art. Regardless of our initial novice perceptions upon entering, is there something intrinsic that pulls us to martial arts?

There are a lot of practitioners out there but most of us here are set upon a spiritual path. That path is defined by each of us and traveled with the Art as our guide.

Even if it had been less convenient to join I suspect many of us would eventually find and pursue martial arts nonetheless for there is something powerful inside of us that would be fulfilled with few other outcomes. Sometimes I feel that I didn't find the Art but that it was the Art which found me.

[Icewater]

I started because my father realized I had a big mouth and a propensity for trouble. I continued because he was right. Now I persist because I give a little, get a little, and it helps trim the fat.

[Loki]

Non-compromising practicality. What can I say, I find brutal efficiency beautiful.

[Casey_Sutherland]

Who is in an art more favoured for its practicality, or more favoured for its aesthetics. I am not asking this to spark controversy but to simply illuminate the arts which are held to be more so lovely looking than those of that just are practical. I.E. A crecent kick looks nice and is a great technique, but it is not likely in a Self Defence situation that I personally would ever throw one.

Also, what art would you like to branch out with and try. I want to try Capoeira. I love its blend of music, history, and defence. Plus the berimbau looks cool.

[arnisador]

For the aesthetics, I love iaido--I'd like to try that again.

[Casey_Sutherland]

That is the art of sword drawing, correct?

[FearlessFreep]

I thought Manga was the art of sword-drawing, along with monsters and mechas and such

[Casey_Sutherland]

:rtfm:

[karatekid1975]

I guess it is like the old adage of the Tiger and the Dragon. When we start our jorney we are more like the Tiger, interested in power and physical readiness. As we train we become more like the Dragon, training for wisdom and perfection in our art.

This is basically why I started. The style of TKD that I do is more Aesthethic but it does have practicality, too.

As far as arts I'd like to try, I did/am hehehehe. I tried Judo for the throws (Instructor stopped teaching though). I do Jujitsu now for the practicality. But I like to try XMA for fun, and the fitness level those guys have to do that stuff (I wouldn't want to give up TKD or Jujitsu for it, so I would have to work it in somehow).

[bdparsons]

Though I did vote that it doesn't matter, I think I lean heavily toward practicality with aesthetics an important contribution to the study of XXXX art. In my opinion aesthetics can, if approached properly help a student to reflect on what they are learning. But if you have to choose between the two, definitely persue practicality.

Just another voice crying in the wilderness.

Respects,
Bill Parsons
Triangle Kenpo Institute

[AdrenalineJunky]

Most people do not equate Muay Thai with aesthetics; but anyone who's seen the Wai Khru Ram Muay, has seen the beauty of Muay Thai. Also, I think it is dangerous to talk about what is "practical" What does practical mean; what does effective mean? A MA is only as practical as the circumstances under which it is intended to be used. Muay Thai isn't very effective in a TKD tournament, nor a boxing match, nor Kendo. Boxing may be a very practical form of stand-up striking, but it's not very effective against someone who has a shot-gun.

[Solidman82]

I train practical skills first and foremost and aesthetics to improve on those skills. Aesthetics are usually much more difficult to attain and hence they will make your combat easier for you in the end.

If I had to train in an art purely for the skills and beauty it has to offer I would have to go with Capoeira.

I am certain there is alot in that art that most people don't see at first or second glance and all of the practioners claim it has changed their lives. Plus, it looks like one hel of a workout!

[arnisador]

That is the art of sword drawing, correct?

Yup. Iaido is great fun, if you like the aesthetic aspects of the art.

[Casey_Sutherland]

Yup. Iaido is great fun, if you like the aesthetic aspects of the art.

I just recently picked up a book "Iai, The art of drawing the sword" by Darrell Max Craig. It is on the long list of books to read.

[masherdong]

To stay in shape and to be able to defend myself and family if I needed to.

[Marvin]

I started for self defense and I believe what we train is pratical. But now I just train for the fun and camaraderie. So I guess that's aesthetic?

[Gin-Gin]

Originally started for SD, getting in shape and confidence. Some of those goals have remained and others have changed.

MikeMe too; plus the friendships I've made & the love that I feel for my Kenpo family is as strong as that of my "real" family. :D :asian: