Many times, while surfing the web, reading various forums, I always find myself coming across posts from people, asking for the opinions and assistance of others, to help them find a martial art that suits them best. Sometimes people will come on and post specific things, such as that they're looking for a good grappling art or school, a good X-Kan ie: Buj, Gen, Jin, and other times they'll be less specific, saying that they are looking for the best art for self defense. Usually included in that, are comments stating that they're looking for the art that'll teach them the most dangerous and violent things, that they can possibly do to an attacker.
So, after reading all of this, it makes me wonder..."Do these people think that there is actually an art out there that is the end all, be all of self defense?" Of course, I tend to find this rather interesting, because IMHO, its not necessarily the art, but the person. For example...some of us could look at TKD, and think that its the worst art out there, that all they do is focus on point fighting, keep their hands down, they dont do this or that, etc., but unless we see every TKD student out there, we'll never know if its really that way, or if there're TKDists out there that focus on street oriented material, more practical ways of fighting, etc. Of course, its not limited to TKD. I've had people talk about Kenpo.
Are these people assuming that because they see something in the movies or in 'the cage' that what they see is the best? Are they assuming that an art thats billed as RBSD, is the best? Again, while some arts may be geared more towards the real deal over something else, I still maintain that its the person. I know and train with many people who dont limit themselves to 1 thing, and go out, and make themselves as well rounded as possible.
Another rather interesting thing with these people who're looking for the magic key, is that they once again, assume that if they're training in this super magical unbeatable art, that it'll make them Supermen. I beg to differ on that, because if there was one super-duper art out there, it'd put all of the other arts out of business, because everyone would be training there at that one school.
In their quest for this ultimate knowledge, it seems to me that they're missing an important key....the fact that if all they have is the knowledge to do one thing, then thats what they'll be limited to. In other words, if these people are lacking the ability to verbally talk their way out of something, then God help them, because the only answer to the simplest situation, will result in an overkill response.
I also have to wonder if these magic key seekers, actually take the advice of those that're giving it, those that are more advanced than them, and step onto a mat, and do some actual training. I mean, ya gotta do some physical research instead of just hoping that you'll find some magic solution.
I've been training for over 20yrs now. I've seen some good stuff and some poor stuff. I've yet to come across the magic key. The arts that I do train in, are for me, what suits me best. They help to round my skills out, but that doesn't mean that I have the magic key, that I'm training in the magic arts. No, it simply means that I've found what works for my needs.
So, after reading all of this, it makes me wonder..."Do these people think that there is actually an art out there that is the end all, be all of self defense?" Of course, I tend to find this rather interesting, because IMHO, its not necessarily the art, but the person. For example...some of us could look at TKD, and think that its the worst art out there, that all they do is focus on point fighting, keep their hands down, they dont do this or that, etc., but unless we see every TKD student out there, we'll never know if its really that way, or if there're TKDists out there that focus on street oriented material, more practical ways of fighting, etc. Of course, its not limited to TKD. I've had people talk about Kenpo.
Are these people assuming that because they see something in the movies or in 'the cage' that what they see is the best? Are they assuming that an art thats billed as RBSD, is the best? Again, while some arts may be geared more towards the real deal over something else, I still maintain that its the person. I know and train with many people who dont limit themselves to 1 thing, and go out, and make themselves as well rounded as possible.
Another rather interesting thing with these people who're looking for the magic key, is that they once again, assume that if they're training in this super magical unbeatable art, that it'll make them Supermen. I beg to differ on that, because if there was one super-duper art out there, it'd put all of the other arts out of business, because everyone would be training there at that one school.
In their quest for this ultimate knowledge, it seems to me that they're missing an important key....the fact that if all they have is the knowledge to do one thing, then thats what they'll be limited to. In other words, if these people are lacking the ability to verbally talk their way out of something, then God help them, because the only answer to the simplest situation, will result in an overkill response.
I also have to wonder if these magic key seekers, actually take the advice of those that're giving it, those that are more advanced than them, and step onto a mat, and do some actual training. I mean, ya gotta do some physical research instead of just hoping that you'll find some magic solution.
I've been training for over 20yrs now. I've seen some good stuff and some poor stuff. I've yet to come across the magic key. The arts that I do train in, are for me, what suits me best. They help to round my skills out, but that doesn't mean that I have the magic key, that I'm training in the magic arts. No, it simply means that I've found what works for my needs.
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