Smart people question
- Thread starter donald1
- Start date
I was born this way.
Not sure what you mean. Maybe explaining what you mean by "smart" in this context would be a good starting point?
OP
OP
donald1
Senior Master
Specifically knowing a broad range of different martial arts from history to reason for different styles to the the techniques and forms practiced. Specifically curious knowledge of many different types of forms and styles (and the question how do you learn them) whether it's something like learning from someone who tells you or research of some sort
I'd say that, with MA, as much as possible, find the folks who are pioneers in a particular Art. Books by them, or speaking directly to them is preferably, the best way to understand history &/or technique.
For example, for BBJ speaking with Rorian Gracie or JJ Machado would open up a huge amount of info on the subject for you. There are tons of folks who have made names for themselves in BJJ that have come along doing unique things (Eddie Bravo, for example), but the Gracies & Machados are at the heart of that Art.
My .2 cents.
For example, for BBJ speaking with Rorian Gracie or JJ Machado would open up a huge amount of info on the subject for you. There are tons of folks who have made names for themselves in BJJ that have come along doing unique things (Eddie Bravo, for example), but the Gracies & Machados are at the heart of that Art.
My .2 cents.
hoshin1600
Senior Master
study.
many people practice martial arts very few study.
keep a journal style note book for your own thoughs and ideas, concepts you have learned just everything you find important. rule number one, dont trust your memory. second thing is read. i have a library of over 500 books. many are rare and out of print. glad i bought them when i did.
number 3 get out of your dojo!!!
"in 3 years time you will be the same person you are today except for the influence of the people you have met and the books you have read"
not exactly sure you said that but i think it was Earl Nightengale
get out of your dojo and take seminars and visit other dojos other styles and meet and talk with the top people out there.
many people practice martial arts very few study.
keep a journal style note book for your own thoughs and ideas, concepts you have learned just everything you find important. rule number one, dont trust your memory. second thing is read. i have a library of over 500 books. many are rare and out of print. glad i bought them when i did.
number 3 get out of your dojo!!!
"in 3 years time you will be the same person you are today except for the influence of the people you have met and the books you have read"
not exactly sure you said that but i think it was Earl Nightengale
get out of your dojo and take seminars and visit other dojos other styles and meet and talk with the top people out there.
The word "smart" means intelligent, and the answer is that you're born with whatever degree of intelligence you have. What you do with that intelligence is up to you.
I suspect you incorrectly used "smart" to mean "educated" or "informed", in which case the answer is: same way you get educated on any other subject. You study. You research. You listen to others (but don't automatically assume they're infallible).
I suspect you incorrectly used "smart" to mean "educated" or "informed", in which case the answer is: same way you get educated on any other subject. You study. You research. You listen to others (but don't automatically assume they're infallible).
Yeah, that would be a matter of being broadly educated in the martial arts rather than being intelligent.
The answer is to seek out and absorb as much information as possible:
Read as much as possible.
Talk to knowledgeable people.
Ask lots of questions.
Practice and try things out for yourself.
Think about what you are told. A lot of widely believed myths about martial arts history don't hold up for very long once you apply a bit of critical thought.
Realize that all sources of information are potentially fallible. When you encounter contradictions, ask "what is this person's source for what he is telling me?"
Be willing to re-evaluate your beliefs based on new information.
Never stop learning.
Once you've done all the studying these folks are telling you to do, see if you can find a friend to talk to about it. Especially if you've reached an "aha" moment where you have grasped a little chunk of history or a line of development, and you feel that it is important. It interests you.
So now you become the professor and you describe in your own words to your friend what happened. It is understood that you may pick up a book in two months that gives a totally new viewpoint to the subject. The idea is to relate based on the information you have gathered so far, not complete and total accuracy.
So now you become the professor and you describe in your own words to your friend what happened. It is understood that you may pick up a book in two months that gives a totally new viewpoint to the subject. The idea is to relate based on the information you have gathered so far, not complete and total accuracy.
It helps if you have an instructor that has been around for a LONG time and knows the people who helped form the arts in you country. This instructor can many times tell you the history of the people you meet, their styles history, and who taught whom.
AS has been said before keep good notes on what has been told to you then if possible exchange that knowledge with others who know the history of their respective arts or those who are historians of various arts.
Reading about the history of the arts can also be a great way to learn but again keep notes.
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Now , do not always belive what is written or told as some arts have a false history to promote a certain instructor or to promote their culture as being the ONLY one to teach an art that has more than one true history. Some times the truth of an art is more legend than truth that can be varrified
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AS has been said before keep good notes on what has been told to you then if possible exchange that knowledge with others who know the history of their respective arts or those who are historians of various arts.
Reading about the history of the arts can also be a great way to learn but again keep notes.
______________________________
Now , do not always belive what is written or told as some arts have a false history to promote a certain instructor or to promote their culture as being the ONLY one to teach an art that has more than one true history. Some times the truth of an art is more legend than truth that can be varrified
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skribs
Grandmaster
There are several types of smart. Are you talking about quick processors? Someone who can quickly gain skills and who just seem quicker than most? That comes from a combination of genetics and practice. The more you exercise your mind the better it will work.
Are you talking about people with a lot of knowledge? Well, that's "practice" again, but a different type. Listen and learn, and work on ways to remember what you learn.
Are you talking about people who just seem to do better in class? Sometimes this can be genetics, but often it's about practice. Not just how often you practice, but how you practice. If you punch the same way 1000 times, you're not going to get better at punching - you're going to get more consistent at punch that way. Without either A) having someone correct you or B) making the effort to see if there's anything to improve, you won't get better.
What's the common theme here? Practice. The best people in the world at anything are those who practice. You can make snap decisions pretty much on reflex, whereas someone without experience might have to stop and think. The more you practice and work on something, be it skills, knowledge, or anything, the better you will be.
Are you talking about people with a lot of knowledge? Well, that's "practice" again, but a different type. Listen and learn, and work on ways to remember what you learn.
Are you talking about people who just seem to do better in class? Sometimes this can be genetics, but often it's about practice. Not just how often you practice, but how you practice. If you punch the same way 1000 times, you're not going to get better at punching - you're going to get more consistent at punch that way. Without either A) having someone correct you or B) making the effort to see if there's anything to improve, you won't get better.
What's the common theme here? Practice. The best people in the world at anything are those who practice. You can make snap decisions pretty much on reflex, whereas someone without experience might have to stop and think. The more you practice and work on something, be it skills, knowledge, or anything, the better you will be.
Danny T
Senior Master
A good instructor and research, research, research!
Question everything, listen to the answers, and research the answers. Practice what you learn and question if you really know and understand what you are practicing. Don't just accept what is told or look only for information that affirms what you have been told. Research the opposite and then you can make an informed decision as to what is correct. Also understand your truth may be different than someone else.
Balrog
Master of Arts
Associate with smart people and learn from them. And read, read, read, and then read some more. Watch documentaries on TV. Listen to audio books in the car.
Learn something new every day, or take something you already know and learn more about it. If you don't do that, you have wasted that day and you will never be able to recover it.
