How Much Martial Arts Are You Really Going to Need?
Here’s a question I shouldn’t be asking. After all, as a fellow who sells martial arts DVDs, I should be trying to sell you large amounts of everything, right? Because I prefer happy customers, let me answer this question.
You don’t need much, when it comes to martial arts. The truth of the matter is that when a fight starts you only need a few workable techniques. And, sad truth of the matter, most of the martial arts being taught these days are pretty much filler.
Karate, such as Shotokan, Uechi or Wado, has dozens of forms, hundreds of techniques, fancy ways of dismantling an attacker, yet, all you need are the three or four that work. You need to isolate the three or four techniques that suit your mind and frame, and then work them until they are second nature. There’s where the true discipline is, in spending the long lonely hours working just the important stuff until it works…every time.
Kung Fu, such as Shaolin, has amazing routines filled with acrobatics, yet, when was the last time you saw somebody do a somersault in a fight, unless he was the one that was getting hit? Or, maybe you want the mysterious chi building exercises of such arts as Pa Kua or Tai Chi or Hsing I, but, again, how many fights have you seen where people use chi gung to win?
Or, take kenpo, which has over five hundred death dealing techniques, virtually none of which work in the ring. Or Tae Kwon Do, with its amazing arsenal of kicks, but which kicks are of little value once the distance has closed. Or jujitsu, which has so many throws, but who can afford to take the time to roll around on a parking lot with more than one attacker to handle?
These arts that I have mentioned, you see have weaknesses inherent within them. And it would appear that I am just bad mouthing arts. Actually, there is a madness behind my method.
If you are interested in quick self defense, find a course, maybe even just hang a punching bag and get to work. A few months of sweat, and you are there. This is going to be all you need.
And, if you are like me, with the martial arts monkey on your back, just cannot get enough of that sweet stuff, then I have removed you from my arena, and given myself less distractions in the pursuit of my art. You see,all of those faults I have mentioned, I study all the arts and eliminate all the faults, and I am an artist of The True Art. You want quickie stuff, go away, if you want the real thing, then be willing to go all the way.
Al Case has taught martial arts for 4O+ years. A professional writer for the magazines, you can see how he has eliminated system flaws and weakness in the martial arts by getting his free ebook at Monster Martial Arts.
Tags: isshin ryu, karate, kenpo, krav maga, kung fu, martial arts dvds, martial arts instruction, online instruction, Self Defense, shaolin, shito ryu, shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, uechi ryu, wado ryuPosted in
