Goals, methods, end results

Of course everyone wants to improve their lives, be happy is really probably everyone's goal. I like fighting...it's fun to me. Not fighting angry people in line at Blockbuster, but other MA's that want to do the same thing. It's like playing a really fast game of chess. Some people like to climb mountains, sail around the world, whatever...people need challenges so they can wake up in the morning. I work fulltime, i go to school, i train, i write, i paint, i have a girlfriend ...MA's are just one part of a persons life...in most cases (if it is your whole life, i would hope youre getting paid for it). I agree life is too short...you should do what makes you happy. I dont go to areas where people are looking to fight either...it's a bad outcome either way...either you hurt someone or they hurt you, its senseless. In any case, IMO, if you train your art without actually using it, you are not getting all of the art and you are shortchanging yourself.

Allan,

I really enjoyed that last post. Keep it up man! =)

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PlumDragon Herbs: Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniments

"When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes Judo."

I think many if not most people do know what they are doing what they are learning etc for one they can see results. Most stay anyway some leave and look somewhere else, but the bottom line is each person can do this because of the unique abilty of choice.
Choice is the true power in each person and nothing is more powerful than choice.

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You are not where you have been and you are not where you are going you are only here.

Good post Allan.

Boss... yes, choice would be the most powerful thing we as humans have.

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It's all about the nitty gritty.......

“	Originally Posted By: jawsman choice would be the most powerful thing we as humans have.	”

Is this some Garden of Eden thing?

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Wolfgang says:

I could think of a million better things to do in Japan for a month besides jumping off of picnic tables. - x893

Nah.... don't care for apples that much.

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It's all about the nitty gritty.......

“	If it makes them happy, more power to them..... IMO the mindset that was trained was dangerous in many ways, but most specifically in that he instilled a perception in his students that they would be able to use this stuff in REAL situations...	”

THAT is the problem that I have with it. It's dangerous and irresponsible.

“	My goal is to never have to fight. My other goal is to be able to defend myself if I have to	”

Analogy....
"My goal is to never have to get in water. My other goal is to be able to not drown in case I ever accidentally find myself in deep water."

Peace-
Cam

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Rock On!
Cam
"Raise up your mind....."

I think the analogy would read something more like this, "In the instance I fall into water, I will know how to swim."

<< I will know how to swim.">>

don't you think thats very risky?

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You are not where you have been and you are not where you are going you are only here.

Do forms teach applicable martial skill? In isolation, no. If viewed in the correct context they do. Learning (by which I also include understanding) forms and practicing them correctly (by which I mean with thought and analysis as opposed to rote repetition), aids in understanding principles, flow, angles, technique, posture, structure and awareness. These understandings when combined with live drilling and free sparing aid in developing and applying effective application.

A good instructor will know this and teach his/her students this, together with the fact that whatever the instructor teaches is merely the foundation from which to begin the student’s own personal martial development. It is up to the student to analyse, adapt and discover what works for the individual. A “style” is the starting point, not the end goal.

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"Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver. The greater the general, the more he contributes in maneuver, the less he demands in slaughter." - Sir Winston Churchill

“	Originally Posted By: aqira << I will know how to swim.">> don't you think thats very risky?	”

well since were talking about fighting and not swimming, knowing how to fight, and being the best fighter on the planet are different.

I've heard that

but how that fits with not knowing how to swim until you jump in the water...is risky ...same thing with finding yourself in a fight, thats not the time to learn while your being the example of how to get beat on

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You are not where you have been and you are not where you are going you are only here.

i agree, but we're not talking about swimming so the anaolgy doesn't really work, right?

“	Originally Posted By: Allan_Tsang So train hard, enjoy life and make some friends and stay healthy.	”

Chief108

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“	Question Authority. Question Society. Question Reality. Question Yourself. Question your conclusions, your judgments, your answers. Question this. If you question everything thoroughly enough, the truth will eventually hit you upside the head and you will know. But here’s a warning: It won’t be what you imagined. It won’t be even close.	”

all hail Martyr Fakka

“	(paraphrased) If viewed in the correct context (forms) do teach applicable martial skill.	”

No they do not. They develop attributable aspects (strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, etc.) to a great degree (which I feel is a very good positive trait of form training) and some tool development (punches, kicks, blocks, etc.) But as far as actual technical skills they do not do very much. Like I stated above, the technical involves when, why and how, the forms in a vacuum just teach the what. In order to develop the technical ability of when, why and how, one must practically apply with a fully resisting partner.

I feel that actual target striking (heavy bags, focus mitts and Thai pads) is a better method of tool development.
Ballet teaches the same attrubutable traits that forms do and if there were any applicable martial skills there then ballet dancers would be great fighters.

The bottom line is that to be able to fight one must fight, or replicate the activity as closely as possible.

“	i agree, but we're not talking about swimming so the anaolgy doesn't really work, right?	”

That's why it's called an analogy. And it works perfectly. Aqira is correct.

Here's a question...
If you knew for a fact that you were going to be in a fight one month from now (whether it be in a ring, cage, street, wherever) would you continue to train the same way you do now or would you modify that training in any fashion?

Peace-
Cam

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Rock On!
Cam
"Raise up your mind....."