How well do you understand your art?

Question

I should have specified to late now.In terms of seperating fact from fiction fantasy from reality what the masters actually had to say on aspects of the art like grappling pressure points striking etc.

Like a few have answered "I really dont know anything" becomes more and more apparent the more you delve into it.

Everybody probably knows the lineage and history of their art or should but that is history and all it does is give you the names to research to study how they felt their views or you just end up with cardboard cutout figures ..

You discover how they really trained and it wasn't by doing 2 or 3 step sparring or working with compliant partners or any of that "soft sell" c**p for public consumption .

Answer 1

Well since you say research I've purchased every notable book I can find on my art, which is Hapkido. Actually I've become kind of a collector of it. I purchase dvd's not so much as to learn any thing new, but as to see how they do it and they're approach and perspective to the art that I study and of course Internet research. I don't do it as a way to collect different techniques. But to further expand on learning the core principles of the art from different points of view. But after 12 yrs of study in one system I've come to realize that there is much, much more to learn and understand. Which is why I study and research in the first place. Through these methods I learn to find MY art with in the system and make it work for me. Because even with in the same system every teacher has their own perspective of it. But the only true way to learn and understand any art is to step on the mat and put those theories into practice. As many will tell you martial arts is a life long study.

Answer 2

none-

I'm not training to learn history- the true understanding of the actual art is in learning to apply the techniques.

learning the history and background is two completely different things, you might learn WHY things appear in the art, but that doesn't teach you to use the art effectively.

you can know the history- and not the art (I know a lot about the history of stone tools and weapons, that doesnt' mean I can create one- as much as I would love to).

you can know the art and not the history (I can create a stone tool from obsidan but not know which hominid forms began this or began using tools).

or I could know both.

Answer 3

It is impossible to choose Bartitsu or Neo-Bartitsu without research...

Most people have never even HEARD of it!

Bartitsu is also known as: "the martial art of Sherlock Holmes."

In studying Bartitsu you learn about Edwardian England and France at the turn of the century (1900,) the Hooligans of London, the "Street Apaches" of Paris, E.W. Barton-Wright, Prof. Pierre Vigny, H.G. Lang, A.C. Cunningham, the introduction of Judo and Jiu Jitsu to England, Savate, the list goes on and on...

To fully comprehend Bartitsu you need to have at least a smattering of "how a  GENTLEMAN dealt with hooligans and defended himself on the street" in 1901.

From this "core" of Bartitsu you follow the evolution of the essence into the Neo-Bartitsu of today.

Answer 4

After many years of redesigning our teaching methodology, researching history, origin and purpose, evaluating effectiveness of techniques in varying applications and restructuring the overall system under the recommendation of former instructors,  I am constantly amazed at how much more the new format now makes sense.  Bewildered at how the system builds now upon itself, with the philosophy and the techniques supporting one another.  So with all of this insight and greater involvement I find myself genuinely able to answer this question with, "I know nothing."

Answer 5

I think I understand the history and intent of the style fairly well. Our style actually is not that old, as it was officialy recognized on Okinawa in 1954 as a karate style. I study Isshin-Ryu which is a blending of Shoryn-Ryu and Goju-Ryu that was developed by Tatsuo Shimabuku combining what he felt was the best of the two styles, and also incorperating the bo, sai, and tonfa from Okinawin kobudo.

I have actually been privelaged to meet some of the Marines who actually trained it on Okinawa and brought it to America. I have also done quite a bit of research on the parent styles, as well as where they came from.

As to how well I undertsand the techniques and thoguhts behind the style, that is an ongoing work in progress.

Answer 6

Well the art I know which is muay thai was an ancient form of hand-to-hand combat made in thailand. They made muay thai so that thai warriors during the war thai could still defend themselves if they dropped their weapons. The thai war was with the thai and burmese over 2000 years ago. Later, muay thai became a ring sport not just for military purposes. The sport had no rules it was a fight to the death. The death rate was extremely high the modified it into a normal boxing type of version of combat so that people had a chance to live. Muay thai comes in many different styles such as: modern muay thai, muay boran, muay chaiya, muay korat, and krabi krabong. There are many other styles. Thai people would punch, kick, elbow, and knee banana trees to strengthen their knuckles, shins, sharpen elbows, and shins. Then they would tie lemons on trees at about neck height and start punching and elbowing them. Then they would defend against the lemons with defensive techniques. This training is called chok manao, it helps improve accuracy, defense, avoidability, and persission. Well thats all I know for now.

Answer 7

I know everything in that I understand that I don't know a damned thing.

Answer 8

Hi there

I don't think you can ever really understand the arts. We can all understand what is written down or shown to us but to fully utilise it with the way your own body moves takes a lifetime. There's a million trillion different ways to move and apply the techniques. If you only see whats written then you're doing it with your eyes closed. I agree with bluto and katana both are right in what they say. Learning the principles are key but sometimes you need to know where they came from to fully understand them and not only that but change them to suit the times we live in.

I consider myself a complete novice and always will. I'm going to Japan in two weeks time to see how its done over there so i expect my brain to be truly fried by the time i get back.

When you think you've got it you haven't!

It's always best to be the novice in class. That way you are surrounded by people you can learn from. ;-)

Best wishes

idai