Here's a question I should probably not address. After all, as a fellow who sells instructional DVDs on the martial arts, I should be trying to sell you large amounts of everything, right? Because I prefer satisfied customers over confused customers, let me answer this question.
The truth is that 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 techniques that are going to work. And, sad truth of the matter, most of the martial arts being taught these days are pretty much filled with filler.
Karate, such as Shotokan, Uechi or isshin ryu, has dozens of forms, hundreds of techniques, fancy ways of taking apart an attacker, yet, all you need are the five or six that work. You need to isolate the five or six techniques that really appeal to you, and then work them until they are second nature. There's where the true discipline of the martial arts is, in spending the long lonely hours concentrating on the important stuff until it always works.
Shaolin Kung Fu 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 got hit? Or, maybe you want the mysterious chi building exercises of Tai Chi or Pa Kua or Hsing I, but, again, how many fights have you seen where people use chi gung to win?
Or, take Chinese American kenpo, such as that taught by Ed Parker or the Tracy brothers, 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 high flying kicks, but which kicks are of little value once the distance has collapsed. Or jujitsu, which has a throw for every attack, 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 certain flaws within them. And it would appear that I am just bad mouthing the various martial arts. Actually, there is a madness behind what I am saying.
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. - 31373
The truth is that 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 techniques that are going to work. And, sad truth of the matter, most of the martial arts being taught these days are pretty much filled with filler.
Karate, such as Shotokan, Uechi or isshin ryu, has dozens of forms, hundreds of techniques, fancy ways of taking apart an attacker, yet, all you need are the five or six that work. You need to isolate the five or six techniques that really appeal to you, and then work them until they are second nature. There's where the true discipline of the martial arts is, in spending the long lonely hours concentrating on the important stuff until it always works.
Shaolin Kung Fu 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 got hit? Or, maybe you want the mysterious chi building exercises of Tai Chi or Pa Kua or Hsing I, but, again, how many fights have you seen where people use chi gung to win?
Or, take Chinese American kenpo, such as that taught by Ed Parker or the Tracy brothers, 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 high flying kicks, but which kicks are of little value once the distance has collapsed. Or jujitsu, which has a throw for every attack, 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 certain flaws within them. And it would appear that I am just bad mouthing the various martial arts. Actually, there is a madness behind what I am saying.
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. - 31373
About the Author:
Al Case has taught martial arts for forty++ 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.
