Many martial artists resist change and believe that if change is to happen, it should happen slowly through conventional means. They believe that things are done a certain way because years of trial and error have shown that these ways are effective. They don’t need a reason to do things the way they have always been done; the fact that they have always been done that way is reason enough.
Most martial artists can walk happily for years doing the same ineffective repetitive movements. But maybe it’s time for some of them to move on. You see, I learned a long time ago that strictly following a set system of preset movements and concepts was not the way to train effectively. Although I learned general things about wrestling and exercise, it was not enough, I did not want more, not more combat in the dojo, but survival techniques and self-protection, the pressure was put to the test, so I know they really worked in a violent altercation of real life. So I took the concepts I learned instead of the rules. I’d take some from here. I leave something there. I changed some things that I also learned in other places. I also made up a bit of my own and all of a sudden everything would start to work for me. .
I learned to do things differently without scientific assumptions. I learned if it works use it if you don’t rule it out and that my friend is what most combative systems do. Eliminate what you don’t need and replace it with what really works. Also, it does it in a quick and easy way to learn because the (military) soldiers that most combat systems are based on have a very limited period of time to learn these techniques, so they had to be simple to use. remember and highly effective when actually used. You don’t need to learn hundreds of different techniques and combinations or a lifetime commitment to make those same karate moves work. Unfortunately, this is exactly how most martial arts schools are set up.
But what practitioners are really looking for is that we take traditions and practices for granted, in the practice of karate or other martial arts. Bowing down, the ceremony and the language became an integral and accepted part of the training or it is the cultural traditions that gave rise to the popularity of karate. But do these rituals and traditions overshadow true martial intent? For some, the answer is yes, white or colored karate gi (uniform) adorned with insignia or Japanese kanji characters.
After all, the kata itself is an ancient ritual and tradition, the movements are clearly defined and formally taught, but for many practitioners there is little understanding of what the movements mean or how they should be used, so for many who practice kata do it. so simply for movement, coordination and exercise and for some as part of a spiritual process.
However, I realize that this concept will be much easier for martial artists who are not established in their way of doing things the way they are told to do or as they have always done. Of course, there will be those who seem to have a predetermined idea of what they are doing will work on the street and will continue to do the same anyway; they are not likely to change.
Combative-type training will increase your knowledge of street techniques that are effective enough to keep you in one piece most of the time. Prepare for close-range combat, test the pressure as a consequence you’ll be better prepared than you think to defend yourself should the need arise.
As stated above, most of these techniques can be found in karate kata anyway if you care to look hard enough and spend a lot of time analyzing them properly. Most people cannot and decide to stop looking.
But kata is a method of self-defense applications and fighting principles preserved within the kata form, so for some the ritual of donning a gi, bowing before a shrine, and training with traditional implements meets their martial needs.
Clearly, for others, they want to ditch the traditional uniform, belt all pre-ritual training because they feel it is unnecessary and has no place in modern fighting arts. They want something that works for them now as soon as they leave the dojo (training room) or at least give them a chance to fight, so tradition and ritual still have a place, confusing, right?
One final note, martial arts karate in particular has many proven self defense techniques within the many varied systems, the bad news is that the practitioner needs years of intensive training in those same techniques to truly work. However, with that said, I will always recommend learning a martial art because they have so much to offer the individual in many areas. But consider adding combative-type training into your martial arts curriculum will certainly give you a competitive edge and the mindset to be able to deal with a violent confrontation that may or may not occur and is how it should be and how it is.
Stay safe.
