There, I Said It!

Well, here I go again, defending my beliefs. No post on this blog has gotten more negative and hateful responses than my martial arts posts. Naturally, most responses I've gotten come from martial arts (MA), instructors and practitioners who believe their style is the ultimate in self defense and that I'm stupid because I don't agree with their belief in their MA style.

First and foremost, I want to say that my intention is NOT to degrade any particular martial arts form or person. My only intent is to state that not all martial arts forms are a viable form of self defense regardless of the form or style.

I totally understand loyalty to your martial arts style and beliefs but, it doesn't take rocket science to understand that grappling, high kicks, back flips, and bokkens is NOT self defense. True self defense is the knowledge of how to avoid an attack and the knowledge of physical defense if needed with what you have available. It is NOT engaging the enemy with force to emerge victorious. Besides, who the heck does back flips and carries martial arts weapons with them at all times?

Ladies, do any of you carry these with you at all times? Anyone? .....Anyone? This woman is a brown belt in some "self defense" martial arts course. Would she be able to defend herself against a larger male in a dark parking lot after being attacked from behind without her weapons? What is she going to do, pull out her Sai from her purse and impale her attacker? Her instructor has convinced her she is "self defense ready". Folks, that is NOT self defense.

Some "self defense schools" will gladly "upgrade" you training with "weapons training" for a small fee. Seriously? Swords and bokken as self defense? Please! This is 21st century USA, not 17th century China.

As proof of the lies, I decided to experiment and prove my point by going to a local Kung Fu martial arts school a few blocks from my home to see how their "self defense" course faired. The sign on the building clearly stated "self defense training" so I entered and was quickly greeted by a young man who told me he was the Kung Fu master (instructor). How a 28 year old guy can become a Kung Fu master is beyond me but I played along.  BTW, Kung Fu is actually Gung fu in Chinese. Kung Fu is often used in the West to refer to Chinese martial arts. It is only in the late 20th century, that this term was used in relation to Chinese martial arts by the Chinese community. Kung-fu is a primarily an UNARMED Chinese martial art resembling karate yet this Kung Fu sensei proceeded to tell me about all the Kung Fu weapons they train in and how Karate is inferior. He was also quick to ask me if I was interested in the weapons self defense course they had for "special training price". I simply told him I saw his class practicing out in the parking lot a day before which got my attention, (they were practicing outside with swords (bokken).

His first question was if I had ever taken any martial arts courses before. I lied and said no. That was his que to employ the sales pitch. Next, he asked if I would take some "tests" to see where I should be placed in the class. He donned some punching mitts and told me to punch them as hard as I could. I gave a half hearted effort while in a pitiful stance. Next, he asked me to kick a punching bag. Again, I gave a wimpy low kick and pretended to lose my balance. After that pathetic performance, the "instructor" told me I had good potential and should be placed in the black belt fast track. No big surprise that the black belt fast track costs $30 more that the advertised self defense price. So, after a few more questions about my wants, he also somehow figured out that I would be an excellent candidate for the special weapons course which was and additional $50. more. All this from a sissy punch and a weak low kick! Self defense? I think not. He's not an instructor, he's a salesman trying to make a buck off my supposed ignorance, period!

As any regular Advent reader knows, I am a martial arts practitioner (Combat Judo & Brazilian Ju Jitsu) and a firm believer in martial arts as a self defense method, but you must understand that not all martial arts are a self defense form regardless of the advertisements and credentials of the instructor.

So, to you martial arts practitioners and "senseis" who have deceived people and hated on me, where is the integrity and discipline of true martial arts it requires now? Is it in your dojo or is it your bank account? Check yourself before you criticize. If you can justify money over discipline and integrity, you're wrong because that is not the way of the true warrior.

Peace be unto you.