Consider This... Tough Guys
I can't help but see on a day to day basis, how many pseudo tough guys the MMA craze has created. It seems that if you begin training somewhere, start wearing MMA style clothing, and shave your head - you are now someone who counts for something.
When I began training in the 1970s, you were not allowed to wear any part of your Gi (uniform) outside the training facility, and most patches did not say the name of the academy, or any words pertaining to martial arts. Instead, a symbol or logo was used that could also be used on T shirts without proclaiming anything offensive to another. My teacher used to paraphrase a quote that said "the fist is like a treasure in the pocket," which simply means that it is hidden.
Jiu Jitsu has probably seen the most proliferation of pseudo toughs. This is very funny (sadly so), because Jiu Jitsu is the gentle art, one that bases it's technique on not permanently injuring an attacker. Yet, today. it seems a lot of Jiu Jitsu schools not only brag about how tough they are, but also practice the art of talking about everyone else, anywhere they can. Unfortunately, the World Wide Web has assisted them in this endeavor.
Martial arts, of any type - should be for ordinary people - from all walks of life, all sizes, and regardless if one is athletic or weak. What better purpose is there for Martial arts than to teach the weak to defend against the oppressive strong. To teach smaller people to defend themselves. To teach women and children to survive an attack from someone stronger.
Is there any greater slap in the face of Martial Arts than to view all other people training in Martial Arts as your opponent, or enemy? Is there anything worse than walking around, bragging by appearance or attitude that you train.
Some days, I feel like I am training my students to defend themselves against other Martial Artists rather than against the possibility of a criminal attack. Its too bad the criminals don't walk around bragging in advance!
When I began training in the 1970s, you were not allowed to wear any part of your Gi (uniform) outside the training facility, and most patches did not say the name of the academy, or any words pertaining to martial arts. Instead, a symbol or logo was used that could also be used on T shirts without proclaiming anything offensive to another. My teacher used to paraphrase a quote that said "the fist is like a treasure in the pocket," which simply means that it is hidden.
Jiu Jitsu has probably seen the most proliferation of pseudo toughs. This is very funny (sadly so), because Jiu Jitsu is the gentle art, one that bases it's technique on not permanently injuring an attacker. Yet, today. it seems a lot of Jiu Jitsu schools not only brag about how tough they are, but also practice the art of talking about everyone else, anywhere they can. Unfortunately, the World Wide Web has assisted them in this endeavor.
Martial arts, of any type - should be for ordinary people - from all walks of life, all sizes, and regardless if one is athletic or weak. What better purpose is there for Martial arts than to teach the weak to defend against the oppressive strong. To teach smaller people to defend themselves. To teach women and children to survive an attack from someone stronger.
Is there any greater slap in the face of Martial Arts than to view all other people training in Martial Arts as your opponent, or enemy? Is there anything worse than walking around, bragging by appearance or attitude that you train.
Some days, I feel like I am training my students to defend themselves against other Martial Artists rather than against the possibility of a criminal attack. Its too bad the criminals don't walk around bragging in advance!
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