For the last few years I have watched a disturbing trend in the US when it comes to what people believe about who benefits from martial arts study. Today, it seems, that when the general public thinks of martial arts, they instantly think of a pastime for children. It's not their fault, because a majority martial arts schools have rejected the traditional martial arts lifestyle themselves and have aggressively marketed to this profitable group. It makes sense in a way, parents are willing to invest money in their children and less on themselves, perhaps never even thinking that their children also deserve a parent with the qualities produced with martial arts study. While I believe that martial arts is a very important activity for kids, one that gives them a great head start in many areas, I am sorry to see a decline in the number of adults who see this as a way to better themselves as well.
I believe that perhaps the biggest reason for the decline in adult martial arts practitioners is the belief that "karate class" is a "kids' activity". In reality, studying the martial arts is not just a hobby for kids or even a sport to participate in. Rather, the martial arts is a healthy lifestyle that can positively affect an adult's life in amazing ways. Studies abound that prove over and over the mind, body, and spiritual benefits of making martial arts study a way of life. I'd like to outline just a few of the benefits that adults will enjoy when they make martial arts a part of their healthy lifestyle.
Real martial arts study at a reputable dojo and under a qualified instructor, focuses on improving not only the body, but the mind and spirit as well. What adult couldn't use more patience to deal with the stresses in life? At home? At work? As adults, we are all looking for ways to improve our motivation and drive, we all want something that will give us that edge in our career—that thing that separates people stuck in a rut from those who receive promotions by catching the eye of the movers and shakers of the business world. There is a reason that many corporations look at a black belt as an asset when hiring—individuals with black belts possess the character the company knows will make them successful additions to their team. As adults, we need focus, motivation, self discipline and confidence just as much as—if not more—than our children do, and martial arts is one of the best ways to obtain these qualities.
A Martial Arts Lifestyle Strengthens the Mind:
Calmness of mind, stemming from proper breathing, is a benefit of martial arts training, reducing the inner chatter that we all experience as we go about our daily lives. Medical professionals are just beginning to understand this, but martial artists have understood and honed these skills for hundreds of years. Proper breathing, as practiced in the martial arts, lends to a more meditative outlook on life, lowering the heart rate while delivering more oxygenated blood to the brain. This also helps us to slow down in the moment and deal with those stressful situations, looking at the world through more relaxed and self-assured eyes—perhaps seeing more of the whole picture. Also, in helping us become relaxed and confident in what we do know, we can live in the present and not worry about what we do not know or cannot change.
This same calmness of mind trickles down to create an important mind-body connection that empowers us to take action in situations that may otherwise cause us to freeze under stress; that freeze causing us to miss opportunities or, in self-defense situations, receive physical injury. Being able to focus on a specific task under stress and perform that task well has unlimited career applications. Apply that same mind-body control to a physically dangerous situation and you will be able to step up and successfully defuse a situation or physically defend yourself or your family.
Memory is something that is also dramatically sharpened through martial arts training. Imagine the power of being able to remember names, dates, and other important information as easily as you remember your own birthday. Studies also show that martial arts practice helps prevent dementia and Alzheimer's later in life. It strengthens your brain—much like physical exercise strengthens your heart and body.
Although there are many more benefits that martial arts training will have on the wellness of your mind, let's move on to how a martial arts lifestyle can benefit your body.
A Martial Arts Lifestyle Strengthens the Body:
When adults adopt a martial arts lifestyle, they benefit from increased strength and cardiovascular endurance. Balance, flexibility, building bone density, and maintaining healthy body weight are all byproducts of this lifestyle choice as well. And then think of having better coordination and reaction time—those things come into play in so many areas of life like driving, playing a sport, riding your bicycle or the obvious—self defense.
No one wants to be that elderly person who falls and injures themselves, and nobody wants their freedom or mobility to be taken away for lack of physical control. Practicing the martial arts naturally builds incredible balance and healthy flexibility—both of which are invaluable to adults. The physical workout that martial arts practice provides will strengthen your bones, build your muscle, keep unwanted weight off, and so much more. Visiting a gym may or may not offer some of these benefits, but they go hand in hand with a martial arts lifestyle.
Martial arts practice improves reaction time and coordination, but perhaps one of the biggest physical benefits of a martial arts lifestyle is that of maintaining a healthy weight. There are hundreds of studies proving the importance of all of these areas for an adults general health and wellbeing.
Also, think about doing all of this in a natural way—gaining a complete and strong body while at the same time not relying on gimmicks, fads, or supplements.
A Martial Arts Lifestyle Strengthens the Spirit:
Perhaps one of the most overlooked areas of personal development in our culture is that of our spirit—maybe we don't really understand it or perhaps we've somewhat mystified it, but our spirit is extremely important. Spirit connects our mind's knowledge to our body's strength. It is our attitude, outlook, worldview. It's our mindset, drive, and our determination to fight for what is honorable or worthwhile. An adult with a martial arts lifestyle develops a spirit that allows them to see the opportunities in life rather than being bogged down with trivial day to day circumstances.
Spirit, coupled with technique, allows a martial artist to achieve seemingly impossible feats such as breaking concrete or defending against multiple attackers. The martial artist spirit creates dramatic changes in physical ability, opening the metaphoric "dam" and giving the courage, attitude, and determination to take on the "impossible". It empowers the martial artist to turn life into something positive rather than to just sit stagnant. Running water changes things—stagnant water is just that—stagnant.
Spirit is an energy that positively affects our outlook, enabling us to do great things. It is strong, healing, and positive. You can feel when an individual with strong spirit walks into a room—they have presence, they are magnetic, they are confident and assured, and they know where they are going. They have the motivated outlook to envision what can be, and the drive and determination to overcome obstacles necessary to get there.
Something else about spirit—it's contagious! When an adult decides to start their journey in the martial arts, they will never be alone—they instantly become part of a community, surrounded by a family of like-minded individuals pursuing the same quality of life as they are. This not only empowers the journey, but makes it enjoyable as well. And, as we all know, you will become like those you associate with.
So What is the Martial Arts Lifestyle?
Having just one or two of the areas outlined above creates a type of imbalance in our life. Each area that a martial artist focuses on, enhances another, balancing them out and complementing the martial artist as a entirely healthy individual. A martial arts lifestyle is understanding that idea and taking it seriously. It's making martial arts study and practice more than another "hobby". It's pursuing it with the knowledge that it's valuable, and the spirit that will make the sometimes seemingly impossible completely attainable.
Martial arts for you, as an adult, looks quite different than the game-based, showy, sport karate that you may have seen in demonstrations and in advertisements. For adults who want to be the best person they can be, a martial arts lifestyle means investing time, energy and resources into what is a proven way to become an individual of the highest character and success. In doing this, you will focus on all three of the areas I mentioned above—mind, body and spirit.
Everyone starts at the beginning. You will be taught balance, posture and breathing, then move on to basic movements that will challenge your coordination and concentration—the mind-body connection. As you progress, your physical endurance will begin to be slowly and deliberately pushed, and through that, expanded. You will be given challenges designed to make you call upon your spirit and every time you succeed your excitement and confidence will grow! As you continue to grow you will find yourself looking back to where you've come from and loving the person you are developing into. The more advanced you become, the more basic truths you will realize. And the more you understand, the more you'll be able to apply these truths to every aspect of your daily life.
Martial arts training and study will surprise and challenge you in many ways and by beginning your martial arts lifestyle now, you will soon benefit in ways you never imagined. With these benefits in mind, I challenge you to start your journey today! If you're living in the Chippewa Valley or Eau Claire area, I'd like to have you train with our group of adults at One Tree Martial Arts. Please feel free to call me to begin. My number at the dojo is 715-514-0656.
—Master Jeremy Buchholz
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Don't Learn Karate from a File Cabinet
From balance and flexibility, to fitness and countless other health benefits, martial arts training is undisputedly good for anyone who practices. But what about self defense? Martial arts schools are popping up on every corner of every small town and major city throughout this country and they are all touting the fact that they teach real world self defense skills. Is this the case? Is it true that in order to learn effective self defense all one must do is join the closest karate or taekwondo studio?
Unfortunately, a very high percentage of these schools don't understand the first thing about real, effective, martial arts based self defense. It is more than unfortunate as men and women, seeing the real need to learn skills to defend themselves, buy a product that will not be able to deliver as advertised. It's much like buying insurance from a company that will be sure to close hours before you need them.
Recently I came across a karate school that just began advertising "Law Enforcement" classes for police officers. I happen to be very familiar with the curriculum that this school teaches because many of their students have transferred into our school. This school, advertising self defense and law enforcement training, teaches what I refer to as the File Cabinet approach to martial arts.
This File Cabinet approach is the most common style of martial arts instruction today. Somewhere between seventy to eighty percent of all schools in America today would fall into this category. In this approach, a student is taught techniques to deal with specific threats in specific ways. Let's look at an example of a simple self defense situation. In this scenario, the attacker throws a right jab punch to Defender's face. Here is how Defender has to process the situation using the File Cabinet approach:
Step 1. Defender sees the attack
Step 2. Defender recognizes it as a right arm jab to the face
Step 3. Defender remembers three responses that he has been taught to this specific attack
Step 4. Defender chooses response number one
Step 5. Defender executes step one of response one (move with front foot to the left)
Step 6. Defender executes step two of response one (perform an outside middle block)
Step 7. Defender executes step three of response one (perform a left straight punch to the kidney)
Seven steps. Not very fast or efficient. In fact, it just won't work at all; it's way too slow. Understand that action is faster than reaction, and yet, with this approach, the martial artist must to be able to react to a one step attack (punch) with a seven step defense? This type of martial arts instruction looks good in the dojo, but is impractical in real self defense.
The second approach to martial arts is what I call Principle Based martial arts. With this approach, self defense is greatly simplified and students learn concepts and principles that will work universally to all threats. This allows a student to make up responses to attacks on the fly and that are appropriate to the threat. We call this a liquid martial art.
Take the same scenario from before, a right jab to the face. The "liquid" martial artist would simply see a straight line attack and move out of the way. Then, counter attack at a weak point. The steps written out would look like this:
Step 1. Defender sees a straight line attack
Step 2. Defender gets off the line
Step 3. Defender counter attacks
Note that not only are there only three steps as opposed to seven, but each step is much simpler as well. For example, in the first scenario, the Defender has to get very specific as to what kind of punch it is (jab), where it is directed to (face), and even what hand is being used to throw it (right). In the second scenario, the Defender only has to see that it is a straight line attack.
To further explain how simplified self defense can be with the second approach we need to explain how many various kinds of attacks there are. In the first approach, the student is taught that there can be literally thousands of ways that he can be attacked. This can be very intimidating and make it difficult to choose the correct response under pressure because the ability to think decisively decreases under the pressure of a real self defense situation. The File Cabinet approach just doesn't work.
The martial artist who was taught liquid martial arts is taught that there are only two possible ways that he can be attacked. All attacks, whether with fists, feet or a weapon, can be grouped into a couple categories we name straight line or arcing attacks. Understanding this principle, the martial artist can now breath a deep sigh of relief, knowing that his task is literally simplified by thousands of memorized techniques. This approach to self defense and the martial arts increases efficiency and effectiveness, and also decreases stress.
There are other principles that the liquid martial artist is taught. Principles such as stepping off the line, circular motion, moving the center and stunning are just a few. These principles are trained so that they become a natural response or what is referred to as muscle memory. Then, the martial artist no longer has to think about what he is doing, rather he just acts.
Yes, balance and flexibility are important. The fitness and health aspects of martial arts training is very valuable. But remember, martial arts is more than that. Martial arts is, at it's core, about the ability to be able to defend one's self. And real self defense doesn't come from a file cabinet. Real self defense comes from understanding and committing to muscle memory, priciples taught by a skilled teacher who understands what it means to be a liquid martial artist.
Unfortunately, a very high percentage of these schools don't understand the first thing about real, effective, martial arts based self defense. It is more than unfortunate as men and women, seeing the real need to learn skills to defend themselves, buy a product that will not be able to deliver as advertised. It's much like buying insurance from a company that will be sure to close hours before you need them.
Recently I came across a karate school that just began advertising "Law Enforcement" classes for police officers. I happen to be very familiar with the curriculum that this school teaches because many of their students have transferred into our school. This school, advertising self defense and law enforcement training, teaches what I refer to as the File Cabinet approach to martial arts.
This File Cabinet approach is the most common style of martial arts instruction today. Somewhere between seventy to eighty percent of all schools in America today would fall into this category. In this approach, a student is taught techniques to deal with specific threats in specific ways. Let's look at an example of a simple self defense situation. In this scenario, the attacker throws a right jab punch to Defender's face. Here is how Defender has to process the situation using the File Cabinet approach:
Step 1. Defender sees the attack
Step 2. Defender recognizes it as a right arm jab to the face
Step 3. Defender remembers three responses that he has been taught to this specific attack
Step 4. Defender chooses response number one
Step 5. Defender executes step one of response one (move with front foot to the left)
Step 6. Defender executes step two of response one (perform an outside middle block)
Step 7. Defender executes step three of response one (perform a left straight punch to the kidney)
Seven steps. Not very fast or efficient. In fact, it just won't work at all; it's way too slow. Understand that action is faster than reaction, and yet, with this approach, the martial artist must to be able to react to a one step attack (punch) with a seven step defense? This type of martial arts instruction looks good in the dojo, but is impractical in real self defense.
The second approach to martial arts is what I call Principle Based martial arts. With this approach, self defense is greatly simplified and students learn concepts and principles that will work universally to all threats. This allows a student to make up responses to attacks on the fly and that are appropriate to the threat. We call this a liquid martial art.
Take the same scenario from before, a right jab to the face. The "liquid" martial artist would simply see a straight line attack and move out of the way. Then, counter attack at a weak point. The steps written out would look like this:
Step 1. Defender sees a straight line attack
Step 2. Defender gets off the line
Step 3. Defender counter attacks
Note that not only are there only three steps as opposed to seven, but each step is much simpler as well. For example, in the first scenario, the Defender has to get very specific as to what kind of punch it is (jab), where it is directed to (face), and even what hand is being used to throw it (right). In the second scenario, the Defender only has to see that it is a straight line attack.
To further explain how simplified self defense can be with the second approach we need to explain how many various kinds of attacks there are. In the first approach, the student is taught that there can be literally thousands of ways that he can be attacked. This can be very intimidating and make it difficult to choose the correct response under pressure because the ability to think decisively decreases under the pressure of a real self defense situation. The File Cabinet approach just doesn't work.
The martial artist who was taught liquid martial arts is taught that there are only two possible ways that he can be attacked. All attacks, whether with fists, feet or a weapon, can be grouped into a couple categories we name straight line or arcing attacks. Understanding this principle, the martial artist can now breath a deep sigh of relief, knowing that his task is literally simplified by thousands of memorized techniques. This approach to self defense and the martial arts increases efficiency and effectiveness, and also decreases stress.
There are other principles that the liquid martial artist is taught. Principles such as stepping off the line, circular motion, moving the center and stunning are just a few. These principles are trained so that they become a natural response or what is referred to as muscle memory. Then, the martial artist no longer has to think about what he is doing, rather he just acts.
Yes, balance and flexibility are important. The fitness and health aspects of martial arts training is very valuable. But remember, martial arts is more than that. Martial arts is, at it's core, about the ability to be able to defend one's self. And real self defense doesn't come from a file cabinet. Real self defense comes from understanding and committing to muscle memory, priciples taught by a skilled teacher who understands what it means to be a liquid martial artist.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
How to Choose the Right Martial Arts School for Your Child.
An increasingly large number of parents are realizing the tremendous benefits that some type of martial arts training would have for their children. Everyone agrees that the development of physical fitness, as well as the positive character associated with martial arts training, are more important than ever. The conundrum lies in the fact that there are so many options to chose from and most parents really don't know what to begin looking for in a school for their child to participate in.
The fact is, not all martial arts programs are the same, but what is helpful is that most martial arts education in this country can be placed into one of the following three categories:
Performance Based Martial Arts
This school focuses on training for tournaments and the flashy movements that will impress the judges and audience. The students are trained to be show stoppers, to yell loud and kick high. They practice acrobatic movements with precision and flair. The students are usually strongly encouraged or even required to participate in tournaments where these skills can be "shown off" and trophies can be won.
Competition Based Martial Arts
A competition based school focuses on tournament style sparring. Often referred to as "players", these students are trained in how to score points by hitting certain areas on their opponent's body. Strategy is taught along with many kick-punch combinations that can be used to win the match. Again, students here are encouraged to participate in tournaments.
Traditional Martial Arts
Traditional martial arts schools tend to focus more on the original, self defense and self improvement aspects of the martial arts. Perhaps not as focused on showing off their skills at tournaments, these students are taught that their martial arts should be a more personal discipline, not to be flaunted. The character training and discipline in this type of school is often a very high priority, perhaps due to the fact that it is real self defense skills that are being taught. A traditional martial arts student is often taught a depth of the particular art that other schools can often bypass.
Keep in mind that these three categories are generalizations. It does not mean that there is never any crossing of lines between these styles, however, be aware that each school has a specific bend or focus which directly correlates to how a child is taught.
What a parent looking to get their child into a martial arts program must decide is - what benefits do they want their child to gain? Most schools will help a child makes gains in the area of physical fitness, but do all programs really focus on positive character along with it? All martial arts schools will teach kicks and punches, but if you want your child to be able to defend themselves, what would the best school choice be? Gaining confidence is also very important to parents, but some schools may actually take confidence and turn it into cocky; not what most parents really want for their children.
As you visit various martial arts schools, keep these questions forefront in your mind. Then, look for an instructor who is more interested in being honest with you as the parent and finding the right fit for your child, rather than simply signing up a new student. All the gimmicks in the world, free lessons, uniforms, and special deals, are just that — gimmicks. Look past them to what the school really is. It should be professionally run, clean, and safe. Instructors should be well trained not only in the martial arts, but in how to teach them to your child. But most of all, remember, you, as a parent, know your child better than any martial arts instructor no matter how gifted he or she may be. Choose the school that will offer to your child the most benefit for their life.
The martial arts aren't for everybody, but they are for many more than you may think. If you make a wise decision now on where to start your child's training, martial arts may be a catalyst for your child's growth that will be appreciated for the rest of their life.
The fact is, not all martial arts programs are the same, but what is helpful is that most martial arts education in this country can be placed into one of the following three categories:
Performance Based Martial Arts
This school focuses on training for tournaments and the flashy movements that will impress the judges and audience. The students are trained to be show stoppers, to yell loud and kick high. They practice acrobatic movements with precision and flair. The students are usually strongly encouraged or even required to participate in tournaments where these skills can be "shown off" and trophies can be won.
Competition Based Martial Arts
A competition based school focuses on tournament style sparring. Often referred to as "players", these students are trained in how to score points by hitting certain areas on their opponent's body. Strategy is taught along with many kick-punch combinations that can be used to win the match. Again, students here are encouraged to participate in tournaments.
Traditional Martial Arts
Traditional martial arts schools tend to focus more on the original, self defense and self improvement aspects of the martial arts. Perhaps not as focused on showing off their skills at tournaments, these students are taught that their martial arts should be a more personal discipline, not to be flaunted. The character training and discipline in this type of school is often a very high priority, perhaps due to the fact that it is real self defense skills that are being taught. A traditional martial arts student is often taught a depth of the particular art that other schools can often bypass.
Keep in mind that these three categories are generalizations. It does not mean that there is never any crossing of lines between these styles, however, be aware that each school has a specific bend or focus which directly correlates to how a child is taught.
What a parent looking to get their child into a martial arts program must decide is - what benefits do they want their child to gain? Most schools will help a child makes gains in the area of physical fitness, but do all programs really focus on positive character along with it? All martial arts schools will teach kicks and punches, but if you want your child to be able to defend themselves, what would the best school choice be? Gaining confidence is also very important to parents, but some schools may actually take confidence and turn it into cocky; not what most parents really want for their children.
As you visit various martial arts schools, keep these questions forefront in your mind. Then, look for an instructor who is more interested in being honest with you as the parent and finding the right fit for your child, rather than simply signing up a new student. All the gimmicks in the world, free lessons, uniforms, and special deals, are just that — gimmicks. Look past them to what the school really is. It should be professionally run, clean, and safe. Instructors should be well trained not only in the martial arts, but in how to teach them to your child. But most of all, remember, you, as a parent, know your child better than any martial arts instructor no matter how gifted he or she may be. Choose the school that will offer to your child the most benefit for their life.
The martial arts aren't for everybody, but they are for many more than you may think. If you make a wise decision now on where to start your child's training, martial arts may be a catalyst for your child's growth that will be appreciated for the rest of their life.
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