Finger Pointing

DON’T LOOK AT THE FINGER POINTING TO THE MOON OR ELSE YOU WILL MISS ALL THE HEAVENLY GLORY – Bruce Lee (Enter the Dragon)

Increasingly, many people wanting to become involved in martial Arts are predominantly interested by its so-called functionality. Be this in terms of street self defence or its use within a mixed martial art format.

Obviously all martial arts have a degree of relevance in these realms but clearly some much more than others. Indeed many of the more traditional arts are not designed in terms of sport functionality but are designed as pure self-defence systems.

Take for example the Chinese art of Wing Chun, which is widely recognized as one of the most proficient and deadly close range fighting systems. Almost all of the Wing Chun practitioner’s primary techniques are simply inappropriate for any types of martial contest – for example side stamping techniques to the knee or hips, finger jabs to the eyes, throat or groin – are simply too dangerous to be allowed within a contested ring environment. They are primary self-defence techniques and as such do not fit with an athletic, competitive endeavour.

Similarly the formidable art of penjak silat employs a vast array of potentially lethal techniques in its arsenal of weaponry. Neck breaks, limb destructions, joint attacks to name but a few. These techniques are often extremely difficult to control when done at speed and with emotional content. Indeed their purpose was not to be controlled but to produce devastating and potentially lethal consequences. Silat is not a sport and therefore many of the techniques do not translate easily over into a modern mixed martial art environment. Indeed it is at times difficult to practice these techniques in anything but the most controlled class-room format for fear of damaging ones training partners.

However taking simply these two arts as examples, one needs to be aware of the rationale and meaning behind the systems and to examine these in a cultural, geographical and historical context. Just because they do not readily translate into a modern competitive and combative arena does not mean that they should be discounted (and vice versa) indeed they ideally suited for self-defence in our society despite having their roots firmly planted in the past – a long and bloody history of practical application.

Furthermore one must carefully assess the reasons why we as individuals pursue and practice martial arts, often for many years and at great personal, physical, financial and emotional expense. They offer us more than being some kind of kick ass doorman (surely the lowest common denominator) but an interest, cultural pursuit, an “Art”, a way of preserving health both in terms of exercise and functional self -defence.

Those of us who have the privilege of teaching also have a rewarding and yet challenging synthesis in imparting knowledge (often garnered after many years of study) to students who are both eager and inquisitive to learn the myriad arts and for a whole host of different reasons. Not necessarily just the ability to beat someone else in a fight. And/or competition.

The study of Martial Art should be an enriching and self-fulfilling pursuit that extends the primary remit of self-defence. Indeed self-defence constitutes a tiny proportion of martial art rather it is a simple functional by product of a much deeper recreational pursuit that can enhance and enrich various aspects of a practitioners life. Guro Inosanto has often said that the ultimate purpose of martial endeavour is to enrich and enhance the lives of others, surely a much more worthy aim and goal then simply being able to kick ass!

Martial art has so much to offer all kinds of people and therefore it is important to enable everyone access, not only those who are physically and mentally predisposed to combat sport.

One only has to look at Guro Inosanto and those around him to appreciate what the study and pursuit of the art can really achieve above and beyond the ring or combat arena. Many of those who walk through the door of a martial arts studio will never stray into either and yet they diligently pursue the arts for years.

Remember that we all have different goals, aims, abilities, histories etc., there are a whole host of factors that determine the reasons for training in the arts and also the aspirations of each will be individual to that particular person. It is too simple to discount or dismiss another simply because he or she does not fit in with your criteria and motivation. One should look outside ones own preferences and consider the merits and motivations of others in a similar way to JKD exploring different arts & systems. One should try wherever possible to avoid prejudice based upon your own assumptions and experiences of the arts and people. We can all site examples of good individuals studying not so good systems and vice versa – inappropriately motivated individuals studying some of the best systems.

None of these ramblings are designed to be in any way controversial but rather thought provoking. It is important that we all sometimes stop and take a long hard look at ourselves as well as those around us, to take stock, and assess what we are doing and why we are doing it.

Constantly reassess your goals and training – take a long hard look & rationalise why it is that you are studying a particular aspect, style, system & whether it would be beneficial to you to take a look outside of these parameters. For example if you are involved primarily in an empty hand system then consider how weapons training can enhance, improve and expand your knowledge and understanding of timing, distance and motion – not just fighting with weapons.

Similarly if you are involved in a traditional art then perhaps consider training techniques and methods from modern sport enhanced systems. Of course this works both ways and in various formats, for example those practicing striking based arts should consider those that grapple and vice versa. This open mindedness approach to cross training is what Segung Bruce Lee was advocating over thirty years ago and that which Guro Inosanto has championed ever since.

If you are proficient in one art or particular aspect then consider another – look to those areas where you feel less competent and try and enhance your knowledge and understanding. Indeed you will no doubt be pleasantly surprised that the initial learning curve we be far steeper than that in those areas of past proficiency.

Perhaps consider an art closely aligned with your own to add a new flavour and understanding to what you already know. Or alternatively seek out something totally different and foreign to that with which you are familiar – albeit new and uncomfortable you will undoubtedly grow and learn from the experience. Remember that learning is a not a pain free process in more ways than one.

#jkd #wingchun #wingchung #jeetkunedo #kungfu #yipman #sidcup #bromley #kent #london #brucelee #martialarts #chislehurst

 #wingchun #sidcup #bromley #kent #wingchunsidcuo #wingchunbromley #londonwingchun #yipman #martialarts #chislehurstwingchun #selfdefence #kungfu #brucelee #jkd #selfdefence #jeetkunedo #chislehurst #bexley