The Myth of Martial Arts

           

      I have practiced Aikido for 30 years and feel the need to correct the unrealistic view of martial arts that have evolved over time.

     Movies in particular, are the big offenders. The fights are a thing of beuty; clean and neat with precise movements and counter attacks. The combatants are equal in skill and fight on for several minutes taking blows that barely leave a mark. Right.

     Ignorant amateurs constantly point out how fake martial art are, how that would never work in a real fight. Really? How many fights do they plan to be in? Most street fights are messy, violent and hardly ever equal. They are usually over in seconds when someone gets hurt or is knocked out. Keep in mind that videos of martial art techniques are demonstrations not combat. What these critics fail to see is the real purpose of martial arts. They are not about men challenging each other in cock fights to prove something.

A Brief History of Budo

      Tae Kwon Do means hands and feet, Karate means empty hands. These unarmed forms were developed by civilians and monks when only the military was allowed to own weapons.

     In feudal Japan, martial arts changed when the Shogun rule ended the petty civil wars and the Samurai were effectively out of a job. They had the time to blend Budo-martial arts-and Buddhism into a spiritual as well as physical practice. When the Samurai were dissolved in the 1860's martial arts evolved again into competitive sports.

Training for Real Life

     Most people take up martial arts as self defense, a way to exercise or as self improvement. The techniques aren't about learning cool moves to defend yourself in a street fight or warding off robbers. You are not expected to use the maneuvers taught but apply the confidence and composure you learn to everyday life. Stuck in traffic? Instead of fuming, relax, do some meditation. Someone being obnoxious? Stay calm and centered so you don't lose your balance or temper. Same with emergency situations.

     The TV Show "What would You Do?" demonstrated an excellent example. A man posed as a an abusive boyfriend in a park. He was approached by another man who firmly and calmly told him to back off. He did the right thing the right way. It turns out the passerby had a black belt in karate and although he was nervous at the encounter, he remained steady the whole time.

      I have used Aikido many times over the years and never had to put a hand on anyone. It's about being centered and gauging a situation to avoid danger or escalation- something police officers should learn.

     The critics of martial arts or combat challengers don't understand what they are talking about. Morihei Ueshiba, a fierce warrior and founder of aikido realized, "True budo must be the spirit of harmony and loving protection of all creation."