Chinwoo-er
06-27-2003, 11:01 AM
How many heard of things like this
" is style X good for self defence " ?
Lets face it, when we ask a master of their style whether or not it is good for "self-defence" I find it unlikely that they will say it is completely useless as far as combat goes.
Anyway, is this a western trend that this question needs to be asked ? "martial arts" by its definition is an approach to combat. Philosophy and intentions aside, that is what it is. How can something that is intrinsically geared towards combat not have some (if not complete) self defensive capabilities ? Look at Tai Chi, slow, useless movements ? Of course not ! In its original form, it was designed to fight. It is only because it gets watered down by the marketing that people recieve an umpractical aspect of it. TKD is another example. Hell, even wushu has some (if somewhat limited) self-defensive moves.
Anyway, what I am trying to say is defence and combat should be an intrinsic part of martial arts training. In any style. The " is style X good for self defence " question should not be asked in the first place. So why is it that such a question keeps poping up ?
" is style X good for self defence " ?
Lets face it, when we ask a master of their style whether or not it is good for "self-defence" I find it unlikely that they will say it is completely useless as far as combat goes.
Anyway, is this a western trend that this question needs to be asked ? "martial arts" by its definition is an approach to combat. Philosophy and intentions aside, that is what it is. How can something that is intrinsically geared towards combat not have some (if not complete) self defensive capabilities ? Look at Tai Chi, slow, useless movements ? Of course not ! In its original form, it was designed to fight. It is only because it gets watered down by the marketing that people recieve an umpractical aspect of it. TKD is another example. Hell, even wushu has some (if somewhat limited) self-defensive moves.
Anyway, what I am trying to say is defence and combat should be an intrinsic part of martial arts training. In any style. The " is style X good for self defence " question should not be asked in the first place. So why is it that such a question keeps poping up ?