Originally Posted by
sihing
I think if someone is looking to a Martial Art as a way to "change" the way they fight or defend themselves, they become attached to what it is teaching them. If the system says we use straight line attacks becasue it is the fastest way from point A to B, then they will be blinded by that prinicple and will not allow themselves to see outside of that way of thinking. This type of Martial Arts learning is not natural, but mechanical, in application and thinking, and is why most Martial Artist never can use what they are learning, they are trapped by their identification with their school, style, sifu/coach and try to display their style when they spar or fight.
The other way would be to add to what you already have as a fighter, and your natural ability to defend yourself. Some people are already further down the road than others, so it is safe to say that not everyone is starting at the same level. Now, when the training begins, one is taught that they are refining what they already have, making their tools sharper, more precise, more powerful, just plain old better. After learning and training, the person trained this way does not object to using round strikes, nor straight strikes or anything inbetween, as it is not about the training nor method learned, but the results. In this case, the attachement to the training method is not present, and one is more open minded, and free in their movement/application/thinking to do what is right for them when it is needed.
James