Kozushi
Level 7 Valued Member
I had started another thread mainly to discuss how to become proficient at some martial arts I have done, but it moved into a discussion of the usefulness of various martial arts for self-defence which I think was getting fairly interesting. I think though that some of my posts gave the wrong impression of me preaching from a pulpit rather than theorizing, and I'm sorry about that. I'm really just theorizing! I'm no authority on real violence!
A major reason for doing a martial art over any mere sport is the thought that in a pinch it can help get you out safe or alive, or at least give you a better chance of this. This, which I think is a true motivation for a lot of people, might beg the question of how effective martial arts of various kinds are for real self-defence, and also what self-defence really means in this context.
Something that I think martial arts training has taught me is how vulnerable we all are to harm and injury. If anything, I think I've learned a very healthy attitude of a lack of confidence in dealing with any kind of violence - it's so darn risky!
I'd also like to say that I doubt that self-defence is the main reason however for people to do martial arts. I think it's a kind of compromise where you get several things:
1. The benefits of any sport.
2. A unique kind of sport with an exotic or meditative flare to it.
3. Definitely some kind of skills if cornered and having to fight for real though.
When I'm thinking of self-defence, I'm thinking about things like road rage or mentally disturbed people suddenly coming at you, not about getting involved with organized crime or the likes! Even one nasty run in with someone unreasonably belligerent and out of their normal mind could leave you dead or handicapped. Yes, I do believe martial arts training works and or helps.
A major reason for doing a martial art over any mere sport is the thought that in a pinch it can help get you out safe or alive, or at least give you a better chance of this. This, which I think is a true motivation for a lot of people, might beg the question of how effective martial arts of various kinds are for real self-defence, and also what self-defence really means in this context.
Something that I think martial arts training has taught me is how vulnerable we all are to harm and injury. If anything, I think I've learned a very healthy attitude of a lack of confidence in dealing with any kind of violence - it's so darn risky!
I'd also like to say that I doubt that self-defence is the main reason however for people to do martial arts. I think it's a kind of compromise where you get several things:
1. The benefits of any sport.
2. A unique kind of sport with an exotic or meditative flare to it.
3. Definitely some kind of skills if cornered and having to fight for real though.
When I'm thinking of self-defence, I'm thinking about things like road rage or mentally disturbed people suddenly coming at you, not about getting involved with organized crime or the likes! Even one nasty run in with someone unreasonably belligerent and out of their normal mind could leave you dead or handicapped. Yes, I do believe martial arts training works and or helps.