Our world moves at an alarming pace. We are constantly overwhelmed by the combined demands of our work, our families and other relationships. Our senses are always being bombarded with stimuli form multiple sources at a rapid rate. Daily life has become very complex. Practicing martial arts can either add to this confusion or help free us from it.
In martial arts, there are a myriad of styles and different techniques available for our exploration. There are too many choices. Some schools are very narrow in their focus – they teach one style. Other systems claim to have combined 6 or more styles into one.
- What both these approaches lack is simplicity.
I have always loved martial arts because it teaches us to eliminate superfluous thoughts and movements so our bodies can become powerful. These “extra” movements or wasted thoughts only distract from what works or is “true” for each person. How can we get rid of the baggage we bring to our training if the technique we study is too specialized or complex?
Over time in training, most people hold on to the belief that they need to learn something completely new to improve their art. The result is that people continue to add technique to their list with no real knowledge of how it fits together. All the value in martial arts training lies not in the character or “style” with which we move, it is our translation of that training into the context of self-defense situations. Most of the “fluff” technique we cling to because it is part of our “style” is lost in that translation. What we are left with is . . . simplicity:
- In self-defense, either you fight or you run.
- If you fight, you either win or lose.
- If you win, it does not matter what moves you used, it only matters that you were victorious.
- If you lose, then it does not matter what moves you used, only that you were not effective.
- If you fight, you either win or lose.
- Win or lose, it is simply our own ability – our focus, discipline, awareness, confidence and fitness – that makes us effective or not.
