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Getting On : Health
Martial Arts | from night_raver - Friday, April 02, 2004
accessed 2449 times I've been an assistant instructor in the Shotokan Karate-ka style of martial arts for a year now since becoming a black belt and was curious as to how many of the rest of us practice some form of martial arts and what styles.
Something else I've been trying to figure out why so many of us guys in the group were obsessed with trying to learn martial arts. Looking back, alot of my secret fantasies were to kick the shit out of most of those asshole "shepherds". Martial Arts was the ultimate freedom I could think of, being able to defend myself and hurt those who wanted to hurt me in such a way that they wouldn't want to hurt me again. Those of us who were in Victor programs and remember being beaten with a cutting board with holes drilled in it know what I'm talking about. I might sound like a freak, but after those sessions I'd fantasize about what I would have done to them if I were a black belt. I guess that obsession with it while growing up is what kept me in it over the past 5 years since leaving, which if nothing else is probably what has kept me in shape and flexible.
For those who practice, has it helped you to face your fears, or whatever it was that caused so many of us to try so hard to secretly learn martial arts? The longer I've been practicing, the more I'm starting to think that, more than any type of counseling could, martial arts has helped me "move on" by giving me a measure of power to prevent bully "shepherds" from ever again getting in my face and intimidating me. I guess that's one good thing to come out of Victor programs is it gave me a face to punch when practicing katas (forms).
Lest anyone get the idea that I'm some violent person, I practice more for the exercise that out of some desire to "defend myself on the street" since that's not exactly something that happens everyday :). Martial Arts is unfortunately associated with promoting violence, and perpetually needing to enlighten misguided souls can be quite annoying, but I guess we can thank Van Damm and Segal for that. |
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Reader's comments on this article Add a new comment on this article |  from figaro
Monday, March 12, 2007 - 00:25
| from Chalkie
Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 21:33
(Agree/Disagree?)
I could have a theory - from my personal experience we were never taught too academically in the fam - it was more about being prepared for the end-time, therefore once 'outed' we excelled in physical activities as opposed to academic. When I left at age 13 I wasn't the smartest in a 'systemite' school, but was very sporty. It could also be due to never being allowed seconds at meal time (Funny how there were no fat family members).
Because we had so many parental figures and strict guidelines to follow, sub-consciously throughout young adulthood we later grew up craving a disciplinary system - hence either army or martial arts. I've noticed alot of people are now in some form of military institution, and I almost joined one myself. But hey, I'm no shrink, just a jesus baby from a sex cult that's livin on the other side of the normal fence. That's all
(reply to this comment)
| from Meathead
Tuesday, March 29, 2005 - 18:29
(Agree/Disagree?)
I started martial arts when i was 16. my parents let me take it cause it was cheap and also local. plus i gues they new i needed something to help me get over my first gf. I started with Barzilian Juijitsu and then Thai kickboxing. when i fought i never imagined it to be anyone, i just did it for the sake of doing it. but after winning 2nd place in the first all asia tournament, i started doing it competitivly. it also helped when i went for my bodyguarding certificate. i now take Bjj, Thai KB. Aikido, and boxing.
(reply to this comment)
| from geo
Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 19:58
 (Agree/Disagree?)
first of all shotokan karate-ka isnt a style of martial art, karate-ka is the person studying karate not the martial art. and well its nice that you have all that built up aggression from when you where a kid, one thing you need to realize while you spend your time practicing your karate is that your not learning to kick anybody's ass your not even really learning a very effective fighting system. basicly all your learning is shotokan. if your happy learning it solely for the sake of learning it then more power to you.
(reply to this comment)
| from porceleindoll
Monday, April 05, 2004 - 20:18
(Agree/Disagree?)
Despite Joe's claims that a lot of nerds permeate the martial art sector, I practice Aikido, a Japanese form of defense martial art. I am up for my test this next week for ichi-dan (first level black-belt--there are 10-dans in all). It's taken me over 2-1/2 years to get here.
I started it cause I wanted to learn something totally new, it was cheap enough to afford and local. I have enjoyed it a lot, but for awhile the hardest part was 'submission' to a teacher. If I wanted to learn, I had to listen to the sensei correcting my moves, and it proved more difficult than I had anticipated. It reminded me a lot of being corrected by a shepherd. At least this time I didn't think the sensei was God's form in the flesh for me today, and I am paying, therefore choosing to learn, therefore I must be willing to be corrected on my errors.
I also joined out of defiance to my past because any sort of fighting sport (or sport in general) was outlawed and banned. Same as why I started reading novels, why I invested in stocks, and why I began to watch horror movies, etc.
(reply to this comment)
|  From geo
Tuesday, April 06, 2004, 20:16
(Agree/Disagree?)
ichidan? i think you mean shodan, thats a good example of people who dont understand japanese trying to use japanese terminoligy to sound more authentic, except youd probably get laughed at if you called yourself an ichidan in japan, almost as bad as calling someone a judan instead of shihan. im not making fun of you as its not your fault but your school. something to keep in mind though is that a black belt is pretty meaningless now days with the thousands of psuedo martial arts around and all the self made grand masters i would consider it on par with a degree from a non acredited university it may not get you a job but it sure looks nice hanging on your wall.(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | From dan
Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 06:57
(Agree/Disagree?)
Where do you get off?? she has been living in japan for over 15 years and it is called ichi dan ni dan san dan etc you know, one two three....
and if you ever studied or researched Aikido you would know that you can get a black belt in one year of you are willing to give 8 hours a day at the head school in Tokyo. ask any Aikido instructor and they will tell you that the system they have for teaching in Japan is the best way to learn.
quit trying to be a snob and let people express their opinions with jumping on them like a damn piranha.
surprised you don't get your ass kicked more for just being an ass.(reply to this comment) |
| | From flutterfly
Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 20:11
(Agree/Disagree?)
Hey Dan,
Well, I think the first black belt in Aikido is not called "ichi dan", but "shodan" & then the rest are numbers like nidan, sandan, etc. Most people don't know that unless they're studying it or know someone who is.
But it doesn't really matter, there are many ways to count in Japan, it's kind of a pain & the "sho" in "shodan" doesn't have a numerical meaning it means "beginning" or the first.
Anyway, that's all.(reply to this comment) |
| | From figaro
Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 10:15
 (Agree/Disagree?)
maybe you should try reading my post! it says very plainly "unless your working very heard for hours every day" which, i have already admitted it seems she did. so i already retracted my statement.
i don't know a whole lot about Aikido, all the styles i have studied were Chinese and not japanese. but i do know that unless you are working VERY hard for hours every single day that you can not get your black belt that quickly unless you are just buying it. and i already said, i believed it that she was working for it, and not paying. again, try reading the post before replying to it.
as for getting my ass kicked more for being an ass. you know nothing more about me then my nick name. so how do you think you can judge that i dont get my ass kicked enough? for your information, i get into fights quite a bit. but i do win most of them so...(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | | | | From Oddie
Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 09:21
(Agree/Disagree?)
Dan as in Navy Seal Dan, right? Andy and Becky? Nina's older bro?
You probably wouldn't remember me, but you lived in Midoriko for a while yeah? This is Naomi/Dorcas/Sofia/Jo's younger bro here. We were TRFs back then. You know, when I first heard you became a Seal, it gave me a lot of hope for the outside world. Back then they never told you about the "backsliders" that got anywhere. Glad to see you are alive.(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | From Oddman
Wednesday, March 14, 2007, 12:04
(Agree/Disagree?)
Nah, Jo's got a scholarship to some university of fancy pants in France. She got good genes, presumably because she has a different father.
I've gone by Yushi, Jay, Val. I was in that area during the Kanbayashi home, through Midoriko era, and early Shiojiri. I don't expect you'd remember as we had quite a few TRFs in the area at the time, Esther (Takami) and kids, Gideon and Joan, et al.(reply to this comment) |
| | From flutterfly
Monday, March 12, 2007, 04:20
(Agree/Disagree?)
And what makes you an authority in Martial arts? There are many different kinds of martial arts in the world. She studied "Aikido" at the founding school in Japan called "Aikikai", I'd say it it pretty authentic & top notch. I know others who have gotten their first black belt in Aikido in the same amount of time. In Aikido there are 10 black belt levels.
I believe her school is where Steven Segal studied (& got expelled from, I believe, for breaking people's arms & stuff)(reply to this comment) |
| | From Oddie
Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 09:31
(Agree/Disagree?)
It's always amusing when the "hen na gaijin" shows up with his pseudo oriental knowledge isn't it? I love sushi..... ew, RAW fish! Where are the rainbow rolls?
A few years back, I went to Aikikai for a open dojo day. I was told I had to kitaeru (build up) my inner self first, as I had "too much anger and too much force". Are there any exers that have studied at Steven Seagal's dojo (in Osaka I think)?(reply to this comment) |
| | From figaro
Monday, March 12, 2007, 09:31
(Agree/Disagree?)
i didn't say i was a leading authority in martial arts. but i do know a lot about it, considering he time i have spent studying them. and i stand by what i said, if she got her black belt that quickly then she either worked very hard at it, or bought it. if what you say is true, and ill believe you that it is, then it was because she worked very hard at it.
oh and by the way, most martial arts have ten black belt levels. (reply to this comment) |
| | | | | From porceleindoll
Tuesday, April 06, 2004, 21:12
(Agree/Disagree?)
you're right about the shodan and ichidan, I just called it the ichidan cause I'm already shodan although I don't have the hakama, I am the rank before hakama, which is the official first-level dan. Once I get the hakama I am a certified member of the Aikikai Association, not sure what it's called in English. But yes, the black belt is sort of a sign only, I wouldn't even really consider myself a master until I reached the ni or san-dan level, perhaps in another year or so. In Aikidou you can become a sensei at the fourth-dan, but after that I believe you don't get tested as it matters more on your contributions to the Aikikai. Since my teacher is Japanese and all my classes are in Japanese, I don't always fully understand everything they say, like why is blackbelt sho-dan, but also after you get your hakama you are still shodan. My sensei is roku-dan, he said that most people don't reach ju-dan before they die, it's more honorary, and the highest rank alive right now is nana or hachi-dan I believe.
But I don't actually use Japanese to sound more authentic, I use it because that's the only terminology I know for some things and don't know how to say it in English, and the mistake usually happens when trying to explain it to the 'gaijin'. (happens when you've lived in a country for over half your life.)(reply to this comment) |
| | from Joe H
Monday, April 05, 2004 - 13:41
(Agree/Disagree?)
Yes, I went through a martial arts phase, shortly before my vampire phase. If it's working out for you and helping you move on, by all means, stay in that phase and don't move on to the drug phase, the vampire phase, or the sex with fat chicks phase. Do call me when you get to the yuppie phase though.
(reply to this comment)
| | | | | | | From night_raver
Tuesday, April 06, 2004, 08:30
(Agree/Disagree?)
Okay, I may have to partially agree with you on the nerd part (ie. people with more than one major who make higher than a 3.8 at a highly ranked private college), but as for the cuter girls part, there's a ratio of 60/40 female to male at this college, not a major shortage. Our class is 2/3 girls, most of whom are cuter than the chicks who frequent our (admittedly very non-classy) local bar scene -- not to mention the idiots expect guys to buy them drinks, which I never do unless U buy one for me first. However, if by nerd, you're talking about social skills, not looks or grades, then alot of chicks and most guys here fit that category since a lot of them happen to be home-schooled (but hey, many of us don't have great social skills due to our isolated upbringing).
As for the yuppie (young URBAN prof) part, I live in a rural area. I just graduated, have two degrees, and just started working for a non-profit near the college as the network admin -- I can guarantee your salary is considerably higher than mine due to being in a rural area, and in the NFP sector, but oh well.(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | from Conqueror of Uranus
Monday, April 05, 2004 - 12:31
(Agree/Disagree?)
I do Muay-Thai kickboxing, I first started just because I wanted to get in shape while doing something I've always been interested in, Martial Arts. And besides faggy, jumping-around-to-the-latest-pop-tune-like-Richard-fucking-Simmmons isn't my idea of fitness.
At first I wasn't really serious about doing it competitively, but after I registered for an upcoming fight my whole outlook changed. I've gone down from around 70kg to 58kg (12kg approx. 28pounds) in three months. All my friends tell me that I seem more confident and relaxed, and I'm getting complimented at work for being more productive. I also found that it's a great way to relieve stress.
Although I don't imagine a "shepherds" face on my sandbag, there are a few who I woudn't mind giving a peice of my mind.
My fight is on May 18th. Wish me luck.
(reply to this comment)
| | | | From Conqueror of Uranus
Tuesday, April 06, 2004, 01:05
(Agree/Disagree?)
Since I'm still in the amatuers I fight 3 2min30sec rounds, 2knockdowns in the same round or 3 total knockdowns is KO. If the Judgement call is tied, there are 2 overtime rounds. Headgear is optional, and elbowing and knee-blows to the head are allowed, as is a open-handed grappling.
If I do well here I can be on a televised fight as soon as October....
I'd like to spar more but as a safety precaution the trainers only allow you to spar once every 5days.(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | From .
Monday, April 05, 2004, 20:11
(Agree/Disagree?)
As much as I abhor unnecessary violence, just sometimes I appreciate seeing a little goatee-guy with a mouth way too big, getting his head kicked in.
Alf, put your money where your mouth is, jump in the ring for 12 three minute rounds & see how you go.
Go on alfie, spar, spar, spar!!!
(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | From .
Monday, April 05, 2004, 23:09
(Agree/Disagree?)
a true student of a martial arts would know that it’s far more than “sparring”.
Balance of body and mind, including mental preparedness, focus, perseverance, and of course technique.
Any pub brawler (or software engineer/ geek) can spar, but the type of preparation before the sparing counts most
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| | From Joe H
Tuesday, April 06, 2004, 13:37
(Agree/Disagree?)
It was all that other stuff BESIDES sparring that turned me off of martial arts. Not that I have anything against balance, preparedness, and focus, but I wanted to learn to defend myself, first and foremost. But now I've learned that defending yourself is actionable, and it's much better to have a good lawyer, take a little beating and have your student loans paid off than to spend a better part of your life thinking about violence and practicing at it. (Ok, so even I don't completely believe in this viewpoint, but do you see the point I'm trying to make? If not, I'll elaborate more, but right now I have work to do)(reply to this comment) |
| | From .
Tuesday, April 06, 2004, 21:27
(Agree/Disagree?)
that’s cool. I see what you mean.
truly these days someone using their martial arts, even in self defence could easily end up the one in trouble in court. My Sensei often reminds that the best self defence is to avoid being in a bad situation. – And if you do come to the rescue of someone, make sure you get their details or get them to make a statement to the police in case of any accusations later on.
I also agree many of those in martial arts present as little more than a Mr Miyagi side dish. But there are many reasons people take up martial arts, and so as with everything else inaccurate to generalise.
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| | From Alf
Tuesday, April 06, 2004, 06:25
(Agree/Disagree?)
I would'nt call myself a 'true student of martial arts' but I disagree, intensive sparring is the most sports specific training you can do. Getting your head together is of course important, but having the best mindset in the world ain't going to help u much if you don't have the familiarity of the ring/conditioning that sparring brings. (reply to this comment) |
| | From .
Tuesday, April 06, 2004, 22:12
(Agree/Disagree?)
Sparring is particular to the type of Martial Art being practiced/ studied/ competed in. So, saying you value sparring more than the preparation is a bit short sighted in my opinion.
Like someone saying they value dog-fighting with fighter planes most without mentioning that someone would need to learn to fly a plane first, then learn manoeuvres and techniques particular to a certain kind of plane.
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| | | | | From night_raver
Monday, April 05, 2004, 17:25
(Agree/Disagree?)
Good luck Uranus, from what I've seen of Muay Thai (bootleg videos of Burmese fights) I don't think I'd be wanting to participate in that, I'd rather watch someone get their knee torn up and walk with a limp the rest of their life than participate in a match that allows kicks to the knees -- I gotta get up the next morning and go to work.
Alf, from what I've seen it's less a sparring sport (first contact gets the point, 3-point tag on the pad, no grappling, no head contact if yr below black) and more a fight. It looked like whoever could punch and kick the opponent to the ground first wins the round. I dunno, to each his own, for me it's my way of keeping in shape -- I guess JoeH has sex with fat chicks to keep in shape. (reply to this comment) |
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