Mind and Body

[MegaMan]

I think Chinese martial arts is as much about the mind as it is the body.
It more spiritual than other forms.

Would you agree?

[Toucan42]

I don't know if the Chinese martial arts are more spiritual than others, but the focus on the mind and spirits involvement in the motions and understanding of the art are certainly prevelant.

[John]

I think it is as the Chinese focus alot of Buddhism and bring the religion into their martial arts.

Im not saying that other nationalities dont do this, but I see it as being more evident in the Chinese.

[Twinkle]

I think that the belief system in china is so intertwined with their many and varied martial arts, that they dont even need to try to do the spiritual side of it, thay do it automaticaly.

Over here in the western world, martial arts are not part of our nation heritage, and the combat techniques that are native are not tied to our respective religions, so we dont go into it with mind and body.

I think this gives the chinese a distinct advantage over most other countries in terms of martial arts practitioners :P

[Raven]

Do you guys really believe in the spiritual side of martial arts?
Its all about training your body to be able to acheive the desired movements, the only mind training you need is to be able to predeict when the next attack is coming, and where from.

[Twinkle]

Yes I beleive in the spiritual side of martial arts. To become great at any sport, you have to commit to it, not just with your body, but with your mind also.
Olympic athaletes, train their minds to switch off to the noise around them, so that they can focus on the running.
All the great martial artists commit to their chosen martial art, mind and body as one.

[Raven]

Well I'm still not conviced, a person would be amazing at a martial art if they trained in it from being a young child, wether they believed in the religous side of it or not.
Thats like saying a sandwich tastes better if its made by someone who belives in the bread and butter.
Its just silly

[stigs]

Hmm, I think that the spiritual aspect of a martial art is imortant.
You may think its all a load of balony, but when you think about it, it makes sence.
Believing in the spiritual side leads you to put yourself into the martial art fully.
If you train hard fro child hood you will be a great martial artist, but if you commit mind and body from child hood, you will be considerably better.

[blueangel]

I personaly dont believe in the mind body soul stuff, I think its all down to body, fitness and the such.
But if people want to gointo all the mind part of it, then thats fine, I wouldnt dream of stopping them.

[Cycler]

Originally Posted by Raven

Well I'm still not conviced, a person would be amazing at a martial art if they trained in it from being a young child, wether they believed in the religous side of it or not.
Thats like saying a sandwich tastes better if its made by someone who belives in the bread and butter.
Its just silly

Right on
Teach a kid anything and it grows on them, thats why so many parents start their kids young with sports.
Later in life kids can learn the "other" reasons and beliefs etc.