So you want to be the next
Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Helio Gracie, Chuck Norris, or
Master Pan. Congratulations and welcome to the wide
world of Martial Arts. You may be wondering what
comes next. Where do you go, what do you do, and are
you going to have a dragon branded onto your forearm
as you lift a red hot brazier to exit the hidden
monastery? The Purpose of this document is to answer
a few questions, give you an overview and maybe
point you in the right direction. Many of the topics
in the Newbie Guide are covered more in depth in the
body of the
rec.martial-arts FAQ proper but we'll touch on
them here in an abbreviated form.
===================================================================
One of the questions asked
ad nauseam is, "What is the best art?" or sometimes
its modified form, "I wanna kick butt and don't want
fancy-schmancy stuff, what art should I choose?"
Well, the answer is, "We don't know." There's much
debate over what exactly is the "best art" or what
is an "effective art." It comes down to a lot of
questions such as, "Best for what?" and "Best for
you or best for me?" In the end, it's a question
you're going to have to answer for yourself through
personal exploration and hard work. Since you're
looking for a Martial Art to start, you should look
for the ones that are available to you. Simply put;
it doesn't matter if it's the ultimate kick-butt
art, if you can't find a school near enough to take
classes at. With that thought in mind, you should
look to see what schools are available in your area
and make your selection from those. If you are
looking for a specific art, you are still restricted
to what's in your area, so go ahead and look anyway.
===================================================================
OK, so we've established
that you should look at the schools in your area.
All well and good, but how do you find what
schools are in your area? Here are a number of
recommendations.
- Recommendation of
Friends - Ask your friends and associates. You
might be surprised how many people you work with
or shop with are martial artists themselves or
know of reputable schools, particularly hard to
find "Garage Dojos" (see the FAQ).
- Bulletin Boards at MA
supply stores - It goes without saying that a
local martial arts supply store would be a good
central location, a gathering spot, for local
martial artists. They have to get their
equipment from somewhere. Look at the
bulletin boards in these supply stores. Don't
rule out general athletic supply stores.
- Bulletin Boards at
Asian bookstores - Since many martial arts are
Asian in origin, many martial artists have an
interest in Asian culture and books
(particularly books about martial arts).
- Bulletin Boards at
Super Markets & the like - Many "Super Stores"
such as Wal-Mart and Meijers have bulletin
boards specifically for advertising within the
local community. These advertisements include
bicycles for sale, free puppies, and... martial
arts studios.
- Bulletin Boards at
Oriental Restaurants - Again, because many
martial arts are Asian in origin, many martial
artists embrace Asian culture, including Asian
Cuisine. More then that, it seems a likely place
to put up fliers for martial arts studious
looking for a place to put up said fliers. As
has been noted elsewhere, just because people
working in these restaurants are Asian, do not
expect them to know anything about martial arts;
some may take offense at these sort of
stereotypes.
- Local Colleges - Many
colleges have martial arts clubs on campus. Judo
is particularly well known on college campuses,
but, by no means, has a lock on it. Some
colleges even offer martial arts course for
College Credit as part of their Physical
education curriculum.
- The 'Y', Civic Centers,
and Community Centers - The YMCA/YWCA are havens
for martial arts schools. Included in the mix
are Civic Centers, including religious based
Community Centers and Park & Rec. programs.
- Classified Adds, free
newspaper adds - Another source is in the
Classified Adds of your local news paper or in
the classifieds of various "free" newspapers,
typically available in bookstores and groceries.
- Welcome Wagon Baskets -
Many martial arts studios will include special
promotions in Welcome Wagon baskets to new
members of the community. These promotions often
include free classes, reduced rates, or free
uniforms.
- Cultural Heritage
Festivals - One of the common misconceptions is
that all martial arts are Asian in origin.
Though many of the most well known are, there
are an amazing number that are Occidental
(Western) or otherwise non-Asian. Cultural
Heritage Festivals often include a demonstration
of fighting arts from that proud culture, such
as the Shillelagh from Ireland or Gatka from
India.
- Renaissance and Western
History Festivals or Clubs - Many Western
Martial arts such as Renaissance Combat
Wrestling, Broadsword, Rapier, Bare Knuckle
Boxing, or Quarterstaff are often taught in
clubs celebrating Western Heritage or associated
with such clubs. One example is The Association
for Renaissance Martial Arts (formerly
Historical Armed Combat Association). The
Society for Creative Anachronism teaches some of
these, typically in a "safe" "sport" form but
the local chapter can be a good place to start
or they may be able to direct you toward a
school or instructor that can meet your needs.
- Road Signs and Posted
Advertisements - Most martial arts studios will
put up advertisements and fliers on telephone
poles or at Mall entrances. They will also often
put up "directions" signs pointing towards their
school from major roads.
- Yellow Pages under
"Martial Arts" or "Karate" - As always, the
Yellow Pages has a section for those willing to
pay for advertising their phone number.
===================================================================
So how much is all this
training going to cost? The short answer is: it
depends. Schools are free to charge whatever they
want for their instruction. How much they charge is
a function of how much they think their instruction
is worth, how expensive goods and services are in
that area, and what their expenses are. Small
"Garage Dojos" with little overhead have been known
to charge as little as $20 a month per student,
while instruction at other studios in comparatively
expensive cities (such as New York) could cost
hundreds of dollars per month. The issue is further
complicated by bringing in differences in national
location. In other words, what is reasonable for a
big city in Germany is not necessarily equal to what
would be reasonable in a big U.S. city. Thus, it is
not really possible to accurately predict how much
you will be expected to pay at any give school in
any given location. However, currently it is not
seen as unreasonable for schools to charge between
$40 and $75 a month. In some rare cases, instructors
will not charge at all. This is often true for
groups that meet in the park, such as some taiji
(Tai Chi) groups. Further, it should be noted that
the PRICE of the instruction is not always a good
indicator of the QUALITY of the instruction. More on
this in "What Not To Look For."
Doubtless, you have noted
that I've been speaking of monthly charges. This is
the most common way to pay: month by month. However,
there are other options with most schools. Often you
may receive a discount for paying ahead in 3, 6, or
12 month blocks. Some schools offer contracts.
A short discussion of
contracts is warranted. Many martial artists are
wary of school contracts. Contracts have been known
to be used by scam artists in the past or,
occasionally by legitimate martial artists who will
"stick it to you," enforcing payment terms of the
contract should you wish to be "out" of it for
whatever reason. However, there are many legitimate
uses of contracts by martial arts schools. They can
reduce costs for the instructor and free him from
tedious billing issues that can distract him from
teaching martial arts. Don't let the option of a
contract dissuade you from any particular school but
be wary of schools that require a contract
(and will not give you a month-to-month option) or
contracts that guarantee "black belt" within a given
time frame.
You should note that
training fees may not be the only fees associated
with your martial arts selection. Other fees often
include fees for rank testing. How much you pay for
rank testing varies from art to art and from school
to school. Usually, earlier ranks are less expensive
and more advanced ranks are more expensive. You
might be asked to pay $15 for your first test and
work your way up to $100 or more for your "black
belt" test. Some schools charge you the testing fee
regardless of whether or not you pass your test
while others only charge you the fee if you actually
pass.
Another "hidden cost" often
seen in the martial arts is that of equipment. Some
martial arts require you to purchase a uniform
(often the "white pajamas" Gi). Inexpensive uniforms
for striking arts such as karate can be had for $20,
heavier-weight uniforms for grappling arts such as
judo start at $50. Prices for the divided skirt and
top used for some other arts such as kendo start at
around $100. Advanced students can pay as much as
$200 for a high-quality judo uniform, $400 for a
high-quality kendo uniform. Your instructor should
be able to help you find an appropriate uniform or
point you to where you can buy one. But your
equipment costs may not end there. You may be
required to purchase safety equipment such as
sparring gloves, shin pads, and head gear, or you
may be required to purchase various "weapons" used
during practice such as staffs, swords, or knifes
(usually a training "safety" variety). Take heart
though. Most schools have "loaners" available until
you can purchase your own.
You may also be required to
join an organization and pay membership fees. These
are typically an umbrella organization that
certifies the instructor in their martial art. They
can point you to affiliated schools that will
recognize your hard won rank and continue your
training should you be forced to move or be
traveling abroad. These membership fees or dues are
typically low, on the order of $20 - $50 a year.
Some organizations have a lifetime membership
program (or are lifetime memberships by default),
others are variations or only require yearly dues
for "black belt" rank and above. Your instructor
will be able to tell you the details of his
organization, should he be a member of one. Be sure
to ask about parent organization dues before you
join a martial arts school.
OK, so now you're paying all
this money for training, equipment costs, dues,
testing fees, and the like... how do you know you're
not getting ripped off? Well, like everything else,
shop around. Find out what other schools are
charging for these goods and services. Some "red
flags" include schools that require you to buy only
their branded uniforms and gear, require you to sign
long contracts, have no "move refund" option in
their contract, or high-pressure sales pitches. If
it feels like you're buying a used car and the
salesman insists you sign the contract now, smile
politely and head for the door.
===================================================================
So what are some of the
things you should look for or ask about when
visiting a school? Number one, ask about the class
schedule. If classes only meet when you can't
attend, it crosses the school off for you.
Another thing to look for is
who is teaching the classes. Often, the person
teaching your class won't be the head instructor.
Frequently the head instructor will have some of his
advanced students teaching classes. This is
particularly true if the school you choose has
separate classes for lower ranked and higher ranked
students or if they have a "new student" class.
Don't let this dissuade you. Often instructors
teaching "new students" are doing so because they
have shown an aptitude for helping new students
learn the basics of an art, perhaps even beyond that
of the head instructor. The ability to teach
a physical skill is often dissociated to some degree
from the ability to actually perform that skill at
high levels. Most professional boxers could whip the
tar out of their coaches even though their coaches
know how to box. While on the topic, find out if
there is an "introductory" or "getting started"
class or course. This can be a good way to get up to
speed quickly with the basics of an art or to
"sample" that school.
While visiting a school,
spend some time talking to the students before or
after class. Talk to both high and low ranking
students, they'll have different perspectives. Spend
some time understanding the atmosphere of the
school, it will take more then one brief visit. Some
are strict disciplinarian and some are easy
camaraderie. Again, don't assume that the instructor
that runs his school like a drill sergeant produces
kick-butt martial artists while a more easy going
school is lax or lackadaisical. They are simply
different teaching styles and one may be more
appropriate to your needs then the other.
Another thing to take note
of is injuries. Let's face it, martial arts are
inherently dangerous. They are martial and no
matter how safe you train or what safety equipment
is used, there is a risk. There are bound to be some
injuries. However, the nature and frequency of the
injuries are what you should consider. A black eye
is far different from an injured joint and if broken
bones occur frequently, that may indicate a problem.
You can't train while recovering from some injuries.
Some injuries are permanent and will affect you the
rest of your life.
Finally, though uncommon,
some schools have an "enrolment period." They
operate like college classes in that you can only
join at certain times of the month or year.
===================================================================
Some years ago a movie came
out: They Call Me Bruce! In this comedy, an Asian
man made his way through a number of people who
thought he was a great martial arts Master simply
because he was Asian, triumphing in the end. The
moral is clear and directly applicable. Do not
assume that because the instructor of a given school
is Asian that he is, in some way, superior to the
instructor of another school who is not. Skill in
martial arts is not inherent to any given "race."
Likewise, do not make the same mistake concerning
the sex of an instructor. There are many very
talented female instructors.
Don't let yourself be
distracted by a fancy school or unrelated goodies
such as weight machines or saunas. A well kept, safe
training area is one thing but extraneous features,
though nice, ultimately only add to the expenses of
the school. There are a good number of excellent
instructors teaching out of their garages,
basements, and back yards.
Don't get distracted by
uniforms either. Many Asian martial arts wear the
traditional "white pajamas" gi while other martial
arts have different uniforms and some, no uniform at
all, preferring instead "street clothes" or
comfortable, loose fitting training clothes.
Also, don't pay too much
attention to numerous trophies and medals. Trophies
are easy to come by in martial arts competitions. On
top of that they are inexpensive and easily
purchased by unscrupulous scam artists from the
local trophy store. Though this practice is
uncommon, it has been known to happen.
Don't judge a school or
instructor by how much they charge. It's human
nature to assume that a higher priced product is
going to be somehow better, yet this is not always
true in the world of Martial Arts. Some instructors
are simply teaching for the joy of teaching and not
trying to make a living or any real money from it
(more on this in the rec.martial-arts
FAQ). Some arts and Organizations discourage
their instructors from trying to make money from
instruction and will therefore be inherently less
expensive. Yet other arts are the flavor du jour and
suffer from higher demand then there are available
instructors, thus making them more expensive. As
long as the price of instruction falls within the
range that you are willing to pay, don't worry too
much about it.
Further, don't pay too much
attention to lots of certificates in Asian script
decorating the wall, particularly if you don't read
the language they're written in. Most instructors
will display only the rank certificate of their top
rank (or the top rank they hold in each art they're
ranked in if they are ranked in more then one). In
general, this should mean that there aren't many
certificates displayed. With the state of current
computer technology, it is easy to produce
impressive looking certificates that say anything
you wish them to say, even that the bearer is a high
ranking martial artist.
Finally, don't be overly
concerned with the rank of the instructor. While in
the early stages of training in your new art (say
the first 10 years) you probably won't be able to
tell the difference between a 3rd Degree Black Belt
and a 9th Degree Black Belt.
===================================================================
Subject: 8 -
Rank
One of the most
misunderstood things about martial arts is rank.
Different people in the martial arts world have
different feelings about the use of ranking in the
martial arts. Some feel it is all important, some
that it is of no import whatsoever, and others that
it is a valuable tool not to be given too much
weight outside of its limited context. What you
should know is that most martial arts have a ranking
system but many do not and that rank within one
system does not equate to skill within another
system even though the systems may be similar. Just
because you know how to drive a car doesn't mean you
know how to operate a back hoe.
The most common ranking
systems are the Japanese and the Korean systems.
The Japanese systems start
with sub-"Black Belt" or Kyu ranks and work from
highest to lowest as skill increases, typically from
10th Kyu up to 1st Kyu and then "Black Belt" or Dan
rankings, from 1st Dan and going up to 9th Dan. 9th
Dan is typically reserved for the (one) highest
ranking instructor of the art, usually in Japan.
The Korean system works much
the same way, simply substitute "Gup" for "Kyu."
You should also know that
some Occidental systems have a rank system, but,
when they do, they usually do not follow the
10th-1st sub-black belt then 1st Dan-9th Dan ranking
that Asian systems do. Frequently Occidental systems
will rank a practitioner by number of wins in
competition or a combination of skill level rankings
and competition wins. Savate schools will typically
operate in this manner. Other Occidental arts use an
archaic ranking system that includes 4 or 5 ranks
starting with "Scolaire" (Scholar) and culminating
with "Maestro" (Master).
Be aware that the color of a
belt as a rank in one system does not translate to
the same rank in another system. A "Green Belt" in
one system is usually not the same rank as a "Green
Belt" in another system. The same goes for Kyu/Gup
ranks. As stated earlier, a Kyu/Gup rank in one
system does not equate to the same skill as an
equally numbered Kyu/Gup rank in another system.
Simply put, you can not compare a 5th Kyu in
"Karate" with a 5th Gup in "Taekwondo" and they
probably wear different colored belts. At this
point, it should go without saying that a "Black
Belt" in one system isn't really comparable with a
"Black Belt" in any other system. It only represents
a certain level of skill obtained within that
system; exactly what skill level that represents is
entirely up to the instructors that define that
system.
Again, don't be overly
concerned with the rank of the instructor. You
likely will be unable to differentiate between a 3rd
Degree Black Belt and a 9th Degree Black Belt for
many years. Further, there is a theory in the
martial arts world that you can learn a lesson from
anyone, even the lowliest practitioner. Learn the
lessons that the instructor has to offer. A final
word of warning on the rank of the instructor.
Beware claims of inflated or high rank. It is not
unheard of for a martial artist to break away from
his parent organization or instructor and award
himself "9th Dan" and "create" his own art. More
then one instructor has made the leap for 3rd Dan to
9th Dan in this way with no real increase in his
skill or teaching ability. Caveat emptor.
Finally, the natural
question asked is, "How fast?" ...How soon will you
get your coveted Black Belt? How long before you can
"defend" yourself? How much time before you can kill
everyone in your neighborhood without breaking a
sweat?
...We don't know...
Or rather, to be more
precise, it depends. Each statement is a different
goal, though they all seem to be related. Again, a
"Black Belt" means different things to different
martial arts systems. To some it means "you've got
the basics and are now ready for a little bit of a
challenge." To others, "You are competent in the
system enough to be let out without a chaperone." To
other still, "you know enough to be able to defend
against the unskilled or moderately skilled." And to
others yet, "you're an 'expert' in the same way that
a new trade skill grad is an 'expert' but not the
same as a 20 year's experience 'expert." Remember,
"Black Belt" is only meaningful within the context
of the system you're studying. That being said, it
is not unreasonable to expect that, with modest
effort, the coveted "Black Belt" may be achieved
within 4 to 7 years of practice. Many systems track,
even require minimums of training or "mat" time
between promotions. It is thought to be more
meaningful to talk of number of hours "on the mat"
then to speak of "number of years." Simply put, it
is reasonable for a person who is spending 4 hours a
day, 5 days a week training to achieve "Black Belt"
far sooner then a person spending 2 hours, twice a
week. In 5 years, 2 day a week training would amount
to 1040 hours. The person training 5 days a week, 4
hours a day would hit that number of training hours
in only one year.
As to the issue of being
able to "defend yourself:" That all depends upon the
skill level of the person or persons attacking you,
your skill level, weapons involved, and a myriad of
other variables. The stories of students with one
class under their belts defending themselves are
true, likewise the stories of "Black Belts" being
beaten up. There are just so many variables involved
that the question is near meaningless. However, the
more diligently you train and the more time you put
into your training, the more likely that, if the
unhappy time ever comes, you will be able to
successfully "defend" yourself.
===================================================================
Here are some general
guidelines to consider when visiting the schools you
have an interest in.
First, call ahead. Make sure
that visitors are welcome. Some schools are
particular about what classes visitors are allowed
to watch. Advanced classes may be "off limits" to
the public as well as "private lessons." It should
be a "red flag" if the school will not allow you to
watch any classes before paying money though.
Further, some schools feel that simply watching a
few classes can not adequately give you a feel for
their art. They may encourage you to take an
"introductory" class (sometimes at no charge).
Next, be aware that most
martial arts schools have rules of etiquette. This
almost always includes not wearing shoes inside the
school or in certain areas of the school. They will
often provide a rack or shelf for shoes just outside
of the "restricted" areas. Never step onto the mat
in your street shoes. This can track dirt, pebbles,
gum, grease, and other substances onto the area
where people may soon be having their faces smooshed.
Also, be aware that many
schools will have beginning and ending ceremonies
that they may ask you to stand during. Some may ask
you to bow whenever crossing the thresh-hold of the
school.
During your first visit,
wear casual clothes. Work clothes or what you wear
on an evening out to the movies should be fine.
As always, be polite. If
someone offers a hand to shake, then take it. If
someone bows, return the bow; try to emulate the bow
they give you. Be quite during the class. Don't make
noise or draw unnecessary attention. If you are
visiting the school in the company of a friend,
don't converse with each other. If you must do so,
keep conversation to a minimum and in a hushed tone.
The object is to not interrupt the class or distract
the students who have paid good money for their
instruction.
Further, show up early,
before class starts. This will give you a chance to
observe "pre-class" interactions important to
understanding the atmosphere of the school. It will
also give you the opportunity to talk with the
instructor and students. Write down a list of
questions you want to ask and bring it with you. If
any other questions occur to you as you watch the
class, write those down so you can remember to ask
the instructor after the class is over.
As a general rule of
shopping etiquette, don't discuss the other schools
you've been to or heard about. If you must discuss
other schools, be sure to avoid derogatory remarks
about them. Avoid discussing the quality of their
instruction, etc. If you are asked about any prior
experience in martial arts you might have, go ahead
and tell the instructor what your experience is.
This will help him understand what you know and may
give him a base to start your training from. Avoid
comparing the two arts.
Finally, don't try to
impress the instructor or students with your
knowledge of martial arts or foreign languages. It
usually backfires.
===================================================================
Subject: 10 -
Should I Study More Than One at a Time
It is not uncommon for more then one Martial Art to
interest a potential student. The logical question
is, "Can I" or "Should I study them both?"
This is a matter of some debate and opinions
differ. The prevailing wisdom is a bit of a
compromise. It is generally recommended not to
study more then one art at a time or, failing that,
to get a good foundation in one art before branching
out, or "cross training," in another. The feeling
is that the two arts are likely to conflict with
each other. They may require differing ways of
moving your body, differing postures, differing
positions, and offer differing solutions to given
situations. These differences could serve to
confuse and frustrate the new student as he
endeavors to apply what he has learned in his
classes.
After you have developed a good base in one art, you
can then explore other arts without undue confusion
or overlap.
There are, however, some noted exceptions to
consider. You may want to consider cross training
in arts that have very little overlap, that
complement each other well, or that fill in gaps you
may feel are missing.
Another consideration is the instructors. Some
instructors encourage cross training or even teach
multiple arts themselves while other instructors
strongly discourage cross training and may be upset
to find a student cross training. If cross training
interests you, you should talk with the instructors
of each art to see how they feel about it before you
start taking classes there. They may already have a
program in place or may be able to make
recommendations.
Further, cross training, even if it is advantageous
and encouraged will usually slow your advancement in
each art far more then if you were to
dedicate all of your training time to just one.
Finally, as hinted at earlier, you should consider
your personal resources. Can you afford to pay for
two different classes and all the associated fees
for each? Not only money, but, more importantly,
your time resource.
You will need to dedicate a certain amount of time
to the practice of each art, both in class and out,
in order to see advancement. Do you have the time
to dedicate to each?
Some examples of arts simultaneously trained include
Tae Kwon Do with Hapkido, Muay Thai with Brazillian
Ju Jitsu, and Boxing with Judo.
===================================================================
Subject: 11 -
The Dark
Side of Martial Arts
Though it is touched upon in other portions of this
Guide, it's worth spending some time looking
specifically at the dark, seamy underbelly of
Martial Arts.
This is the place where people take advantage of
you.
McDojo's
First, let's look at the dreaded "McDojo." These
are usually schools who's sole goal is to part you
from your money without ever imparting any real
Martial Arts knowledge. These can sometimes be
difficult to detect since part of the successful
money-student separation is to convince the student
that useful information is, in fact, being taught
while devising ever more ways to implement the
money-student separation.
This separation is often achieved by having fee
after fee after fee and required expenditures on and
on and on. For instance, schools that require you
to buy only their branded uniforms and gear, require
you to sign long contracts, have no "move refund"
option in their contract, or high-pressure sales
pitches. Another common tactic is to have numerous
belt test requirements and sub-ranks, all with a
fee, non-refundable if the student "flunks" his
test. An example would be a school which has
students ranked, "Second Stripe, Decided, Green
Belt" or similar. These schools may also require
weekend training trips.
Besides the red flags listed above, a few other's
that may indicate a "McDojo" include: Any school
that promises you a Black Belt in under 3 years or
routinely produces Black Belts in 2 years. Any
school which seems to have overly young or
inexperienced experts (usually "Black Belts" or "Dan
ranks") - for example a school recently made the
news, noteworthy because they had just promoted a
three year old toddler to "Black Belt" and they had
a five year old child as a 2nd Dan (second degree)
"Black Belt."
Scams
Another variation on the McDojo effect are Scams.
The number and variety of scams are infinite, as any
grifter can tell you. However, the same grifter
will also tell you that the most effective usually
seem to be variation on a few basic themes. In the
Martial Arts world, one of these themes is the
"Study at Home" scam. One reason this is such an
effective scam is that it's very similar in
appearance to legitimate training aids. The scam
usually takes the guise of an advertisement
promising to impart vast knowledge and unbeatable
fighting skills with the purchase of a home study
system, usually consisting of Video Tapes or DVDs.
The home practitioner then "studies" these videos,
takes
a test, sometimes written, sometimes by video taping
himself and then mails it back to the originator for
"grading" along with a sum of money. Naturally
"rank" is issued (usually the coveted "Black Belt")
as well as a lead in for additional "training." Of
course, the consumers have become somewhat more
savvy and this exact scam takes in fewer marks then
it once did. Another variation of the scam is to
simply not offer the "rank by mail," which is a dead
give away.
Instead, the same "be an unbeatable killer"
advertising is used to sell the video material. A
third variation of this particular scam involves
actual "live" training. A seminar is offered from
which the attendees are guaranteed rank (often
teaching rank) in a new and unbeatable system.
These seminars are usually short, only a couple of
hours, and often attempt to make some tenuous link
to military combatives such as the Marines or the
Special Forces (linking to the "unbeatable" skill of
military groups is another common "hook").
Another variation of martial arts scams are
questionable training aids. These are devices or
machines which, through their use, supposedly will
confer awesome capabilities to their users. They
frequently take the form of exercise aids with
vastly exaggerated claimed benefits. Occasionally
these devices can take the form of a machine or
appliance which will "teach" your body to perform
some devastating "secret" technique.
The reason these scams are so successful is that
they so closely mirror legitimate training aids.
Video's, books, and seminars, exercise devices, even
weekend training camps, are all tools used by
legitimate martial artists to enhance their skills
and improve their understanding. The critical
difference is that the scams typically promise great
gains, impressive skills, or rank for comparatively
little investment of time.
Cults
Martial Arts hold a nearly unique place in society.
They are, at most basic not related to any social,
moral, or religious principles. They are merely
"martial," or "pertaining to war or combat skills."
Yet, at the same time, many are drenched in
philosophy and the "mental" benefits cited range
from improved self esteem all the way through
metaphysical abilities. Simply put, mysticism in
Martial Arts is not only accepted, but often
EXPECTED. Coupled with the business or
organizational structure of many Martial Arts, this
produces a prime candidate for cult like
organizations to spring up. All of the required
markers or precepts are easily applied. For
instance, the required attitude to "trust without
question" a leader or central authority is readily
accepted behavior in many Martial Arts. Simply put,
the instructor knows what he's talking about, you
should listen to what he says even if you do not
understand why. Most often this is a safety or
training issue. The
experienced instructor knows that a certain way is
safest or most likely to produce results. That
alone is no more proof that a certain Martial Art is
a cult than the requirement to follow orders
instantly and without question is evidence that the
Army is a cult. However, it does place an
instructor in a position of power to abuse
emotionally vulnerable people.
Though fortunately
rare, cult like indicators have been seen including:
1) Complete emotional dependence upon a central
authority figure
2) Accepting without question directives from a
central authority figure
3) Isolation of group members and restriction of
their association to other group members
exclusively, including communal living and breaking
ties with family and close friends
4) Single minded recruitment into the group
5) Relinquishing control of personal assets to the
central authority figure. Of course, this is a
short and perforce slightly vague list.
If you
suspect someone may be becoming involved in a cult
of any sort, whether Martial Arts or otherwise,
research the organization
thoroughly and consult a licensed mental health care
professional.
Two examples of Martial Arts organizations that
closely match cult profiles are: Chung Moo Do, and
Kanzen Kenpo
Sexual Predators - Pedophiles and Power Abusers
Another area of concern for many people is that of
sexual abusers. This is generally of greatest
concern to parents. How can you know that the
Instructor is not a Pedophile? The Martial Arts
world frequently generate exactly the recipe needed
for a Pedophile to successfully engage in his
preferred perversion: unsupervised access to
children. In fact, it's gone one better.
The instructor is, by default, placed in a position
of authority and trust for the child. This danger
can be doublely compounded by some standard
activities associated with Martial Arts such as
weekend seminars in remote or isolated areas and out
of town, over-night, competitions. Fortunately the
safe-guards for children in the Martial Arts are the
same as for any other activity.
Check the background of a potential instructor. You
can check with the local Police Department for
complaints or criminal history (a wise idea whatever
the case) as well as consulting databases (many of
them "on-line") listing Sexual Predators. Ensure
that the child is never alone and unsupervised. Go
with your child to his classes (be sure to sit
quietly to the side; take reading material or a
quiet hobby). Many schools even have a special area
where parents can sit and watch the class. Whenever
your child has an out of town or over-night
function, accompany them or have a trusted adult
accompany them.
Go with your child to watch his competitions. It's
an enjoyable spectator event and will show your
child that you support his interests. Finally, pay
attention to your child. Observe changes in
behavior that might indicate emotional trauma such
as withdrawing from friends and family, hostility,
or depression. Listen to your child and talk with
them about the dangers of the world and what is and
is not acceptable conduct from others. For further
tips and advice consult your local Police
Department.
Sexual Power Abusers are not generally thought of in
the context of a Martial Arts instructor. While the
idea of a Boss at a work place or a Professor at a
University being a sexual power abuser is fairly
well accepted, often the idea of applying the same
context to other authority figures is overlooked.
Unfortunately some Martial Arts instructors have
used their positions as an authority figure to prey
sexually on their students. This is a difficult
subject. On the one hand, most would agree that it
is unethical for an instructor to use his position
to influence or compel a student into a relationship
with him. On the other hand, if a student is an
adult and is consenting, what harm? The Martial
Arts world is replete with stories of couples who
met as Martial Arts instructor and student and then
pursued a romantic relationship successfully outside
of the school. Further, some students are actually
attracted to the power and authority of a Martial
Arts instructor, much as some are attracted to
athletes or politicians. The best advice for adults
is to be very careful and use common sense.
Naturally, if an instructor (or even a fellow
student) is making unwanted advances, tell them that
you are not interested. Be polite but clear and
firm. You're not interested in pursuing a
relationship beyond mutual adherents of a Martial
Art. If the unwanted advances continue, your road
narrows somewhat. If the
advances are from a fellow student or Assistant
Instructor, go to the Primary Instructor and explain
the situation. Ask him to help you and to talk to
the offending person. Chances are this has happened
before and the instructor may not have known about
it. Regardless, most instructors are wary of law
suits.
If, on the other hand, the unwelcome advances are
from the Chief Instructor or Owner then your only
recourse may be to simply leave that school and seek
instruction elsewhere. You may be able to file a
complaint if the school is a member of a larger
national or international organization but do not
count on this curing anything. Some organizations
may take steps to chastise or even revoke the
instructor's membership, other organizations may do
nothing. Unless a crime, such as rape has occurred,
the legal system will probably be little
help. Over all, your best option may simply be to
seek instruction elsewhere.
===================================================================
So you still don't know
quite what martial art might suit your desires best.
Won't take 'no' for an answer huh? OK. Well here are
some ideas that may help you narrow your search.
What are you looking for in
a Martial Art? If you know what you want out of it,
you'll have a better idea of what "kind" of art to
look for. Typical answers include: Better Physical
Fitness Street Useful Self Defense Sport Competition
Striking Techniques (Punching/Kicking) Joint Lock
Techniques Grappling Techniques (some similarities
to wrestling) Pressure Point Techniques
Traditional/Oriental Weapons Street/Common Weapons
Mental & Emotional/Spiritual Development
Attractiveness/Fluidity of Movements (important to
some) Traditional "Feel" Speed of Advancement/Ease
of Learning Techniques Brief Descriptions of these:
Better Physical Fitness: Some people's primary
motivation in a Martial Art (MA) is improving their
Physical Fitness. To them, if they can learn a MA
while getting fit, so much the better.
Street Useful Self
Defense:
A primary motivation for many is the ability to
truly be able to defend themselves in a street
confrontation against typical street techniques
and weapons.
Sport Competition:
Many arts contain a greater or lesser degree of
competition and some will encourage their
students to compete in local and national MA
sporting events in competition restricted to
that particular MA and in various open
competitions. Awards and medals are sometimes
given. Arts that emphasize competition too much
are thought by some to sacrifice some of the
self defense value to ingrained competition
safeties. Arts that are well known for their
sport value include Tae Kwon Do (TKD), Judo and
Kendo.
Striking Techniques:
This is more a facet of a MA and typically
describes punching and kicking techniques. Some
arts emphasize this to a greater or lesser
degree with some focusing on it almost to the
exclusion of all other techniques and with some
teaching nearly none of it. Arts that are well
known for their striking techniques include most
Korean arts like Tang Soo Do, and Tae Kwon Do.
Joint Lock Techniques:
This is more a facet of a MA and typically
describes techniques that lock, restrict
,manipulate, or sometimes break and dislocate
the joints of the aggressor. Some arts emphasize
this to a greater or lesser degree with some
focusing on it almost to the exclusion of all
other techniques and with some teaching nearly
none of it. In arts that teach a variety of
other techniques, joint lock techniques are
typically thought of as an "advanced" teaching
and are typically reserved for higher ranks.
Arts that are well known for their joint lock
techniques include Aikido, Pencak Silat, and
some forms of Jui Jitsu (Aikijitsu and others).
Grappling Techniques:
This is more a facet of a MA and typically
describes techniques that are similar to
wresting in many ways and include throws and
groundfighting techniques (what to do when one
or more combatants are at least partially on the
ground and not standing). Some arts emphasize
this to a greater or lesser degree with some
focusing on it almost to the exclusion of all
other techniques and with some teaching nearly
none of it. Arts that are well known for their
Grappling/Groundfighting are Judo, Brazilian Jui
Jitsu, and some other types of Jui Jitsu.
Pressure Point
Techniques:
This is more a facet of a MA and typically
describes techniques that manipulate pressure
points on the human body. These "points" can in
some cases cause a great deal of pain and some
practitioner say that Pressure Point
manipulation can slow down the aggressor, cause
limbs to go numb, stun or even kill an aggressor
outright (though this is an extremely advanced
technique not taught to everyone and is still
open to controversy in the MA and Medical
world). Some arts emphasize this to a greater or
lesser degree with some focusing on it almost to
the exclusion of all other techniques and with
some teaching nearly none of it. Arts that are
well known for their Pressure Point techniques
include some types of Kung Fu (there are over 50
well know Kung Fu forms), and some types of Jui
Jitsu.
Traditional/Oriental
Weapons:
This is more a facet of a MA and typically
describes techniques with weapons not considered
to be militarily effective, or street convenient
by today's standards. These weapons would
include sword, spear, bow, and staff. Some arts
emphasize this to a greater or lesser degree
with some focusing on it almost to the exclusion
of all other techniques and with some teaching
nearly none of it. Arts that are well known for
their Traditional/Oriental Weapons techniques
include many forms of Kung Fu, many Okinawan
Karate forms, and some Japanese forms such as
Kendo, Kenjutsu, and Iaido.
Street/Common Weapons:
This is more a facet of a MA and typically
describes techniques with weapons considered to
still be militarily effective, or street
convenient by today's standards. These weapons
would include knife, club, cane/half-staff. Some
arts emphasize this to a greater or lesser
degree with some focusing on it almost to the
exclusion of all other techniques and with some
teaching nearly none of it. Arts that are well
known for their Street/Common Weapons techniques
include many forms of Kung Fu, many Okinawan
Karate forms, and some Japanese forms, and
especially Indonesian forms such as Pencak
Silat, and Philippines forms such as Kali,
Arnis, and Escrima.
Mental &
Emotional/Spiritual Development:
This is often considered a strong benefit of
taking MA's. Many instructors advertise their MA
directly to parents as a way of increasing
children's Self Confidence, Socialization
Skills, and Personal Well Being. Spiritual
development is a strong component of many but
not all MA's. The Japanese word "Do" (when
applied to a MA) is considered to mean "way" or
"path" to Spiritual Enlightenment or personal
understanding (Koreans arts ending in "Do" have
a similar meaning). In general, any Japanese art
ending in Do will have to a greater or lesser
degree a Spiritual or Self Improvement aspect,
while Japanese arts ending in Jitsu are
primarily concerned with martial abilities and
will have little or no concept of Spiritual
Enlightenment or Self Development, except as is
important and added by the instructor. This is
largely dependent upon the instructor in any
system. Arts known for their emphasis on
Spiritual Development include many forms of Kung
Fu, especially Shaolin Kung Fu, taiji and
certain Japanese "Zen" martial arts such as the
Aikikai form of Aikido. (note: lots of
generalizations here)
Attractiveness/Fluidity of Movements:
This is one that's as hard to pin down as the
Spiritual aspect. Suffice it to say that some
arts just look prettier than others. A master in
most any MA is going to have a fluidity and
grace of movement, however that is not always
true of the students. As a gross generalization,
typically, "circular" arts will appear more
fluid and graceful than "linear" arts. A
simplistic definition of circular vs. linear is
that each variation tends to have a greater
emphasis on movements and techniques in it's
"category." Thus circular arts will tend to have
a lot of sweeping circular and rounded
movements, while linear arts will tend to move
in more direct lines. Also as a gross
oversimplification, linear arts tend to be
"hard" (direct and force/impact oriented) while
circular arts tend to be much more "soft"
(redirect and control oriented). One more gross
oversimplification, circular techniques tend to
be more difficult to master than linear.
Striking arts tend to be more linear and Joint
Lock & Grappling arts tend to be more circular.
Examples of largely circular arts are Aikido and
certain Kung Fu forms (Baguazhang / Pa Kua
Chang). Examples of largely linear arts include
Tae Kwon Do and Okinawan Karate. An example of a
very exciting and fluid art is Chinese Wu Shu.
Traditional "Feel":
This describes the feel of the "weight of
tradition" that is attractive to some Martial
Artists. Some MA players like to feel like they
are participating in a tradition thousands of
years old and readily accept ancillary aspects
of MA study such as bowing and foreign
terminology. Most MA's have an aspect of
"tradition" to them, especially the Asian arts
(i.e., Chinese, Korean, Okinawan, Japanese) and
almost all MA's have a code of etiquette to
follow while in the training hall. Frequently
there are rituals involved some with religious
significance, some merely as a show of respect
for the founder or the instructor. Some MA's
require a uniform and some (such as Capoeira or
Pencak Silat) may not at the instructor's
discretion. In general, how "traditional" an art
feels is almost entirely dependent upon the
local instructor. Any given art has instructors
who prefer an informal environment or a more
formal one. Generally, the further back the
roots of the art stretch, the more instructors
there are that will prefer a formal or
semi-formal environment though this is anything
but a hard rule. Further, societal origins will
tend to have an effect on the formality of the
training environment. Japanese arts for instance
tend to be more formal in nature as the Japanese
society has a long standing history of formality
in the minuet whereas arts that are American in
inception (there are a few) will tend to be very
informal since the American society is a largely
informal society.
Speed of
Advancement/Ease of Learning Techniques:
There are really two separate issues here,
though many people equate them. A common
question is "how long must I study before I know
the art?" or alternately "how long must I study
before I get a Black Belt?" Whereas, another
common question is "how long must I study before
I can defend myself?" The nature of these two
questions are different. Most people equate
Black Belt with having achieved Martial Arts
godhood. This couldn't be further from the
truth. The actuality is, typically, Black Belt
(or First Dan) is where a student is finally
gaining a base level of competency and
understanding in his art. One description that I
recently read was to think of a Black Belt as if
it were a Bachelors degree from college. It is
an expert level, but not a Doctorate level, or
even a Master's Degree. Those are more typically
associated with higher Dan ranks. This is an apt
description since in most reputable MA's, it
should take between 3 and 5 years practice to be
awarded a Black Belt. It is not unheard of for a
reputable school to produce an occasional black
belt in 2 to 3 years, however, this person is
either unusually dedicated and practices on a
nearly daily basis or is a Martial Arts Prodigy.
Any school that promises you a Black Belt in
under 3 years or routinely produces Black Belts
in 2 years is what's sometimes referred to as a
"Black Belt Factory" or a school that "Sells
Black Belts" (McDojo) and should be avoided.
That being said, the question still remains "how
long must I study before I can defend myself?"
If home defense is your only goal, buy a gun and
learn to safely use it. You can become
proficient in the safe use of firearms in a far
shorter time than a MA and they are typically
much more effective. Why do you think the
Military uses them? Or perhaps you should buy a
dog. Statistics show that less than 5% of homes
that own -any- sort of dog will -ever- be
burglarized (this includes those hairless
rat-dogs the Chihuahua). If this is not an
alternative for you or if you are also concerned
about protecting yourself where you can not, for
various reasons, take your gun or your dog, then
perhaps a MA is for you. How much study it takes
for you to become effective at defending
yourself is a component of many different
things, including the art its self, your
aptitude at learning it, and the abilities of
the person attacking you. The stories of Black
Belts being beat up by untrained drunks are
true. And also, the stories of new students
using the MA to successfully defend themselves
against rapists and murderers are also true.
Whatever the case for your aptitude, the more
effort and practice you put into learning your
chosen MA, the better you will be at defending
yourself and your family.
===================================================================
Some answers given may
reflect personal biases of the author and
contributors. The answers contained herein pertain
to discussions on the
rec.martial-arts
group, and are by no means exhaustive.
The martial arts Newbie
Guide was created from an outline of an earlier
document, also titled "The Newbie Guide" by Jeff D.
Pipkins as well as information from the creator of
this document, Kirk Lawson (additional contributors
listed at end). It is the intention that this
document be a companion document to the current rec.martial-arts
FAQ. The author, Kirk Lawson, grants rights to
update, maintain, modify, and distribute this
document provided that you abide by the "no profit"
restrictions detailed hereafter.
You are specifically granted
the right to distribute this document in any storage
or display format including, but not limited to,
HTML, RTF, .DOC, PDF, or direct telepathic transfer.
You are granted the right to
copy, store, modify, and distribute this document
provided that a) This Disclaimer, Copyright, and any
version history or creator/contributor attributions
are included. b) That you charge no monies for the
distribution of this document, excepting a nominal
charge for the cost of media upon which it may be
distributed. If you wish to include this document in
any for-profit publication or to include it in any
pay-per or price metered medium or delivery, you may
only do so with the express permission of the
original document author, Kirk Lawson. Basically, if
you want to modify or distribute this document for
free, fine, go ahead and do it, but if you want to
make money off of it, I want my cut.
Additional Contributors:
- Steve Gombosi
- Kevin Hill
- Matthew Weigel
- Ted Bennett
- Neil Gendzwill