In Search of… Training

by Warlock Tengu

an article for The Black Flame—July, LI A.S.

There is an endless sea of martial arts styles
from around the world. Each style, or system was designed for either
self-protection from would be invaders, the preservation of an ancestral
tradition or for the development of warriors used to conquer other regions via
force. Some systems began as one type and evolved towards cultural preservation
as warring periods subsided. There are general aspects to look for when
searching for a martial art to indulge oneself in. A tremendous amount of time
and effort can be wasted without understanding the nature of any given system.
To avoid promotion or denigration of any particular style, I will present a few
concepts to help guide the aspiring student in a direction that will best serve
their personal inclinations.

There are varying motivations for
seeking out martial arts training. Many seek training to protect themselves or
those they care for from assault. Others are looking for a workout to enhance
their physical faculties; some are in search of a path to “enlightenment”.
Satanists would most likely find themselves motivated by the first two and
would prefer (unless undertaking research) to avoid the last. It is possible to
indulge in and enjoy cultural exoticism without attaching to spiritual
trappings commonly found in traditional systems.

It is important to be realistic
in not only your expectations, but what type of effort you are willing to
implement to achieve your desired goal. Honest self-analysis is the key to
finding a system that matches your capacities. This simple fact is the reason
why stints in random systems are found to be disappointing and soon abandoned
as not feeling “right”. What are you trying to accomplish? This is the first
question that most martial arts enthusiasts should ask themselves when deciding
on a particular style to study. What are your weaknesses and how can you
improve them? If a person who is relatively weak doesn’t have the ambition to
increase their physical strength than logic would dictate they should avoid an
art where strength is a prime factor. Again, honest recognition of one’s proclivities
can make finding a gratifying art much easier. Simply stated: What are you
willing to do and to what extent? A person who is athletic may enjoy using
their strength and power in an art that demands such. It is reasonable to
assume that any physical training will increase the body’s strength over time. Time
itself is also a factor to be considered. How much time can be dedicated to
martial arts training? How long will it take to gain a basic proficiency? Are
the techniques instantly usable or will they take years to develop? Does the art
include weapons training? If weapons training is included, are the weapons
archaic or modern, easily concealed weapons? These are a few questions I
suggest asking any instructor before committing to a training group. Many
martial arts training facilities require contractual commitment and should be
thoroughly researched before any such contracts are accepted.

The two general types of
non-spiritual martial systems can be roughly divided into sport systems designed
for competition and combat systems which focus on survival instead of a
“winning or losing” attitude. They are further subcategorized as soft or hard
styles. Soft styles minimize the use of strength and focus on strategy, accessibility
and defensive counter-techniques. Hard styles focus more on developing powerful
strikes, kicks and locks to subdue an opponent. There is a blending of these elements
within the Mixed Martial Arts movement, though it must be remembered that there
are rules to MMA fighting. A combat system will employ any means necessary to
ensure survival and cannot, by their nature, be used for competition. I am
often asked why MMA fights can go on for longer than a few seconds. My answer…
there are rules!

This raises the following question:
Can a rule based system work against a no-holds-barred street attacker?

Though any martial arts training
has the propensity to give one the self-confidence to act, the question
addresses a risk that sport martial artists take when involved in dangerous street
confrontations. Many traditional martial arts use memorized forms to transmit
the movements to students. There is no guarantee that the muscle memory
developed through forms training will work instinctively against an attacker. Combat
martial arts are utilitarian in nature and teach a specific method for
assessing a perceived or actual threat. Combat systems are usually advertised
as such. The word combat itself may be present in the name of a particular art.
There are combat versions of many traditional systems which focus solely on
self-protection and avoid competitive arenas.

In most Asian martial arts
systems, the name itself can be a clue as to the prime motivation for training.
The term “jutsu” in the name of a system typically implies a combat oriented
art. These systems are meant exclusively for fighting off an opponent. The term
“do” is indicative of a path or way. There is often a traditional, sometimes
spiritual aspect at the root of “do” systems. For example: most “do” arts are
defensive in nature. The techniques are performed as a reaction to an attack.
Typically, there is a moral code associated with these arts that forbids
throwing the first blow.

Once a prime personal motivation
has been established, it is time to start looking for the system that will best
fit your desires. With the ability to quickly search the internet for
information, a wealth of preliminary insight can be found by simply searching
for what you want. For example, searching “combat martial arts requiring no
strength” will list an array of arts that fit that category. Video files of
demonstrations can easily reveal the dynamics and methods used in technique
execution. Research is imperative, coupled with an honest understanding of
personal motivations.  If a friend is
studying a martial art it might be wise to ask them what they are doing and
what benefits they have gained. Your friend may also know of other martial art
systems offered in your local area. Once you have an idea of the type of system
in your area that fits your desire, contact the dojo/training group regarding
their logistics. If possible, ask to sit in as a visitor during a class. Many
martial arts offer a free first lesson.

Look around while at the training
facility. If competition is of no interest to you and you see a wall of
trophies and plaques, you are probably not going to fulfill your needs there.
Observing the students in the class can reveal the atmosphere and teaching
style of the instructor. If there are several training groups for a particular
style, visit as many as possible. A teacher’s style is also a factor worth
considering. Are you able to handle a drill sergeant type tone or is a mild
mannered learning environment more conducive to informational retention?  Many of the most dangerous martial artists in
the world are ladies and gentlemen who exude a calm and confidence that is the
result of their personal mastery.

A martial art that is effective
for dealing with street confrontations must contain an offensive and defensive
component. There are times when the first blow must be dealt in order to create
an advantage when no other options exist. This factor increases in situations
where multiple attackers are present. Here is an extreme situation to consider:  A group of muggers commonly keep the “back
up” person, who is usually the biggest or strongest in the group, to the side
or rear while the other parties commit the attack. In situations such as this
where a fight with the group is imminent, dropping the big guy first can be the
wisest offensive measure. The advantage to this being that they probably didn’t
expect their “back up” to get taken out. The others may become instantly
intimidated and run away or be very reluctant to engage in a fight. This act
would require tremendous courage and/or skill. It is situations such as this
that must be considered when searching for an effective system of
self-protection. Research your local and state laws regarding martial arts
training. Know the possible ramifications of your actions. I am aware of at
least one state where a single day of martial arts training is considered
sufficient to avoiding excessive force during a defense. The laws may influence
your decision as to which type of training you pursue.

To summarize:

• Individuals who are motivated
  towards athleticism and enjoy competition will probably find hard styles or
  sport systems appealing.
• Those who are less interested in
  athleticism and desire the ability to effectively defend themselves against
  stronger opponents would be better served pursuing a soft style, combat system.
• Athletic individuals interested
  in personal protection with no interest in competition will enjoy hard style,
  combat systems.
• If cultural enrichment is your
  desire, pursue the systems promulgated by the culture of interest. Examine the
  dynamics of the various systems to further pinpoint their methodologies,
  identifying which system/s best interlaces with your nature.
• Carefully evaluate your
  interests. You may enjoy multiplicity and find fulfillment in an array of
  training approaches. There are martial arts that combine hard and soft methods as
  well.

There are also specialists who
offer workshops for specific aspects derived from one, or many styles. One may
choose, in lieu of committing to any one particular style, to seek out these specialty
events. A ‘Women’s Self Defense Seminar’ for example, generally offer a one or
two day workshop which demonstrates a few key martial art concepts. I recommend
researching the reputation of these training events, as well as the instructor
offering such classes. The more time invested in research, the less time you
will waste in your actual development.

Know yourself and choose wisely,

HS!

—Warlock Tengu

Photos by Witch Tania