mixed martial arts

In Search of… Trainingby Warlock Tenguan 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 TenguPhotos by Witch Tania