When people refer to the “Western” martial arts they usually mean fencing, boxing, or wrestling. These fighting systems became sports but not everyone would agree that they ever were martial arts. Likewise, Israeli Krav Maga and Russian Sambo are called fighting systems and rarely called martial arts.
With a few famous exceptions, like Judo and Aikido, the “Eastern” martial arts mostly began as fighting systems. They evolved into martial arts as their practitioners had more time on their hands and little reason to put their hard won fighting skills to use.
A fighting system is a teachable set of techniques, tactics, and strategies that possess an internal consistency. They are designed to enable a person trained in the system to defeat another similarly armed person in combat.
So what is a martial art?
Some claim that the “art” in martial art comes from forms, kata, or patterns. Others say it is the elements of philosophy or religion that distinguish a martial art from a fighting system.
I say it is repetition. When you practice the same movements enough times their continued repetition becomes a form of meditation. It changes the way you think; the way you control your body and the way you interact with others. It calms you. It centers you. And, when it has done these things - it is your martial art.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Martial Art & Self Defense Part 1
Some martial arts have become sports or mostly sports. Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Western Fencing, Sumo, and Kendo and prime examples of martial arts turned mostly into sports.
My first martial art was Tae Kwon Do but I converted to its Korean cousin Tang Soo Do before I earned my 1st black belt. As a senior Tae Kwon Do “gup” I attended a referee seminar and earned an initial certification so I could referee sport Tae Kwon Do contests.
When I fought in my first Tang Soo Do tournament I was beaten easily because I was not used to defending my head. The Tae Kwon Do sport rules at the time (I’ve no idea what they are today) allowed kicks to the head but disallowed even feints to the head using hand techniques. I was used to seeing those kicks coming from far away and having plenty of time to defend against them. I was not used to quick jabs - I got clobbered.
As a Tae Kwon Do student I always wondered why they specifically taught techniques that were called “self-defense techniques”. The reason became clear later.
Some martial arts emphasize philosophy and some few even incorporate religion.
Some “fighting systems” decline to be called a martial art because of the sport, philosophy, & religion connections.
“Combat” followed by the label of any standard martial art style usually indicates a system based on the original martial of that name but stripped of the sport, philosophy, & religion elements and perhaps enhanced by techniques borrowed from other styles
My first martial art was Tae Kwon Do but I converted to its Korean cousin Tang Soo Do before I earned my 1st black belt. As a senior Tae Kwon Do “gup” I attended a referee seminar and earned an initial certification so I could referee sport Tae Kwon Do contests.
When I fought in my first Tang Soo Do tournament I was beaten easily because I was not used to defending my head. The Tae Kwon Do sport rules at the time (I’ve no idea what they are today) allowed kicks to the head but disallowed even feints to the head using hand techniques. I was used to seeing those kicks coming from far away and having plenty of time to defend against them. I was not used to quick jabs - I got clobbered.
As a Tae Kwon Do student I always wondered why they specifically taught techniques that were called “self-defense techniques”. The reason became clear later.
Some martial arts emphasize philosophy and some few even incorporate religion.
Some “fighting systems” decline to be called a martial art because of the sport, philosophy, & religion connections.
“Combat” followed by the label of any standard martial art style usually indicates a system based on the original martial of that name but stripped of the sport, philosophy, & religion elements and perhaps enhanced by techniques borrowed from other styles
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
What is Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu?
What is Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu?
Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu is a self defense system originally designed in the 1960's by Professor Ernie Cates and a friend whose name I do not have. The original concept was based on the martial art and sport of Kodokan Judo with techniques selected for effectiveness but also for ease of learning.
It is a system of principles as much as of techniques; principles such as natural movement, natural stances, and elbow knee alignment, avoiding blows instead of blocking them, push-pull control, and adversarial psychology. Neko Ryu is also adaptable to individuals. Professor Cates and his son “Moose” Cates and many times told their students to adjust the techniques to what works for them as long as they hold fast to the principles.
Neko Ryu is also a system that continues to learn and grow. Professor Cates passed the baton of leadership to his son Grandmaster Ernie “Moose” Cates Jr but Professor Cates and his other son Eric Cates continue to travel the country holding Neko Ryu clinics at various martial arts events. They continue to learn from martial artists of other styles. And they continue to experiment and apply first Neko Ryu principles to what they learn and to incorporate these new adaptations into their teaching of Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu.
Links to the Special Report: Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu
Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu is a self defense system originally designed in the 1960's by Professor Ernie Cates and a friend whose name I do not have. The original concept was based on the martial art and sport of Kodokan Judo with techniques selected for effectiveness but also for ease of learning.
It is a system of principles as much as of techniques; principles such as natural movement, natural stances, and elbow knee alignment, avoiding blows instead of blocking them, push-pull control, and adversarial psychology. Neko Ryu is also adaptable to individuals. Professor Cates and his son “Moose” Cates and many times told their students to adjust the techniques to what works for them as long as they hold fast to the principles.
Neko Ryu is also a system that continues to learn and grow. Professor Cates passed the baton of leadership to his son Grandmaster Ernie “Moose” Cates Jr but Professor Cates and his other son Eric Cates continue to travel the country holding Neko Ryu clinics at various martial arts events. They continue to learn from martial artists of other styles. And they continue to experiment and apply first Neko Ryu principles to what they learn and to incorporate these new adaptations into their teaching of Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu.
Links to the Special Report: Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
