Martial arts

These Afghan women are busting stereotypes as they train in the ancient Chinese martial arts of Wushu.* Under their teacher, Sima Azimi, the teenagers train outdoors weekly despite weather, constant harassment and a culture of violence in their part of the world. ⚔💪🏽 Check out the full article here! Or another article here.

One of the most common ways that we kung fu practitioners show the practicality of our martial art is through the demonstration of technique applications. We show how a certain technique can be used in multiple ways while an opponent throws an attack at us, usually a single punch. Detractors of kung fu and/or traditional styles say that this is highly unrealistic because the attacker is only throwing a single technique while not resisting, which is the only thing that allows the fancy shmancy kung fu technique to work. Had the attacker been resisting, it would be a different story. And you know what? They’re right…..to an extent.

One of the most common (and fatal) mistakes that anyone makes when they are shown the martial application of a kung fu technique is taking it at face value. What many people fail to understand is that nine times out of ten, these demonstrations are more conceptual than anything. It’s obvious that nobody throws only a single punch in a real fight and just stand there while you defend yourself, and if anybody tries to apply these techniques with the mindset that that’s how they will be attacked in a real situation, they’ll be in for a rude awakening. But that doesn’t mean that said techniques won’t work.

When you see a demonstration of technique application, whether in person or on YouTube, you must remember that what’s being shown is what COULD work—not necessarily what WILL work—given that you set up the technique properly. Sure, no real-life opponent would just stand there as you unleash a multitude of lethal techniques, joint locks, or takedowns on them, but the key to what’s demonstrated is that you COULD strike here, you COULD lock this joint, and you COULD take them down in this fashion, but only after you’ve set it up properly. My teachers, when they demonstrated applications, showed how we could use physics, body mechanics, and proper body structure to maximize the effectiveness of a given technique.

This is where the “art” in martial arts come in to play. As opposed to simply sparring all the time until you learn the hard way how to fight, “martial arts” breaks down the theories and concepts behind combat. Obviously, sparring is very important to any sort of martial arts training, but equally important are the concepts and theories behind techniques; otherwise, there would be little to separate a martial artist from a fighter. These little nuances, however subtle they may be, can make all the difference. This concept isn’t exclusive to kung fu or traditional martial arts, either. I’m pretty sure modern fighting styles employ the same philosophy, or some variation of it, in their training and teaching as well.

Insofar as teaching applications of techniques for self defense purposes, it is important that the beginner student have a strong grasp of the basics before moving them into the application stage. Just last night after class one of our recent beginner students divulged to me his disappointment at not initially learning the material for his current level when he first began, yet having progressed as far as he has, he now has an appreciation for why he wasn’t shown the material at the outset. “I realize now I wouldn’t have even had the capacity to understand the physical complexity of this material” were his finishing words. Many like him give in to their disappointment and go to another school to learn the material they want, yet some soon return with the realization that many traditional martial arts schools all require a strong grasp on basics.

I can remember many a call to the school asking at the outset how soon students would be introduced to sparring and application usage. Without giving them the “you need to know basics” speech, I would (and still do) point them down the street to the UFC or MMA gyms around the corner if all they want to do is learn to fight. After all, it’s to their detriment to spend money and time learning something they don’t want to learn. Coming in with the “I want to fight” mindset will not let anything really stick in a traditional martial arts school. Traditional Chinese martial arts is much more than just fighting.

To Exercise Or Rest When Sick? This Infographic Will Tell You

Fist of Fury (1972)

Interesting fact about this scene. The bad guy had to be doubled for when he’s kicked through the wall. A bunch of stunt men stepped up to fling themselves the distance but none of them could pull it off. After a while, a young man stepped up and, on the first take, flung himself through the air and landed exactly where needed. One take.