2011: Maxing out with Crazy Monkey
It's been some time since I have focused on a singular martial art system. In 2011, I will be focusing on CMD.
I've dedicated a large portion of my time, money and effort in learning whatever was available and I could access to. Mostly limited by time and finances back in the day, I reflect back on 30 years of martial arts and don't regret a single thing. I've learnt much from both the positive and negative experiences and now see the value in both. Fortunately, I've celebrated more than losing my temper. I can honestly recall only one incident.
Next year it will be the first time in a long time that I return to lead a singular martial art system on a full-time basis. Of course, it will be challenging, physically and emotionally but that is what makes the journey interesting. I have made this conscious choice and feel that whatever you are passionate about, delve headfirst into it and follow your heart. I've met many people, especially those in their 50's and 60's who have expressed pangs of regret that they didn't follow their passion instead ended up being a banker, lawyer, accountant or doctor. Those were the "professions of choice" that served as a launch pad to a better lifestyle back in the 1940's and 1950's. While they have financial security, they also have to live with the fact that they will carry an unfulfilled dream with them to their graves.
In your own experience, accept that along the way, not everyone will agree with your opinions but that doesn't matter. Remember that it's your personal journey and not theirs.
You will meet all kinds of people, mostly good, some strange, some bad, and a rare handful of exceptionally talented in what they do.
I used to believe that one's ability to fight was directly proportionate to the amount of mat time you put in. To some extent, I still do. There are some who defy this theory by sheer athleticism and natural talent. This attribute, I concluded, is unteachable.
I cannot teach someone who is 5 foot tall to become 6'3" no matter what kind of exercises or drills I teach them. That is a fixed condition. What I do instead is to teach a set of skills based on empirical evidence, functional skills that have been tried, tested and proven countless times over.
I've dabbled in several different types of martial arts, met interesting characters, from some who believe amassing a huge portfolio of certificates and belt ranks would somehow validate their character and amount to some credibility of their skill (or lack of).
The ones who most often cause friction are the ones who are very singular minded on their particular art, always insistent that their way is the best. Perhaps, in the ones I've met, you can always find the personality that is best described as "passive aggressive". While not the most pleasant, there are also the class bully, desperately making an impression on the "pecking order" of the club culture. There is the solo-artist, who by and large, minds his or her own business, gets on with their own thing and has little social interaction. Somewhat mysterious but always strikes me as hiding a darker secret behind the silence. A little creepy you could say. There's the social butterfly who makes it his business to know everyone else's'. In the rarity that you find any women, they tend to be "reminded" of their place in a mostly male-dominated activity. Often, sullenly accepted as part of the club but never a member of the "team". Then there's the technician who studies every minutiae of information and always has an answer for everything, correct or otherwise because they tend to overlook the inconvenience of rumours, hearsay and urban legends. Some are implausible and the rest are ridiculous!
Finally, there is the teacher themselves. Most are "trainers". They are the same as the fast-food burger flippers. They learn by rote, they teach by rote and the majority have no idea what they are doing.
I have passively observed classes where I made my presence known as a non-participant. The trainer who was leading the class kept looking back at me for something. Reassurance? Validation? An opinion? I don't really know, but all I could see was a lack of confidence and lack of belief in what he was showing. It seemed as if he was anticipating that I would jump up and shout, "he's wrong!" but of course, I know my place and did not behave rudely. I learnt that most of the time, saying nothing speaks a lot more than saying something. Perhaps an Oriental trait but an effective one nonetheless. Often, its not for a lack of vocabulary but an old saying sums it up succinctly, "there's no point singing opera to a herd of cattle", meaning that your words will neither be understood, appreciated or wanted. There are some who simply don't want to have a second opinion. These are of the belief that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". As a teacher, there lies the fault. So this particular chap was writhing uncomfortably while I passively observed his choice of words, his control of the space and the attention of the students. I paid attention to his technique, his demonstration and when it came time for his students to do the exercise, everything didn't work as it was supposed to. This was subsequently punctuated with a lot of "ahhhs" and "ummms". The space fillers represented his knowledge of teaching. He wanted to make a good impression but seemed more desperate, at that point, to have the answers to the students' inabilities and the meaning of life.
So, back to the present. You won't be surprised to discover that there is no "right answer". There is no ultimate technique. There is no ultimate martial art, hence the term "art" in "martial art". It has to be an expression of individuality, matched to your personality and attributes.
What you do in the martial arts does not define who you are, just as being an accountant doesn't mean that you have this label stuck to your forehead. You could work as an accountant but your passion is food and cooking.
Martial arts serves as a conduit to teach us to become better in our own way, be it through traditional weapon fighting, grappling, kicking shins or contest of ear pulling. Whatever floats your boat. You can choose to believe in invisible "chi" power or the power of shouting to induce a knockout. You can choose to challenge that belief. You can choose to believe what you have been taught as true and the only way (as all martial arts schools often do) because you really want to believe it or choose to believe that "no way is the only way" which is the contrast to the former. Really, there are limitless ways to express your martial art.
Learn the fundamentals from someone experienced and you can express that knowledge in your own light.
Like much else in life, choose your own path carefully. Do not be afraid of turning back to take the other road before venturing down a wrong one even further. It's never too late to change direction, and in fact, it often brings new opportunities and a renewed sense of energy.
The journey is yours to choose. Listen to your own inner voice. Let your body and mind test it out but ultimately ask yourself whether you are happy at this instance. If not, there are always other choices.
I wish you the best of what the future has to bring. Embrace change as it's the only constant
in life.
I've dedicated a large portion of my time, money and effort in learning whatever was available and I could access to. Mostly limited by time and finances back in the day, I reflect back on 30 years of martial arts and don't regret a single thing. I've learnt much from both the positive and negative experiences and now see the value in both. Fortunately, I've celebrated more than losing my temper. I can honestly recall only one incident.
Next year it will be the first time in a long time that I return to lead a singular martial art system on a full-time basis. Of course, it will be challenging, physically and emotionally but that is what makes the journey interesting. I have made this conscious choice and feel that whatever you are passionate about, delve headfirst into it and follow your heart. I've met many people, especially those in their 50's and 60's who have expressed pangs of regret that they didn't follow their passion instead ended up being a banker, lawyer, accountant or doctor. Those were the "professions of choice" that served as a launch pad to a better lifestyle back in the 1940's and 1950's. While they have financial security, they also have to live with the fact that they will carry an unfulfilled dream with them to their graves.
In your own experience, accept that along the way, not everyone will agree with your opinions but that doesn't matter. Remember that it's your personal journey and not theirs.
You will meet all kinds of people, mostly good, some strange, some bad, and a rare handful of exceptionally talented in what they do.
I used to believe that one's ability to fight was directly proportionate to the amount of mat time you put in. To some extent, I still do. There are some who defy this theory by sheer athleticism and natural talent. This attribute, I concluded, is unteachable.
I cannot teach someone who is 5 foot tall to become 6'3" no matter what kind of exercises or drills I teach them. That is a fixed condition. What I do instead is to teach a set of skills based on empirical evidence, functional skills that have been tried, tested and proven countless times over.
I've dabbled in several different types of martial arts, met interesting characters, from some who believe amassing a huge portfolio of certificates and belt ranks would somehow validate their character and amount to some credibility of their skill (or lack of).
The ones who most often cause friction are the ones who are very singular minded on their particular art, always insistent that their way is the best. Perhaps, in the ones I've met, you can always find the personality that is best described as "passive aggressive". While not the most pleasant, there are also the class bully, desperately making an impression on the "pecking order" of the club culture. There is the solo-artist, who by and large, minds his or her own business, gets on with their own thing and has little social interaction. Somewhat mysterious but always strikes me as hiding a darker secret behind the silence. A little creepy you could say. There's the social butterfly who makes it his business to know everyone else's'. In the rarity that you find any women, they tend to be "reminded" of their place in a mostly male-dominated activity. Often, sullenly accepted as part of the club but never a member of the "team". Then there's the technician who studies every minutiae of information and always has an answer for everything, correct or otherwise because they tend to overlook the inconvenience of rumours, hearsay and urban legends. Some are implausible and the rest are ridiculous!
Finally, there is the teacher themselves. Most are "trainers". They are the same as the fast-food burger flippers. They learn by rote, they teach by rote and the majority have no idea what they are doing.
I have passively observed classes where I made my presence known as a non-participant. The trainer who was leading the class kept looking back at me for something. Reassurance? Validation? An opinion? I don't really know, but all I could see was a lack of confidence and lack of belief in what he was showing. It seemed as if he was anticipating that I would jump up and shout, "he's wrong!" but of course, I know my place and did not behave rudely. I learnt that most of the time, saying nothing speaks a lot more than saying something. Perhaps an Oriental trait but an effective one nonetheless. Often, its not for a lack of vocabulary but an old saying sums it up succinctly, "there's no point singing opera to a herd of cattle", meaning that your words will neither be understood, appreciated or wanted. There are some who simply don't want to have a second opinion. These are of the belief that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". As a teacher, there lies the fault. So this particular chap was writhing uncomfortably while I passively observed his choice of words, his control of the space and the attention of the students. I paid attention to his technique, his demonstration and when it came time for his students to do the exercise, everything didn't work as it was supposed to. This was subsequently punctuated with a lot of "ahhhs" and "ummms". The space fillers represented his knowledge of teaching. He wanted to make a good impression but seemed more desperate, at that point, to have the answers to the students' inabilities and the meaning of life.
So, back to the present. You won't be surprised to discover that there is no "right answer". There is no ultimate technique. There is no ultimate martial art, hence the term "art" in "martial art". It has to be an expression of individuality, matched to your personality and attributes.
What you accomplish in martial arts means nothing at the end of the day.
I recall being in a discussion about a famous instructor's passing. Not one word was said about his prowess on the mats. If anything, everyone nodded their heads in agreement that he was a kind and influential person. Not a peep about how he can kick butt or which trophy he has won. It doesn't matter when you are no longer on this earth.
Martial arts serves as a conduit to teach us to become better in our own way, be it through traditional weapon fighting, grappling, kicking shins or contest of ear pulling. Whatever floats your boat. You can choose to believe in invisible "chi" power or the power of shouting to induce a knockout. You can choose to challenge that belief. You can choose to believe what you have been taught as true and the only way (as all martial arts schools often do) because you really want to believe it or choose to believe that "no way is the only way" which is the contrast to the former. Really, there are limitless ways to express your martial art.
Learn the fundamentals from someone experienced and you can express that knowledge in your own light.
Like much else in life, choose your own path carefully. Do not be afraid of turning back to take the other road before venturing down a wrong one even further. It's never too late to change direction, and in fact, it often brings new opportunities and a renewed sense of energy.
The journey is yours to choose. Listen to your own inner voice. Let your body and mind test it out but ultimately ask yourself whether you are happy at this instance. If not, there are always other choices.
I wish you the best of what the future has to bring. Embrace change as it's the only constant
in life.
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