I recently
read a blog from a yoga instructor who shared some thoughts and concerns about
yoga. Some of the questions that were going
through his mind and wanting to explore/discuss were “Where is yoga going? Where do we want it to go? How is
capitalism influencing yoga? What are we losing in the modernization of yoga?
What's the benefit of this western yoga renaissance? What's the impact? What is
our role and responsibility to yoga and future generation of practitioners as
modern practitioners of yoga? “
I paused when I read it because these
questions are relevant to where martial arts were 40-50 years ago and are still
relevant today.
For this blog, I thought I would
share an overview of how martial arts have changed with the modernization, what
I believe has been lost, benefits, impact, and as current students and
instructors of martials arts, what is our responsibility to the future of martial
arts. In future blogs, I intend to expand on some of these thoughts in more
detail.
Some martial arts were changed very
consciously during modern times and some were not. For example, World Tae Kwon Do Federation intentionally
went to a more sports style of the art form in order get into the Olympics and
to spread the art form internationally.
(For more information on WTF and how it differs from Han Moo Kwan,
please read my October and November 2015 blogs). Gichen
Funakoshi made several changes to Shotokan Karate intentionally. In Funakoshi’s autobiography Karate-Do. My
Way of Life, he says, “Hoping to see karate included in the universal
physical education taught in our public schools, I set about revising the kata
so as to make them as simple as possible.”
He believed. “Times change, the world changes, and obviously the martial
arts must change too.”
Many martial arts were changed
more unconsciously, mostly, I believe, due to capitalism. Many instructors start studios to teach
martial arts and the art form is the focus.
Eventually, if the studio is also the means of earning a living, the
business side of running a studio takes front and center and the art form
because second. In addition, changes were
and are made to attract and retain students that change the art form. In my opinion, Martials arts were never
meant to be a means to earn a living. It
was meant to be shared with community to better the people and the society
around us. For example, the changes that
dumb it down because the studio or art form is trying to attract children not
only make the martial art not effective any more, it defeats the overall
objectives of the true essence of martial arts.
Are there benefits to these
changes?
The biggest benefit is it has
spread martial arts to places and people that may never have been interested
had it been the original style and intent.
The question in my mind is does this outweigh the impact and what is
being lost.
What is the impact? What are we losing?
In my opinion, two major items
are being lost. Those just looking for a
black belt, or a means to protect themselves, or participate in it as a sport
only, are losing out on the benefits to their overall self (not only physically, but mentally,
emotionally, and spiritually) that last a lifetime, not just the years they
study martial arts.
In addition, the energy side of
martial arts is being lost. The energy
side has many benefits not just in martial arts but in your life. Practicing
the energy side allows your physical techniques to be more effective, is a
wellness practice in many ways by ensuring your energy is flowing and removing
any energy blocks that can lead to injury, and it brings mental clarity to your
life to name a few benefits.
What is our role?
I believe we are very fortunate our
Club that made a conscious decision to stick with the original style,
philosophy and intent of the art form and is not influenced by capitalism. We
have chosen to stay with the true essence of the art form. And as students and instructors in a Club
that for the last 43 years has intentionally retained the traditions and
original intent, we all have a responsibility to share what we know with
others, encourage other martial artists to learn the energy side where they
can, and to promote martial arts as a way of life, not a 2-3 hour a week
activity.
Regards,
Kelly
"Since Karate
exists for cultivating the spirit and training the body, it must be a moral way
surpassing mere techniques..." ~
Masutatsu Oyama (1923-1994), karate
master who founded Kyokushinkai Karate
"The purpose of training is to tighten up the slack,
toughen the body and polish the spirit." ~
Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), founder of Aikido
"The purpose of the study of judo is to perfect
yourself and to contribute to society." ~ Jigoro Kano (1860-1938). Founder of Judo
