Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts
Date: Mon,  6 Apr 1992 21:00:51 -0400 
From: Stephen Chan <sc1u+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: Choosing a martial art - effectiveness?

tk@dcs.ed.ac.uk (Tommy Kelly) writes:
> MY PRIMARY REQUIREMENT is an effective self-defence skill.  I understand that
> some of you may feel that that is a lesser requirement, and I respect your
> opinion - but for me, self-defence is number one.
> 
	This certainly a valid reason for martial arts study. Despite
what some people seem to believe nowadays, martial arts are,
teleologically speaking, designed to zap people.

> I AM interested in mental discipline - but I don't require that from martial
> art training.

	This ties in with
> I am NOT interested in meditation, zen, pseudo- (or actual-) religious
                                     ^^^
				     this

	One of the most basic reasons for meditation is to develop
mental discipline.

> I want to learn an effective method of unarmed self-defence - period.
> 
	In My Humble Opinion (that's what IMHO means, for the guy who
asked before), in the long run, everything counts, self-defense,
meditation, health, etc...
	The more religious aspects are (IMHO) up to you.

> Let me give my totally biased, beginners impressions of some of the arts,
> and then feel free to correct me.

	Pssst! That's what 99% of the posts here ARE!

> KARATE - has a heavy weight of tradition behind it.  I enjoyed it.
>          However, it strikes me as being an inflexible system - in the
>          same way that nuclear weapons are inflexible.  At heart, I am
>          a pretty upright sort of guy.  I'd rather step off the pavement,
>          than fight.  I'd rather restrain, than strike.  I'd rather strike
>          a little than a lot.  I'd rather hurt than kill.

	Well, I used to think this. But an effective strike isn't
necessarily meant for killing. A strike can be very effective at
discouraging an attacker, without permanent damage (except maybe a
nasty bruise).

>          How do I perform a citizens arrest with one punch?

	Not something to worry about (IMO).

> Jiu-jitsu - Is more felxible that karate and TKD, but classes in my
>          area are few and far between.

	Jujitsu is certainly flexible in that it works many different
aspects.

> Jeet-kung-do - This, in my poor opinion, seems the ideal choice.  It seems
>          to teach the underlying principles of unarmed fighting, not just
>          a series of more or less effective techniques.  (I am sure that
>          sufficient training in karate etc, would also teach these basics,
>          but its not the same.)
> 
	Ummm...does JKD necessarily give you more options than Karate?
The only JKD class I've observed was one by Rick Tucci (sp?) in
Princeton, NJ. It looked like lots of punching & kicking to me.
	I don't see how a Muay Thai kick is any more merciful than a
Karate/TKD kick.
	But I suppose that different teachers have different syllabi.

>          One of the only classes in my area in JKD, is run by the Kreuses
>          brothers who were trained by a guy called Dan Inasanto (or something)
>          like that.  The Kreuses are two of a very few folks in the UK who
>          have been "licensed" by Inasanto to teach JKD.

	Dan WHO? Who's that? :-)

> So any thoughts on this?
> 
> Oh, due to their explicit religious links, I am not interested in Aikido,
> or Shorinji Kempo.  (Or at least I'm not interested in the religious aspects,
> which - in most schools - seem an integral part).
> 

	Shorinji Kempo seems (to me) to have _very_ explicit religious
aspects. But while the quasi-religious elements attract many people to
Aikido, I doubt that they'll try to "program" you.
	I'd say that a down to earth Aiki-* school would be a good
bet, if you're impatient to learn control techniques. Bear in mind
that every ounce of "niceness" that you show your opponent gives them
an extra chance to nail you.
	My opinion is that there are 2 kinds of people who can afford
to be merciful:
	1) those who are so superior in skill/strength, etc... that
they can be merciful without putting themselves in danger (like
Nietzche wished that he was)
	2) those who aren't afraid of becoming a martyr (like Jesus)

	Most of us are too physically weak to be an Uber-Mensch, and
too spiritually weak to be a martyr. We're just normal weenies (join
the club!)
	Ooops...all that religious and philosophy stuff sneaking in
again ;-)
	It just depends on whats more important to you - your
scruples, or your hide!
	I'd say that you should just go for the school with the best
instruction, and to use your own head to think of ways to apply it
without killing someone (should you ever feel the need to use your MA
training).

Stephen Y. Chan		Programmer Analyst	CMU Telecommunications
stevec+@cmu.edu		(412)268-5115 [me] 	(412)268-4987 [FAX]
Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts