Superiority in the martial arts? Isn’t that an oxymoron? I thought martial arts were all about humble learning?
I see it all the time. Everyone thinks his martial art is the “best” martial art. Everyone thinks that his style, his plan, his execution, and his defense is the only one that works. Why is that? From where did that grandiose perspective come?
If you are a martial art student, a friend of a martial artist, or your kid takes class, at some point you have heard someone proclaim that his martial art is the best one. Maybe it was even you who made the proclamation. It seems no matter what style you learn, or from what background or origin it came, you want to think that your style is the only valid one.
I don’t think boasting about a martial art helps its reputation. I don’t think it does anything except make you sound presumptuous. I know for a fact that it’s not good manners. I know that it’s not fair. Clearly, each style and each art has its own benefits, meanings, and purposes. It takes a mature martial art mind to realize that each style plays its own significant role. It takes a wealth of experience to understand that you cannot learn everything about every martial art; therefore, you cannot ever truly define the “best” one. It is common sense.
The best martial art is personal to each practitioner. It just so happens that my practice is the best one for me. I’ve no idea what is best…for you. If I could make up the very “best” martial art in the world, I’m not even sure what it would entail. I created a quick list of potential criteria that could be included in this almighty style:
- Fantastic katas
- Rigorous exercises
- Self-defense concepts
- Grappling
- Full contact sparring
- Breathing
- Contemplative movements
- Punches, Kicks, Blocks
- Meditation
- Simple movements
- Gentle patterns
- Quick rhythms
- Fluidity
- Escapes and Grabs
- Weapons
If there existed a martial art that contained all this AND more, it might escalate to being one of the most comprehensive styles on earth, but there is no one martial art that contains every desired set of skills and techniques that would make everyone happy. Different styles. Different traditions. Different meanings. Different people.
Think about life. Can you identify any one type of person as “the best person?” Any one type of food as “the best food?” Can you pinpoint any one drink as “the best thirst quencher?” Seriously, there is no one thing in any category upon which the whole world can agree is the “best” anything.
What if each category, though, had specific attributes that made it incredibly good. That person is so resourceful that you wish to be more like him. That food is so delicious that you wish you could eat it more often. Those eyes are so bright they light up the sky. All of these descriptions make each category wonderful and unique; but still, not the “best.”
Not everyone learns martial arts for the same reason. It’s not always about fighting, sparring, grappling or defense from immediate threats or real-life scenarios. That should be an excellent byproduct, but it is not always the reason. I would speculate that a large number of people learn a martial art for varying goals that include fitness, confidence-building, self-defense, losing weight, and learning something new. If you are in it for the “fighting” or “grappling” aspect then there is a martial art specific to that. Do you want to have gentle, but life-altering learning? Then try Tai Chi. Do you like the hard punches and kicks that karate offers? Then go for it.
Here are some things that I often hear:
- My martial art teaches real life defense
- My martial art takes ten years to get a black belt
- My martial art is taught by a true master
- My martial art allows full contact when sparring
- My martial art is traditional
- My martial art is relevant
I’ve heard every one of this statements before, and they imply that other martial arts are not worthy. They bring the oxymoron to light. Short story, I don’t care, and neither should you. Do you love what you are doing? Does it give you a sense of fulfillment and personal achievement? Do you find that you are learning what you’ve always wanted to know? Are you becoming an artist? Are you meeting your goals? Are you cultivating a healthy mindset? Then it sounds like you’ve found the perfect martial art.
I never like heavy comparisons about anything because we all have a different lot in life. What’s the best for you is not the best for me. What you love may sit in my dislike bucket. Who is to say what is the best of anything, as long as you take advantage of the unlimited possibilities to reach personal betterment, discernment, and meaning in your life? Control what you say when it comes to martial arts. Make your own decisions about what the best one is for you. If there is someone with a crystal ball who can see into the future and can predict the only self-defense that will ever work, then I want to know. Until then, I’m just going to keep my eyes open, and stay on my martial art path.
I’m not here just to complain though. I’ve learned a valuable lesson in the corporate world and that is don’t complain for the sake of complaining. Complain and offer a solution.
My solution:
Instructors: I implore all the teachers out there to positively compare martial art styles. Just as if you would not “judge” another person based on body type or eye color, you should appreciate the unique value of each and every style. Students learn their views of a martial art through their instructors. Shed a well-deserved compliment on your sister-styles, and work with other martial artists to share knowledge and information across the board. I’ve benefited greatly from discussing and learning martial arts concepts from experts all around the world.
Students: Realize that there are many martial arts out there. Some cannot even be compared to others, because they stand in a class of their own or are unique. Devotion to your art is very, very important. Belief that your system is coherent, effective, and makes useful sense is necessary. One day, after you receive a black belt in one style, you may decide to learn another, different martial art. This is because there are many, many styles that have something important to offer you.
I guess all I really want to do here is remind you that “best”of anything is in the eyes of the beholder, and that includes martial arts. Don’t lose your manners. Don’t be disrespectful. Don’t try to create a man-made hierarchy of best and worst styles.
Superiority has no place in martial arts. As martial artists, we all share a strong and common bond. I can learn from you and you from me, even if we are from different schools of thought or philosophy or styles. It runs congruous to life. Building others up will always help to build yourself up, too. Being a martial artist should carry a deep responsibility of fairness and appreciation.
If anything, “best” should stand for being the “best” martial artist and person that you can be. The only superiority for which you should reach is personal greatness and personal accomplishment. Through that you will find the all the wisdom that you need to make your martial art the “best” for you.
That, my friends, is why I want to squash martial arts superiority.
Andrea
_________
My new book, The Martial Arts Woman, is now available. Purchase through my e-commerce store: http://themartialartswoman.storenvy.com. or on Amazon:
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Andrea F. Harkins is a writer, motivator, life coach, martial artist, and public speaker. Her book, The Martial Arts Woman, is now available at themartialartswoman.storenvy.com.
Some of this is very similar to Bruce’s JKD
Nice stuff!
In total agreement here!
I love the fact that all (or nearly all) the black belts and many of the higher ranking students at the school I attend (myself included) have experience with other styles.
Sensei himself points out occasionally (to the higher ranks) some of the failings of our style concerning certain situations and techniques, and offers what he’s learned from other styles to close the gap and/or make a move more efficient or effective.
He’s careful to keep these things very separate though to avoid confusion.
For instance he really loves Chin Na and will bring that out once in a while for students who aren’t grasping some the locks our style does or to help round out the locking repertoire of someone who’s curious.
Sounds like you have a fantastic Sensei! We don’t have to teach other styles, of course, but simply not saying negative things about other styles is a start. We constantly incorporate self-defense moves and techniques into our classes that we didn’t necessarily learn in our training, but that we find valuable. Respect, I guess, is the word that wraps it all up. Thanks for commenting!
I wrote one reply…but it didn’t show up. Thanks for commenting! It’s all about respect and how or if you wish to incorporate other styles, methods or techniques into your own. At the very least, don’t bash other styles.. It’s as simple as that!
You’re just too awesome, ma’am! 🙂
When you mention martial arts superiority, “The Karate Kid” comes to mind. The creed the Sensei was teaching them is cringe-worthy. Martial arts is not about being selfish or wanting to inflict pain for personal enjoyment. As you said, betterment of oneself should be the primary goal for anyone training in martial arts. In my humble opinion, I think that commercialism is mainly to blame. Human nature plays a big part also from the standpoint that ego gets in the way of common sense. Speaking of self-defense techniques, if I remember correctly, you had given your students the best advice ever, which was to run if they were outnumbered. I really think that common sense and critical thinking skills should be stressed in more martial arts schools. Too often, instructors seem so focused on the curriculum that they forget to help their students understand that the techniques learned in class will not turn them into super warriors. They’re not in Hollywood. There will be no director yelling, “Cut” out on the street when they get into an actual self-defense situation. Thank you so much for writing this wonderful post.
Look who is back! Great to hear from you, Anwar. And you are correct, real life defense is sometimes just common sense. Your martial art can help, but so can your brain!!! Hope you’re in a happy, healthy place these days!
Very good article and so true,
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Way to squash the hate, Andrea! As martial artists, I’d say we all have a lot in common… we’re all weirdos! 😉
You know I love squashing the hate, Ando!
Ossu! [bow]
Amen and amen.
[bow]