I have this habit. I get on YouTube and surf Kenpo Videos, Karate Videos, Martial Arts Videos, etc. I love to watch them. I compare and critique myself to these videos. I try to learn something from them. I like some, but mostly I just watch and appreciate that the person or school has taken the time to put the video up for others, like me, to enjoy. What I have noticed is the CONSTANT stream of people speaking horribly about the practitioners in the video, disliking their efforts, and generally NOT being a good practioner of Martial Arts. I am guilty of this too. There are a few Martial Arts Videos which I have disliked, or posted negatively about. What I am realizing is that even if I disagree with the instructor, or the style, those instructors and his or her Students worked hard. I now just say nothing if I don't like the video. Why criticize someone else in such a harsh and counter productive manner? I try to open dialogue with questioning, if I do anything. I see the threats, the "you aren't even a black belt" stuff, or my favorite "kenpo is just a slap art". Why do people feel the need to do this? Why not appreciate the fact that people are sharing their Martial Arts? Who cares about where they came from, who they know, or what style they are practicing? If it works for them, let them be! I had to learn that lesson when I commented on a Goerge Dillman video. I believe that his no touch knockouts are not real. I posted as much, but I did it in a negative and condescending manner. What made me learn was that I was doing the same thing all these others were doing. I was speaking badly of not only a person I did not personally know, but his Students, and their efforts. What right did I have to do that, and how would I feel if others did that to me? Hell, others do, do that to me and my School. And it pisses me off. They don't know me or what I teach. They are just spewing nonsense. That humble pie I tasted when I realized I had just done the same as the naysayers tasted like CRAP!! So I figured to write about it. I guess the journey of my life is a continued learning experience, one in which I frequently screw up. I would hope that people take this lesson and learn from it. I would like to see objective debate as to the validity of a technique, form, style, etc. We should avoid the ridicule, threats, and so on. Who cares where that style came from. Does it work? Could it work? Who cares if the person teaching carries a Black Belt Rank, is he or she good? Do they teach effectively? Where did the original Black Belts get theirs from? Who decided? If that person teaches crap, that style wont be around long. Leave people to their innovations and creativity. Ask Nature has this funny way of sorting out the things that work and the things tht do not!
1 Comment
Larry Watkins
12/14/2012 04:17:01 am
The main problem with this that humans are "NEGAITIVE" by nature, Some seem to thrive on it . It surrounds use daily. We have to strive through mental training to allow ourselves not to be caught up in it. But again as humans we tend to steer towards it because it is the easy thing to do. So to those the the that are caught up in the drama of the world, I ask you to test yourself daily and try to find the true beauty of the world enstead of all the things that you may think are wrong with it.
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AuthorMy name is Andrew Patterson. I compiled the curriculum for Patterson's Kenpo Karate, and am the Head Instructor and Owner of Patterson's Martial Arts. I am also theState Representative for the International Kenpo Karate Academies. 541-292-9784 Archives
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