AikiWeb: The Source for Aikido Information AikiWeb's principal purpose is to serve the Internet community as a repository and dissemination point for aikido information.
Hello and thank you for visiting AikiWeb, the
world's most active online Aikido community! This site is home to
over 22,000 aikido practitioners from around the world and covers a
wide range of aikido topics including techniques, philosophy, history,
humor, beginner issues, the marketplace, and more.
If you wish to join in the discussions or use the other advanced
features available, you will need to register first. Registration is
absolutely free and takes only a few minutes to complete so sign up today!
I have had, and heard many discussions on why someone studies the martial arts. Out of all these discussions I don't think I have heard anyone once say they study the MA's simply for the sake of excersize. They always say that they wanted to feel they would have the advantage if they ever got into a bad situation that may result in a fight. That's all very well and good, but realistically speaking the vast majority of us would know how to avoid those types of situations. It's been almost 20 years since I got into a fight. It was related to the fact that I was a bouncer at the time, and it only happened once in the two years I had that job. Not because there wasn't lots of opportunities in that line of work, it was because I was able to talk sense into the majority of the people who were causing the problems.
Now where am I going with this? Well its just this. I get the feeling that most people think they have to have a logical reason to train in the MA's. (I train so I can learn how to fight / protect myself). When was the last time you needed to fight or protect yourself? Why can't one just say, "I train in the MA's for exersize"? That is, after all what I do!
Well why didn't I just join a gym then? Been there done that only to find that pushing weights and jogging around in circles gets boring after a while. Why spend a couple hundred dollars on a one year membership that I only use for a month. MAs tends to keep my intrest because I learn something every time I go to the dojo. I find it is so much easier to keep my physical training going if there is always something to keep me interested.
There is also a calmoratary (sp) and interaction among the students and teacher in the dojo that you don't get in a weight room. I think most people need that type of socialization to keep them particapating. I know I do.
I'm not bashing weight rooms or other gyms, I'm just wondering if people who study MAs are being honest with themselves when they say I study so I can learn how to fight. Fight with who?
10-19-2003 12:12 AM 