i am a 3rd dan holder in TKD and at odds with my peers. apparently we live in a world where in a simsa (grading test) all that matters are the patterns-i quote one instructor recently "so long as he gets his poomsae right he will pass"-i beleive this to be wrong. what happened to the warrior instinct-the will to prove your courage in battle-the "indominitable spirit". as this goes-there will be no true dans in the world-just black belt holders in patterns-your thoughts please.
2007-07-13 07:23:53 · 7 answers · asked by tony c 5 in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
I am very outspoken and bias on this subject because I think that forms or patterns are worthless. I have trained martial arts for over 28 years and I do so so that I will be able to protect and defend myself and others. I know 0 forms and feel that I would and can defend myself or others if the need arises. I think that forms are worthless and a waste of time, I also think belts are a waste as well. Anyway if we got rid of those two things in martial arts I think that we would get rid of alot of dead weight, that includes all those people who do it for those reasons. The martial arts would be for their real and original reason, for protection. Any real martial arts was developed for protection and protection alone. Though time people have altered and diluted them to what they are today. I for one say if it wouldn't work for protection then it's worthless and a waste of time.
2007-07-14 11:39:03 · answer #1 · answered by Zenshin Academy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi there
I think gradings should be based on many different things. Certainly ones form is important but there are also other characters equally important such as determination, having the correct attitude, willingness to learn, no ego, good heart etc. These are the qualities that make a martial artist great.
We have got it wrong in the west in the way that we interpret forms. They were originally intended to teach the student principles to be extracted and added to ones own skills. They were never meant to be done parrot fashion and collected. A good instructor should be able to demonstrate every piece of a form and turn it into a practical fighting application. If you cant do this then collecting them is just a waste of time.
Its the principles of the techniques within the forms that's important not the pattern.
Best wishes
idai
2007-07-13 12:51:39 · answer #2 · answered by idai 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe you have (like so many others) confused the purpose of any true martial art. The school I went too (One of the few good WTF TKD schools left) taught me the true purpose of the art.
Self-improvement. Not FIGHTING or a physical ability to DEFEND yourself. Fighting, sparring, conditioning and application is only half of it, (the Martial part, actually).
What you have missed is the art. Not the Technique of how to fight, that is only some of the art but the meditation and wisdom gained from it. Patterns are all this is left of that half of the art. A pattern is not about memorization or learning a sequence of steps and moves but if done properly, it's an opportunity to freely express the spirit you have. You in-vision, dream. think, meditate and perfect movements all in one.
Unfortunately. few teachers teach all that is possible through them, they mark on "memorization", which sickens me, truly. Your Instructor is only have right, from your description.
Knowing TKD (or any martial art) can be effective if confronted by violence, but it's true potential is in self-improvement. In all forms, intellectually, spiritually and than also physically.
I can honestly say that through TKD (Patterns especially) I have become calmer, smarter, happier, wiser most noticeably have learnt to know who I am, I know myself.
That is the true goal, self-triumph.
2007-07-14 15:32:08 · answer #3 · answered by Chaos 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree.I have never been in a situation where a pattern has helped me.I'm only a 1st Dan,but i've always been better at sparring than patterns.I've never found it helps me fight better,nor have i ever found it useful for self-defense(the whole reason i joined TKD)
2007-07-13 07:35:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont like belts i have many of my own and i think they ruin the experience gradeing is stupid the only thing you really get out of gradeing is a workout/lesson cause thats all it is
2007-07-13 15:39:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i agree with you, when you are fighting there are not set patterns, people move in different ways all the time. They key is if they can use the patterns to control the fight.
2007-07-13 09:55:20 · answer #6 · answered by joshua h 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A martial artist without martial spirit is nothing but someone who can fling their arms and legs around.
2007-07-13 11:14:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋