Learning Martial Arts

In my other blog, I have written an article on learning an art form, which I feel is just as applicable to learning martial arts as it is to learning the arts.

When we first start out, we learn the basic techniques, such as punching, hand forms, stances, leg movements, etc. Then we move on to the basic moves in a routine. We learn a basic routine, which is a string of moves. Once this is done, we then start to learn the tips and tricks to better perform these moves, as well as how to apply them in actual situations. Then, we learn about style by imitating our teacher's style, or the style of great masters. But over time, as we gain understanding of the martial art that we are learning, we are able to apply our understanding into practice, bringing our own unique style into play. This unique style is based on our own understanding of the martial art.

Like any art form, if we stick only to learning the techniques and tips and tricks, we will never get far. We will never be truly able to apply what we have learnt, as we are only sticking to doing what we have been taught, rather than making it a part of ourselves. If we only seek to imitate the styles of the great masters, we are copying rather than learning. Only when we have made our learning a part of ourselves, can we truly apply what we have learnt.

And to do that requires lots and lots of practice, as well as lots and lots of thinking.