I am not a huge fan of watching MMA competitions on television. I don't generally watch much t.v. in the first place but watching guys beat themselves senseless for sport is not entertaining for me. After over thirty years as a martial artist I am impressed at the level that these athletes have to train at to be world class. The punishment that they have to endure in training and in the ring must shape their character immensely.
What I love about the MMA is how it has stripped away some of the stereotypical baggage that comes with traditional martial arts. Only fifteen years ago it was sacrilege to even mention that you were blending systems together. I have been doing it since the early 80's so it is nice to see the change finally coming. Seriously, it is almost an american quality to try to make things better by mixing them together. From food to cars to even language we are living in a huge mixing bowl of life. The old school traditions of the martial arts has resisted this change but, alas, it is finally here.
This brings me to the focus of this article. How do you train as a mixed martial artist without haveing to get beat up? If you are new to the martial arts or are considering starting this might be a serious issue for you. For one, the structure of some established martial arts system in your area might not fit your body type or personality and secondly, nobody want to get beat up. I assure you that with some experience the act of sparring and combat is something you will need and actually enjoy.
The mixed martial art that I am talking about is your own martial art. Now I have gone and done it. I broke the unspoken rule of the martial arts that says you have to go and pay your monthly fees to become a martial artist. Well the truth is that it just isn't true. You can become a martial artist at home with a system that you create yourself. And guess what, that makes you a mixed martial artist. To become a martial artist you need to do only one thing and you can do it right now. Decide to be a martial artist. That is it. When you decide to be a martial artist you begin your training that very second.
Before I get into the training part lets define what it means to be a martial artist. Now naturally this means whatever you want it to mean as it is your decision on what a martial artist looks like in your mind. Historically there are some attributes that have carried across the generations that define a dedicated martial artist and if you want any acceptance in the community of other martial artists you might want to keep in mind. (now if you choose to throw these into the wind and declare yourself a martial artist and go about embarrassing yourself and the martial arts in general then my claim about not getting beat up no longer applies). But here are some of the defining features that set martial artists apart:
1. Honor. They develop a strong sense of honor and will defend it and that of people they love with fierce resolve.
2. Integrity. Knowing the difference between right and wrong and doing the right regardless.
3. Compassion. We train to fight so we don't have to and will never cause harm unless it is necessary to defend 1 and 2 above.
4. Commitment. It requires a lot of commitment to be a martial artist and to move through the levels of training. You can't show up, practice a little and slap on a black belt. You have to do the time.
5. Instruction. I have never met a high level martial artist who wasn't willing to share their knowledge anywhere at anytime. When a sensei sees a flaw in life they try to correct it.
If you are aspiring to become a martial artist then I truly hope that you keep those qualities close to your heart through the years of your training. If you are interested in going into the ring and trying your skill against other fighters you need to remember that not all fighters of the MMA are martial artists. Some are just fighters. There are many that are truly martial artists and their art defines their character with the qualities I listed.
Training. In order to be a martial artist you are going to need to train. The first levels of training don't even require special clothing. The start of your journey begins with creating your system. I am going to put together a serious of posts dealing with just this. It would take too much space to get into it here. By creating your own personal system of martial arts to train in and develop your character you will change the course of life forever and you will part of a community of some of the greatest people on this planet. You can be a mixed martial artist and you don't need to get beat up.
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