The Different Faces of Kung Fu
Combat efficiency is Just One Component fo the Martial Arts Formula
It is no secret that the MMA community does not hold traditional martial arts in the highest regard. Some have criticized it for its lack of combat efficiency, while others point out that modern day Chinese weapon practices are nothing more than “choreographed dances.”
So does it mean that the merits of traditional martial arts should be discounted? Not quite. The current state of Chinese martial arts is the result of a long process of evolution. Since modern conflicts no longer employ the use of traditional weapons such as the Chinese Jian, the weapon practitioners have lost the opportunity of using their learned skills under real life and death situations.
Doing Kung Fu Under Stress
Most people have had the experience of trying to perform a simple task under stressful and unfamiliar environments. Under these circumstances, the added stress often causes less than desirable outcomes.
The same principle can be applied to a Kung fu weapons expert. Without having prior exposure to a life and death situation, the sudden stress of real combat can quickly escalate the kung fu masters heart rate to close to 200 beats per minute. This sudden escalation in heart rate can cause the deterioration of complex motor skills and also impairs hearing and vision. In short: the tunnel vision syndrome.
In this day and age, the idea of training for a “to the death” kung fu weapons encounter would be utterly ludicrous. Since the only way to train for such a scenario would be to go through realistic simulations with extreme stimulants much like training soldiers for real battle, the chances of kung fu weapons experts going through such simulations only to never have the chance of actual combat would be non-existent.
Kung Fu as an Art Form
With the basic premise of combat taken away, the “art” aspect of martial arts ultimately takes precedence over the “martial”. Instead of striving for perfection in combat efficiency, emphasis shifts to the pursuit of the perfect form, aesthetics of a move, promotion of health, and spiritual development.
Choose the Right Training for the Desired Goal
The important thing to realize is to choose the right tools for the right purpose. For the individuals who want to compete in MMA competitions, specific training routines need to be developed. The ability to perform techniques while being punched in the face needs to be drilled over and over again under real sparring environments.
Cross training with other forms of martial arts will also need to be incorporated in order to become a proficient MMA fighter. Conversely, learning how to swing a three-section staff would probably not be the smartest use of training time.
To be proficient in self-defense, one has to undergo realistic simulations of being violently attacked unexpectedly. Simulations of fighting within close quarters using improvised weapons would also be helpful. In this situation, learning how to use a KwanDao would be unrealistic.
There is More to Martial Arts than Fighting
Not all martial artists train with the goal of fighting inside of a ring or cage. The health benefits and the spiritual growth that one can achieve through practicing martial arts are good enough reasons of pursuing the art. People will just have to learn not to lump all forms of martial arts under the same category, but choose the right kind of style according to personal goals.
KwanDao? Not the best for self-defense
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