A thank you to Iain Abernethy, the prominent karate author and teacher, for an insightful observation about martial arts. Woke me up. It’s a truth many martial artists discover, but rarely talk about. This secret is obscured by the obvious focus on self defense training and perfecting technical skills. When we think of martial arts we think of grueling discipline, repetitious drilling of side kicks or elbow strikes, tense sparring, and mental toughness in preparation for conflict. Yet behind this grimness and serious intentions is a hidden benefit. What is this big secret that Sensei Abernethy revealed? “Martial Arts Is Fun.”
Serious fun, but fun, nevertheless.
When we come together to sweat and push ourselves beyond our mental fears and physical limitations, we learn and grow by participating in a hidden spirit of “play.” True, the warrior’s way is life and death business. And the word “fun” is not one of the honored virtues of the samurai code of bushido, nor kung fu’s idea of wu de, or martial virtue. But for those of us who are not professional warriors – military, law enforcement, security, etc. -it is liberating to awake to the fun side of the martial arts experience. Remember: the utilitarian purpose of training is for a possible encounter with violence.
Evolving Martial Artists strive to perfect the martial spirit but take time to experience the fun. It’s the cherry on top. So punch harder, kick higher and wipe that smile off your face.
Check out Iain Abernethy’s podcast: Biggest Secret In The Martial Arts?
Keep practicing and exploring,
Lawrence Tan
Tags: iain abernethy, karate, kung fu, lawrence tan, Martial Arts, samurai, tandao, tdh
Thank you, Master Tan–you’ve just validated all my wisecracks. Now the floodgates will open and it will be non-stop. Next step? Google “Henny Youngman” and alter his one-liners to martial arts topics. “Take my makiwara–please!”
: )
Fun for me is to teach new techniques and see the happiness and sense of self-confidence in the eyes of my students when they succeed in making them work. That is “play” for me, and luckily I get paid for it.