AboutAndy Fossett Expertise I can answer most questions relating to the martial arts in general. My special interests relate not only to martial theory, but to pugilism, training methodology, teaching, sports science, and personal growth through martial arts training.
If you are thinking about beginning a martial arts practice or have questions about how to optimize you current training to meet you goals, just let me know.
Experience I have been involved with martial arts for most of my life. Since 1984, I have practiced and taught a martial art called Taido in America and Japan, and have participated in events all over the world. I began assistant teaching as a teenager and founded the Georgia Tech Taido Club in 1996. In addition to Taido, I currently train in Judo and have previously studied Brazilian Jiu Jutsu, Shotokan Karate, Kaikudo, and a few other things.
Organizations Japan Taido Association
Publications Taido/Blog, the Finnish Taido Association's "Kamae" magazine
Education/Credentials BA in sociology, minor English. Additional studies in education, Japanese, and information design.
Question There are so many martial arts in the world. Why have so many? A punch is a punch and a kick is a kick. Everyone has there on way they stand, hold there hands, kick, chamber their kick, move, and fight. I guess you just have to find what works for you. What you think?
Answer Well, Josh, as you wrote, everyopne hase to fins out what works for themselves. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, and we perform best when we capitalize on our unique qualities. In the past, the only way to learn was through trial and error, but no we have the ability to study history and learn from othr people's mistakes as well.
My point is that, when it comes to self-defense and fighting, if we all just "figure it out for ourselves," we're going to have a lot of people who get injured, killed, raped, or mugged before they have the chance to refine their skills. People who are interested in learning skills tend to find instructors who can teach them those skills. Granted, it's possible to learn how to dance without listening to music or watching others, but you may look like a fool when you get out on the floor.
The reason we have so many martial arts is the same reason we have so many genres of music - there are almost seven billion people in this world with varying opinions on what's good and what's crap. Though not everyone is a martial artist, it oftem seems as if each one has a unique style (some of these styles may be better tha others for various purposes - some may just be plain ineffective).
So what I think, Josh, is that there are a lot of martial arts because there are a lot of different ways to fight. Even withing a sport environment with a closed skill set (such as boxing), each fighter has a specific style. To the untrained observer, they may appear to just be punching, but there are a lot of subtle strategies involved. Jumping into the ring wihtout knowledge of those strategies can hurt.
Most people don't want to learn by simply getting beaten until they are tough enough to beat others. These people find instructors to teach them. The instructors use their critical judgement to decide upon the styles they happen to teach.
