General Discussions

Martial Arts – Mene-Mene

Mene-Mene

Member

Posts: 1398
From: Fort Wayne, IN, USA
Registered: 10-23-2006
I've noticed alot of awareness of Martial Arts so I'm curious who's what rank in what art of what origin, and who's thinking about it. Discussions about related topics as well.

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MM out-
Thought travels much faster than sound, it is better to think something twice, and say it once, than to think something once, and have to say it twice.
"Frogs and Fauns! The tournament!" - Professor Winneynoodle/HanClinto

I reserve the full right to change my views/theories at any time.

samw3

Member

Posts: 542
From: Toccoa, GA, USA
Registered: 08-15-2006
I have a black belt and a brown belt.

I use the black belt with my work pants and the brown belt with my jeans

Sorry.. couldn't resist. Personally, I never got into Martial Arts, but I do have some experience with Marital Arts. (Ahh.. I'm just gonna stop now, or these puns are gonna hurt someone! )

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Sam Washburn

Lazarus

Member

Posts: 1668
From: USA
Registered: 06-06-2006
I've... thought about it. Probably take a class when I move out of the nest.
CPUFreak91

Member

Posts: 2337
From:
Registered: 02-01-2005
I've got a yellow belt in Kenpo, and am working on getting a degree so that I can move up to orange.

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Mene-Mene

Member

Posts: 1398
From: Fort Wayne, IN, USA
Registered: 10-23-2006
I'm a green belt in Tang Soo Do and am working on getting both my Green Belt with 1 red Stripe as well as working some on learning various weapons, (A little Staff, Sticks, and Hopefully mainly Sword.)

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MM out-
Thought travels much faster than sound, it is better to think something twice, and say it once, than to think something once, and have to say it twice.
"Frogs and Fauns! The tournament!" - Professor Winneynoodle/HanClinto

I reserve the full right to change my views/theories at any time.

Realm Master

Member

Posts: 1971
From: USA
Registered: 05-15-2005
I am a Green Belt in Tae Kwon Do

I love martial arts!
Its pretty much the only sport I do anyway...

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yeah, im a little crazy
Check out my crazy sig that I made:


Mene-Mene

Member

Posts: 1398
From: Fort Wayne, IN, USA
Registered: 10-23-2006
Any weapons RM?

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MM out-
Thought travels much faster than sound, it is better to think something twice, and say it once, than to think something once, and have to say it twice.
"Frogs and Fauns! The tournament!" - Professor Winneynoodle/HanClinto

I reserve the full right to change my views/theories at any time.

Realm Master

Member

Posts: 1971
From: USA
Registered: 05-15-2005
My master's not too keen on weapons, but I know Escrima form (the little twin bamboo sticks)
I know some staff, and (because I take a class with brownbelts) I also know a little bit of Cis.
(Singular: Ci i think....)

A Ci is the knife think... think TMNT... the one Michilangelo uses..

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yeah, im a little crazy
Check out my crazy sig that I made:


Mene-Mene

Member

Posts: 1398
From: Fort Wayne, IN, USA
Registered: 10-23-2006
Escrima I believe is what they were refering to as sticks.

All of this stuff I"ve only done once except sword which I haven't done yet.

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MM out-
Thought travels much faster than sound, it is better to think something twice, and say it once, than to think something once, and have to say it twice.
"Frogs and Fauns! The tournament!" - Professor Winneynoodle/HanClinto

I reserve the full right to change my views/theories at any time.

WalkMan
Junior Member

Posts: 5
From: San Antonio, TX, USA
Registered: 07-16-2007
I'm a brown belt, 2nd Gup, in Tae Kwon Do. I haven't practiced it in 7 years, but it's nice to know it's there if I ever need it...
spade89

Member

Posts: 561
From: houston,tx
Registered: 11-28-2006
hey wouldn't martial arts go against what the JESUS said about turning the other cheek? i am all for workin out but as for training to fight...

oh before i was saved i had green belt in tae kwon do

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Lazarus

Member

Posts: 1668
From: USA
Registered: 06-06-2006
Turn the other cheek all you want. If somebody punches me I'll attempt to lay them out.

I'm not against the Bible or anything. I've just heard other interpretations of that passage that make more sense and don't make Christians have to be doormats.

Matt Langley
Member

Posts: 247
From: Eugene, OR, USA
Registered: 08-31-2006
(very) Recently I just started learning Ninjitsu. Taking the second lesson today in fact. A new(er) employee at GG is starting going to start a dojo and has started instructing some basic classes. Really enjoyed the first lesson and look forward to progressing further in it. My wife is partaking in this with me as well (she's also a GG employee). We will also take additional classes based around sword fighting, specifically the katana (I'm a huge fan of the katana).

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Matthew Langley
Lead Documentation Engineer
GarageGames

arissa_nightblade

Member

Posts: 70
From:
Registered: 02-10-2007
Doing ITF-style Tae Kwon Do, hoping to get my recommended Black Belt very soon (within the next month)
Super Angel Steve

Member

Posts: 212
From: Staten Island,Ny
Registered: 05-10-2006
The Way I Figure it you can Be both a Martial Artist AND a Good Christian ....just look at Chuck Norris and Billy Blanks.

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A Moderate Fan Boy

Jari

Member

Posts: 1471
From: Helsinki, Finland
Registered: 03-11-2005
quote:
Originally posted by spade89:
hey wouldn't martial arts go against what the JESUS said about turning the other cheek? i am all for workin out but as for training to fight...

oh before i was saved i had green belt in tae kwon do


Good that you now have white belt! (Washed clean by the blood of the lamb)
I had no belt at all but it's all the same, they can only hurt the body but soul is saved.

1Pe 3:16-18
Mat 10:28
Pro 25:21

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Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

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Matt Langley
Member

Posts: 247
From: Eugene, OR, USA
Registered: 08-31-2006
Some interesting quotes I've gathered by various ninjutsu (also called "ninjitsu") practicioners...

The Ninjutsu Grandmaster, Masaaki Hatsumi

quote:
It has not evolved. Its just alive. It has just survived. Its like two things being the same; they seem to be changing, but they are keeping the same form. Isomorphism. Many people talk about evolution, and there was a time when the theory of evolution was all the rage. But what is actually underneath human life has not evolved at all; it has not changed. That's why they have to train, they have to reflect on their own actions, they have to do penance. That's why I say, "What is a dojo?" Its not someplace where you should aim to become strong. Its a place for penance, a place to reflect on what you've done. And to live like a true human being. So people shouldn't misunderstand what a dojo is about. They shouldn't have any illusions. A dojo isn't something with a concrete form. Every day is a dojo, wherever you are.

I found this comment to be very interesting, very similar to Christian thoughts, especially on the perspective on evolving, reflecting on actions, and penance.


Some other info on Hatsumi

quote:
Masaaki Hatsumi, founder and grandmaster of the Bujinkan Dojo, has been awarded the International Culture Award by the Japanese government. The award, the highest honor given for cultural exchange, was presented to Dr. Hatsumi by a member of the Imperial Household on November 22, 1999.

"This award is a great honor for the Bujinkan," stated Dr. Hatsumi at the presentation ceremony. Dr. Hatsumi is the 92nd recipient of this prestigious honor to date. Dr. Hatsumi was nominated for his cross-cultural leadership in martial arts instruction.

...

Dr. Hatsumi, a former bone-setter, has penned over a dozen books, and is the former chairman of the Writers Guild of Japan. Among Dr. Hatsumi's other many honors are the title of Knighthood from Germany, Honorary Doctorate degrees in both Human Sciences and Philosophy, Honorary Texas Ranger, and numerous Honorable Citizenship awards from locales as close as Los Angeles, California to as far as Dublin, Ireland. Dr. Hatsumi's work has also been recognized by numerous government and law enforcement officials, such as the FBI and the NSA.


Not that having "titles" are important, though in some cases they can reflect what impact you have on others... especially when it's an honorable and "sharing" way.


This is the "Warriors Creed", presented often by Jack Hoban (one of the leading Ninjutsu practicioners and teachers on the US), given to him by one of his mentors Robert L. Humphrey...

quote:
"Wherever I go, everyone is a little safer because I am there.

Wherever I am, anyone in need has a friend.

Whenever I return home, everyone is happy I'm there."


It represents some very important aspects of the martial arts in my opinion. It's not about violence and learning to hurt people. It's about learning to protect. Notice the focus in the creed is the concern of others.

Here's another interesting perspective from Jack Hoban about "The Ninja Life Value"

quote:
It sounds romantic or heroic to imagine ourselves, as warriors, running around the world protecting the weak and defenseless. But, this is not realistic. To live truly as a warrior, and help make peace, we must set an example of treating all persons, even those poorer and richer, dumber and smarter, better or worse, with basic respect. This is difficult and may take great courage; people who seem different can frighten or disgust us. Yet, if we don't respect the lives of others, even if we don't like or understand their behavior, conflict or violence will naturally result. Aren't there richer, smarter, better people than you in the world? Does that make their life worth more than yours? Not to you! All people are the same in this way. Our martial arts skills can give us the courage and confidence to see the life value in all persons, and support and defend that value.

I strongly believe there is always a time and place for non-violence resolutions. Jesus showed that... Ghandi is a great example of following some of the same principles Jesus taught. Though the bible is also full of instances in which the Lord warrants violence. There is a time and a place for different approaches and I think the wisdom from God to know which is adequate is important. Also keep in mind if you are in a situation that some violence may help remedy quickly, if you aren't trained to handle that situation then most likely if you try someone will end up very seriously hurt or dead. Either you or the other; however, if you are trained you can supress the situation with a much higher chance of no one taking any permanent damage as well. Learning to control your body is often learning to distribute controled violence, so permanent damage can be avoided.

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Matthew Langley
Lead Documentation Engineer
GarageGames

Ereon

Member

Posts: 1018
From: Ohio, United States
Registered: 04-12-2005
I agree with some of the stuff Matt said. To me the part of martial arts that intrigues me the most of the sheer discipline of it. You're mastering your body, controlling it, tying down its passions and reckless desires into a trained, controlled state. The Bible talks about this alot, disciplining your body, making it submit to your soul and spirit, and thereafter to Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but even outside of the context of the Bible the only people who ever truly succeed in this world are those with discipline. I think martial arts is a path of discipline, regardless of whether you ever actually use it for violence (defensive or offensive) or not. One other thing that I see in it that is useful is that it fosters a warrior spirit if you allow it to. It gives you the drive and determination, the focus of a warrior. At first, especially to someone of a non-violent leaning, this may sound like a bad thing, but regardless of whether you support or are against physical violence we're still in a war, and there are times when you need the dogged determination to battle through. Martial arts (what little I took at least) helped me learn how to discipline and master myself, and at the same time build strength and focus so that in the midst of spiritual battles, when things get intense and hard, I have a little more strength to keep going, even when it feels like my spirit's been wrung dry. That's one thing I appreciate about it.

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The time for speaking comes rarely, the time for being never departs.
George Macdonald

zookey

Member

Posts: 1902
From: Great Falls, Montana, USA
Registered: 04-28-2002
quote:
Originally posted by Matt Langley:
(very) Recently I just started learning Ninjitsu. Taking the second lesson today in fact. A new(er) employee at GG is starting going to start a dojo and has started instructing some basic classes. Really enjoyed the first lesson and look forward to progressing further in it. My wife is partaking in this with me as well (she's also a GG employee). We will also take additional classes based around sword fighting, specifically the katana (I'm a huge fan of the katana).


LOL Lucky! I am/was a yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do back in Middle School---although the dojo here that taught that style closed and the Tae Kwon Do dojo that is here now teaches a different strand of it. I keep wanting to restart--but I have to wait until TK is fully operational and I am making enough to justify it.

And, no turning the other cheek does not disagree with Martial Arts. When I was in TKD the biggest and first thing they taught us was how to avoid a fight---turning the other cheek means not looking for a chance to be offended---in TKD they taught us how to diffuse a situation and that the fighting was only as an extreme last resort---self control was their biggest thing--I think that is what Jesus was trying to say was use self control and let God guide your choices.

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InsanePoet

Member

Posts: 638
From: Vermont, USA
Registered: 03-12-2003
I'm pretty good with the bowstaff.

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Mene-Mene

Member

Posts: 1398
From: Fort Wayne, IN, USA
Registered: 10-23-2006
I'm with Zookey on this point. I've just realized what turning the other cheek was about, it doesn't mean be a punching back, or target practice for an attacker, it means basically what the Proverbs 15:1 says:
quote:

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.


If a bully punches you, instead of punching back, which will likely lead you to a worse path, basically attempt to work it out, and if that doesn't work, then, I definetly wouldn't use Martial Arts on him, but I wouldn't just let him beat up on me, that'd be just a game for him. idk.

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MM out-
Thought travels much faster than sound, it is better to think something twice, and say it once, than to think something once, and have to say it twice.
"Frogs and Fauns! The tournament!" - Professor Winneynoodle/HanClinto
I reserve the full right to change my views/theories at any time.

Super Angel Steve

Member

Posts: 212
From: Staten Island,Ny
Registered: 05-10-2006
Chuck Norris and Billy blanks are Both Christians and Martial Artists...So you Can be both.

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