In your opinion do you think the new trend of MMA is taking the spiritual aspect out of traditional arts?
Im not saying all MMa fighters but a lot have abandoned one of the benefits of martial arts (meditation and breathing) that is suppose to develop their spiritual as well as their physical
Since MMA is a mere sport with no real tradition, etiquette or formalities then I would have to say no but they do not need these things either because it is just that…a sport.
Most people today forget that authentic martial arts are not just about the ability to defend one's self but rather about living a better way of life. They have switched their focus to combative sports rather than the true discipline of daily study which makes it an art form as well. Meditation and proper breathing techniques for healing will benefit anyone one but trying to teach a MMA person, who is very closed minded, is like trying to get human blood from non human…it just will not happen.
There are many people out there who want to train in authentic and real martial arts instead of MMA because they realize that MMA is not the real thing but just using adaptive skills of the arts in a fight to pursue self gratification, ego personification and sometimes money. I do not feel that MMA has done anything to harm the spiritual aspects of authentic martial arts since they only know one side of them which is the warrior part. A complete warrior must have a peaceful mind, body and spirit…not just compete to win some dumb fights. Good question.
January 1st, 2009 at 4:31 am
Uh, breathing is integral to any form of athletics for some very physical reasons. And not all martial arts do meditation, either, at least not for spiritual reasons. We did it to clear our minds and get focused before practice, but that was mental, not spiritual. I, and a number of people I know, did martial arts to improve ourselves physically and mentally, but spiritually? I wasn't aware that was a neccasary part of martial arts in general. Specific forms, yes, but it never applied to all of them.
If I was a religious person, I would say that is something I leave to my religion. The only sensei I ever heard mention spirituality was talking about the Honbu temple.
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January 1st, 2009 at 4:49 am
YES!! but mma wasn't meant for the "spiritual" part of martial arts. It was to see what really worked in a fight so its more about the physical. It is very unfortunate but nowadays mma is for punks who watched the ufc and want to fight only. Just watch the Ultimate Fighter and see what I mean. It gives people the wrong idea of martial arts and theres no respect towards the teachers or to other students. Instead of learning not to fight and to learn respect and humility, and self improvement (the list could go on and on) they are just into fighting and seeing knockouts and arm snaps. I'm a big fan of mma and i'm not saying all fighters to this but a majority of the mainstream fighters reflect this. It is very unfortunate and somehow must be eliminated.
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traditional martial artist and mixed martial artist with exp in Krav Maga
Hope I helped.
January 1st, 2009 at 5:05 am
Well since mma is a sport it can not affect martial arts. Even though I believe this even when I did traditional martial arts meditation and breathing wear not a huge part of it at all.
I take the stand point that martial arts is what it is, and that is the art of WAR. it means nothing with out the presence of fighting.
this is just my take and I do not expect every one see it the same way I do.
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January 1st, 2009 at 5:23 am
Since MMA is a mere sport with no real tradition, etiquette or formalities then I would have to say no but they do not need these things either because it is just that…a sport.
Most people today forget that authentic martial arts are not just about the ability to defend one's self but rather about living a better way of life. They have switched their focus to combative sports rather than the true discipline of daily study which makes it an art form as well. Meditation and proper breathing techniques for healing will benefit anyone one but trying to teach a MMA person, who is very closed minded, is like trying to get human blood from non human…it just will not happen.
There are many people out there who want to train in authentic and real martial arts instead of MMA because they realize that MMA is not the real thing but just using adaptive skills of the arts in a fight to pursue self gratification, ego personification and sometimes money. I do not feel that MMA has done anything to harm the spiritual aspects of authentic martial arts since they only know one side of them which is the warrior part. A complete warrior must have a peaceful mind, body and spirit…not just compete to win some dumb fights. Good question.
References :
January 1st, 2009 at 5:45 am
The so-called "spiritual side" of martial arts is actually a new trend, historically speaking. Until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, martial arts was about fighting effectiveness.
As for meditation and breathing, MMA fighters do that. It's been shown by modern sports psychology to be effective.
Hard-contact sparring and doing explosive workouts will develop your spirit better than any sort of meditation. Sitting around with your legs crossed is easy. Doing 3 five-minute rounds of medicine ball work is hard.
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January 1st, 2009 at 6:07 am
I personally separate "spirituality" and "philosophy" from my art.
I don't teach it as I don't care much for it.
I am a spiritual person but I don't care for philosophy and my spirituality has nothing to do with my art - it is from my culture and history of my Ancestors.
The art will do that automatically, as in practice it is a form of "forging".
I only teach my students tools that help them get home safe to their family and protect their lives.
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January 1st, 2009 at 6:55 am
i dont think there is a spiritual aspect in martial arts. i train in mma and traditional martial art. breathing is important and many mma guys know who important proper breathing is. i just think the spiritual mumbo jumbo is for movies. i never felt connected. it is only between your mind and body, nothing more. no outside forces control me. my spirit is focused and thats all it needs to be. i dont need to look into myself to figure that out. it comes out to me.
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