MightyBands, home gym system

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Is Change OK?

This was asked in one of the forums I occasional visit. Is it okay, or "right" for martial arts to evolve?

At first glance, i think yes. It has to.

But then, I remember how in my past martial arts, so much emphasis is on passing tradition, or performing a kata as our ancestors meant it to be performed, or how Sifu's Sifu's Sifu used to do it.

There's also perception that such traditionalism is inherent in martial arts - as shaolin kung fu dates back to so and so years and it's lethal, and it's the real deal, etc etc.

As I look outside the environment of martial arts - the eco system, business, academic system, transportation - everything changes. EVERYTHING. It must. If it doesn't, it dies..or at least becomes practically useless (or useful, but to a very limited way). Things that don't change, do not thrive forever.

So it must be okay to change - to change how we apply wing chun? how we interpret wing chun? to how we teach wing chun.

Do you agree?

Until then.

2 comments:

Waz said...

"...the more things change, the more they stay the same." There are no new combat fundamentals. People still attack you with two arms, two legs and a head. What's to change in a combat system that's complete? Now arts for tournaments, or fitness, or recreation... different. Rules change, so do training methods/forms.

Liam H Wandi said...

It's not about change or not change. It's about the change already happening. Can you feel it?

It's like saying in Chi Sau: Oh no, he's moved his hand. should I change my hand or should I keep my technique? the change is already there and if you haven't felt it then you have more learning to do :)

Good blog. My Old old old interest in Wing Chun is re-awakening :)

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