Martial Artists? I love the humble vibe I get when I walk in to my dojo. Its so nice to know that everyone knows they're good at something, but no one brags about it. Everyone knows each others skills, and we all use it to each others advantages. Best feeling ever.
I haven't practiced in a few years now, but it's not something that ever leaves you. I took part in Taekwondo since the age of 4, and always loved it. I think my folks put me in it to curb the hyperactivity, and I found something to be passionate about. Yup. Dig it.
Tae Kwon Do as well, did it for 6 years and got my black belt at 17, was so happy about that. I was surprised to learn the pronunciation of Tae is like Tay and not Tie. There is no sound in the korean language that makes a "Y" sound. That shit cray.
Completely agree with you. It is a great feeling in a dojo, especially when you know the other people well. For me it's Aikido. I studied over 8 years (on and off, probably only about 6 years of that time was I actually practicing). I'm in a new city now, and haven't found another dojo yet. I hope to start practicing again, though. I really miss it, and I miss my training partners. That place was like a second home to me. Martial arts can be applied to everything. It didn't just teach me to fight (or not get killed in a fight. Aikido doesn't really teach how to fight--only how to end fights by making them not a fight anymore). Aikido isn't just joint locks, pins, and flashy throws. It taught me how to carry myself, how to present myself to others, how to predict people's reactions and guess what they'll do next. It helped give me a feel for how to argue in a paper, how to not resist the opposing position head on but blend instead, acknowledging and remaning open--guiding the arguement under its own momentum to my final thesis without "attacking" the opposing side's views. It taught me how to move, and helped me learn to dance (it's all in the hips and center), sing (being aware of my breathing and center), climb mountains (hips again, how to stand so you won't fall off the rock), surf (balance), etc. Hell, Aikido even indirectly taught me how to fuck (all in the hips and center again). You'll never know all there is to know. Martial arts taught me that the more I know and understand, the more I will see of what I do not yet know and understand. And every puzzle is a joy to be frustrated over. It's a way of thinking, and it is in everything I do. I am Aikido now (at least in some way). Does any of this make sense to anyone else?
Made perfect sense to me. I got in it because I was hot headed and wanted to control my temper but also use it to my advantage when I need it. A few weeks ago at work this guy was walking next to me through the shop and told me he felt like kicking me. Hes in the air force and works at my machine shop. I laughed him off and played it as nothing, and out of the corner of my eye I saw him sizing me up, so I laughed to myself and as soon as I saw a muscle tighten, I stepped backwards. Completely missed and was so embarrassed. I didnt do anything because thats not my style, just let it go as a funny experience. Then, this morning I was standing by my desk and the same guy told me I took his job, was setting up a program and had to grab some painkillers and bandages for a new wound, and he claimed it was his. I, making a joke, said "Big whoop wanna fight about it?" And he looked at me, laughed, and said you dont wanna do that. I laughed at him and so did the rest of my shop. He was the only one who didnt know im a martial artist. Black belt to be precise, but that doesnt matter, he didnt believe me so i showed him. His jaw dropped, and he didnt say a thing to me the rest of the day haha, all about playing things off usually. Avoid a fight at all costs, but dont let someone walk over you because they feel like they can over power you!
Does anyone else here connect it to other aspects of their lives? Not just fighting with people, or avoiding fights, but in the way they think/learn/whatever? For me, Aikido is everywhere, and I have basic experience with enough other martial arts (kempo, taichi, gongfu, and a little taekwondo) to know that they all share a lot in common. They're like different dialects of a single language. It can't be only Aikido that does this. So who uses martial art in unlikely non-martial situations?