Despite its portrayal in movies and on TV, genuine martial arts is not about being aggressive. To the untrained eye, martial arts appears malicious and violent; however, nothing could be further from the truth. Martial arts masters are trained in the way of peace. Those who have dedicated their lives to martial arts training have been taught to take appropriate action at every level of a confrontation. If you've considered enrolling at a martial art school near your Northeast Ohio home, it's important to do it for the right reasons. By embracing the true meaning of martial arts, you can learn much more than simply how to defend yourself -- you can actually change the way you see the world around you. Those students, parents, and instructors from the three Academy of Self-Defense schools in NE Ohio will be the first to tell you that real martial arts is so much more fulfilling than the anger-filled kicks and jabs you see on TV.
Master Frank Charlillo from the Akron Academy describes an old axiom taught by many of the venerable martial art masters -- walk away from confrontation, if possible. Fight rather than be hurt. Hurt rather than maim. Maim rather than kill. Kill rather than be killed. This lesson teaches us to take the minimum action necessary to protect ourselves and our loved ones. It tells us to take appropriate action. Only in dire circumstances should martial arts training be used to seriously injure another person. And, it should never be used as a means to show off or bully someone else. There is a right time and a wrong time to demonstrate the result of one's martial art training, and it's important to tell the difference.
Often, taking appropriate action is misconstrued as aggressive action. It looks that way to the untrained eye because the observer lacks the experience of martial arts master and their students. Martial artists are taught to continuously evaluate a situation and take appropriate action at each juncture. Our first action is to employ strategies and tactics to avoid physical confrontation. Having fully exercised these tactics, we are immediately prepared to take the next action - physical action - when/if a real threat develops. Since we've already done everything possible to avoid a fight, we are instantly ready and fully committed to fight when necessary.
Master Tim Loomis from the Twinsburg Academy states that the hardest lesson even seasoned martial artists have to learn is to drop the ego. The ego often goads us into inappropriate action. For example, the ego tells us we should fight because we're offended, not because our life is really threatened. Interestingly, this lesson is best learned at martial art schools that incorporate quiet meditation in their curriculum as is done at the Twinsburg Academy.
It is clear that genuine martial arts isn't even close to how it's portrayed in the media. By partaking in martial arts training at a reputable martial art school like one of the Academy of Self-Defense schools, you'll find that your greatest strength likes in your mind, not your fists. For more words of wisdom from Northeast Ohio martial art masters, visit theAcademyOfSelf-Defense.com or visit our schools in Akron, Twinsburg, or Mayfield Heights for more information.
