Martial Art is something to be Experienced not simply Watched or Read

[Druiyung]

Many people harbor the notion that without physical conditioning and diligent practice, that by simply watching martial videos and reading books they'll be able to become proficient if not a master of the arts. First and foremost martial art for centuries have been a form of skill that can only be aquired through intense labor and hardwork. Merely watching a few videos and books will not cut it. The reasons are as follows:

>Martial art is something to be physically experienced. Your body has to ache from conditioning, stance work, form practice and sparring sessions. The body needs to be slowly conditioned as does one's bodily reflexes or to put it simply, one's muscle memory needs to be developed.

>Watching videos is only good if you're watching the masters or practictioners as a form of inspiration. See how far they've come, imagine all the hard work they've done and let their performance motivate you in working harder. However, trying to imitate their technique or thinking that you'll be able to do so is a folly simply put. The reason is that while they're able to do the things they do, you, more often than not, will not be able to because you lack their degree of conditioning and experience. Even lets say you manage to somehow imitate their movement 100% but the power will without a doubt not be equivalent because once again, you lack the conditioning, skill and experience.

>Reading books is only okay if you already have a qualified master teaching you and the book you're reading is a book that tells about the style you're learning. Perhaps through reading it something will click in your mind and you'll be able to build on what your master has taught you. Otherwise reading martial book can be a historical lesson, learning about how a particular style came into being and the political and social aspects entailing it. However, to read martial books as a means of substitution for instruction is well, wrong. Once again, even if what is inside the book is accurate, without the required conditioning etc. You most likely than not, will not be able to execute those forms or techniques properly. Even if you somehow manage to do so, the power behind it will without a doubt, be lacking.

Final note is this: Forms, techniques what have you is all nice and good but you have to know the inner components and mechanics behind those forms and techniques. What underlying messages are they carrying? The lesson each embodies in regards to the overall style? How, are you to generate power in a particular manner that will best bring out the efficiency of a particular form or technique in question? During practice, never stop asking yourselves these questions.

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