The World's Martial Arts

Well I got thinking yesterday, why do people always associate martial arts with Asia? I mean when people hear I've been doing Judo for a while, the first question they ask me is, "is your sensei Asian?" Granted Judo is Japanese, but basketball is Canadian... is every freakin' basketball coach a descendant of a Canadian!? I think not.

I guess martial arts have evolved where people need them most. Who's more likely to create a fighting system, a rich kid living in a richer city, or someone who has to fight to survive? I have no historical data to back this up, but it seems Asian countries needed martial arts more because they were engulfed in war for so long. Maybe that's why an abundance of martial arts come from Asia.

I also believe that in order for a system to stay true to its purpose, it has to stay active. Muay Thai for example is an incredibly effective stand up system, and it was first created to ward of the Thai's aggressive neighbors, but through time the streets of Thailand have not become much safer, and many citizens still learn Muay Thai for self-defense. Even more use it in sport to bring home money to the table. So it's being well used, evolving, and staying effective. It was made for fighting, and is still used for fighting. It's not like some schools that go under the name of a fighting art, and evolve it into a daycare (Looking at many guilty Tae Kwon Do schools).

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, martial arts is everywhere, and to quote the opening to the show Human Weapon, "they are practiced by every nation, and every people". France's Savate, Greece's Pankration, Israel and their Krav Maga, Africa's Capoeira, Russia's Sambo; these and many more styles aren't asian. So who's guilty of setting this stereotype?

My martial arts future

Well I guess every good blog begins with an introduction. My name is Brian, and love martial arts! How much you ask? Well I'm at the religiously watching re-runs of fight quest stage... yes I know there's no turning back now.

I've tried several martial arts such as kempo karate, but never stuck to any. However recently I've put my mind, and body back into the world of martial arts, and have been doing Judo for several months. I'm still a white belt, but I'm really enjoying myself. I've started training outside Judo as well. I made some investments in a punching bag, weights, and have completely changed my eating habits to get my body in peak conditions.

So I guess I have to set goals right? Well I'm young, and competitive, and I like sporting aspects of martial arts. I want to try as many martial arts as I can, and have been thinking of taking a brief trip to Thailand to train in some Muay Thai (I like the eight limbs theory). Also I've been thinking of taking up Kyokushin Karate or kickboxing this Summer. I consider myself a much better grappler, and really want to work on my striking to become well rounded. I want to train until someday, I may feel complete enough to join an mma gym, and compete in a small promotion. If I can complete that maybe I'll set bigger goals, but I shouldn't bite off more then I can chew. My real goal however is to learn as much as I can, see as much as I can, and become the ultimate warrior.