wpl@burdvax.UUCP (William Loftus) (08/18/84)
Hello,
This is an article to start discussion about martial-arts.
I'm starting the discussion on net.rec and net.sport, because many people felt
these would be good groups to start. If the discussion was successful
we would ask for our own group.
So, here are some questions to start.
If you have been involved in martial arts:
1) What style?
2) How long did you study?
3) Where and with whom did you study?
4) Did you like the style?
5) general comments about martial arts?
6) What you would like to talk about?
If you have not been involved in martial arts:
1) What would you like to know?
2) What you would like to talk about?
Here are my answers:
I have studied tae kwon do, praying mantis, jeet kwon do,
and a little karate.
I took tae kwon do from Sabumnim Nam Sum Peak, praying mantis from
Robert woo, and jeet kwon do from Mike Jones.
I study tae kwon do for 4 years, jeet kwon do for 2 years and praying
mantis for 6 months.
I like all the styles I have studied, most of all because each of the has a
different perspective on how to fight. Tae kwon do taught me how to attack
attack and attack, while praying mantis is very very deceptive, and last but
not least jeet kwon do is straight, short and sweet.
The best part about martial arts is the stillness and happiness it teaches
you. You learn much about yourself. What you can do, and what you can't do.
Best of all, it's the only sport I know where ancient philosophy is at the heart of
it. I have enjoyed the many many hours of reading, and practice.
I know my answers are kind of short, but I am just trying to spark
discussion. I hope all those colleges out there with martial arts clubs
will join in the discussion. These discussions can go anyway people want.
We can discuss the philosophy of martial arts, good books to read, famous
people, movies, etc...
Your humble Servant,
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ps. Please post answers here, so people can see our discussion. Thanksvictorf@houca.UUCP (08/24/84)
Now here's a subject! It's funny but I was just this week thinking about how I might go about startinga newsgroup called net.karate! I just got into it but I think it's fascinating. Personally I just got into it because of the art involved. I wasn't really interested in learning to fight at first but now I'm glad I am. I'm studying under Master Buddy Amato. Anybody who knows anything about the Arts has heard of Amato. The style I'm learning is Kar-Do-Jitsu Ryu. It's a combination of karate, judo, ju jitsu and aikido. As a form of self defense, I don't think there is any style that compares. I also studied Judo for about 6 months about 5 years ago. I guess I was too young to appreciate it. I've decided to go back and study Judo in a few years, maybe after I get my black belt in karate. Let's hear from you deadly weapons out there! Scott Thompson (I'm using a friend's login. My address is houca!hoqax!rst)
wall@fortune.UUCP (Jim Wall) (08/29/84)
Ah, martial arts discussions, I love them. Comparing of styles, arguing philosophy and lifestyles, whether you take it for peace or to learn how to hurt someone. Personnally, I feel that there is too much emphisis made in discussions on the philosophy and "way of life" angles of martial arts. Don't get me wrong, I like the tradition side more than almost anyone, but, that isn't philosophy. Few if any teachers lecture on religion, philosophy, inner harmony, or what have you. Mentioning the words during a workout is a far shot from serious study into eastern culture. All that aside, I'm a Shotokan Karate practitioner, via various times spent in Tae Kwon Do, Ju Jitsu, Okinowan Karate and Aikido schools. We emphisize mostly on traditional basics and kata to our students. A portion of time is spent on sparring (which is important) but the school is pretty much a technical school: there is a correct way to do all moves, and we work towards acheiving that. I stopped doing all open tournament competition about 3 years back, anyone out there competiting these days? I'll still do closed Japanese style tournaments, but got burned out on open competition. -Jim
eugene@ames.UUCP (08/30/84)
[]
Re: A news group for discussing the martial arts.
I have been involved with aikido, judo, and kendo quite some time. I began
for personal reasons ("My roots."). Some of the glorification of the
fighting disturbs me. The ads for the movie "Karate Kid" also distributed
me until I saw Pat Morita answer [in response to what type of belt]:
"J.C. Penny Special, 3.95" which deserves a good laugh. I have not seen
this film, but might because of Siskel and Ebert, not because os arts.
While I would be interested in reading about the arts, [I know all
the discussions on ki, promoting, the "self" etc.] I feel unconfortable
discussing these concepts in broadcast. I think people should learn these
arts on their own in a dojo. You might argue that such discussions
might recruit people. I am especially worried what people might think.
Recently, a woman was killed in San Jose, and supposedly this woman had a brown
belt [I have no further info than TV news.]. One of my teachers also
successful stopped an attack. I personally don't feel qualified to
comment more than this. It is a difficult subject to verbalize just as
climbing rocks or jumping out of planes.
"Because it's there" -- George Leigh Mallory, 1922
--eugene miya
NASAisrael@umcp-cs.UUCP (Bruce Israel) (08/31/84)
...
From: eugene@ames.UUCP (Eugene Miya)
While I would be interested in reading about the arts, [I know all
the discussions on ki, promoting, the "self" etc.] I feel
unconfortable discussing these concepts in broadcast. I think
people should learn these arts on their own in a dojo. You might
argue that such discussions might recruit people.
Well, I've been interested in a net.rec.martial and have said so in the
past, but not because of recruiting people. The purpose wouldn't be for
training or teaching people things, anyway, since you are right in that
they really should be learned in a dojo, and in fact, I don't believe that
you can learn them in any way but experience. A martial arts discussion
group can be very useful in promoting an exchange in ideas. Not only can
things like the 'self' and 'ki' be discussed, but also more concrete things
like sparring, forms, training methods, entering and/or running tournaments
etc. If a number of people also feel that these topics shouldn't be
discussed in a general broadcast, I suggest that it be set up as a mailing
list instead (sort of like net.women.only ---> feminists mailing list).
I'll volunteer to adminster it from this site. How about it, people?
Are there others interested in martial arts discussion, either by a
newsgroup or via mail?
--
Bruce Israel
University of Maryland, Computer Science
{rlgvax,seismo}!umcp-cs!israel (Usenet) israel@Maryland (Arpanet)