BradKajukenbo
Well-known member
I get so many questions about being a Martial Artist. A few from here and those who visit or sign up for classes.
This is one of the oldest American martial arts legends, and there is absolutely no basis or reality in it. First off, there is no department or process within the U.S. government to regulate martial arts, which means there is no instrument in place to identify persons practicing fighting arts, and no governmental method by which practitioners can be evaluated. Such a feat of regulation would cost millions, if not billions, and would be an invasion of civil rights. Actually there is not a country on earth where martial artists are required to register themselves as weapons, deadly or otherwise.
Just like defending yourself with a gun or weapon, there are self defense laws you must follow. There are a lot of black belts in prison.
This depends on the student. It took me 3 1/2 years. You HAVE to be dedicated. From white to black, when I wasn't at work, I was in class. 6 days a week. Wake up at 5:30am, be at class at 6am. Train for two hours. Work 9-5. 6pm-9pm I was back in class. But I would suggest students learn at their own pace.
I've never had an argument with a board or a brick. It's actually an art itself. My old Sifu always said "I don't break bricks. I break bones"
The greatest teacher is pain. You can go from white to black without getting hurt in class. Then when having to defend yourself, you get punched, or kicked for the first time your body almost goes into a slight moment of shock which is enough time for your attacker to hurt or kill you. All those "OOPS" and you get in class can suck, but its also helping you get used to being hit or hurt so if ever having to defend yourself, you are used to the great teacher we call pain.
From white to black, I've had many dislocated fingers, shoulders, toes, and an elbow. Two broken rips. Many black eyes and fat lips. My right eye brow split open. 6 stitches on the inside. 14 on the outside. The class rule for adults was if you were hurt in class, after you got out of the ER, you had to get back to the Dojo and finish your class session. If you wanted the next belt promotion.
First there is a big difference between fighting and defending yourself. A fight is when two people agree to a physical altercation. Defending yourself is when you had no chance or a way to walk away.
The answer is NO. I don't learn or teach anyone how to fight. I learn and teach my students how to defend themselves. GET IN. GET IT DONE. GO HOME!
Here are some scenarios of some attacks and how effective self defense systems can be
To earn even earn your black belt you must prove to your teacher of how humble you are. You never know when your teacher will test how humble you can be. Your teacher will test you on if you walk away or if you can stand there with someone in your face calling you ever name in the book.
You also must understand that all life has value. That POS who tried to rob or attack you. That POS has a family too. Someone loves that POS. A father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, wife. This is where self control comes in.
To be somone, you have to become someone. To be a cook, you have to become a cook. The whole point is about learning and how to learn. Learn it in a flow like water. Water is one of the most strongest elements. Strong enough to penetrate concrete, yet too formless and shapeless to grasp.
Do you have to register your hands as a lethal weapon when you become a black belt?
This is one of the oldest American martial arts legends, and there is absolutely no basis or reality in it. First off, there is no department or process within the U.S. government to regulate martial arts, which means there is no instrument in place to identify persons practicing fighting arts, and no governmental method by which practitioners can be evaluated. Such a feat of regulation would cost millions, if not billions, and would be an invasion of civil rights. Actually there is not a country on earth where martial artists are required to register themselves as weapons, deadly or otherwise.
Just like defending yourself with a gun or weapon, there are self defense laws you must follow. There are a lot of black belts in prison.
How long does it take to become a black belt?
This depends on the student. It took me 3 1/2 years. You HAVE to be dedicated. From white to black, when I wasn't at work, I was in class. 6 days a week. Wake up at 5:30am, be at class at 6am. Train for two hours. Work 9-5. 6pm-9pm I was back in class. But I would suggest students learn at their own pace.
Do you break bricks or boards?
I've never had an argument with a board or a brick. It's actually an art itself. My old Sifu always said "I don't break bricks. I break bones"
Will I get hurt or injured taking Martial Arts?
The greatest teacher is pain. You can go from white to black without getting hurt in class. Then when having to defend yourself, you get punched, or kicked for the first time your body almost goes into a slight moment of shock which is enough time for your attacker to hurt or kill you. All those "OOPS" and you get in class can suck, but its also helping you get used to being hit or hurt so if ever having to defend yourself, you are used to the great teacher we call pain.
From white to black, I've had many dislocated fingers, shoulders, toes, and an elbow. Two broken rips. Many black eyes and fat lips. My right eye brow split open. 6 stitches on the inside. 14 on the outside. The class rule for adults was if you were hurt in class, after you got out of the ER, you had to get back to the Dojo and finish your class session. If you wanted the next belt promotion.
Have you ever had to fight or defend yourself?
First there is a big difference between fighting and defending yourself. A fight is when two people agree to a physical altercation. Defending yourself is when you had no chance or a way to walk away.
The answer is NO. I don't learn or teach anyone how to fight. I learn and teach my students how to defend themselves. GET IN. GET IT DONE. GO HOME!
Does it work?
Here are some scenarios of some attacks and how effective self defense systems can be
To earn even earn your black belt you must prove to your teacher of how humble you are. You never know when your teacher will test how humble you can be. Your teacher will test you on if you walk away or if you can stand there with someone in your face calling you ever name in the book.
You also must understand that all life has value. That POS who tried to rob or attack you. That POS has a family too. Someone loves that POS. A father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, wife. This is where self control comes in.
What does Bruce Lee mean? "Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless — like water. Now you put water in a cup, it becomes the cup; You put water into a bottle it becomes the bottle; You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend. "
To be somone, you have to become someone. To be a cook, you have to become a cook. The whole point is about learning and how to learn. Learn it in a flow like water. Water is one of the most strongest elements. Strong enough to penetrate concrete, yet too formless and shapeless to grasp.