In Depth Martial Art Aspects

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E-Pao! Sports - In Depth Martial Art Aspects

By: Hanjabam Barun Sharma *

Martial art is not simply just a "system of fighting techniques", but in itself encompasses a much deeper inner aspects also. It is the stretching of one's physical as well as mental, spiritual, and other inner abilities to new heights, levels to which one would think were impossible to attain. It is a way of life which opens you up to the universal energy pool.

It is a state of mind, you train and don't have to use it & if you do, your movement is so dynamic that the opponent backs off without any harm. It is a tool to express the human soul, a path towards utmost spiritual height.

It is a vehicle for 'self ' revelation coupled with a simultaneous deepening insight into human nature & its corresponding relationship, realized through the intense investigation into the motivating & governing values and standards of relationships ( morality, ethics ,etc ), & subsequent actualized into one's daily life (peace, harmony, etc ).

It serves the purpose of ever-growing & continuing revelation of one's self, as well as insight into human nature & relationship in which one finds oneself. That's what Bruce Lee meant, when he said: "It's like finger pointing away to the moon. Don't concentrate on the finger or you'll miss all the heavenly glory."

There are so many different styles and concepts of martial art.
Jujitsu, Judo, Aikido, some form of Kung-fu, Muk-na, Kusti mainly emphasize on grapping styles.
Taekwon-do, Karate, Thang-ta, some form of Kung-fu use mainly striking styles. Most are also combination of two.
Jeet-kune-do is a martial art concept created by Bruce Lee.

Indian styles are:

Thang-ta /Sarit-sara ( Manipur );
Kalarippayattu ( Kerela );
Kusti etc.

Japanese styles:

Karate,
Kendo,
Judo,
Sumo,
Iai-do,
Ninjutsu,
Kobujutsu,
Shinkendo,
Kenpo,
Aikido etc.

Chinese styles:

Kung-fu /
Wushu,
Tai-chi-chuan,
Gung-fu,
Jeet-kune-do etc.

Korean styles:

Taekwan-do,
Hapkido,
Tang-soo-do,
Kuk-sool-won etc.

French styles:

Savate etc.

Polynesian:

Lima-lama etc.

Filipino:

Kali,
Arnis,
Panantukan,
Lameco-eskrima etc.

Brazil :

Copoiera,
Jujitsu etc.

Thailand :

Muay-thi,
Krabi-krabong etc.

Burma :

Bando,
Muay kaad chuak etc.

All of these arts are intermingled with the culture of their people.

Origin of most martial arts is still not known exactly. Most styles of China trace their origin to ancient monestary or to shaolin priest/nun. Some were based on the synthesis of various masters' teachings.

Others were derived from combative movement of insects, animals, and by close observation of nature. Some styles were the product of martial need and experience of ancient warrior class like- Samurai of Japan; while others were developed circling around health, meditation, and sometimes, dance principles (like Copoiera of Brazil).

Whatever be the style, physically, martial art emphasizes on strength, power, speed, balance, flexibility, stretching, reflexes, reaction & response time; along with exercise, yoga, and physical conditioning. Sensitivity, timing, techniques, sparring skills, in addition to developing tone, endurance and stamina, are also important.

Mental aspects is equally significant with focusing, concentration, alertness with calmness & stillness; along with breathing exercises. It is said "to hit with your mind, not with your fist." Martial art develops first the health, balancing, strength, purity, & physical stamina needed to unify mind and body.

Mental & physical unity then leads to a harmonious balance between power & peace. It teaches us how to live & how to die. It also teaches loyalty, hard work, respect, discipline, self sacrifice, and helps to develop all around maturity and self control.

Meditation, not only physically relaxes the muscles and releases any energy blockage; but also gives mental relaxation & enhances body "ki/chi" power. When meditating , the mind should be trained not to grasp thoughts as they move through. Unlike meditation, concentration is the training requiring thoughts & is used to direct "Ki" into whatever part of your body needs to use it.

"Ki/Chi" is the mysterious, intrinsic, electrical life force/energy flow, powering the body, keeping it alive and healthy. In Sanskrit, it is called "Prana"; in Greek, "Pneuma"; in Polynesian, "Mana"; in Hebrew, "Ruah", which means "breath of life".

By improving the flow of Ki, it is possible to heal many illnesses & injuries. Distrupting the flow of this energy causes injuries/death. In so called "miraculous healing", the healer projects Ki to the patient, thereby, healing the patient.

Martial artist try to accumulate maximum amount of Ki, and use it whenever speed, power & other extraordinary things need to be done. "Yin-chi"(-ve ions/force of gravity) will draw an object towards you, and is found in abundance in weak, old or unhealthy persons. "Yang-chi"(+ve ions/force of anti-gravity) pushes objects away, and it is the ion-shield that protects our body and powers our strikes in battle. It is found more in healthy, young persons. Balance between Yang & Yin-chi is necessary.

Chi/Ki masters can manipulate Chi/Ki of themselves or others, & even transfer, to do extraordinary abilities- breaking super hard objects, Dim Mak (delayed death touch), Naibu-Hakai (lethal blow), extra hardening body parts, moving/even burning objects by touch/thought, paralysing opponents by pressing certain points, erasure of pain with simple touch, healing/curing etc.

Karumijutsu (the body lightening art) is a method of mentally focusing a person's Ki to any area, & by raising the center of their Ki, they can make their body light; when lowers, the body becomes heavy. Basically, there are 3 major sources of Prana: Solar Prana, Air Prana, Ground Prana. Nature is the ultimate storage of Prana/Ki, & close to it, we can gain from it. Martial art movements, meditation, breathing exercise etc are some of the ways to unlock nature's unlimited storage of Ki.

Breathing exercises also play an important role in martial art. Shift in dominance of right & left nasal passage are linked with chemical changes in the body. Breathing in & out of only one nostril can stimulate activity of the opposite brain hemisphere. Qi-gong & Yoga (specially Hatha-Yoga,& Pranayama) lay focus on breathing exercises.

Martial art has also an intimate relationship with herbal science, physiotherapic practices and nutrition. Kalarippayattu gurus are well-versed in the practice of massage & Ayurvedic medicine; so are Thang-ta gurus/ojas. Ginseng or man-root (an oriental herb) is used as a Chi tonic. Red ginseng supplements a man's Yang energy, while white ginseng, Yin energy.

The oriental martial art masters utilize their Ki knowledge for Shinjutsu (acupuncture), and Seiho (a combination of finger pressure & massage). In traditional Kung-fu training, eating etiquette is also another important aspect considered. The Sumo fighters are fed with specially prepared meals. It is said that 'chop stick' is the favorite weapon of a Kung-fu master.

Martial art has profound health enhancing effects. The coordinated movements of the art activate both cerebral hemispheres, creating new nerve-nets, which are essence of learning process, and also the complexity of such movements demand instance central nervous system mobilization along with other systems. Also there occurs the production of neurotrophins, enhancing the growth of nerve cells.

Activities of muscles & joints help blood and lymphatic circulation, and reduce ecchymosis. Regular cardiovascular exercises regulate blood pressure & cholesterol. Control of weight reduces the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases etc; whereas weight bearing exercises reduce the risk of osteoporosis & fractures.

Breathing exercises are beneficial in preserving lung elasticity, preventing hardening of the rib cartilages & enhancing lung ventilation capacity. It reduces the effect of ageing on the heart, muscles, joints & even brain; and reduces the effects of injuries to muscles, tendons & joints from daily wear and tear. Stretching exercises increase the elastic capacity of muscles and increase the flexibility of ligaments & tendons.

Exercises in aged arteriosclerosed patients increase the albumin content, decrease globulin & cholesterol content in their blood, and greatly alleviate the symptoms of arterosclerosis. Exercises prevent and even cure illnesses of digestive systems in motion, secretion & assimilation which arise from nervous functional disorders. It is also greatly helpful in preventing and treating mental disorders and illnesses. It improves mood, & the 'feel good factor' boosts the immune system, & the calming effect on stress due to release of endorphins.

Self-defense is another important aspect taught in all styles. The ability to survive is the most valuable thing we get from it. Martial art makes you aware not only of techniques, but options as well. Options result consequences. Also martial art is a great confident booster, & helps in conquering as well as controlling any & all fears created by the world around us, or by our own minds, with the power of the mind itself.

Martial artist know certain vital, target points in the body, which are the most vulnerable to hit. This knowledge is specially helpful in self-defense by women or children etc against a stronger, longer, & faster attackers. Such points are called "Atemi"(in Jujutsu), and "Kyusho"(in Karate), and they are: Eyes, Throat, Mastoid process, Solar plexus, Ribs, Edge of rib, Groin, Knee, Shin, Ankle etc.

Hence, martial art is about acquiring knowledge concerning the world around us & most importantly, ourselves; i,e; knowledge in martial art ultimately means self-knowledge with spiritual insight & training. It is a prescription for personal growth, an investigation of freedom to act naturally & effectively, not only in combat, but in life also.

It means "to absorb what is useful, to reject what is useless & to add specifically what is your own." It leads the practitioners to individual independence, life long health, a warm heart justice, freedom, opportunity, prosperity, security and wealth.

In other words, it develops an individual's character by eliminating physical violence and evil thoughts. Such a character inspires cooperation among people, which ensures harmony at home; a sound, stable society; & a strong nation- all in the interest of achieving sublime world peace.

"Having way as no way, having no limitation as limitation"
- Bruce Lee

* Hanjabam Barun Sharma, an M.B.B.S. Final Year Student, Raipur, contributes to e-pao.net regularly. The writer can be contacted at wang_fei03(at)yahoo(dot)com . This article was webcasted on May 07th 2007.

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