Hang Up Your Gi And Walk Out Of The Dojo

You may have learned a lot in your dojo and you couldn't imagine training without wearing a gi

, but if you want to really learn how to defend yourself you have to put them aside. Now I've talked to plenty of martial artists who know the difference between sport fighting and street fighting, but for the general public they're one in the same, and they think once you've learned a traditional style you will have what it takes to survive hand to hand combat, but you know better. When you're wearing a gi and fighting in a dojo everything is safe, controlled, and if someone gets hurt everything stops, but on the street things are much more vicious.

Martial arts can help you get into shape, give you discipline and confidence, and for most people the experience enhances their lives. If you train at a good school with sound ethics and knowledgeable instructors you probably have nothing to worry about, but what are you really learning? Are you learning how to defend yourself against a mugger and rapist or just learning how to score points against someone from a rival school? If it is the latter what you're learning is only the first step, and it will only give you an idea of what real combat will be like.

If you're going to learn real self defense get used to practicing in clothing you'd normally wear when you're out. Besides if you go to the bar in your full kendo armor along with practice sword you will get more than a few odd looks, and I have never heard of a gi bar. Sweats are good when you're training, but get used to fighting in boots and jeans. Also take a long look at what you're wearing out. Those loose fitting clothes will give an attacker something to grab, and you can't run away in flip flops. You don't have to change how you dress, but you do have to keep your disadvantages in mind so you can compensate for them.

Another benefit of hanging up your gi is when you teach self defense you will find more people walking into your dojo, because they just want to learn how to protect themselves. Most of us enjoy the rituals, the ranking system, and all the traditions that go with martial arts, but some people just don't have the time. Also when it comes to learning how to fight the process shouldn't take years to learn. In a street fight any concept of behaving honorably goes out the window after the first punch is thrown. Prepare yourself and your students for the realities of combat, and that is really the best way to pay homage to your tradition's warrior roots.

by: Matthew McKernan

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