Martial Arts Magic
Many of the movements in well-performed martial arts are optical illusions. That means they are misleading images that deceive visual perception of size, shape, and motion. This occurs because the human eye has a tendency to not see the entire sequence of a technique but only the most conspicuous component. This lack of vision will not note efficiency of breaking or maintaining balance, applications of leverage, and the use of gravity to achieve the ultimate outcome.
The effective use of these principles is the so-called “magic” within the techniques often overlooked by the student. These components are strung together in a deliberate sequence, which is how the “Master” makes the technique appear effortless. Often, a student hard wired with natural athletic abilities is not well suited for mastery in martial arts. Their innate sense of their bodies helps them to gain the more superficial skills very easily, but the subtle and more refined movements that could make them ten times more effective are sometimes very hard for them to acquire.
I have seen students that have little to no natural ability, through perseverance, surpass their more athletic classmates over a period of time. One of the things that makes me sad about the contemporary state of the martial arts is the lack of “form over substance” approach currently combined with the instant gratification mentality. Where will the Masters of the principles of movement and extraordinary technique come from in the future? My guess is not from the muscle hyped mixed martial sector egotistically bound for short termed fame and “look at me” fortune! They will lead other young sheep into the slaughter as long as their bodies hold up through time and punishment.
Who will help to ensure the health building, character developing, classical “way,” providing benefits for the vast majority of the population? What will happen to this type of martial art? I’m talking about the kind of martial art that you can continue to practice into the golden years. I’m talking about the kind of martial art that is very effective in street self-defense, has grace and beauty, combined with good physics and physiology, and does not have you suffer from brain damage from multiple concussions, or a maimed limb because your adrenaline induced machismo would not let you tap out.
There are keepers of the age for the “Old Way.” The term ‘martial arts’ means the study of war, but aren’t wars fought to bring about “PEACE?” One of my students gave me the nickname, “The Man, The Myth, The Legend.” I have always thought of myself as “A Man of Peace.”
Humility be thy goal,
Master F. G. Blair
