Martial Arts – Which art is the best?
There is certain value in all martial arts disciplines and their associated principles. Sometimes, their value just has to be discovered.
Cross training in the arts reveals our strengths and weaknesses. This awareness helps us to become stronger (if we are willing to work hard) in the areas we may never have realised weakness existed unless confronted unexpectedly by it. We have all heard a stand up fighter say that a grappler will never take them down or the grappler say that they will tie up a striker before they can get an effective strike. While this might be possible, and I say ‘possible’, what happens when an assault is unexpected? On the street? when there is no referee present. What happens when you find yourself being hit from behind and you end up on the ground? What happens when weapons are involved? Now that’s another story altogether!
I have heard Guro Dan Inosanto say, ‘if you don’t understand what you are being taught then it’s a rock, but if you do, then it’s a diamond’. It’s the ability to understand the value in what is being taught and discover the diamonds that makes the difference. That’s why training in multiple arts and to be become well rounded is essential.
To discover what best works for you as an individual, the only way is to approach training in any martial art is with an open mind. You might be surprised what you learn about both the art and yourself.
Head Instructor – Gino Vallelonga