Page 25 - Beyond Basics_Neat
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BEYOND BASICS
Martial arts were developed or taught to fit one's philosophy.
Different styles of Kung Fu, Karate, or other martial arts would
never have been created if practitioners were only "blindly
rehearsing routines". Kung Fu students were taught styles that best
fit them, like the Crane, Mantis,
Dragon, etc. Practitioners learned
and taught the style which best fits
their personalities and to enhance
their physical abilities. Others
would seek out masters for their
reasons and not always because
that style was best suited for them.
They would “blindly” follow their
masters while others sought to
evolve and develop the skills best
fit their strengths and abilities.
The key phases to understand Bruce Lee’s philosophy are,
“Too much horsing around with unrealistic stances and classic
forms and rituals is just too artificial and mechanical, and doesn't
prepare the student for actual combat”.
Bruce was saying that one should not practice forms without
A mature martial artist will "fit" the
style to themselves
seeking the meaning behind and within the form. Practicing
stances, blocks, and other form movements without a deeper
understanding of the "why", just becomes "horsing around"!
Without the "why" forms practice will not “prepare the student
for actual combat”!
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