Question: Why do you practice WMA (or any other)?

[Frederico Martins]

I just practice the wma I practice because it is the most efficient way to fight with a staff ive found. Show me a better way/technique and I can go AfricanMA, IndianMA or whatever... I'm not at all interested in traditional, cultural or historical reasons.

ok, to elaborate: I believe that fisical activities are important for your body and head.. etcetc.. and ive been tierd of the uselessness of sports, and the only theorical usefullness of some martialarts, and even i don't tend to use it as self defense, is good to practice something you know has some real value on it(that transcends history and culture).

[Donald Pike]

I personally have three main reasons I study martial arts, as well as my practice of marksmanship skills.

1) This world is dangerous. I'm not one to think it's ever had a peaceful and safe period either; the American "Golden Age" was the 1950's, with the imminent threat of nuclear holocaust and World War III. Where I live is more dangerous than many places in the US. My study of the long sword, quarterstaff, grappling and wrestling techniques, as well as those eastern styles I've studied, Brazilian Jujitsu, and of course, my relative skill with pistol or rifle; gives me about as good a chance of defending myself as anyone. And yes, I can get a fair clip of speed up on foot, and know that my best technique for self defense is expeditious retreat.

2) I love reading about history. With a general focus on the two World Wars, and Classical to Medieval warfare. Study and skill in the weapons and tools of these periods helps me to better understand the battlefield conditions, and other aspects of history.

3) I have a bad back, and most recently a bad arm. The back is from a bad wreck a couple years ago, and the arm is more recent (and annoying; even light use of a waster hurts). It's my hope that this will help build muscles in my back up that help reduce the constant pain; and perhaps eliminate or reduce my bouts of dizziness and nausea. The arm was hurt at work, but still, perhaps some muscles otherwise not used might help keep it from being re-injured if i ever am able to let it recover and heal.

[RayMcCullough]

"best technique for self defense is expeditious retreat"

Not all the time. There are times you cannot run and there are times that they are so sudden and at close range that running would get you killed. I have seen videos on youtube where the guy ran then was caught and stabbed.

And... There are times that the folks with you cannot run and they have to be defended. Let's not get into the habbit of thinking that you train only for you.

I think it was Ran Pleasant that said "it's not a retreat, it's rapid redeployment." LOL

Something to think about.


Later

[Steven Ott]

I can't remember the comedian's name that talked about a guy wanting to fight with him over a girl but that they decided to settle it with a footrace-well to the untrained eye it would of looked like the guy was chasing him!

Another thing to consider in the "fight or flight" moment is the legal ramifications. Mauling your opponent or injuring can result in law suits and jail time. In some instances you get a lighter penalty for shooting someone over breaking his arm because if you have enough martial skill to maim him you should have had enough to have dispatched him without injury.

I guess that's off topic but a reality for the modern martial artist.

[Jonathan Newhall]

Well, it could also be that a maimed opponent can come back and sue you for damages later (which says a lot about the state of the legal system, but I won't get into that) while a dead one distinctly cannot.

Machiavelli, a well-known period author I'm sure many are familiar with, stated in his book "The Prince" that if an injury is to be done it must be so thorough that there is no chance of retribution, but it is still better to avoid doing so at all.

Then again, he also advocated being feared over being loved, if both could not be had, so take that as you will!