Jonathan Newhall wrote:Roy Robinson Stewart wrote:Sorry but I find laughing at and mocking the sincere efforts of others simply because they don't do what you do to be arrogant.
And there, you are wrong. I am not laughing at or mocking his efforts because he does not do "what I do", it's because what he IS doing is absurd. Just because it's different doesn't mean it's wrong; I would never tell a practictioner of kenjutsu he's "doing it wrong" and go laughing off into the night because he's using a katana simply because it's not a rapier or longsword or what have you, that would be completely unwarranted and ridiculous.
However, a man with techniques such as these claiming to be teaching "real world swordfighting skills" is frankly laughable and therefore I was doing just that - laughing. I gave credit where it was due in regards to his video on edge-blocks, wherein he claims, quite correctly (making certain to differentiate between western and eastern weapons, even!) that blocking edge to edge is not something you want to seek out if you can avoid it, but on the other hand I also found it humorous at junctures it deserves criticism.
What is arrogant, however,is first of all assuming this about myself, and second of all assuming that just because somebody claims something means that I have to believe it. That man with two swords is claiming several things. They are wrong, whether he is giving it his best effort or not. He does have stances, which he employs contrary to his belief (as Stacy mentioned). Stances do not make you weaker than "not having stances", and properly employed quite the opposite. Two swords does not equal double the effectiveness. It is fact that he says these things, it is fact that they are not true. I find this irony humorous. If you have a problem with that I will note your complaint, but please refrain from name-calling. It's certainly no nicer than what I am doing.
I see your point of view Jonathan, and perhaps after all laughter is a kinder reaction than some are having to the fellow.
My first teacher Grand Master Bobby Taboada says ( as do all balintawak practitioners ) that no fixed or prescribed steps or stances are required and that stepping should come naturally and be 'just like walking'
Should it be just like walking as in it is the same, physically, as walking (in which case I must ask: why are you walking around like you are down the sidewalk during a life or death struggle for survival? That doesn't seem terribly wise), or that it should be practiced to the point that it is, in your mind, as easy as walking, and therefore just like it in that regard?
Further, with no systemized form of motion, how is it even a codefied martial art with certified teachers to begin with? That seems most counterintuitive.
The movements are 'just like walking' as in physically like walking
Just because stepping in Balintawak is similar to walking, and is allowed to flow naturally rather than being formally prescribed at all times, does not mean that there are no systemized forms of motion. As mentioned previously on this forum, the hand movements are so fast that it is not practical or necessary to tie them to particular stances or steps.
That, combined with the mocking attitude to the other martial artists shown here, makes this thread a sad display.
The point is they aren't martial artists, that's why we find them funny. They are posers. Some more than others. The initial video is about what is essentially a sword-dance, which is something many period masters warned about (calling them "dancing masters" and "dancing schools" rather than actual schools of self defense. McDojos were a problem even back then, apparently). This is a distinctly relevant, though perhaps not exactly a NICE, topic.
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I disagree. In my opinion anyone who practices martial forms with intent is a martial artist. There are also historical examples of dance being used as martial training and as a way of preserving banned martial arts.
In my opinion the thread should be locked. I have great respect for the ARMA but threads like this undermine that respect, i'm sure i'm not alone in my opinion, but if I am, so be it.
ARMA didn't officially start this thread, ARMA didn't officially condone this thread, and ARMA didn't take an official stance in this thread. Whatever you may feel about the thread's starter or other posting participants, ARMA has absolutely nothing to do with it at this juncture. If this thread is affecting your opinion of ARMA, it shouldn't, because it is not an ARMA thread.
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Yes I see your point here. My mistake.
As a closing, Roy, you seem to have the impression that we are doing several things we are most distinctly not. First, we are not claiming we could "take them in a fight", which seems evidenced as your line of thought by the third post of the thread. Nobody said these men are poor at fighting, necessarily.
However, this does not prevent me from knowing what SHOULD be done, and that such things as were being demonstrated were not it.
And again, in your first post where you call me arrogant you AGAIN seem to misconstrue that there is any objective comparison of their "ability to fight" against mine or any other's. This is not the case. We are, again, only poking fun at people making claims they cannot possibly substantiate and demonstrating skills that are not designed for martial application . .
Although it is reasonable to have an educated opinion on what is and what is not, martially sound, it seems clear to me that the the fact that we choose not to put it to the test via actual combat should imply more restraint in the making of absolute judgements as to marial soundness.
In previous centuries the sort of mocking which has been indulged in on this thread would possibly have led to actual combat, and perhaps it would be wise not to indulge in such mockery now that we are prevented from backing it up with action.
EDIT - Also as a note, if I've said anything unduly insulting or such, I apologize in advance. I was tired writing this and I tend to be a bit rude and blunt when I'm tired. Hopefully none of that has bled into this post too badly.
Thankyou for taking the time to give such a detailed reply, and I apologise for the offensive remark which I made in my previous post
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