Further thoughts on martial arts
Martial arts was my savior. It wasn’t a person in particular who saved me. My professor, teammates, and best friend had a hand in being my savior. The real force that saved me was the practice of martial arts. We can’t rely on others to fill the void. In fact, to expect others to fill the void is selfish. It puts too much responsibility on their shoulders. Martial arts teaches you at the end of the day to rely on yourself, have confidence, stay focused, be in the moment, and lay off the vices.
I had dabbled in martial arts throughout my life. I started training with Billy Blanks when I was a child. I remember watching Billy perform amazing feats. He would do one handed pushups, backflips, break stone with bare hands, wield swords, and nun chucks. My brother, Max and I, would practice our kicks from one side of the room to the next. Billy would rank us, and push us toward betterment. It was inspiring for my six year old self to see what is possible. Billy had a true love for sharing his knowledge. He showed me the way at a young age. I knew I wanted to be like Billy Blanks.
Later on in my life, I continued with Karate. In my early teens I found a Karate school in town. I was still drawing a lot, and making art. My physical side had not taken a back seat. I was filled with aggression, and in constant war with the elder sibling (who has subsequently been removed from the family). I needed a way in which to transfer my rage into benefit. The Karate I was studying was watered down. I could feel that it wasn’t real. I knew there was Karate out there that was serious, but I didn’t have access to it. I segued into a fitness regime. I built my body, and become a 5 foot 7 inch beef cake. I also discovered yoga, and dabbled in Jeet Kun Do. We applied Jeet Kun Do in technical sparring sessions, and felt it made sense.
I moved to Miami to go to a small conservatory art school. I began the beach body life style, and grew to be yoked. I didn’t know what to do with my newfound strength, but kept at it any way. I worked through school, and knew in my gut I needed to move to the Big Apple. I had six months to save money, work on a graphic novel, and go back into martial arts. I picked boxing, and decided to jump in.
I worked my technique for a month or two. Juan Arroyo encouraged me to step into the ring to spar. I knew I was inexperienced in this level of combat. I knew that this was as real as it gets. I also knew that I wanted the experience of fighting, and the best way to do it was in a controlled environment.
We had gym wars on Thursday night. Over the next couple of months, I almost broke my jar (more accurately someone almost broke my jaw), I constantly had black eyes, and my scalp hurt. I was not meant for boxing greatness. No sir, I was no Rocky. I was, however, tougher. Boxing instilled very real lessons, and very real experience.
I moved to New York, and looked around for martial arts training. I couldn’t find a spot to fit my income. I joined a Black bodybuilding gym in Bushwick, and continuing bodybuilding. I grew tired of this endeavor. I didn’t know what it was for. Was it for vanity? Was it towards a future? Was it worthwhile?
I began to earn more money, and found Williamsburg Mixed Martial Arts. Roger Mamedov was my age (or so I assumed), but seemed to be far more adult. In fact, I would find out later that he had the “adult maturity” Kano spoke of. With Roger guiding me, I grew to be a solid martial artist. I was included to train with the amateur fighters. I was also allowed to be a punching bag for Akira Corrasani for his final fight in UFC. I competed in a couple tournaments in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but never stepped in the cage. Under Roger’s tutelage, I gained real ability (which was great to have while living in Bed Stuy). It also kept me from the cliff of existentialism. It gave me purpose. It wasn’t about being a fighter. It was about inner knowledge.
Years later, I needed to jettison the isle of Manhattan. I moved back to Salem, MA. I initially taught a small class at cross fit gym. Roger had my back, all the way from Brooklyn. He sent a syllabus to follow weekly. This went on for a while, but I knew I only had so much to offer. My experience was limited still. I needed to go back to school. I found North Shore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Danny Morera, the head professor, gave me further training to get me to the next level. I was beyond lucky to have met Danny, and have him literally in my corner (during Fight 2 Win Pro). My martial arts journey grew to the next level.
Kano, in his book “Mind Over Muscle”, talks about the three levels of training martial arts. He sights Judo as his way into the journey. Obviously I had studied bits of Judo, along with wreslting, Greco, striking, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He talks about this as physical education. He sights the first two levels of training as body conditioning, and then practical self-defense. The third level is where “adult maturity” comes in. This is the philosophical level of martial arts. In this level, we look to the lessons of martial arts, and how they are applied to real life. We lean to be gracious, kind, mature, and powerful people through the practice. Kano didn’t have high regard for competition. He knew many of his students had no interest in competition. Most people don’t want to compete. So, Kano asked himself what the purpose of this training was about. Again, most people won’t need to defend themselves in a hand-to-hand life or death matter. So, we come to the question at hand again. Why do it?
I asked myself this when I was bodybuilding. Why build my body if it comes to know real purpose. Is it for self-preservation? Is it for health? Is it for vanity? These things are fine, but they stop at the first or second level. I will say that certain bodybuilders like Dorian Yates take to bodybuilding with a martial arts mindset. When I hear interviews with Dorian Yates it’s as though a martial artist were speaking.
When I was lifting I didn’t have a next level in mind. It was about the moment at hand. I couldn’t grasp the bigger picture with it.
Martial arts revealed to me the third level, and deeper meaning. The hard earned, “adult maturity”, Kano talks about is the big picture. The lessons learned on the mat about respect, dedication, community, wins, and losses translate into life (if you take the leap). Life is the real battle. It’s the real path. The martial arts path is the aid to our life journey. It prepares us for the abstract, and literal fights to come. The third level tells us to ask the question, how can I be of service to society? This is the real journey of martial arts.