How Hard Do You Want It?

We have given so many demonstrations in the past for the public to promote our art. Inevitably someone always comes by to ask stupid questions or make ignorant statements. In no order of importance here are our favourites:

"What happens if I kick or punch?"

"Can I handle that sword"

"Can we spar with real weapons?"

"You guys are cooperating with each other.... (my personal fave)"

"How long will it take to get my black belt?"

"Is this any good against Karate?"

Our responses during demonstrations require us to be polite and restrained. In the face of honest sincere questions we try to give honest and sincere answers. In the face of stupidity we do our best to respond with politeness only.

Let me give you an example. During a recent demonstration on a national holiday, a person came by who clamined to be a "master" in a style of karate. He looked at the demonstration and said "you guys are cooperating with each other. I want to see how this stuff really works when it's applied hard!"

Albert Einstein has a quote that reads.."The only thing worse than arrogance is ignorance" How timely...😎

The instructor tried to explain to his person that this was a demonstration and not a street fight. That the students who were participating sincerely wanted to go home intact, with not broken limbs or torn muscles. To apply full power is to injure severely. This is akin to asking "what happens if I point this gun at my head and pull the trigger?"

When you see a demonstration of any martial art...please realize that demo means "demo". Do you honestly think that in the military each instructor asks the soldiers to shoot at each other until no one is left? How is that training your soldiers?

When demostrations are given it is to show how the art works in a restrained manner. It is meant to give a glimpse into the art if the viewer is interested.

Next time you see a martial arts demo...do us a favour....watch...enjoy...and if you MUST ask questions...ask intelligent ones!