Insulted in passing

[Ray Pina]

The other day I was accused of making the art I study sound "mystical."

It occured to me after sparring the other day that even as an internalist, I never talk about chi or anything other than mechanics and methods here.

Some of my long standing arguments: High round house kicks are dangerous ... for the kicker.

Shooting presents the shooter's head while going for the leg ... might not be a good trade.

With that said, all MA should be comfortable fighting on the ground.

My biggest beef: most martial artists block from the inside out or outside in ... very bad odds. Hard to shoot a plane down crossing your axis. You must be head on or trailing in a dog fight. So we block infront of us, keeping the door closed... elbows block hooks and outside attacks.


Disagree with me of course! But what is mystical about this?

Above all, I am willing to test my methodology -- not simply philosophise about it -- against other styles (and they can do their thing, I don't limit them to only standing or only ground, or no head strikes or kicks).

I have tons to learn and huge room for growth. I am fanatical about martial arts, but I am not a fanatic. I believe in what I am training, because I've trained in other Japanese and Chinese systems. Like all styles, they had their strenghts and weaknesses. I've now found the style for me and believe in it 100%

[Ben Gash]

You haven't said why they said you were mystical

[Water Dragon]

It's the internet. Don't take it so seriously. Also, put on a fresh pair of silk panties before you post. You'll be in a better mood.

[SevenStar]

on occasion you sound as if you are training in the greatest style in the world and how nobody can touch you because of it. you don't make it sound mystical....I think elitism is a more appropriate word.

[ShaolinTiger00]

Shooting presents the shooter's head while going for the leg ... might not be a good trade.

The reason a shoot may not be a good trade is that it is a high risk option vs. a SKILLED opponent. big gain if you get it, big loss and bad position if you don't.

most shoots will have the head suffieciently covered by a tucked chin and raised hands, low elbows. you may land a scuffing blow but it's pretty unlikely you'll "stop" him.

[Water Dragon]

In all fairness Ray, I don't get that impression from you.

If a BJJ guy talks about how great his art is and how much he has gotten from it, it's pride in the art.

If a CMA guy does the same thing, it's elitism.

Just deal with it, I've gotten it too.

[apoweyn]

Efist,

The reference to you sounding mystical wasn't connected to technical points. Only to your descriptions of your teacher and your style. Now, I'm not going to tell you how you should feel about either one. Or even how you should express yourself. But it's a public forum. People are going to react to you however they react. And you have to deal with that.

Comments about how you're "getting the good stuff" rub some people the wrong way. It sounds like you've tapped into 'the glow' while everyone else is floundering around.


Stuart B.

[fa_jing]

I've always thought that when it comes down to a competition between two skilled opponents, you have to take risks to win. Risks that might not be adviseable in a Self-Defense/Street/Battle situation.

For instance, say I have a technique that gives me a 60% chance of winning, and 40% chance of losing outright. These are decent chances for the ring, and terrible chances outside the ring.

[red5angel]

Comments about how you're "getting the good stuff" rub some people the wrong way. It sounds like you've tapped into 'the glow' while everyone else is floundering around.

to be fair Ap, wouldn't this go against your sig

What I mean is - while that may be what it sounds like, should we assume that is what he means? When I have read his posts I generally get the sense that he is really feeling his art, hitting those epiphanies we all hit from time to time and just sharing that, not posting hat his is better or bigger then yours. I'm actually usually a bit surprised at the responses he elicits because it seems generally he gets a pretty negative reception.

[MasterKiller]

When you say things like you don't worry about being attacked in Time Square because you know you are the baddest mofo there, it comes off as arrogant and solipsistic.

Your comments about the high round kick weren't picked on so much as your insistence that CMA only has 1 kick, which you eventually retracted.

Throwing challenges down left and right also comes off as arrogant and rash.

Passion is great, and you seem to have a lot of it. In the end, who cares what a bunch of guys on the internet think. Train the way you want, and live the way you want. Just don't expect others to value the same things you do.

[GeneChing]

"Mystical" means having a spiritual reality, something not apparent to the intellect or senses. It means direct communion with the ultimate reality - or God if you will. The comment was probably meant to be derogatory, but in reality, it's very flattering. Good on you!

[apoweyn]

Red5angel,

to be fair Ap, wouldn't this go against your sig

Perhaps. I'm not immune from being an arse.

But there's a sliding scale. On one end is assumption. On the other is verifiable fact, I suppose. And somewhere in the middle is inference.

What I mean is - while that may be what it sounds like, should we assume that is what he means? When I have read his posts I generally get the sense that he is really feeling his art, hitting those epiphanies we all hit from time to time and just sharing that, not posting hat his is better or bigger then yours. I'm actually usually a bit surprised at the responses he elicits because it seems generally he gets a pretty negative reception.

Do you honestly think I'm advocating that he be less passionate about his practice? He's feeling insulted and wondering why another forum member characterized him a certain way. I'm suggesting that it's because of the way he presents himself. It creates an impression shared by more than one person. So it's not fluke.

I also said that I would never dictate how he should feel or how he should present it.


Stuart B.

[Abstract]

not to post-jack, but...

ain't NOBODY gonna attack you in times square...that place is like disney land and has been for quite awhile. If someone attacks you in times square it's cause you have 'sucka boy' written all over your face, and you were bound to be robbed/assaulted ANYWHERE at some point in your life...now, Morrisiana or Mott Haven in the BX, that's a different story


while i can see how EF might ruffle some ppl's feathers, it doesn't bother me a bit.

but i never get the impression that EF is elitist...i get the impression he's found what he's looking for & genuinely believes in it...so good for you man... some ppl should be so fortunate.

[fa_jing]

I've always respected E-Fist because he is a CMA guy who actually fights and tries to apply the principles for himself. I have disagreed on technical points with him in the past, but so what. At least he didn't insult the Eagles.

This board and CMA in general are lacking more guys like E-fist. I was contacted by one of Tim Cartmell's top students, a former Kuoshu champ, and full time fitness author and instructor - he's coming into town to give a seminar, and wants to spend his Saturday evening meeting my Sifu and watching him teach. He saw some of our clips, and was so impressed to see an experienced Sifu putting on the gloves and sparring his students, that on that fact alone he wants to meet my teacher.

problems, problems, problems in the world of CMA....sigh

[shaolinboxer]

Ha, I'm with Gene.