Mystical Realities of Martial Arts

The Purpose of this Blog is to debunk and demystify the seemingly supernatural explanations for martial arts. "Skills of the Vagabonds" by Leung Ting, volume 1 and 2, describe alot of the "tricks" that are performed by martial artists. The Vagabonds that are in the book are the Chinese predacessors to the Japanese ninjas. While this may be a nice thing that will get your membership, it's not something that should ever be attributed to the supernatural. There is no doubt that these magic tricks that can be performed be Penn and Teller can be useful in combat. Diversion, misdirection, among other things are very important in overall martial strategy. Ultimately, not ending up in a fight is the ultimate goal. There are ways to bring this about without weapons as well. "Mind, Body, and Kickass Moves" on the Discovery channel on Kuroda Tetsuzan, a renown swordsman in Japan, that the art of swordsmanship is about being mentally invisible while someone is right in front of you. The techniques are like a game of chess, who will move when or where and be able to notice the subtle telegraphing movements in the process.

Can you burn "chi" off your fingers from "internal power"?
No, it's a lie, it's a hoax that has been used throughout the ages as a cheap gimmick.

Can people really get kicked in the groin and be safe?
Yes they can, it takes some training and skill but yes it is true. From what I know it's "sucking your testicles up into your abdominals" like when you were a child and it takes practice to do that.

Can people really break a bottle by hitting the top and the "wave of energy" transfers to the bottom to break it off with their "skill" alone?
Not likely, look up a magic trick called the "The Devils Coke Bottle".

How do you explain "erasing" a flame by pointing at it?
Cheap trick, even then it doesn't prove someone can kill you with your "chi", it's a nice diversion to quit making you ask questions or just keep away from that person.

Are there any "no touching" techniques?
If you mean punching and making people feel it, no. If you mean like quickily putting a hand in someones face to make them fall off balence from jerking back, sure.

If that is true is there any benifit to people imagining directing energy from chi kung (standing meditation)? Yes there is, visualization is a significantly important tool in training, the shaolin monks use it to channel their abilities and grow their energy. Over time it gives them the mental edge and makes them perform better because they think they are surrounded by energy constantly within them and out.

Can you break bricks by just imagining?
NO, don't even try it without training.

Is tearing a phonebook in half proof that you have any legitimate martial skill or strength?
Not really

Are there any supernatural explanation for martial arts anywhere?
No

In answering these questions, I am not trying to deminish the quality of martial arts. I remember in my younger days I asked the Tai Chi master Erle Montigue a question. He was one of the few foreigners at the time that was able to perform a rare Yang style Tai Chi form, a combative one at that. I asked him about all these supernatural seeming things and he was talking about breaking river rock was only a matter of physics. However, there are plenty of amazing skills that martial artists learn that give them an edge in a fight or on the battlefield. Most come down to knowing someone elses center of gravity and knowing how to manipulate it in the "internal" styled arts and knowing how to break the opponent in the "hard" style arts. The most amazing part I experienced in the Aikido training I received is, when becoming the "uke" or receiver of the technique, if they are really good, when you try to strike a black belt, it feels as though if you are hitting air or you are "drawn in" to a place where you want to attack that they moved out of. It is one of those psychological effects created by perfected practice, much like Kuroda Senseis sword techniques. Not to deminish the ability of the "hard" arts because they do take a long time to master as well, but I do prefer the "soft" arts of Jujitsu, Tai Chi, Baguazhang, Aikido, Jodo, and the like. Some of the "esoteric shinto" or "buddhist" practices might be better to intill culture or calm the nerves rather than actually have a supernatural edge in real combat. The ninjutsu's finger knitting practice for example would not wish away your enemy or make you literally invisible. What is really important to know is that serious, rigerous, undying practice is important to the martial artist as well as the cultural inheritance of the arts themselves. There is nontheless, a transcendant quality about the practice of martial arts itself knowing that it can give you a chance to live another day.