Traditional versus modern

Humans have been around for millions of years. Over the ages, humans have had to fight all types of beasts and, at times, other humans. One would assume that over this period of time, every way possible to defend or attack with the human body would have been used, and that the most effective ways would have endured through the ages. Therefore, it is difficult to believe that some modern day martial art “master” has suddenly discovered a way of fighting that has not been discovered during millions of years of humans fighting for their very existence. After all, the basic physical structure of humans has not changed since we became humans. We still have two arms and hands, and two legs and feet. A side kick is a side kick no matter what martial art uses it, what country claims to have discovered it, or what name it is given.

This being the case, then why are there so many new ways of fighting being discovered every year by martial art “masters?” The reason is simple—they are not! The only thing being discovered is a new way to package an existing way of fighting for the purpose of enhancing the egos and wallets of the “masters.” This not a recent phenomenon, “new” martial arts have been founded by “masters” for centuries. The ones that have been around the longest have had more time for the followers to invent more ways for their art to be “different” than the other arts, and to associate their arts more with certain counties or regions. Until the last century, little had been written about the older martial arts, so this has allowed their followers to invent histories to suit their own purposes.

Does this mean there is nothing new to discover in the martial arts? No! Scientific study continues to discover new training methods that may be used in traditional martial art training. Scientific research analyzes body movements to find which movements may best be used to attain specific outcomes. For example, a sprinter uses different training methods than does a marathoner. Therefore, any traditional martial art may be enhanced by incorporating modern training methods into its training. There is no need for the art to be re-founded by some “master.”

So what is it that all these martial art “masters” are founding? Just as when a manufacturer adds blue dye to its old detergent and repackages it as “new and improved,” these ‘master” are not creating anything new, they are merely repackaging something old by changing some aspect of it, such as the order in which certain movements are performed.