dspyrido wrote:Imagine you have someone who:
- has trained in martial arts other than IMA
- genuinely wants to understand what you are training in & why you think it is different (open minded)
- wants to comprehend how this training is applicable to fighting & how it differs from non-IMA schools of thought
- would love for you to show how your method is applied on them
What would you say? What would you show?
Just for clarification, do you mean from a distance for example over the internet or face to face? I'll assume the latter of the two.
Just read MaartenSFS post...that kicks a$$
=========================================
* If we're talking face to face, for me:
I don't care what kinda kung fu we're talking about, in reference to being able to apply it...you have to be good at setting it up. Whether it's from push hands, stick hands, sparring or full contact ect. Every zone or arena has a methodology for setting up whatever style you're using.
I'd let his/her curiosity lead the way, I'd perform some Taiji for example and let them ask about whatever interests them. People will usually ask about things they find familiar or things that are totally wacky to them. It can lead to wonderful demos.
Then i'd explain their query and most importantly apply it or "Set it up" on them even when they know it's coming.
Also, i'd explain what I don't do. I'd explain what brainwashing is and that WOO WOO drinking the cool aid is not good.
Lastly, dealing with westerners ( of which i'm one btw) Many of them are just too into fantasy when it comes to kung fu. In reality the higher your level, the more simple you become in application.
(the only difference is that a Masters use of fundamentals and knowledge / experience in using that simple move is HIGH) I think lack of real fighting experience is the killer for most practitioners and students. Without this, they can fall prey to fantasy kung fu or even worse: They think that "IT COULDN'T BE THAT SIMPLE"..."IT HAS TO BE MORE".
Nothing could be further from the truth. Especially the IMA, it's usually the westerners that over do it and over complicate it.