What qualifies people to create their own art?

[supergroup7]

Sorry... 12 months!  That's too long.. I want to learn how to kick butt NOW!

I think I'll just go to my local Martial Arts store, and buy myself a Black Belt. It's quicker and cheaper.

[bogirl]

Paypal sent, sign me up for your exclusive black belt guaranteed in 12 months program!   

[Muse]

Sounds good to me. WATCH OUT WORLD, HERE I COME!!!


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Crap Fu is commited to excellence and the grandmaster, Sensei Gui Fu King Gow Gope How Gui Go Gihana Go Gui Si, has commited an entire afternoon to studying every martial art in existence and mastering each. Now he has created his own system that crushes all previous martial arts before it. If you want to learn "Real Self-Defense", get in the best shape of your life, learn the secret to wealth and happiness, and become the envy of all your peers, then sign up today. HIYA!!!! (We are not liable for any missing money, serious injury, or mental disturbia while undergoing this program. Refunds for entry in this program are completely prohibited.)

[bogirl]

This would be a good question for the guy that created taibo. Can we all take a moment to laugh at combination workout/self-defense videos? Martial arts are already work-outs, you don't need to combine them with dance moves to get in shape. 


Oops, better get back on topic. Hmmm....thinking off the top of my head, what does any martial arts need?

  1. Students
  2. Fighting Techniques (whether practical or not)
  3. A Master

I suppose with those 3 elements, anyone is qualified to create their own martial art. Even our friends over in the workout video industry could say they've created a martial art combining aikido with ballet. Will the students be about to defend themselves? Who knows, but that doesn't mean someone can't come along and create that "martial art" anyways. All he/she would need is students and fighting techniques, then buy a black belt and refer to him/herself as "the Master".

By the way, be on the look out for my martial art I'm creating that combines Muay Thai, Yoga, Scuba Diving, Interpretive Dance, Cricket, Hapkido, Break Dancing, Sheep Wrangling, Sky Diving, and Astral Travel into one extreme, end-all-be-all martial art. Just need a name now.....

How about Ultimate Crap Fu?   

[Muse]

This would be a good question for the guy that created taibo. Can we all take a moment to laugh at combination workout/self-defense videos? Martial arts are already work-outs, you don't need to combine them with dance moves to get in shape. 


Oops, better get back on topic. Hmmm....thinking off the top of my head, what does any martial arts need?

  1. Students
  2. Fighting Techniques (whether practical or not)
  3. A Master

I suppose with those 3 elements, anyone is qualified to create their own martial art. Even our friends over in the workout video industry could say they've created a martial art combining aikido with ballet. Will the students be about to defend themselves? Who knows, but that doesn't mean someone can't come along and create that "martial art" anyways. All he/she would need is students and fighting techniques, then buy a black belt and refer to him/herself as "the Master".

By the way, be on the look out for my martial art I'm creating that combines Muay Thai, Yoga, Scuba Diving, Interpretive Dance, Cricket, Hapkido, Break Dancing, Sheep Wrangling, Sky Diving, and Astral Travel into one extreme, end-all-be-all martial art. Just need a name now.....

[Rickster]

Not speakinf of
already conbat tested-passed down methods". Someone creating something which they believe to be efffective, but wasn't "tested or proven".

[bogirl]

"Combat tested" is one of those catch phrases some like to use to lure in students who then think they are learning the "ultimate self-defense" style. 

The problem with thinking that the creator has to have tested it in real combat, is that in order to do that, you have to go looking for fights.  And since many techniques are supposed to be deadly, or at least cause serious damage, you can't just go around practicing that stuff.

We know many of the older arts were actually used to combat bandits & invadors, so they were developed with those battles in mind.  As long as the techniques are still being taught in a similar way (not watered down for show) they were already combat tested.

[gar0u]

That reminds me of learning the jo.  I prefer it over all other traditional weapons, because it is a "farmer's sword."  The techniques are truly life and death.  Most sword fights only lasted a few seconds, and many times there was no winner, as both combatants died.

However, I disagree that a teacher should be "combat tested."  As long as the teacher is an expert in the technique, and the technique has been combat tested, that is enough for me.

That is why we have tradition.  The techniques we're learning are rooted in the practicality of what works, often against a better armed opponent.  That is one reason I'm suspicious of people who have "created their own system."  You'd better have some very good insight into a technique before modifying it and making it your own.

[Rickster]

Do you think one ought to true authority on the things in order to teach a said "art". Not just someone who can wax philisophical all day on theories. One should better have actually combat tested it. And this doesn't mean in sparring. This is more important than any rank. One has to understand the theory and mechanics of it, prove it works, and have teaching abilties.

Another thing is whether or not there is any need for this style other than stroking a ego. If the reason you want to create your own is just that, then don't bother. The term "style", can take on many meanings. So, I guess we are not talking about "creating a new style", but a new art.

[phoenix]

As long as martial arts has been around, I think that it would be pretty hard to come up with an "original" concept.  I agree with Tracy, you can add dimensions to your existing art, but to create one, it would have to be totally different to be a new art.

[bogirl]

I think Michael Burke is a good example of what it takes to create your own style.

1. A solid foundation in an traditional style
2. A passion for some aspect of that style
3. Enough experience in that style to develop your own techniques
4. A method of evaluating the effectiveness of those techniques
5. A following of practicioners that validate 1-4

I pretty much agree with that, although, if it's actually just a variation of a current style, why bother to change the name and claim to have "created" it?  We know in most of the systems, there are regional or "branch" differences.   

Even some our dojo have different "flavors".  One is very into XMA, so they have seperate classes for that.  Another has several instructors that have studied grappling/close fighting techniques, so they have encorporated some of those into their regular training.  They still use the same kata and basics, but have added extra dimensions into their curriculum.

None of them would claim to have created their own art/system/style.

[gar0u]

I think Michael Burke is a good example of what it takes to create your own style.

1. A solid foundation in an traditional style
2. A passion for some aspect of that style
3. Enough experience in that style to develop your own techniques
4. A method of evaluating the effectiveness of those techniques
5. A following of practicioners that validate 1-4

http://www.chakus.com/burke.htm

[supergroup7]

Sadly there is no standard out there for Founders of Arts.

Anyone can find a room, buy a black belt, create a name for a style, and start teaching their own style.

It is the same with Guitar teachers.  Anyone can put up their name as "Guitar Instructor" regardless to the knowledge/skill/etc. that they have.

[Rickster]

What qualifies people to create their own art?

People also refer to this as creating their own style, but style in my view is a personal structure fit for the individual.

Creating a art, is composing a concise and thorough template for which others would follow. It is likeness in creating a new product with a brand name.

What are the criteria?

Experience? How much? 5 years, 10 years, 20 years

Vesitility? Studying most aspects of the way the human body can move, defend, and attack?

Age? With age comes maturity and responsibility. Would anyone actually desire to learn from anyone creating a style say at 15, 18, 21, 28?