Buyer Beware.....

I was sat watching Scott Adkins latest movie the other night....
I think he has come a long way as an actor and I particularly like his martial art skills, if you haven't already then check out
 ' avengement ' .....anyway I digress....In a conversation today with a friend who has a training background in Iaido (the way of the sword)
I discovered that we're pretty much on the same page regarding training, belts and many of the aspects it takes  to train in a martial art....

As a result I got to thinking about the first time I stepped inside a Dojo.....a jiu jitsu dojo....

Martial arts don't, imho, teach you how to fight, but martial art training does equip you with certain skills to be able to fight better than if you didn't have them.
Makiwara training further develops your skills with the added bonus of conditioning the brain to pain......and not just the Tachi Makiwara either, but the various ones that are used for different reasons.

Various Makiwara adorn the outside Dojo.....

If the Dojo or club in which you train doesn't allow contact, or indeed limits it, then surely you would have to ask the question " what martial art is this that I'm doing".

MARTIAL ...Definition:- pertaining to war.....

You see, real fighting is messy, aggressive and is very unpredictable. There is no ' if you do that, then I will do this'  in a street fight, like that which is taught in a club, its simply a reaction game.....

With blackbelts these days being handed out like candy, and certificates simply for training being awarded just because you rocked up for an hour or two, then it's no wonder the Martial scene is in a bit of a mess.

Not something you will
find in a Club.....
No matter how traditional it is...

If you're inspired by the Movies and fight scenes choreographed to exploit martial skill, and feel the urge to take the first step to train then by all means do so. Just remember, not all Dojo are the same, most will tell you they are traditional
( yeah right ! )  not all present you with the opportunity to fail, and not all teach you the necessary skills that you might be able to use to defend yourself. But what they All will do, is take your money, so Caveat Emptor ....
Buyer beware......