My trainer is teaching me balintawak, but really its a cross of a lot of things, he really loves learning martial arts and i can see hes spent years and years and years on it. His holidays is literally going to countries to learn and try their martial arts really.

But unlike other classes he teaches me in the park (its 1:1 lessons as he stopped classes during covid).

But it got me thinking, what makes a trainer “a professional”. Both personally and legally.

I know some areas like boxing or karate they likely have some sort of foundation/club/organisation maybe you can register too?

I guess this is coming up because im learning weapons training now, and we can carry training weapons if there is good rrason too (like for training) but would a police officer see a guy in a park and agree hes a trainer. And to add to that, should i believe him?

I cant deny though, my stickfighting, swordfiighting, fist fighting and grapple work has extraordinarily increased. So i cant deny there is skill there and i am learning.

So i guess what makes someone a professional martial artist teacher? How do you tell compared to someone whose just sat on youtube too much. And should i be worried?

  • @Rolando@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4•4 months ago

    Big subject. Best writeup I’ve seen is Rory Miller’s “Meditations on Violence” (though it’s not perfect by any means.) Basically, there are many types of violence and the question is: what type are you preparing for and why. You could write several books on that subject.

    what makes someone a professional martial artist teacher? How do you tell compared to someone whose just sat on youtube too much. And should i be worried?

    Depends what you’re preparing for and why. In your case: just getting exercise? Not a big deal. Qualify for good performance in a particular tournament? Depends on the organizers, the ruleset, the “meta” strategy of fighting techniques used, etc. Be able to defend yourself in any situation? Almost impossible.

    BTW I wouldn’t carry weapons in a public park, even if I was just training, but your local laws and policies may vary.

    • @trustnooneOPEnglish
      2•4 months ago

      Thanks, i guess this is a really good point here. End of the day my learning is different because its not sports oriented.

      So i basically learn sword/stick which is more for fun that id never get to really use. And i learn basic grapples/palm/fist for basic defence which while probably wont work against say a boxer, even with boxing knowledge I probably wouldnt fair well, and its enough to stop someone to get time to run/leave.

      The weapons part is a worry, they are practice weapons, but still i wish it was a bit more legitimate that i wont get in trouble for trying to learn something interesting.

      • @Rolando@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1•4 months ago

        The weapons part is a worry, they are practice weapons, but still i wish it was a bit more legitimate that i wont get in trouble for trying to learn something interesting.

        Well, there are plenty of people these days doing traditional martial arts, historical reenactments, cosplaying, Live Action Role Playing, etc that there may already be policies in place. Ask your trainer if they know, if not try searching the web pages of the park you go to, or the city/town you’re in. If you don’t find an answer you’ll at least find the numbers of people to call and ask.

        If you don’t find a positive answer, you could always try borrowing a yard or other private property, where the laws are likely different.

    • lurch (he/him)English
      1•4 months ago

      Depending on region, public parks can be very safe. For example, Europeean parks surrounded by residential buildings are safe, because troublemakers know there’s always someone able to see them through a window and call the police.

      It’s different for parks in inner cities surrounded by non residential buildings like shops and malls. That’s where people sometimes get mugged.