"Hey, are you Cooper?"
Four short words that were said that precipitated 3 kids attacking a 13 year old boy. It was the start of a journey that has lasted 35 years. From a scrawny white belt taking his very first karate class, that boy grew into a sturdy chap who has black belts and instructor ranking in Jeet Kune Do, Ju Jitsu, Karate, Catch Wrestling, Escrima and many others as well as a successful career as Police Officer and a recognition in 3 countries as an Expert in Use of Force for court purposes.
Martial arts has been such an integral part of who I am that imagining my life without it unfathomable. Not only has it given me tremendous self confidence, it has allowed me to travel the world teachings and in a 20 year career as a Law Enforcement Officer has saved my life more times than I am able to count. But the beauty of practicing a martial art is that you don't have to invest this heavily into it in order to benefit from it.
The capacity for martial arts to enhance your life and wellbeing is unmatched by any other passtime. Only yesterday I taught a group of my instructors who wanted deep insights into the reality of combat, a kickboxing class for people wanting to get into shape, a Little Dragons class for a group of young children that needed to blow off steam, and finally a group of Hispanic ladies that wanted a self-defense input. The variety is staggering!
Often times you will hear the question asked "what is the best martial art?" And the answers will almost always reflect the experiences of the person you ask. A Thai Boxer will respond with Muay Thai because of its power and speed; a BJJ practitioner will tout their art citing the many MMA victories that can be ascribed to it; a Karateka will tell you how the deep traditional roots they have lend credibility to it as an art for battle....and so on.
They're all right from their own perspective, but yet they are also missing a greater truth. Whilst it is true all arts have something to offer, it isn't true that all are equally valid. In an ever growing market place the need to push or advertise what you do eclipses veracity in many cases and outlandish claims are put forth to get people to train. This is disingenuous at best.
A Martial Art is ONLY valid if it delivers on what it says - that's it!
Everything else is a matter of taste or preference rather than an absolute fact.
Whether you want self defense, competition, fitness, friendship, a new hobby or a mix of the above, there will be a martial art and a club that suits you. The only thing you have to do is turn up.
Now, enough talking - go train!!!
- Jay Cooper, "The Hound"
