Let Your Inner Child Out to Play

Martial arts are a funny old business.

There is always something new to learn. Yet there is always a danger of getting caught in your own style or system and closing your mind to new ways of expressing what we collectively do.

After all a punch is just a punch, a kick is just a kick and block is exactly that a block.

There really isn't a "true" way of doing things because they all are simply different expressions of the same thing...

Yes, there are those who believe if you aren't doing it their "way" they you are not doing it correctly. This, of course, is blinkered thinking.

How can you cast judgement on something if you've never done it, never tried some other system or even understood the basic principles underlying a style?

Yet the martial arts abounds with "masters" who will tell you that this "wrong" that's "not right" and that's "doesn't work".

And to one degree or another we all do this because we all carry our own baggage around with us. We are all human.

There is an old adage that its best to look at things as if through the eyes of your inner child.  Children do not have blinkered views on things because everything to them is a new experience. They are open-minded.

Maybes we - who are adults - should allow our inner child out more often when confronted with other styles and systems. Maybes we should all be less judgemental and more playful in body, mind and spirit.

For further information on DFM visit: www.dfmmartialarts.co.uk or e-mail Phil Doherty at phil.doherty@martialnews.co.uk