Ken Gullette's Internal Fighting Arts

Martial Arts and a Tolerance for Pain

Ever since I began studying the martial arts--34 years ago--I've run into a lot of guys who think that in order to show your skill, you need to hurt someone or prove how tough you are by taking hard shots or a lot of punishment.

You see them in classes, inflicting pain on others. You see them putting their own bodies through painful ordeals from pounding on makawara boards for hours on end to breaking blocks of ice with their foreheads. You see them bragging about how they got their nose broken, or how they got hit real hard in the head (and their bragging includes how well they can take a good punch or kick).

There is an interesting psychological thing happening here. I don't know if it's insecurity, a bad self image, or they didn't get hugged enough as kids. But these guys will always tell you that you need to endure a lot of physical pain and abuse if you're going to be a "real" martial artist.

Bull crap.

Often, the Dog Brothers are held up as icons of "pure" martial arts because they go all out with contact during their stick fights. People brag about how tough they are because of this, and about the cool injuries they suffer.

The only time I could ever hit someone hard enough with a stick to cause injury is in a self-defense situation. If I hit a classmate or a student hard enough to hurt them, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

This isn't intended to put the Dog Brothers down. They're great at what they do. I also admire the MMA guys who take and inflict a lot of pain.

But don't confuse this with being a "real" martial artist. These guys are brawlers, and they're very good at some things. But artist is not the word I would use to describe it.

I've said it before and I'll repeat it here. My students have been able to successful defend themselves in real-life situations, and have damaged their attackers to the point of surgery and hospitalization--without being hurt in class or hurting others.

Good training is the key. Good principles, effective techniques, and the proper body mechanics taught in class, along with practice, practice, practice and the proper mental intent when practicing--these are necessary ingredients for being a good fighter.

I had dozens of fights growing up. I was usually picked on by bullies--all of them older than me, and I ended up being pushed to the breaking point and then I beat up the bully every time. I really enjoyed the fights when they were happening--once I decided to defend myself. I enjoyed the one-on-one competition, and the fact that often the smarter fighter won. I also enjoyed the fact that almost every bully backed down once he was on the receiving end of a good punch in the face.

But these were self-defense situations. The bully had it coming to him, and I did everything I could to avoid fighting.

As an adult, I embraced not only the fighting aspects of kung fu, but also the philosophy. I couldn't bring myself to hurt someone in class. I can't bring myself to hurt anyone in a tournament. It isn't what I'm in martial arts to do. I'm in it for personal mastery, not to master other people. I'm not in it to abuse myself or anyone else.

My idea of a good martial artist is someone who doesn't get hit. When I spar someone, I want to score on my opponent without getting hit. Believe me, even in "point" sparring, your opponents slip often, and you get tagged hard enough to know if you can take a good punch. But isn't it sort of dumb to think that you have to get hit hard just to prove you can take a punch?

No thanks. I'm not into self-abuse. I like and respect myself and I like and respect other people, and there is nothing more degrading than a punch or kick or slap to the face. There is nothing more disrespectful than kicking someone hard enough to crack a rib.

That's why, in my classes, when I began working with new students and they flinched, I assured them that when they worked with me, they would not be hurt. Once they saw that, they were able to learn better.

I know for a fact that it isn't necessary to be hurt or to hurt someone to be an excellent martial artist.