I feel that Penn & Teller's approach to "debunk" something here was groping at times, and illuminating at others. For example:
I believe the lady
Qigong expert had a great deal of vision and self-belief, largely based on traditional practice which, coupled with intuitiveness could go far in her professed area of assisting others with breathing exercises and visualizations for health (of which emotional positivity is a part)...
Her
Tai Chi looked like it might be
Chen Man Ching Yang style, and she may very well be formally accredited in some branch of TCM or other, "six healing sounds" (Mantak Chia?)...
That being said, even taken out of context, I hope she had a really good reason for that brockking like a chicken, or wooffing like a dog, and that "bobbling"...
Ok, so hopefully not too far from traditional?
"
Jau Fo Yap Mo", quite possible!
The
Isshin Ryu instructor, I feel that board breaking has its place, but that (even recognizing the demographic he was trying to reach, Guinness Book, etcetera) this particular presentation was a little hokey, and damaging his hand in the process most surely didn't help, although to his credit he didn't try to cover it up. Something like that is to be expected from exhibitionistic displays of force...
However, I don't find anything wrong with him grading with colored belts, or anything else in particular, good
Isshin Ryu training, no more, no less...
I think that there is indeed a standard to be known of exactly what constitutes a "black belt" for all modern societal purposes, readily available to be understood by anyone qualified to recognize it. I respect the man for providing full transparency...
Also, although I do not feel that having a culture in one's school where "to assist the instructor" is an abuse, of itself, I think we've all observed enrollment situations which could better be described as "cultish" than as "spiritual", "academic", "gymnastic", or "sporting", ok!
The training I found most interesting was the "realist" Damian, although I didn't care him talking in such a way that he could apparently be professionally misconstrued, even jokingly, as to be espousing murder...but hey, he's a "man's man", and demonstrably effective at getting results, as was borne out by the fact he had all of those police and corrections officers in attendance...
Anyway, if the fellow "doesn't believe in
Qi" (LOL) (or forms to train it), well, that's HIS loss (IMO)...
I don't feel it was fair for Penn & Teller to keep on panning to the
Isshin Ryu instructor's school, when the "realist" McYoung was giving his opinion on "McDojo". Really, I don't recall seeing anything like a "one-year black belt" at that school...
Anyway, arguing that the likelihood of a training injury vs the remote possibility of ever having to actually use it somehow making a gun the more practical choice is irrelevant. If you don't have your "fear management" together, not even a gun is going to be much help...
If Martial Arts were not so broadly useful and appealing, it wouldn't have a following, period...
Really, if that is all they have to conclude with, IMO Penn & Teller are coming off more like "a conclusion looking for supporting theory" ("scientific process", indeed)!
In sum, I think what we who are involved in MA to whatever capacity can take from this is, it's the easiest thing in the world to come off as more than a little ridiculous by "trying too hard" in the name of self-promotion, then Penn & Teller start to come around!
Respects,
Michael
Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 11:56 am