XMA question

masterintraining · Orange Belt

i have noticied many people seem to have negative reaction to XMA. Citing things like, this is not a usable in combat situations. In complete contrast, I see a lot of the same people defend traditional forms and kata by saying that the rehearsed moves may not be useful in combat, but they do allow people to learn transitions and basic technique and allow them to practice solo. Doesn't XMA take that type of thinking to the next level. Doesn't it allow people to express their "art" on another level? also doesnt it also depend own the type of XMA team. a team like EMC requires all members to already have expierence in martial arts aswell as acrobatics, and they also must have sum to combat application own account of certain XMA style fighters doing well sparring tournements.
example: jonathan Phan from EMC when he fought own final fu. Yes, final fu did restrict head shots, and grappling but he still showed that he new what he was doing. wouldnt it depend own the XMA team in question own wether or not there members hav any actual combat skill. It is also just as possible for the fighters to be able to take what they are taught and decipher the effective from the in-effective isnt it ? the reason im asking these questions is because i really wanted to join a martial arts performance team ( probley team ryouko since i cant find any other, [b]but if any else can tell me sum really good teams in the U.S. besides in Cali i would be eternaly grateful[/b.

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TigerDude · Green Belt

Certainly doing XMA would not preclude someone from being a good martial artist, but the XMA art just looks more like gymnastics than a fighting art. That's not good or bad, it just is.

If you want to train in this type of thing, go for it, but I wouldn't expect it to translate well back into improved fighting skills.
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lordtariel · Black Belt

There's nothing wrong with XMA. It's a little too theatrical for me, but there's nothing wrong with it. It's not practical in a self defense situation, but it wasn't developed for self defense and has never tried to assert that it was. I don't see what the fuss is about.

As for finding other teams, just do a search on google for "XMA teams" and you should get some. "XMA Demo Reels" on youtube should also bring up some sampler videos from different groups. You could research from there.
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DWx · KF Sensei

bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

The training that XMA stylists do is good for athletic perfomances, and increasing the strength, balance, flexibility, etc. in the body. All of these things will improve your overall physical fitness level, which can transfer into regular, or more "traditional" Martial Arts training.

As the others have said, it is just different. Many people get concerned that others think that XMA is Martial Arts. When you can't make the transition to the Martial side of things, then it ceases to be (according to most). Kind of like saying that Tae Bo is a Martial Art style...

Now, just because a Martial Artist does some XMA, like you stated, does not mean that they aren't Martial Artists. Like you said, it depends on their experience.
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Andrew_Patton · Orange Belt

One of the bigger issues of XMA being around is that if I tell people that I teach karate, one of the responses I get from the younger people (20-25ish) is "oh you mean that gymnastic stuff on ESPN?" then they'll usually give me a laugh, etc.

Also if you watch the beginning of the program when they're on TV they talk about the traditional forms having "thousands of years of training in them" or how they're the background of Martial arts training, etc etc, and how the competitors have amazing power and speed when they obviously lack form, and everyone seems to be only really good at "tricking" as they call it, while lacking in their base techniques.

bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

NightOwl · KF Sempai

I have to agree that unlike some training styles which really aren't meant for combat- XMA doesn't pretend that it makes you a good fighter. I do find it a bit guady at times, but I have no personal issue with it.
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NewEnglands_KyoSa · Pre-Black Belt

there are pros and cons to xma just like everything else...is xma a martial art itself? no, its gymnastics with punches in kicks thrown in for theatrical purposes. but for its intent, being theatrical and interesting, it looks great. is it a fighting art, no. but just like you said it is great for a performance, which is its soul purpose. is xma unbelievably cool to watch? yea. do you feel unbelievably inadequate when you cant do a triple back flip? yupp. it get a bad rep because it tries to call itself a martial art thats all. but for its purpose its wonderful to watch and it will get you in AMAZING shape and will help you jumping abilities. and it does not mean that they have no MA background besides XMA, you do have to know how to punch and kick, its not JUST flips and crazy stuff, so yea most of them, if not all, should or do have a background in it. but if you're looking for something to help with your athletics and your jumping, and you wanna look really cool, xma is for you.
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ps1 · Black Belt

You know this is a really good question.

I think that most of the responses are on the right track. Most people take offense to the idea that "martial arts" is in the title. Some people try to rationalize XMA to be more than what it is. They try to say the movements are used for self defense.

I have also known and competed against gymnasts that have NEVER trained a martial art. They just adjust a floor routine and put kicks into it and yell alot. I was forced to compete in the "open" division quite often due to the lack of a "soft style" division. I would strike up conversation with the competitors and was amazed one day when a guy told me he didn't study martial arts. I was pretty surprised and kind of offended.

Anyway, I'm not against XMA at all. I'm gonna be teaching a seminar on some of its techniques at the end of the month. But I made sure the attendees are trained martial artists first.
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