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| Via Wikimedia Commons. Pic by: Zero Xero |
This post will be dedicated to the man behind the famous Straight Blast Gyms, Matt Thornton. Over the last couple of years especially SBG Ireland with head coach John Kavanagh has been featured in MMA media almost daily, both due to Conor McGregor's extreme starpower and the sheer skill of SBG based fighters (McGregor, Gunnar Nelson, Cathal Pendred, Paddy Holohan etc.). The man who started it all, the founder of SBG however, is Matt Thornton. His approach to MMA and Martial Arts in general is very unique and has a solid base in philosophy. Thornton, being one of the pioneers of American Mixed Martial Arts, has developed his very own philosophy to accompany his Martial Arts training, taking ideas from e.g. Jiddu Krishnamurti among certain other schools of skeptical thinking and philosophy. In this article, I want to focus in this philosophical approach - as the title indicates - which underlies his training methods. Since his philosophy is the result of years and years of research, this text will attempt to be a first glance at one of the core principles to which Thornton refers rather often. The concept of Aliveness.
"It is about Authenticity." - Matt Thornton
Fundamentally, the concept of Aliveness in Martial Arts is about alive training. The idea is that "Timing, energy and motion" (Thornton) are essential to any kind of effective training for combat sports. Movement refers to free, unscripted and unpredictable movement, as one would be confronted with in a real fight. Energy here means resistance (regardless of how much or how little) and everyone who has seen people who are able to do triple flying kicks and break a hundred boards in the Dojo crumple under the pressure of an actual fighting situation (I am no stranger to that) should get this point. "Boards don't hit back!", as Bruce Lee put it in Enter The Dragon. Further, without a sense of timing, regardless of how good you can make your technique look on dry land, if you cannot time it and therefore cannot land it, it won't work. It's a common method for many Traditional Martial Arts (TMA) to practice moves in dead, premeditated patterns. If working with a partner for example, the person attacked would know which strike or technique would be launched at them (also at what time) and which block or defense to use. I guess everyone can picture traditional stepping punches and upward Karate blocks here. Also, because often times no gloves or protective gear is worn, you are told not to touch the other person at all. Hence, even when your defense is not successful, you will not get hit. It's rather easy to make things look cool when you know what your partner will throw at you. In a real fighting scenario however, you do not know in advance what will happen and hence need to react instantly (and preferably in the right way).
Bouncing off of this, there are two ways in which one can understand Authenticity here. Firstly, it is about "our intentions regarding the activity we are engaging in [being] clear, honest, and open" (Thornton). Thornton gives the example of someone claiming to use Tai Chi as a reliable form of self-defense because there, it might be the case that that person is claiming something that cannot realistically be proven. It is therefore, a delusion and not corresponding to reality in an authentic way. Secondly, if you are forced to react spontaneously, because you are working with a real opponent and no premeditated pattern, you will express yourself more honestly and authentically. There is no place to hide when punches are coming at you or someone tries to strangle you. Whatever is going on inside of you, fear, doubt, etc. will be revealed. Of course, the difficult part then begins: Learning to deal with those situations increasingly better. That learning process though, can only start in an alive setting. We can look back at what Bruce Lee has once said about the 'Art' in Martial Art for that matter:
Video by boygirlmagazine
"Ultimately, Martial Arts means honestly expressing yourself." - Bruce Lee
Finding parallels to certain ideas Bruce Lee was very vocal about is not very surprising, considering Thornton's extensive background in Jeet Kune Do, the style or rather approach to Martial Arts developed by Lee. Further, we can find the same focus on evidence-based operation in Thornton's approach that we can find in Lee's. For Thornton, it is of paramount importance that "we remain skeptical, and question all forms, and statements of authority." (Thornton) This attitude of critical thinking is employed in Bruce Lee's famous system of (1.) adapting what is useful, (2.) rejecting what is useless and (3.) adding what is specifically your own. The good thing about Martial Arts is that most claims can be tested rather easily. You think your technique/style/etc. is superior to everyone else's? Then go and prove it in an actual fight. Unless of course, your opponent's Chi is not in the right mood for being controlled today, or something..
"We coach, learn and train every aspect of our curriculum with a method and approach paramount to learning the way nature intended, through the self-discovery and experienced guidance of progressive but direct immersion and the priceless self-knowledge there gained or re-discovered." (Thornton)
In order to inquire further into this, it may be helpful to introduce this man: Jiddu Krishnamurti. Krishnamurti was one of Bruce Lee's biggest influences as far as philosophy goes,(as Pedro Olavarria has already pointed out here) which is why the connection to Thornton is not too surprising. Krishnamurti insisted that "truth is a pathless land" and even though he was supposed to become a new guru with a great following, he always refrained from that role, stressing that there are no such things as gurus who can teach you truth. The most important topics of Krishnamurti's philosophy revolve around truth, freedom and love which are closely interconnected. Attributing great importance to independent inquiry and close observation of what is factually there (and hence true), are aspects that can be found both in Krishnamurti's and in Thornton's writings. In his speeches, Krishnamurti repeatedly urges the audience to not just accept what he is stating, but rather to think along and find out for oneself whether what he is saying is true or not. Picking up on afore-mentioned concept of Authenticity: Krishnamurti's idea of creativity is closely linked to freedom. Once freed from all dogmas and thought-prisons, once still and free from influence, the first movement out of stillness, that is creativity. This is pure Authenticity, as expressing yourself creatively, free from influence is the most honest way possible. Nietzsche called it the wheel that moves of itself.
Not clinging on to either past or future, but rather acting adequately, spontaneously and creatively in the moment, free of influence. I have written extensively about this and the closely linked Buddhist concept of purposelessness (in Martial Arts) here. One last thing, though:
Love? Yes love. Krishnamurti's perception of love has not a lot in common with the personal love you would encounter in your average Hollywood flick. Actually, it is not about the relationship of two particular people at all. Krishnamurti stated that if one realizes that it is impossible to free oneself from attachments (and the suffering that comes with it) intentionally and therefore starts to do the only possible thing, observe what there factually is, ecstasy sets in. There is nothing to be conflicted about if one is focused on the present moment and only looks at what there is. There's a punch coming? Well, then avoid it. Obviously, this is a slight simplification, but you get the point. Paraphrasing Thornton, one then becomes or is free of the burden of thoughts and completely immersed in the present moment. If you let go completely of all those comfortable belief systems you have adopted and only look at what is (right now) there is creativity and with it authenticity, there is ecstasy and with it love. According to Krishnamurti, this ecstasy in the moment is what constitutes love. Thornton's approach to the Martial Arts could therefore be described as a way of embracing this state of love using the vehicle of fighting. Less philosophically speaking, it's obviously also about finding the best way to teach and learn fighting and Martial Arts which is however, based on the mentioned philosophical background.
This was the attempt to inquire into the philosophical roots that make SBG's approach to training both unique and effective. Of course, much more can be said about this philosophy and style of Martial Arts training, but for a first look, this should suffice.
- by Jan Fleischer
All quotes attributed to Matt Thornton are taken from the following sources:
"Aliveness 101". http://www.straightblastgym.com/aliveness101.html
"Who is SBGi?". http://www.straightblastgym.com/index2.htm
"Aliveness is about the freedom to use whatever works in the moment. Right action at right time. Which is another name for true compassion. A freedom that is only fully felt when one is completely immersed in the present moment of now, and free of the burden of beliefs, which manifest as thoughts. A clear mind fully aware of reality as it is now, and operating with absolute synchronicity within time and space, that is the real beginning of Aliveness." (Thornton)
Not clinging on to either past or future, but rather acting adequately, spontaneously and creatively in the moment, free of influence. I have written extensively about this and the closely linked Buddhist concept of purposelessness (in Martial Arts) here. One last thing, though:
"It is about love." (Thornton)
Love? Yes love. Krishnamurti's perception of love has not a lot in common with the personal love you would encounter in your average Hollywood flick. Actually, it is not about the relationship of two particular people at all. Krishnamurti stated that if one realizes that it is impossible to free oneself from attachments (and the suffering that comes with it) intentionally and therefore starts to do the only possible thing, observe what there factually is, ecstasy sets in. There is nothing to be conflicted about if one is focused on the present moment and only looks at what there is. There's a punch coming? Well, then avoid it. Obviously, this is a slight simplification, but you get the point. Paraphrasing Thornton, one then becomes or is free of the burden of thoughts and completely immersed in the present moment. If you let go completely of all those comfortable belief systems you have adopted and only look at what is (right now) there is creativity and with it authenticity, there is ecstasy and with it love. According to Krishnamurti, this ecstasy in the moment is what constitutes love. Thornton's approach to the Martial Arts could therefore be described as a way of embracing this state of love using the vehicle of fighting. Less philosophically speaking, it's obviously also about finding the best way to teach and learn fighting and Martial Arts which is however, based on the mentioned philosophical background.
This was the attempt to inquire into the philosophical roots that make SBG's approach to training both unique and effective. Of course, much more can be said about this philosophy and style of Martial Arts training, but for a first look, this should suffice.
- by Jan Fleischer
All quotes attributed to Matt Thornton are taken from the following sources:
"Aliveness 101". http://www.straightblastgym.com/aliveness101.html
"Who is SBGi?". http://www.straightblastgym.com/index2.htm
É visível o domínio de Conor McGregor sobre seus adversários, até quando ele perdeu, ele sempre esteve no domínio das lutas, os caras se esforçam tanto e ele calmamente, tecnicamente domina e se sobressai, tem gente que chega a pensar que as lutas de Conor são compradas, por causa do domínio fácil deste. Como pode um lutador como José Aldo que eliminou todos os grandes de toda a categoria perder tão facilmente assim, Eddie Alvarez que travou duas batalhas sangrentas com Michael Chandler, ganhou do Pettis, do Gilbert Melendez, do Rafael dos Anjos ser facilmente dominado assim por Conor mcGregor como se nem soubesse lutar, mas tudo isso é o perfeito jogo de luta de Conor McGregor. É uma forma de luta estudada, analisada minuciosamente, os professores de Conor McGregor são todos versados em filosofia, pensamentos espirituais de Bruce Lee, Muhamad Ali, Frank Dux e outros. cada base, distância, guarda, percepção do combate... uma análise detalhada de tudo foi estudado, investigado, o boxe científico do século XVIII, movimentação... tudo isso é conhecido pelos professores de Conor McGregor, é um tipo de Jeet kune Do de McGregor o que ele aplica no cage na hora da luta. É algo incrível mesmo, até os melhores ganham, mas é sofrido, apanham muito, já McGregor não, ganha fácil, domina fácil, controla toda a situação da luta. Tanto José Aldo quanto Eddie Alvarez contrataram supostos Clones de McGregor, Jonas Bilharino e tal, estudaram McGregor, armaram estratégia boa para McGregor, todos sempre se preocupam com McGregor, ele é muito perigoso, é nítido a superioridade deste numa luta, mas mesmo assim McGregor sempre vence, pois como falou um dos seus treinadores: "McGregor é como se tivesse uma percepção de Raio - X na hora da luta, se o lutador é de tal jeito, tal forma, McGregor ler rapidamente toda a situação, desde o método e intenção de seus oponentes, processa rapidamente isso como um download e reage rapidamente com a resposta certa" por isso McGregor falou: "cada luta é uma luta, eu posso pintar vários quadros e cenas que eu quiser ali, cada McGregor é um McGregor em cada luta" isto é, ele é flexível e é sempre o novo, se adapta, McGregor não é um estilo, ele é o mais eficiente segundo cada situação da luta. Muita gente já está começando a perceber isso, outros que ainda não entenderam isso, acham que as lutas de McGregor são compradas, pois não acreditam que um lutador possa ser tão dominante assim e até existe gente que ache que McGregor tem um pacto com Satã, pois não acreditam que alguém normal possa conquistar a fama e o sucesso tão facilmente e de forma tão avassaladora como Conor McGregor, mas seu segredo está nesse profundo conhecimento oculto da arte de lutar e influenciado em Sun Tzu também na arte dos negócios e no segredo do sucesso.
ReplyDeleteÉ visível o domínio de Conor McGregor sobre os seus adversários, ele sempre tem domínio das lutas, os caras se esforçam tanto e ele calmamente, tecnicamente domina e se sobressai, tem gente que chega a pensar que como lutas de Conor São compradas, por causa do domínio fácil deste. Como pode um lutador como José Aldo que eliminou todos os grandes de toda a categoria perder facilmente, Eddie Alvarez que travou duas batalhas sangrentas com Michael Chandler, ganhou do Pettis, do Gilbert Melendez, do Rafael dos Anjos ser facilmente dominado assim por Conor McGregor como se não soubesse lutar, mas tudo isso é o jogo de luta perfeito de Conor McGregor. É uma forma de luta estudada, analisada minuciosamente, os professores de Conor McGregor são todos versados em filosofia, pensamentos espirituais de Bruce Lee, Muhamad Ali, Frank Dux e outros. Cada base, distância, guarda, percepção de combate ... uma análise detalhada de tudo foi estudado, investigado, o boxe científico do século XVIII, movimentação ... tudo isso é um tipo de Jeet kune Do. O que McGregor faz no cage na hora da luta é algo incrível mesmo, até os melhores ganham, mas é sofrido, apanham muito, já McGregor não, ganha fácil, domina fácil, controla toda uma situação da luta. Tanto José Aldo quanto Eddie Álvarez contrataram supostos Clones de McGregor, Jonas Bilharino e tal, estudaram McGregor, armaram boa estratégia para McGregor, todos os que se preocupam com McGregor, ele é muito perigoso, é nítido sua superioridade em uma luta, mas mesmo assim McGregor sempre vence. Um dos professores de McGregor uma vez revelou: "McGregor é como se tivesse uma percepção de Raio - X na hora da luta, se o lutador é de tal jeito, tal forma, McGregor ler rapidamente toda a situação, desde o método até a intenção de seu oponente, daí faz um download rapidamente e responde cada situação de forma correta conforme a necessidade do momento" ". McGregor falou: "cada luta é uma luta, eu posso pintar vários quadros e cenas que eu quero ali, cada McGregor é um McGregor em cada Luta ", ele é flexível e é sempre o novo, se adapta, McGregor não é um estilo, ele é o mais eficiente segundo cada situação da luta. Por isso jamais os outros lutadores acompanham Conor, pois ele não possui um método de luta, e sim um princípio no qual vários métodos ali pode ser aplicado, é o Jeet Kune Do Conor McGregor. Muita gente já está começando a perceber isso, outros que ainda não entendem isso, acham que as lutas de McGregor são compradas, não acreditam que um lutador pode ser tão bom assim como McGregor é, outras pessoas acham que McGregor tem um pacto com Satã, Pois não acreditam que alguém normal pode conquistar fama e sucesso tão facilmente e de forma tão avassaladora como Conor McGregor, mas seu segredo está em profundo conhecimento oculto da arte de lutar e influenciado em Sun Tzu também na arte dos negócios e no segredo do sucesso .
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