Taekwondo Experts in Las Vegas Reveal Their Favorite Martial Arts Quotes, PART 1

This two-part article series provides a number of inspiring and beautiful martial arts quotes as well as a brief discussion on the take-home message behind these quotes.

Martial arts masters aren’t only highly skilled combat and self-defense machines, it turns out that many of them are poets! The way many have expressed themselves over the centuries has deservedly been captured and preserved in their writing and records. We spoke to a number of Taekwondo experts in Las Vegas and the following two-part article series presents their favorite quotes from martial arts masters around the world. The message behind these quotes can really help us to better understand and appreciate the beauty, philosophy and spirituality of martial arts.

Let’s get started!

Favorite Martial Arts Quotes

“The best fighter is never angry.”

-    Lao Tzu

The Message: “Many of the philosophies underlying the martial arts teach us that an angered, impassioned fighter does not have the crystal clear judgment necessary to win fights against skilled opponents or opponents who are bigger and stronger,” explain Taekwondo experts in Las Vegas. “Learning martial arts is not necessarily about fighting; it’s about neutralizing an attack and there is a significant difference between the two. You do not seek combat; you avoid it. And if you cannot avoid it, you use dexterity, strength, agility and speed to quickly and effectively deal with an attacker.”

“Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”

-    Bruce Lee, famous martial artist and Tao of Jeet Kune Do

The Message: “Bruce Lee was a formidable and extraordinary martial artist and one who has been immortalized in the many films in which he starred,” say Las Vegas martial arts experts. “He believed in mastering your body and mind and in developing the kind of control that almost seems to defy physics. Our bodies are 90% water, so if we can learn to move and behave like water – and apply that to combat – you can become virtually indestructible. Bruce Lee’s ideas were revolutionary, so it’s no surprise he developed his own form of martial arts: Wing Chun.”

“To me, the extraordinary aspect of martial arts lies in its simplicity. The easy way is also the right way, and martial arts is nothing at all special; the closer to the true way of martial arts, the less wastage of expression there is.”

                                                          Bruce Lee

The Message: “Another fantastic quote from Bruce Lee. This one illustrates the true humility of any martial arts master,” explain Taekwondo experts in Las Vegas. “You may ask any martial arts master what they call themselves and they will give you their first name. They will never refer to themselves as “master” because that is an honor bestowed unto them by their students and peers. The martial arts are, in so many ways, about the essence of life. This is true even in the combat techniques we teach: it’s about quick, simple movements that achieve maximum outcomes. It’s not about excess, posturing, celebrity or fame.”

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read more fantastic quotes from Las Vegas martial arts experts, stay tuned for the second installment of this two-part article series.

Martial Arts Teach Las Vegas Residents to Use More Than Just Muscle When Taking On An Opponent

This article explores the many life skills that martial arts training provides students with, from greater mental acuity to self-control and respect.

Martial arts have been immensely popular in Las Vegas since the first black-and-white fight films first made their way here from the East. In these movies, grainy images of fast-talking, fast-moving martial arts masters demonstrated just how dexterous, strong and agile the human body could be. These films awoke the inner desire of many to become skilled in a combat form that would enable us not only to take on opponents stronger than ourselves if necessary, but also to look ridiculously cool while doing it!

What most Las Vegas residents training in any form of martial arts soon discover is that the experience is about more than just mastering the physical techniques, moves and joint locks involved: it’s a way of life, a way of thinking, a new way of seeing the world and a new way of seeing oneself. For example, learning a Japanese martial art, such as judo, aikido or karate, almost always sparks a keen interest in learning more about Japanese culture and language. This is because the martial arts aren’t just about kicking butt… it’s about establishing a much greater harmony between your body and mind and it’s about achieving a new level of respect and self-control.

Martial Arts in Las Vegas: Mastering Your Mind

A part of the training involved in mastering a martial art is meditation and learning to separate yourself from key emotions that could muddy your judgment in real life situations involving an attack and a need for combat. Fear may impede decisive action and anger encumbers movement so that you leave yourself vulnerable to counter-attack and this is something Las Vegas martial arts schools and academies teach students to avoid.

How is it possible to avoid these emotions? Meditation is key in establishing greater self-awareness and control and while it may not be possible to remain completely calm in a dangerous situation, the connection between mind and body can override negative influences stemming from fear and anger. This is why meditation and other mental activities are so important in many of the martial art forms taught in Las Vegas.

It is not the aim of martial arts to encourage students to fight, but rather to avoid conflict. Should this prove to be impossible or unsafe, martial arts training provides Las Vegas residents with the skills to neutralize an attack or an attacker and to escape unharmed.

Other Key Benefits of Las Vegas Martial Arts Classes

In addition to developing your body, your mind and the connection between the two, martial arts boasts a great variety of benefits for students and especially young students. Children are frequently the target of bullying today and martial arts classes can imbue our kids with the confidence, self-esteem and self-defense skills they need to deal effectively with bullies, without necessarily injuring them. Respect for your elders and peers is also a key philosophy underlying Las Vegas martial arts lessons, which can turn around the behavior of bullies themselves, as well as troublesome kids that have discipline issues.