Skepticism & Spirituality in the Martial Arts, with Matt Thornton (better quality)

A better quality version of the lecture given on 2/21/2012 at PSU by SBG Founder and BJJ black belt Matt Thornton on the topics of Aliveness, skepticism and spirituality in the martial arts. The video features a ten minute talk, followed by an extensive question and answer period.

• Category

  Sports

[Straight Blast Gym Portland]

The point is not MMA is the best. The point is you have to train alive. MMA is simply a format not a style. The reason certain martial arts work in that format has more to do with how they train then anything else. I am also quite perplexed as to what you mean by "breaking techniques".

[Moosh50]

Except that training a in a dead pattern against a compliant opponent isn't going to do you any good. You might become more familiar with the block, but you'll never be able to apply the rest of the techniques. That's why you need to drill the block first, then try to use it in a spar. Once you got that down you can start working on counters. Besides, dead training doesn't improve your reflexes since you're not reacting with reflexes, it's all coreographed.

[Shawn Taylor]

He makes great points, I just think he was unfortunate in the traditional schools he saw practice. I don`t need to defend my art, but most of this seems like he just stumbled upon bad teachers.

[Holdek]

"Alive." Wow you should copyright that idea. Resisting opponent? Free sparring? It's a shame generations of martial artists didn't think to incorporate those novel ideas into their practice. You, sir, are a modern-day Leonardo DaVinci. ::eye roll::

[Holdek]

Others have commented here more in detail. But this dude obviously doesn't know much about Aikido, TKD, etc, and is just using the "aliveness" schtick to promote BJJ. 

[wanteds13]

I totaly agree that one step isn't a complete training (never said it was) and you have to spar. As well as train your stands and technique. But Ipon not being a way to train reflexes?... If that's the case it's being tought wrong. One step absolutely trains your reflexes if trained the right way.

[CremeBruleeAndFlan]

tachi isao machii must be a fake.

[John BovJovi]

Good talk. I love the flannel but that beard needs work.