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Martial Arts Topics / Re: The Nat Geo Documentary on the Dog Brothers: Fight Club
« on: January 23, 2008, 11:41:30 AM »
Name: Mike
Occupation: Law Enforcement
Dog Brother Name: WAR DOG
BACK THEN:
When I first started martial arts the Dog Brothers were a myth, an urban legend, something that was talked about amongst the other guys before, during and after class. How a bunch of guys from class would meet up on Sundays at their local park and train at full speed, full contact, with minimum protection. With injuries compiling of broken fingers, fractured forearms, popped eardrums, and contusions to the head. How these guys (Original Dog Brothers - Founding Members) were willingly participating in self-punishment for whatever reason (to be explained). They were "Ultimate Fighting" before Ultimate Fighting was on television. When BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) was being taught out of a garage and not yet mainstream.
NOW:
What led me to participate in one of many Gatherings from the time I started may have been divine intervention or chance. Then again it may have been Crafty Dog's way (Jedi Mind Trick) of asking me to come by and watch one of the Gatherings, which actually led me to participate in. Even though those may have been contributing factors, the reasons for me participating were to test myself and to be honest with myself as an Instructor. To be able to teach someone and explain why certain techniques work under certain conditions and why they may not under others. I didn't want to be a paper tiger, someone who can tell you how to climb a mountain but has never done it themselves.
For me the Gathering is an enlightening on whatever I may be thinking or going through during that point in my life. Those 2-3 minutes of what may appear to be total chaos to someone watching, is when I find a deeper understanding of life and martial arts in general. Just as a big wave surfer is in the barrel of a wave and may wipe out or a fireman running back into a burning building to double-check and make sure no ones inside, its just because.
"Higher Consciousness Through Harder Contact" pretty much sums it up.
Occupation: Law Enforcement
Dog Brother Name: WAR DOG
BACK THEN:
When I first started martial arts the Dog Brothers were a myth, an urban legend, something that was talked about amongst the other guys before, during and after class. How a bunch of guys from class would meet up on Sundays at their local park and train at full speed, full contact, with minimum protection. With injuries compiling of broken fingers, fractured forearms, popped eardrums, and contusions to the head. How these guys (Original Dog Brothers - Founding Members) were willingly participating in self-punishment for whatever reason (to be explained). They were "Ultimate Fighting" before Ultimate Fighting was on television. When BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) was being taught out of a garage and not yet mainstream.
NOW:
What led me to participate in one of many Gatherings from the time I started may have been divine intervention or chance. Then again it may have been Crafty Dog's way (Jedi Mind Trick) of asking me to come by and watch one of the Gatherings, which actually led me to participate in. Even though those may have been contributing factors, the reasons for me participating were to test myself and to be honest with myself as an Instructor. To be able to teach someone and explain why certain techniques work under certain conditions and why they may not under others. I didn't want to be a paper tiger, someone who can tell you how to climb a mountain but has never done it themselves.
For me the Gathering is an enlightening on whatever I may be thinking or going through during that point in my life. Those 2-3 minutes of what may appear to be total chaos to someone watching, is when I find a deeper understanding of life and martial arts in general. Just as a big wave surfer is in the barrel of a wave and may wipe out or a fireman running back into a burning building to double-check and make sure no ones inside, its just because.
"Higher Consciousness Through Harder Contact" pretty much sums it up.