this is what Mike had to say about the problem with TMA
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence...questions.html
Q: With more and more emphasis being placed on gymnastics, dance and high-flying moves which would NEVER work "on the street" has the introduction of "Sport Karate" hurt traditional martial arts?
— Jim M.
A: Absolutely! When martial artists began competing in tournaments, the art became sport and the purpose for which the training was based began to change. Although the look and feel of the martial arts in tournament competition has changed over the years, what I believe has hurt the martial arts is not the transition to the Xtreme or the evolution of the "Sport" aspect, but more so the lack of education in the general public. Up until now, the martial arts have been revered as either mystical, unexplained art forms or deadly fighting arts. Enough with the secrets of this style and that master. Part of the history and future of the martial arts is the passing of knowledge down to the next generation, which means all martial artist must become teachers at some point.
With a nationwide average of 20 percent drop out rate in martial arts students in their first month, we don't even begin to have a chance to impact these people's lives in a positive manner. If we can continue to inspire and motivate students with XMA, tournaments, "flash" and Hong Kong style films, we have a better chance at keeping students long term. All instructors know that we need students to stay long term in order to really begin to understand and appreciate the history and roots of every style and truly embrace martial arts into their lives. Forget about the moves, the flips, and the impracticality of what you see on TV. Master Fumio Demura (a master in ****o-ryu karate and Kubodo from Japan) said that he envied students like Matt and Craig. He realized they were so inspired by XMA that they train 10 times harder than his own traditional students. Athletes lift weights, run, and do plyometrics as forms of cross training. View XMA as a method off cross training to supplement and enhance any traditional base style — definitely not to detract or replace it!
Q: How do you feel about instructors who have very little full contact training? Do you think just knowing technique alone will carry you through a real self-defense situation, or do you need full-contact sparring? Thanks — John U.
A: As a traditional Okinawan Shorei-Ryu stylist, I am a firm believer in practical self-defense application of technique or what we call "Bunkai". Does one have to engage in regular full contact training? Although I have never done full contact sparring, we train self-defense techniques in our style close to full contact but in a controlled setting. I believe in today's world, a well rounded instructor would be well versed in different types of sparring applications, street self-defense, ground fighting, etc., to prepare for a wide range of street situations.