So I also train in this thing called "lindy hop".
(which is partnered swing dance). This weekend, the
swing dance community's equivalent of Master Joe is in
town and we're getting our butt's kicked.

Anyway, I have a comment or two some of the dance/fu
parallels.

In a partnered dance you have your leads (the boys)
and you have your follows (the girls). As a lead, we
train in controlling our opponents (er.. I mean
partners). The best leads can take a girl that is an
absolute beginner and control/motivate/contort her to
do exactly what you want. Each girl is very different
and you have to be extremely adaptive in order to be
effective.

The best follows are trained to sorta have a "no mind"
attitude and respond to their leader's energy
(preferably in a way that makes them look hot). The
follows are also trained defensively against the score
of abusive boys out there. A good follow won't let a
lead knock her off her center or hyper-extend a
shoulder, elbow etc. Of course, a more highly trained
leader can push past those boundaries for some really
exceptional interactions, but that's another day's
discussion.

--Art

--- Sifu George <acifa@...> wrote:

> Lorene, you bring up several good points. You are
> right that there is a difference in "intent" which
> makes dance and martial arts different in several
> dimensions but do not be so quick to dismiss the
> similarities. It is true that the martial arts are,
> for the most part, the interaction of two
> conflicting entities. Whether it is two opponents,
> or the defense against an individual (or
> individuals) that is intending to cause harm on
> another, or the inner demons that we all have to
> face (and sometimes outer demons but that is another
> discussion). Dance on the other hand, when it is an
> interaction of two or more individuals in movement,
> it is movement WITH each other not AGAINST each
> other. Though the movements may be similar in
> nature but the intent of movement make it different.
>
>
>
>
> BUT it is also true that much of the martial arts
> have been hidden in dance. And there is a close
> relationship between dance and martial practice. In
> both Indonesia and the Philippines (as well as other
> countries), martial training and practice of the
> arts were at one time forbidden, so the martial
> movements were formed into dances so they could be
> practice without the rule class knowing. Also
> African dance often emulates the movements of the
> African warrior. The ancient Warrior Class of India
> (where Chinese Martial arts draws it direct roots
> to) practice what was called "Natas" which was a
> series of martial movements that would develop
> certain aspects of the martial nature and spirit. I
> was once told that our Forms (Kata) should never be
> changed and practiced as one is taught because there
> is ancient spirits and energies that are associated
> with those movements and when done right those
> spirits and energies are called on. Much the same
> way the ancient Natas were used. That so called
> Freedom you find in dancing can (and will in time)
> by found in the practice of martial movements. This
> may sound a bit goofy but I generally workout at the
> school on my lunch hours from work. Often I am
> there by myself. After training for about 30
> minutes, I will sometimes brake into martial
> movements that are free in nature. Sometimes on the
> wavemaster bag (which is not to stange) but
> sometimes I will just move through the room doing
> techniques fighting those "inner demons" which many
> look a little strange but Ialways close the door
> (for a number of reasons).
>
> So just keep training and walking the path. What
> you are looking for will be found.
>
>
>
> Zaijian,
>
> george
>
>
>
>
>
>
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