Can Martial Arts Make You The Last Airbender?

Mr. Craig Willits, Chief Instructor at Spotsylvania Martial Arts in Fredericksburg VA, considers the movie The Last Airbender and answers the question, "Can martial arts training give you mystical powers?"

In the recently-released movie The Last Airbender, the hero Aang has a unique blend of supernatural skills that make him the only one able to end war and destruction.  He also happens to be a gifted martial artist.  Based on the success of the original cartoon, and coming as it does on the heels of The Karate Kid, The Last Airbender is fueling the imaginations of many and maintaining the public's increased interest in martial arts.  The fact that the star, Noah Ringer, is a martial arts black belt has raised interest even further.

However, the strong presence of martial arts in The Last Airbender raises some questions: is there a link between mystical powers and martial arts?  And can martial arts training allow you to develop these powers?

There are some in the martial arts world who answer "yes" to both these questions.  It's a controversial subject, and discussing it can generate more heat than light.  Based on my experience in the martial arts, I believe the answer to both questions is "no."

It's no secret that the human body runs on a natural energy process.  To the Westerner, this energy takes the form of bioelectricity controlled by the nervous system.  Easterners refer to internal energy as qi (Chinese) or ki (Japanese/Korean), and use a more holistic approach to their concept of energy flow.  Regardless of your perspective, there is ample evidence that careful martial arts training can teach you to control your internal energy to some extent.  Students of martial arts have been training for years to be able to control breathing, transmit more energy with their strikes and kicks, and so on.

However, it's impossible to use martial arts to project our internal energy outside ourselves.  The martial arts acgtion shown in The Last Airbender implies otherwise, but we need to remember it's just a movie with a good story.  Apart from Hollywood, some martial arts instructors claim to be able project their energy into another human with just a slight touch, or even without touching them.  The claims may sound interesting, but there is ample evidence to debunk them.

At a legitimate martial arts school, you won't learn to control elements with mystical powers.  Through traditional martial arts training, however, you will learn to control yourself, not just physically but also mentally and spiritually.  You will learn to control your environment and stay safe by projecting confidence and using awareness.  And you will learn the martial arts skills needed to control and defeat your adversary in case you ever need to defend yourself.

When you decide to train in martial arts, look for a school that will help you reach these goals.  You may not be able to do control the elements like Aang, but you don't need to.  Disciplined martial arts training will give you all the tools you need to be successful.

Spotsylvania Martial Arts offers a free trial program in the following areas:

• Tiny Tigers (Martial Arts Pre-Skill Program for Ages 4-6): Physical and Mental Agility, Focus, Awareness, Child Safety
• Traditional Martial Arts for Children (Ages 6-12): Better Grades, Self-Discipline, Respect, Enhanced Focus, Child Safety
• Traditional Martial Arts for Teens & Adults (Ages 13 and Up): Self-Discipline, Physical Fitness, Goal-Setting, Self Defense
  

Spotsylvania Martial Arts Training Facility
4100 Lafayette Blvd, Fredericksburg VA 22408
Commerce Center Plaza (across from Spotswood Baptist Church)
Phone: 540-891-9008

Website: spotsybba.com; Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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