Does your Martial Arts discipline define who you are? Example: Does grappler = Brawler?

I've been told that a person chooses his or her own martial arts style on the kind of personality they have or their tendencies as a person. I don't totally agree with that ideology because that would mean that an extremely agressive style such as Jujitsu or Muay Thai, Krav Mag etc... would mean that person is the same. I've seen too many examples of where it isnt.

Does your Martial Arts discipline define who you are? Example: Does grappler = Brawler?
I do not believe this to be true.


People are limited geographically to their style. They must and can only study what is available to them.





I say find a good school not a good style.
Reply:I don't agree that a person chooses their specialty based on their personality but I do believe that the style they choose affects the perception others have of them in the ring. A person who excels in Jujitsu and can strike well on their feet often have more exciting fights than those who have a background in wrestling and have the strategy to just take a person down and trying to grab some quick tops on the ground.
Reply:I took Tae Kwon Do. It was ok, but I think if I was to take another martial art it would be Kung Fu. I like the old TV show Kung Fu that I can't think of any other style that would satisfy me.





I'm on probation for felony weapons violations against my neighbor. No style satisfies any aggression. I no longer find violence to be the answer for normal situations. But I think that forms, military type discipline. and technique, and history of the martial art itself are what interest me.





I even enjoyed learning the Tai Chi form, and it doesn't involve any fighting. Peace
Reply:Hi there





Now this is a interesting question. I think it would be wrong to say that the art defines the person. I think a person picks their art based on their interests, needs, build and ability. It would be wrong to say that everyone who trains in BJJ and Thai Boxing is a brawler. But these arts do seem to attract people with that kind of mentality just as Ninjutsu attracts the nut jobs.





However you usually find that people who begin training with the wrong intentions usually quit training after 3 months because it requires commitment and its just too much hard work for them. So no the art doesn't influence a practitioners behaviour. People are People regards of the art form they choose to practice.








Best wishes





idai
Reply:I'd say Isshinryu partially defines what I am.
Reply:I used to wrestle, and box and was never aggressive or anything, I actually never wanted to fight even when a win was guaranteed! But sometimes you cant avoid fighting stupid people but thats just a whole nother story.
Reply:I don't believe the disciplline you study "defines" who you are by any means, however, in large metropolitan areas where many different disciplines are readily available, personality preferences and traits may play a role in the initial decision on which discipline to begin studying.





I would hope however, that whatever discipline was begun, the structure of the program would be such that the indiviudal would transcend that initial impulse that motivated all of us to begin our journey, and it would mature into a fuller understanding of themselves, the art they are studying, and the many benefits they enjoy through participation.





Almost everyone I know within the martial arts began their study for one reason, and continue to study for many entirely different reasons.





I do believe some people are undoubtedly drawn to certain disciplines as a result of media attention (or hype), perceived social status that may be accured from the art, and a number of similar reasons. In some sense, the reverse of your question may therfore be true, that the persona of the discipline in a particular area or envionrment may attract particular personalities. I think we can see that clearly reflected often on this very forum :)








Ken C


9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do


8th Dan TaeKwon-Do


7th Dan YongChul-Do