Having Fun with Martial Arts

Having fun with martial arts or any such combative system is important. I have heard this expressed as an important part of learning self-protection but what I wonder is when a practitioner is told to have fun what is their perception of the term "fun." I think it is important to understand how fun is used in this and it then becomes important to convey to the practitioner what fun is so that it remains beneficial to self-protection.

I do get kind of hung up on terms and meanings simply because communications is such a difficult concept even when everything is equal and at its absolute best. The gentle art of verbal self-defense series has taught me the difficulty of conveying meaning, accurate and true meaning, as it may be perceived and understood by the recipient. So, in the training hall, it becomes important that when a sensei says, have fun with it, he or she must explain by word and example how that is accomplished without losing site of the actual goal that is most serious, i.e. self-defense when it goes physical, if it goes physical.

Fun, as to western means in general, means enjoyment, amusement, or lighthearted pleasure. Synonyms are amusement, joke, sport, jest, lark, entertainment or as verb when used to express a joke or tease, i.e. no need to get angry, I was only kidding.

So, I would ask for a deeper explanation of what they mean in having some fun with the training and practice for self-protection, self-defense, and/or martial arts. I would emphasize that one must remain connected to the seriousness of battle, fighting or defensive measures if for no other reason then the mind must perceive the actions trained when the mind encounters the violence, pain and damage that is usually caused when defense/protection is necessary and unavoidable.