Why Principles Now?

Principles are what drive self-defense and many other aspects of combative arts or fighting arts. It is the ghost behind the door to conflict and they drive things along depending on knowledge, experience and how one applies them, i.e. either dark or light. As you study about the principles there are two exceptions to keep in mind. Steven J. Pearlman in his book of martial power tells them best:

"Principles of principles carry two exceptions, first, newer students might begin training with less-than-optimal versions of techniques. As with teaching students to generate power by chambering punches at the hip, the sacrifice of certain principles often proves temporarily permissible, to facilitate coordination and student growth, provided that students do not habituate poor habits. While less-than-optimally-principled motions might be acceptable for beginners, we must never employ unprincipled or counter-principles teachings." - Steven J. Pearlman, The Book of Martial Power

I see within this one quote the many issues that plague most practices of martial arts. This is why I advocate focusing on principles as the primary goal to martial arts study while things like techniques, combinations and other sundries tend to fall in place as you practice those with focus on principles. 

To follow up this with the following additional quote seems appropriate:

" ... do not succumb to what is easy or expedient. The fact that it might take time to understand and reconcile principles must not thwart our alliance with them." - Steven J. Pearlman, The Book of Martial Power

This seems to me to be the true obstacle to understanding and mastering any discipline to include martial arts. To remain disciplined enough to recognize that it is hard work, takes a lot of sweat equity and sometimes blood as well. It is hardest to come to the realization that nothing teaches you things better than the time you spend at it. It takes time to make it all work holistically. Maybe that is what is truly the thing to learn when studying anything, especially the fighting arts.

This brings out the third quote of note:

"It is not easy to admit the need for change or modification in techniques we have practiced for years. Follow the principles of principles means that we must at every given moment be willing to modify, if not completely re-envision, our techniques and training methods, even if that means disregarding years of previous practice and/or breaking from tradition." - Steven J. Pearlman, The Book of Martial Power 

All to often martial arts gets "stuck" in a rut and there is nothing harder to break away from than ego, pride and complacency. Be willing, be ready and attack the self with vigor and purpose. The journey is worth every single moment!

Bibliography:

Pearlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power." Overlook Press. N.Y. 2006.