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Ask Forrest Morgan

September 30, 2009 | Author: Matthew | Filed under: Martial Arts

Hey everyone. I’m working on a very exciting project right now. I recently got in contact with Forrest Morgan, author of Living the Martial Way, and he agreed to do an interview for the site. Swish!

Mr. Morgan’s book is easily one of the most important martial arts texts I’ve ever read, and I know it has influenced a good many of you readers as well.

I thought, given this rare opportunity, that I wouldn’t hoard the question-asking all to myself. Instead I’m going to submit a few reader inspired questions as well!

What would you like to ask Mr. Morgan – Something about his personal training? Details about a concept in his book? His take on the modern martial arts scene? Who he prefers, Superman or Batman? Let your imagination loose. Include your question in the comments section below (or email me at ikigai 108 @ gmail . com).

Together we can get a lot of valuable information from one of today’s leading martial minds.

* * *

UPDATE: The interview has been conducted and posted live! Part 1 can be found here, and part 2 here.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 and is filed under Martial Arts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

xygoxen
  • I'd ask him how how stays motivated to train after umpteen years in TKD, jiu-jitsu, or whatever he's involved in these days. That's assuming the ol' boy is still at it. I'm sure he is.

    I believe he co-wrote a book a while back on Imperial Japan and also one on global terrorism. I'd be tempted to ask him about his thoughts on the war in Iraq and the possibility of Al-Quaeda cells in the US and how to deal with that, from a civilian's perspective. It may seem a bit off topic, but then some of Morgan's anecdotes (from LTMW) that dealt with his time in the military were always cleverly directed back to traditional martial arts concepts like honor, courage, etc.

    Looking forward to that interview.
  • I'm interested in how he keeps himself on track? Is there any kind of an obstacle, be it mental or physical that you've had to work through in order to make yourself a better martial artist?
  • I'm a HUGE fan of that book; and it did indeed change my approach to training. Please keep everyone informed of your endeavor!
  • I have to confess that I haven't heard of Forrest Morgan before (I am a relative newbie to martial arts) and so haven't read his book. However, I assume from the title that he is a traditionalist. I would want to ask him a question about women in martial arts. I base my question on the premise that traditional fighting arts were developed by men for men to fight other men and are thus best suited for the male physique. As a consequence of this I tend to think that women are slightly square pegs in round holes when it comes to learning a traditional martial art and we have to make it 'fit' to our physiques as best we can. With this in mind does Mr Morgan think that traditional martial arts training techniques should be adapted to help women learn techniques that play to their physiological strengths i.e techniques that utilise their proportionately greater core strength, adapting kicks to take account of a womens different shaped pelvis (which affects the angle of articulation of the hip), learning techniques that compensate for a woman's lack of upper body strength etc. Or does he think women should just get on with it and train the same as men?

    A bit long winded this question I know - but an important one for women.
  • wenhsiu
    Sue, in traditional internal systems like Taiji and Qigong you find differentiation in techniques for men and women, mainly because women are Yin in relation to men being Yang.

    Taekwondo is very suitable for female fighters due to the emphasis on leg techniques, which not only compensates for relative smaller upper body strength, but also proves beneficial to women's physical well-being due to the high kicking and stretching involved.

    Did you know that Wing Chun Chuen was devised by a woman?
  • That's very interesting about Taiji and Qigong, I must look into that more. Perhaps the Chinese were a bit more enlightened about male/female differences than the Japanese! No I didnt know that Wing Chun Chuen was devised by a woman - who was she? I do karate so may be I didn't pick the most female friendly martial art, but you can only do what's available in your local area. Thank you for your comments.
  • wenhsiu
    It's my pleasure. It's not every day I get the opportunity to discuss
    martial arts with a woman. I tend to think of karate as a hybrid of
    various Chinese and Japanese styles.

    Remember what I said about Taekwondo? Well. The same kicks are found
    in the popular styles of Karate nowadays. So, you have the tools to
    develop your own style. I have even found elements of Taiji and Qigong
    in Karate (Usually they are in those bits in your katas that don't
    make any sense.)

    Besides that, Karate (Especially the Shotokan-based styles) also
    contain techniques from ju-jutsu. The punching and kicking parts (and
    the flowery parts of the katas)- are Chinese.

    Sorry- I am rambling now. Wing Chun was developed by a Shaolin Nun
    called Ng Mui. She noticed the plight of a young girl called Wing Chun
    (Her name means "Beautiful Spring") and taught her this new art to
    defend her self against an unscrupulous landlord who wanted to force
    her into marriage. The art was subsequently named after her.

    Enjoy your training.
  • Wenhsiu: Thanks for sharing all this knowledge with me. You've given me enough to go and research this a bit more myself. I think I will write a blog post about it on my blog in the near future.

    Matt: hope you didn't mind us hogging your blog for this conversation (:
  • wenhsiu
    Sue, I can tell you that since the early times martial artists have known that a woman's technique would be different. In Chinese internal arts like taiji and the systems of qigong you even find techniques or methods of using techniques which are specifically for women. Regarding qi, this woul be because women are yin in relation to males being yang.

    I have noted that Taekwondo appears very suitable for female fighters, not only because of the emphasis on leg techniques, but also because of the health benefits the stretching and high kicking holds for women.
    Which art are you practicing now?

    Oh! Did you know that Wing Chun Chuen was devised by a nun?
  • This is going to take some serious thought.

    Great interview grab Mattsan!


    Branden from Atlanta -
  • Think quickly! I only want to wait one or two more days at the most.
  • Bob
    It has been a long time since I read the book. I would ask, What are his views on the arts getting watered down from organizational splits, internet masters, and lack of dedication to long term training.
  • One of the first "martial philosophy" books that I read. Good stuff.

    I too am curious about his training, but moreso if his training has changed in recent times. Not just the giant popularity of MMA, but also the rise of more "reality based" training systems e.g. Tony Blauer's SPEAR system, ShivWorks/SouthNarc's tactics and combatives, etc.. And like Brandon wrote, incorporation of modern weaponry (e.g. firearms). If his training has changed in light of this stuff, what he thinks of such training, etc..

    I'd also be curious how things have changed since he wrote the book. Has he realized anything different or new? Does he still feel the same way? How about reader reactions to his book? Just wondering if since the publication of the book what has changed for him (in the context of the book material): maybe what got stronger, weaker, deeper understanding, things realized on his own, things realized because of insights shared by readers, etc..

    If I can think of any other questions, I'll come back and post them.
  • I agree, questions about ones training experiences are always good to hear. maybe any stories of past training experiences which are interesting. Also I like hearing about current training he undertakes and his views on supplemental training (weights, cardio etc) to accomodate martial arts etc. A lot of people have mixed feelings about this and it would be good to hear his opinions.
  • Ha Ha, ya im Sorry. No disrespect meant. I can sometimes be a bit of a realist & My mouth filter gets a bit jammed at times. Happens when you train with Military & Law Enforcement personnel in the "Arts" after so many years.

    Its just in a lot of Dojo's even mine (not all), teach a plethora of "Traditional" Knife techniques, which is fine for traditions sake, building a foundation or developing a mind set.
    But not very "Real World" it can create an Illusion or a false sense of security,
    I especially as a new Shodan succumbed to this Illusion that I could dispatch even the most Shady of Bar Dwelling Ruffians with a blade
    (ah to be a new Shodan,it means beginner for a reason ha ha).
    But hey, without that foundation I would have never landed on the path I am on & traveling now. anyways...
    Im excited to join the group & cant wait to see Mr. Morgan's responses. I'm glad your doing this. Keep up the good work! also if you have time check out
    http://www.itstactical.com
    they also have a Facebook at
    http://www.facebook.com/ITStactical
  • Thanks for being a part of the group brandon, and I'll check out those links.
  • What are some of the styles you have studied as in what "Ryu" of Jujitsu etc.
    & why is it that most martial artist don't also study stuff like Handgun tactics like for concealed carry & serious Knife tactics. Not the 1/2 ass Knife defenses taught in most Antiquated systems. It just seems like that would also be relevant to a modern day Warrior along with a bit of first aid training. Ok that was more than one question. Great Book! I suggest it to people all the time!!!
  • great question, but I would probably reword it to not contain the term 1/2 ass. haha!
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