Why do Martial Artists Break Board and Bricks? Somnath Sikdar, a lifelong practitioner of Martial Arts, Malvern resident offers a demonstration of a 5-cinder block break.
There are many reasons and benefits for the martial arts practitioner to practice and demonstrate breaking techniques. These include:
- Measuring or testing the force of various strikes: Punches, open handed, elbows, kicks, etc
- Testing the tempering of the striking point: knuckles, heel of the foot, instep of the foot, elbow, edge of the hand, etc
- Evaluating proper technique
- Developing confidence
- Creating motivation to train or train harder in the martial arts
Many argue or debate the efficacy of breaking techniques to the martial arts (or fighting) in general. There is no guarantee or certain correlation between breaking ability and martial arts (or fighting) ability. If one is an exceptional board breaker it does not ensure prowess in the ring or perfect martial arts technique. However, what it does develop and demonstrate is the student's commitment, discipline and patience to "own" a skill. It shows that they care to excel and are willing to do what it takes in order to do so. These traits will make the trainee a better martial artist and potentially a better fighter. Click HERE to set up a Free Trial Lesson in Master Sikdar's Martial Arts Program Master Somnath Sikdar is the Head Instructor at the Dragon Gym and has been training in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido for over 25 years under Grandmaster Chae Teok Goh. He is currently a Fifth degree black belt and is certified by the World Taekwondo Headquarters (Kukkiwon). As a lifelong student of martial arts malvern resident, he is dedicated to spreading the benefits of traditional martial arts training and healthy living to the chester
county community. His training has covered a broad spectrum of martial arts to include a variety of weapons, self-defense, traditional and sport Tae Kwon Do. He has also studied Hapkido under Grandmaster Han Jae Ji. In conjunction with martial arts, he instructs training with the Russian Kettlebell, and holds the Level 1 RKC and Level 1 SFG Certifications. While the focus of kettlebell and barbell training is strength, the other side of the same coin is function and quality of movement. For this reason, Master Sikdar uses the functional movement screen with his students and is a Level 1 and Level 2 certified FMS expert. Master Sikdar has competed successfully in local, state, and collegiate tournaments. In addition, he continues to study western boxing, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has attained a BSE in Electrical Engineering, along with minors in Systems Science and Economics, from the University of Pennsylvania. While completing this degree he was the President, Head Instructor, and Coach of the University of Pennsylvania WTF Tae Kwon Do Team. Master Sikdar still coaches competitive Taekwondo athletes and is an active advisor to the UPENN WTFTKD Team and the West Chester University Taekwondo Team.
Dragon Gym has two locations in Chester County Pa
Dragon Gym HQ in Exton, PA - www.dragongym.com
Dragon Gym Main Line in Berwyn, PA - www.berwynmartialarts.com
