The performance is fluid, precise, controlled and intense. It may look like a dance, but it's a fight - a fight with an invisible opponent, a fight against yourself.
Kata, a series of fighting moves, was one of several presentations Sunday night during the martial arts demonstration, which ended a week of events celebrating Asian culture.
Approximately 100 people attended the hour-long demonstration sponsored by the Asian American Student Association.
"We've had a few serious events, and we figured although the martial arts demonstration is at the end, it's fun to come out to," AASA President Lily Tsay said. "This is something all of us can enjoy."
Four local organizations - The Warrior's Heart, American School of Tae Kwon Do, Ball State Martial Arts Club and Sheridan's Martial Arts Center - showed katas, weapons and self-defense.
Demonstrators threw each other down on the blue mats, kicked each other in the face and punched each other in the ribs. Audience members sometimes jumped at the loud "thumps" when someone fell.
Beside being fun to watch, the demonstrations were meant to be educational and to show people an important part of Asian culture, said George Sheridan, renshi, or instructor, of Sheridan's Martial Arts Center. In Japan, events like this draw crowds of hundreds or even thousands of people, he said.
"A lot of the things we showed here were taught to samurai," said Sheridan, who is also Delaware Country Sheriff. "Here in America, people in the tournament scene and on TV have watered-down movements so they wouldn't work on the streets."
Ball State students also showed their skills with weapons demonstrations and choreographed fights. Freshman Anna Solloway began practicing Tae Kwon Do nine years ago and joined a club when she came to Ball State. She was the only female to present with the club and demonstrate nunchucks.
"I think it's amazing, putting on shows, entertaining and showing off what we can do," Solloway said.
Demonstrators invited audience members to come to the mats to learn basic defense moves to get away from an attacker. Senior Bernice Liang, an AASA member, volunteered although she knew little about martial arts.
"It was weird, I haven't done anything like that before," she said. "I didn't want to hit him with full force."
Martial arts are stereotyped in the United States, Tsay said, but the AASA didn't want to avoid a demonstration because of that.
"It is one of the more defining aspects of Asian culture you see on TV." she said, but she emphasized "there is no true idea of Asian culture unless you experience it."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
