Fighting and leaving no one behind: promoting engagement in combat practices through phenomenology

Titel Fighting and leaving no one behind: promoting engagement in combat practices through phenomenology

Autor*innen

Zitationsvorschlag

Telles, T. (2020) „Fighting and leaving no one behind: promoting engagement in combat practices through phenomenology“, Journal of Martial Arts Research, 3(3). doi: 10.15495/ojs_25678221_33_127.

Abstract

This paper aims to present and discuss the “Fighting and leaving no one behind” activity, as a strategy to promote engagement through the LNOB (Leave No One Behind) perspective in MA&CS (Martial Arts & Combat Sports). As a philosophical and methodological inspiration, phenomenology was chosen to comprehending each phenomenon from its own structure with strategies which are not apart from the reality of those who live it. We highlight the importance of creating strategies in both reflexive and pre-reflexive ways, as while fighting the body constantly moves and there is not much time for the practitioner to reflect before choosing and doing each technique. As a reflexive tool, we present biographical storytelling from those in vulnerable groups who have succeeded in MA&CS (not only as a competitor, but also as a researcher, a coach, etc.). These stories can enable people from vulnerable groups to feel represented in this field. In order to develop pre-reflexive approaches, we consider diverse MA&CS activities in mixed groups. These practices aim to explore not only previous developed techniques in each MA&CS but also to promote corporal learning, self-expression, psychological and interpersonal abilities. The more we encourage people to practice it, the more we let them have a different kind of embodied experience in their lives, especially when respecting the way each one in each culture is able to do it.