| In the recently-released movie "The Last | | | | and so on. |
| Airbender," the hero Aang has a unique blend of | | | | However, it's impossible to use martial arts to |
| supernatural skills that make him the only one able | | | | project our internal energy outside ourselves. The |
| to end war and destruction. He also happens to | | | | action shown in The Last Airbender implies |
| be a gifted martial artist. Based on the success of | | | | otherwise, but we need to remember it's just a |
| the original cartoon, and coming as it does on the | | | | movie with a good story. Apart from Hollywood, |
| heels of "The Karate Kid," "The Last Airbender" is | | | | some practitioners claim to be able project their |
| fueling the imaginations of many and maintaining | | | | energy into another human with just a slight |
| the public's increased interest in martial arts. The | | | | touch, or even without touching them. The claims |
| fact that the star, Noah Ringer, is a black belt has | | | | may sound interesting, but there is ample |
| raised interest even further. | | | | evidence to debunk them. |
| However, the strong presence of martial arts in | | | | At a legitimate martial arts school, you won't learn |
| "The Last Airbender" raises some questions: is | | | | to control elements with mystical powers. |
| there a link between mystical powers and martial | | | | Through traditional training, however, you will learn |
| arts? And can training allow you to develop these | | | | to control yourself, not just physically but also |
| powers? | | | | mentally and spiritually. You will learn to control |
| There are some who answer "yes" to both these | | | | your environment and stay safe by projecting |
| questions. It's a controversial subject, and | | | | confidence and using awareness. And you will learn |
| discussing it can generate more heat than light. | | | | the skills needed to control and defeat your |
| Based on my experience, I believe the answer to | | | | adversary in case you ever need to defend |
| both questions is "no." | | | | yourself. |
| It's no secret that the human body runs on a | | | | When you decide to train in martial arts, look for |
| natural energy process. To the Westerner, this | | | | a school that will help you reach these goals. You |
| energy takes the form of bioelectricity controlled | | | | may not be able to do control the elements like |
| by the nervous system. Easterners refer to | | | | Aang, but you don't need to. Disciplined martial |
| internal energy as qi (Chinese) or ki (Japanese | | | | arts training will give you all the tools you need to |
| Korean), and use a more holistic approach to their | | | | be successful. |
| concept of energy flow. Regardless of your | | | | When you decide to train in martial arts, look for |
| perspective, there is ample evidence that careful | | | | a school that will help you reach these goals. You |
| training can teach you to control your internal | | | | may not be able to do control the elements like |
| energy to some extent. Students have been | | | | Aang, but you don't need to. Disciplined training will |
| training for years to be able to control breathing, | | | | give you all the tools you need to be successful. |
| transmit more energy with their strikes and kicks, | | | | |