How long does it take to master a martial arts style? I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard the line, “It takes a lifetime to master a martial art”. Specifically, I’ve heard this statement when discussing martial artists who train, hold black belt ranks in, and teach multiple styles of martial arts. This discussion often centers around whether or not you can be considered a master in more than one style. The reason against it usually brings about the statement, “if it takes a lifetime to master a martial art, then you can’t be a master in more than one art, as you only live one life.”

I guess that makes sense if you believe it takes a lifetime to master a martial art. But does it take a lifetime? As with many of the myths I tackle, it really all depends on how you define mastery of something. This is where so many of these myths and misconceptions go from black and white answers to all shades of grey.

In most scenarios, mastery relates to a specific act, be it physical or mental. Mastering a card trick or mastering a memory challenge usually comes down to the number of hours spent training the skill and one’s speed of learning something new and maintaining the skill. It’s pretty straight forward. Are they so good at the skill that they look to be flawless at it? Then they can be considered masters of that skill.

Martial arts mastery on the other hand, isn’t quite as straight forward. Looking only at one’s physical abilities in their art form can simplify things for this answer. Nearly every traditional martial art that implements a ranking system has the same idea on this. Under ranks (color belts before reaching black belt) are considered learning the basics. First degree black belt is considered being solid with the basics and beginning to truly learn the style. Second degree black belt, for most, is where all of the most physically demanding and complicated techniques reside.

This second degree rank is difficult for a reason. Most people who begin training as a youth, reach that second degree in their late teens or twenties. The potential peak of physical performance. Beyond that rank, while the material is still quite difficult, it begins to decline in the physical demands of the art. This is also due to the fact that most who surpass this rank have begun teaching and can no longer spend all of their time training. Teaching then provides a deeper understanding of the techniques, which provides more efficiency for oneself.

Therefore, if you are looking at mastery as a physical accomplishment, then it would be second degree black belt for most. Which, in most styles is between five and ten years of training. However, most martial arts systems don’t attach the title of “Master” until at least fourth degree black belt. For the three arts I train and teach in, it’s not until sixth degree black belt. This suggests that physical ability isn’t the pinnacle of mastering the art.

Note that the reason you don’t see the title of “Master” to a second degree is that one must spend time teaching to begin understanding the physical on a deeper level. Some people learn amovement without much thought behind it and rely on natural talent. But when they turn around and teach it to someone who doesn’t have that natural talent, they have to look closer at the technique than they needed to when they learned it themselves. This will help them find small errors in their own technique. This process can be never ending.

Traditional martial arts aren’t just about the physical either. This is where the mastery question turns even greyer. Recognize that Eastern Martial Arts has connections to eastern philosophy at the time of its development. Buddhism, Confucianism, personal development and cultural pride helped shape many of the early martial arts developers. Look no further than the symbolism and use of things like the yin/yang symbol (or taeguk in Korean), and use of dragons, the phoenix, bowing, and other formalities that may seem like they have nothing to do with self-defense training.

This isn’t to say that a martial art is religious or demands one to be spiritual. Some include this element, many do not. But traditional martial arts, much like many belief systems, teach morals and ways to live one’s life in what they deem a proper and respectable way. This is part of what makes this mastery discussion more difficult as there are more demands on martial artist than just punching and kicking.

However, with all of that said, I don’t believe it takes a lifetime to master a martial art. There is so much to learn in every art, that a lifetime isn’t enough to “complete” it as there is no end. Without and definitive end, then we can’t set the mastery line at the end. I think the best way to determine how long it takes to master a martial art is where it’s already set. As mentioned above, most arts place the title of “Master” between fourth degree and sixth degree black belt.

I think this is a great place for it to be. It’s past the second degree where most will agree the bulk of physical demands will be, and given enough time to turn around and teach the art. And learning the culture and formalities is ongoing from day one, and I feel this rank is enough time to have a strong understanding of it. How long does this take? Generally speaking, about thirty years. While there is still a massive amount to learn, a martial artists will have a really strong understanding of their art by this time.

Obviously, this can fluctuate as some people train vigorously every day and delve into their arts immediately. These students can get there faster, but time is still needed even with the knowledge and training there. Others train as more of a hobby and teach as a side job. This mastery will take longer. Either way, I wouldn’t consider it taking a lifetime to master a martial art. It will be a lifelong study due to the massive amount to information out there for even just one art. But a lifelong study doesn’t equate to a lifelong mastery.