Shield's Up!

Your going about your daily business. You have the hairs on the back of your neck go tingly. Say out loud at a level your ears can hear yet not so loud anyone can actually perceive what you said and say, "Shield's UP!"

Your paying attention to your instincts, your intuition, your inner voice that is saying, "something is not right." Your shield's are up now that you spoke the words and your going to train yourself to do two things, open your awareness and keep moving.

Whether stationary or moving you start or keep moving. Say it out load in the same manner, i.e. "Shield's up - move."

Your awareness is peaked so you scan as you move. Say it out loud in the same manner, i.e. "Shield's up - move - scan."

About now your saying, "How embarrassing, I am not going say anything out loud - everyone will think I am nuts." Ok, but I can say that talking out loud will help you immensely to retrieve those actions and intent better and will assist in keeping your body and mind from freezing. Remember that to keep moving and scanning will assist you in keeping the vision from tunneling, it will keep you breathing since you have to in order to speak out loud, and your peripheral vision while scanning will pick up more. Important as well you will be less likely to focus on one thing that catches the eye thus tend to stop moving and remain stationary.

While you are speaking out loud, becoming aware, moving, and scanning you want to assume a SD kamae which says two things, 1 - Your are not a threat and 2 - you are not a victim. If you take some aggressive position be it stationary or moving the threat may take that as a challenge. If you fall into a body posture or movement that is viewed as submissive or fearful it also will promote the threat to attack.

I will put my arms up with one across my stomach and the  other with the elbow in my open hand and that arm's hand up under my face and chin in a position that says I am contemplating something or thinking seriously but accompanied with the scans, etc. will "tell" others I am not an easy target, I am not a victim.

In that position if I need to move fast to get away I can assume a Dracula pose (Rory: Sorry can't remember what you called it) so I can charge through any blocks or barriers, etc. to seek and get to safety. You know, Bela Lagosi pose with the cape when he approaches Abbot in Abbot and Costelo meet Dracula ... you know ....

This is another way to keep you out of a freeze and moving. I feel this is a good fundamental strategy to avoid dangerous situations. It is not meant as any type of protection agains really violent and unexpected attacks from predators. You can say if you are aware that your instincts and intuition would give just enough warning to get shield's up and all that other stuff. If you practice to do this it will become a bit more natural and instinctive so it will happen fast (I understand reading it makes it seem like a longer process but not really.).

Phony Power vs. Real Power

Hmmmm, interesting view of things and evident through out our lives with particular emphasis on martial systems today where things denote power yet may or may not be true power. There is power that emanates from a person and then there is power that tends to be aggressive and dominant in nature. The question is which do you wield? The next question will be which one would you prefer to wield?

I quote, "Phony power is always tied to something else you have - a weapon or title or the trappings of wealth or the protectie infulence of some other person. It can be easily taken away at any time when someone arrives with a bigger weapon, a more important title, more money, or a mentor with more clout than yours." "When phone power is all you rely on, you never know how long your turn at the top is going to be."

All this and more tend to make a phony power person nervous, tense, always sizing up the upcoming threat, and always checking their power and strength against others. Fear they will lose their perceived power - phony power.

In MA systems you see it when folks get a belt color, in those who have been there longer with greater ability, and with some instructors. You can see this sometimes in the manner of the instructor and how the atmosphere is when in session practicing and in particular during sparring. Sometimes you can tell it is phony but unconscious when a guest partakes in a class where they tend to resist their participation in certain ways.

When someone enters a room most can perceive real power in a person by instinct yet will wonder what it is about that person or what is it that makes that person appear so powerful. I am not saying physical appearance as to strength and bravado but one who appears nondescript and average yet exudes a sense of power. That person most often will be quiet and un-assuming, etc. I can tell you I tend to look around and study participants in a dojo because I know that my instincts and intuition will tell me who has real power and who has phony power.

Example: One time at a dinner party a man walked in to the room and I knew he did because I got this really uncomfortable feeling so I looked behind me where the entry door was located and saw him. In this particular case I felt in the presence of something very powerful and in this one instance a very dangerously powerful person. I later understood that he was a hatchet man who actually had many of the traits of a psychopath/sociopath. I kept my eyes and ears open for the remainder of the dinner. It does happen and you can know if you are aware.

I am not sure I am articulating this well in written form so if it seems foggy let me know in a comment to I may expand.

Last, how can you tell what kind of power, at any level, you have? Ask the question, "Can it be taken away?" Real power is not subject to anyone or anything and phony power can be taken by someone who appears with more rank, more systems of MA, more clout, more connections in the organization, someone who cannot be spoiled by the unscrupulous or careless behavior of others.

In MA if you feel that someone can take away your power as a black belt simply by saying and/or requiring you put on a white belt and start all over again then you have phony power. Once you achieve a level of proficiency you have it forever regardless of the color belt, the trophies, the accolades, the patches, or any other external validated source. Power, real power, is that power within each of us that is unaffected by any other outside source, it cannot be removed once attained under any circumstances. It cannot be taken away. If it can, it ain't real - it is phony.

Sensei - a powerful title yet it can be taken away.
O'Sensei - also powerful, yet it too can be taken away.
Winner - powerful and can provide self-confidence yet it can be easily taken away causing a loss of esteem and confidence.
Grandmaster - denotes one of great ability and power yet it can be removed resulting in a loss of power and ability.

These and many other things I can barely think of tend to be titles or outward power symbols, etc. yet if a group, association, or such decides to ignore them or pass the word that it is phony and the holder is a phony then the power is gone.

When you practice, when you test, when you compete, when you work with Kohai, do you act with power? Or, do you just have it and kohai, competitors, test panels, etc. just act toward you with a respect for your real power from within? Some things to consider as you progress through the path of the martial arts. This also helps us to understand that to practice with out a balancing opposite it will end up phony, not real.

Verbal Self-Defense

Lets be frank, SD is complicated and for the majority keeping it away from the physical is the best strategy. A good tactic if avoidance was not possible is to resort to VSD or Verbal Self Defense. I have spoken of it, it is covered in many sources, and it can be very, very effective with one small caveat. It is not for the novice or beginner. If you misjudge many things in attempting to use VSD it can trigger reactions you were not wanting or want to avoid.

So, the question comes up of "How do you practice the art of VSD?" Much like fighting there are limitations that may or may not result in good training and practice. It is also to be noted that even with those who advocate VSD as a part of your SD tool box they don't actually provide you with any types of training or practice. I would venture to guess that this is because of its difficulty. No one situation will be repeated in another - each is so unique it makes it very difficult to train and practice.

Look at those who perform hostage negotiations, a type of verbal self defense or better verbal protection of others as well as the actual threat. You have persons who are trained in many different disciplines that take on this job. A general police person does not do this unless no other choice is available, it is too dangerous to all concerned.

If you have no choice then you have to do something other than allow it to become physical. Remember that sometimes violence is of the type where your in it deep before you even know it so VSD may not be available but lets hope you never, ever, have to deal with that.

So, back again, how do you train and practice. My only suggestion is to acquire as much knowledge as possible on the subject. I can recommend highly the book by Suzette Elgin, "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." I am not an expert yet I have found that this starter is great if it does nothing else but make you aware of certain things regarding verbalization of thoughts and idea's.

I discourage drills or what you might perceive as reality training in VSD. It is too easy to get caught up in those pre-planned drills because awareness of the training and practice much like research tends to change the environment and intent. It is and can be too controlled and you don't want folks to think that what is practiced in that light is all that you need, etc. Remember, hostage negotiators and those who talk down the person on a high ledge are not relying on drills or practice in controlled environments. They tend to do a great deal of associative training, i.e. working with experienced persons for long training periods before ever venturing into lone encounters of hostage/suicide type situations.

Remember, I am only posting to get you thinking and I am not even beginning to cover all its complexities. I am personally training and practicing in my life because I have discovered that I am one who has used aggressive verbalization and am not proud of it so find that I am more aware of what I say and what others say to me.

It becomes important to me to use this awareness in my personal relationship so it remains a loving and personal relationship yet I am also using it in an environment that most never consciously consider as a war zone, work. This can be practiced at work with other staff and especially those in management positions. You will be surprised when you read this book, and others, when you are aware and thus recognize the bait/triggers when you or others have conversations. I even discovered through my efforts where my Verbalizations originate and they were necessary then yet not now yet I was still using them unconsciously.

Anyway, if you can apply the knowledge in life then hopefully you will be able to apply it in a high tension, with possible physical intent, situations to your benefit. If nothing else your VSD may provide you an opening to take the very best SD move, RUN for SAFETY!

I just wanted to post on this thought, "how to train, practice and learn VSD." Start with the book by Ms. Elgin. I want to say last that the reason I went for this book is because Mr. Rory Miller provided a full paragraph in his bibliography at the end of "Facing Violence" which meant to me, if he is that serious about the book then I had better read it myself - glad I did, a good beginning on VSD.

Note: The last the last chapter in the gentle art of verbal self-defense, i.e. "Conclusion: Emergency Techniques," and the very last technique, "Verbal Self-Defense against Physical Violence." She has some excellent recommendations that can be coupled with what Rory Miller provides in Facing Violence.

Awareness + Retention + Intent

I like three's! It appears in so many of the ancient classics as well as many of Nature's ways. In the martial systems as originate from Asian sources there are three distinct traits that must be combined in a symbiotic way to achieve proficiency. They are:

1 - Awareness.
2 - Retention.
3 - Intent.

AWARENESS: one cannot be or become aware if the knowledge is not encoded in the brain. Simply to become aware of something is knowledge but to make good use of it the brain must encode it so it can be retrieved when needed. What happens with some is they acquire the knowledge then "assume" that because they became "aware" of it, it will be there when they need it - not true.

RETENTION: is where the brain/mind retains the information and then encodes it - stores it in either or short-term/long-term memory. It then is retrieved when the proper stimulus is encountered. Retention must be of the kind that makes this particular memory available. It you become aware of it, then you practice it for a period, it will be retained yet as to retrieval - that is another issue that complicates things a bit.

INTENT: to become aware and to retain it readily available is our intent when we first acquire the knowledge then the intent of the practice and training that will encode it so a stimulus will retrieve it along with other actions, etc. to properly respond to said stimulus. This part comes up a lot where one feels the need to learn SD, the attend a three day seminar guaranteed to give you what you need and desire, and then it is assumed that those three days will encode the process so when you need it years down the road it will be there for you - NOT!

Even when we implement all three in our training and practice we may find that for it to be available takes a considerable bit more work and effort. Our intent in this part is to realize that nothing comes easy and if we intend to keep it a viable and available action it must be practiced. Here is another crux to the situation, that practice cannot be static. If it becomes static then it falls prey to a very specific and narrow stimulus and when you encounter any variation you will freeze.

Kata is a ritualized and patterned practice that if not taken past the fundamental stage promotes this very stagnate and unreliable intent. Even the drills used fundamentally if not taken outside that narrow corridor of practice/training train the mind to work only in that one narrow view and anything that appears outside that narrow corridor will cause a freeze. Why it is so important to take kata and its practice beyond the limited teaching method of gross movement into much more.

Another issue in this trilogy is to allow our minds to close off to anything outside the tribes belief system so they remain ineffective. In order to see and hear more than what the doctrine of the tribe prescribes one must allow for all data to have possibilities and that it takes more than the initial exposure to the new knowledge to find it value or lack thereof.

The ability to change and to allow for inaccuracies and insufficient data is critical for any and all of martial principles, etc. to achieve its intended goals. The ability to allow for error and correction is difficult yet the benefits will be enormous.

Retention and Intent could be replaced by "encoding and refreshing." Awareness is to open the mind to the possibilities; retention is encoding the data to the brain; refreshing is to practice and train with an awareness to change things accordingly to remain proficient.

The Do in Karate-Do

What does "Do or Way" mean when attached to karate? Some feel it is a more meta-physical thing while others believe it a spiritual aspect so, which is it or are either of these two applicable?

Look at the word and character for a bit of clarity and of course change your upbringing, customs, and courtesies so you will actually have a reference point similar to those who first coined the term with martial systems at the time, place and belief systems of that person.

Ok, now, take a look today. Way is also referred to as a path, a road, a direction, a way of, care of, a street, an alley, a means, a moral principle, a route, etc. If one takes the meaning of the character then to follow the way of the empty hand means to practice it wholeheartedly.

Karate, traditionally and as originally intended, did not have some special philosophical spiritual meaning to its practice. It was assumed that the natural beliefs and morals of the people of Okinawa, i.e. as referenced by the way they interpreted the honorary title of "bushi," was a part of the person who happened to practice the Okinawan system of Tou-di.

This seems to me much like the practice of the formalities of the dojo. The dojo, in Japan, didn't require it because it as assumed a natural act in every day life that simply carried over into the dojo. We, Americans, assumed. I would extrapolate that into a reason simply stated, "We never took it beyond the dojo walls and studied the customs and courtesies and beliefs of the people of Japan and in the case of karate Okinawans.

Karate is karate, an empty handed system of fighting that has progressed into an economical sport oriented system of physical fitness that can be combative or a form of protection but depends on the intent of the practitioner and their ability to go outside the box currently taught.

If we assigned some spiritual meaning to the reference of the "Way or Do" that is ok. It should not be assumed that adding the suffix of ".Do" gives some special and possibly specific meaning to the practice of any martial system including the Okinawan system of karate.

Those who practice my system might find that even the inference provided by the ken-po goku-i is not even a way but simply a reference point to help us understand the Okinawan peoples even if it may take us to such ancient writings as the I Ching, Bubishi, and Tao-te-ching, etc.

What would be the most appropriate way to describe the core fundamental and traditional form of Okinawa empty hand? Charles Goodin provides that answer in his post, "No 'Do'," "In fact, it was more common for karate to be written as "karate jutsu (art or skill)."

Isshinryu, my system, more accurately as I try to practice is karate-jutsu with ken-po goku-i as a guide to the esoteric traits taught "separately" from the ancient classics of China.

Other quotes I liked in Goodin Sensei's post:

"Karate students should be aware of what they are learning, and that Karate instructors should be clear about what they are teaching."

I like this because it lets you know what is important. This lack of communications that provide accuracy in truth is critical to anyone taking up the martial arts.

"You will not become skilled at Karate by acting Japanese or Okinawan."

This one makes me laugh because so many actually feel that to be a karate-ka, a martial artist, one must use all those terms and etiquette's or reishiki. It might be fun but it ain't a part of it and it must be understood that one should practice their martial art according to their customs and courtesies. I am not saying that those who use the Japanese/Okinawan connection as wrong but it might work a whole lot better if they actually know and understand the Japanese and Okinawans. Even some Japanese born there don't really understand and know Japanese, or so I am told. ;-)

"You will only become skilled at Karate by training hard and for a long time."

You can become skilled in fighting and never spend one moment in a training facility for the fighting arts of Asia, i.e. Okinawan Karate. You can become skilled in a short time BUT to remain skilled in fighting, etc. means dedicating the time and effort to remain skilled. If you stop, you lose it.

Black Belt Wiki Entry

On the wiki I found some information on black belt. It looked interesting so copied some quotes for commenting. Again, this is my view, my opinion, my personal thoughts, etc.

In Japan, however, rank often comes more or less automatically with time training and the black belt has little to do with the "master" level which westerners often think of when they hear the term "black belt". - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_belt_%28martial_arts%29

I am not sure this is true today. I say this because many of our systems here in America use the guidelines from Japanese organizations to determine how they will test and promote black belts. It is my belief now that Japan has fully and completely jumped on the wagon of commercialism - money truck, a means of income from around the world.

I can say that I am aware, personally, of one such individual on Okinawa who become wealthy because of the terms and conditions imposed through the association under the impressions that rank only has meaning if it comes from this association, this master, and that honbu-dojo.

In contrast to the "black belt as master" stereotype, a black belt commonly indicates the wearer is competent in a style's basic technique and principles.

Expanding on this a bit I would have said competency in the fundamental principles of the martial system. I am not saying they have mastered them yet I am saying they know of them and are now starting to apply them in unison to make them work real-time.

the student has a good understanding of concepts and ability to use them but has not yet perfected their skills.

My comment before this quote covers this.

a 'black belt' is commonly viewed as conferring some status, achieving one has been used as a marketing 'gimmick', for example a guarantee of being awarded one within a specific period or if a specific amount is paid.[3] Some schools place profit ahead of ability when using these tactics and are sometimes referred to as McDojos.

I have witnessed this first hand by the discussions of other karate-ka who literally provide me a list of items they must know to earn a black belt. It looks a lot like the criteria College's use to describe classes of instruction and like school syllabus/lesson plans with specifics that are graded so they earn a certificate. Read this book, take a knowledge test, get a grade. Write a paper on a subject, have it graded, receive an "A", and add it to the other grade. If you get four "A's," two "B's," and one "C" you pass and get a black belt.

I hear and read all the time how they have to meet specific goals, i.e. have understanding of five punches, three kicks, and four sparring/competition combinations with at least a "B-" on a kobudo weapon like the staff/bo.

a black belt student should not be called sensei until they are sandan (third degree black belt), as this denotes a greater degree of experience and a sensei must have this and grasp of what is involved in teaching a martial art.

Absolutely, it is far to prevalent that sho-dan go right out and start a dojo with the intent to make money when it might be apparent if they understood what a black belt is, my view of course, and understand it takes years to learn how to teach/instruct in general and more years to teach/instruct a physical/mental course like a combative marital system.

We just have gone wild and lost our course/bearing all in the name of cool things, instant gratification and egoistic self-promotion and prideful beliefs.

Kara or Empty vs. Original China or Empty Hand transition from China Hand

Originally the Okinawan fighting system was simply referred to as Ti or Tii (pronounced like "tea"). It was a type of wrestling and boxing Okinawan style but morphed into Touda or Tii when they combined the indigenous system to China's boxing or Kenpo. [Okinawa indigenous fighting methods called te (手?, literally "hand"; Tii in Okinawan) were melded with Chinese Kenpo and Okinawan Wrestling to become Touda or Tii (pronounce like "tea").]

What I wanted to know is when they decided to change the name "karate or China hand to karate or Empty hand" why did they choose the term "empty?"

One source says, "... the name was changed from 唐手 ("Chinese hand") to 空手 ("empty hand") – both of which are pronounced karate – to indicate that the Japanese wished to develop the combat form in Japanese style." Yet this does not really explain why "empty" would express a Japanese form of martial art vs. say "koryu."

I have to ask myself why empty? I can guess that it may be due to the change from weapons to just your body so the loss of weapons from the hands of combatants would mean they now have to apply techniques with "empty hands." It may mean they wanted to refer to weapons, i.e. then the weapons ban - both Okinawan and Japanese dictates, being removed from the hands of civil/military persons so the hands become "empty."

Although this makes sense how to we prove it. I suspect there may be some elusive reference to why they chose empty to replace China. We all know, or think we know, that the change was also prompted by not wanting to reference China, an enemy of Japan, in this new form of fighting system introduced to Japan. But still why empty?

Is there some other reason other than my hypothesis (guess)? This also asks the question, why "hand" or "te in Japanese or Tii (pronounced "tea") in Okinawan dialect?"

Yes, this is most likely an old question, why hand when you use all parts of the body to fight, i.e. hands, elbows, feet, knees, etc.? It could be simply that it was the easiest term or set of terms to use much like the Chinese calling their form of fighting arts as "boxing." Especially when viewed from American perceptions of boxing being a fist-to-cuffs witnessed today in the boxing of America.

It could also come from the idea that the primary weapon in "hand-to-hand" encounters is the hand - open or closed fist. There may be no mystery at all since it was also easy to keep the pronunciation of kara where that character in Chinese meant China and in Japanese meant empty.  I can see that for expedience sake and to stay as close to the pronunciation of "kara te" which makes the transition easy, i.e. just change the character a bit, for both Okinawan and Japanese.

I suspect that if you tried to find a single word or character that would best describe the new system, at that time late 1800's to early 1900's, you would see that it would be very difficult, try it!

Do you call it "body vs. empty" since it involves all the body? Do you refer to it has limbs? You don't want to convolute it by saying it is hand-n-foot system. Even if the Japanese pronunciation sounded good would it be easy and isn't the ease of transition an important and vital aspect to have the Japanese accept the Okinawan system of fighting with out weapons?

Oh, one last thought ... coulda been simply a economic thing too. Think bout it.

Weight Class

Take a look at your sparring/fighting sessions. Do you tend to pair up folks that are approximately the same height, weight, and skill level? If you do then ask yourself the question, are you training folks for SD?

The only way to gain proficiency in anything is to train, practice and make sure your doing so against as many training associates as you can with a wide variety of greater weight than you say from 5 lbs to 25 lbs. A greater height of a fraction of an inch to several inches. A greater combination of these two. The most important part is the skill level. I try to always choose to train with someone of greater ability and proficiency. Even regarding height and weight the skill has to be greater.

Now, to live up to the ken-po goku-i and spirit of my system we have to have two sides to this coin. I also love to train those who follow my systems but are at a lower proficiency level. I then can try to convey my knowledge, experience and proficiency by stressing them in theirs so they grow. At the same time folks who are hungry for learning the system tend to spontaneously apply things that will take a higher proficiency level practitioner totally and completely by surprise. One of those benefits of training someone either as Sensei or an associate Sensei.

Going back to training with one of higher skill level you can also add in training with those of lesser height and weight. You do have to understand that in reality height and weight really have no benefit other than a higher weight will add to your momentum for power otherwise it has no significance if your applying all the fundamental principles of martial systems.

I have not truly covered all that could be a part of this post yet I sense it is enough to convey the idea that restricting your training and practice to the sport mind of weight classes and generally close skill levels in sparring/fighting training scenarios is counter productive IF you are training/teaching/instructing SD for street and/or combat.

Note: The idea about weight class came from Rory Miller's blog post "Nightmare" on his blog "Chiron."

Threat or Opponent

I decided that it might be more generic if my posts regarding my limited knowledge and experience of Violence and SD were such it would apply to anything ergo the use of "threat vs. opponent."

An opponent can be sportive or a real violent person. Yet a threat in SD is one that wants some form of harm to come to you quickly, unexpectedly, and with out the ability to return the violence thus making you, the victim, the threat to the threat.

This may seem ridiculous yet in SD vs. Sport MA it might mean a clear division in the mind of the MA as the train and practice thus making them aware of the differences and hopefully that difference being properly and efficiently applied be it either competition or combat.

Lets just say when you encounter a threat, be it a crazy driver on the road; an earthquake; a ripe tide; or Indians surrounding your space, a threat can be anything or anyone that presents the possibility of harm to you - it is a threat but not necessarily an opponent.

Yes, SD mostly involves some violent person, an opponent, yet to me opponents must remain in the realm of competition/sport while a threat is a predator, an attacker, a psychopath/sociopath, or any other harmful event. SD can achieve greater spread in avoidance and protection if we move toward the type of verbiage that is "more relevant" to SD with little or no possible perception it is an other.

An opponent = sport competitor determined to win the contest.
An attacker = a violent person intent on doing harm or removing some asset you have.
A threat = a person or event that may or may not harm you or do harm to you.
A predator = a person with the intent to do damage, period.
Damage = the aftereffects of some threat that reaches its goal be it physical, psychological, or legal with one, two, or all three.
Contest = an action between two consenting persons with the gaol of achieving a "win status."

You can see where I am trying to go and the why of it. I feel "clarity and differentiation" are important if one practices SD or SD-with-MA.

Wholehearted Person

Whole Heart Way

In Isshinryu systems, all the various tribes or factions regardless of the obvious differences, tend to believe and promote the idea of "wholehearted practice of Isshinryu, the wholehearted system of Okinawan Karate-do." When it comes to where the "rubber meets the road" do any one of us actually understand what that means?

I firmly believe Isshinryu coupled with the ken-po goku-i provide keys to achieving wholehearted practice of Isshinryu - this applies to any martial system be in karate, kung-fu, Aikido, etc.

In the training facility, the Dojo, I speak of "Reishiki" which to me means something like "courtesy, consideration, respect, etc." It is an action that reflects what is in my heart. This can be faked by performing flawlessly those outward actions that promote the idea of reishiki but how do we "know" if one is actually a wholehearted person?

Time! No one can keep up that type of face all the time and for long periods of time. We are humans and a human will always drop back down into that true space of what is in their heart - good or bad as the case may be. Bad folks can display charismatic personalities yet sooner or later the true heart of a person comes up like bubbling water from a natural spring.

One reason we might say, it matters not what you say but what you do, so show me on the dojo floor. Even this brings out the truth in "time." Time reveals actions as wholehearted or simply a false front that is "fool-hearted."

I train and practice and study to achieve a the way of the "wholehearted person." It requires many things but a chief one is balance in all things - seeing, hearing, feeling, sensing both sides of the coin of life.

EM-of-MA

There was a time I would observe a very proficient practitioner of MA demonstrate a technique or kata where the movement seemed to restricted to be of any value. It was much later that I realized that what I was seeing was a very proficient practitioner who was mastering or had mastered EM-of-MA or Economical Motion of Martial Arts.

So many of my systems practitioners, both novice and expert, seem to be still training and practicing where larger, more obvious, and easily detected mover were used. If you ask you might here "It is the way Sensei taught us or it is the original and unchanged way the master taught us."

The system I practice may have lost sight of the principles that are intricate to MA because of many factors yet it is still not too late to discover and implement these into our practice.

In my opinion at the level of San-dan to Go-dan the practitioner should be moving from the gross movements of the system into the more EM-of-MA.

Bibliography:
Perlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts." New York. The Overlook Press. 2006.

Mouth

One of the best pieced of SD advice I have ever heard of is "keep your mouth shut." I remember most of the trouble I ended up in both as to fighting and other non-physical conflicts is my mouth. Usually, what came out was of the nature that it antagonized and inflamed the already hot situation.

Every bit of training and eduction I have encountered there was always a reference to what someone said to another. When you couple that with ignorance or a sense of self-entitlement along with ego and pride you have plenty of fuel that has fumes that ignite at the slightest spark or in this case provocation.

I have found these last few weeks just how important that is by the study of the book, The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense. One very important part of MA training is "awareness" and that means learning and attaining the knowledge so when things like this appear it triggers a light.

I can say that my normal mouth in my personal family relationship was very, very bad. It apparently is one of those things we all have to one level or another that is totally oblivious to our consciousness.

So, SD to me means learning to keep my mouth shut. It also means when it comes time to use deescalation I must be aware of many things so what does come out of my mouth has no hidden meaning or implications to the other person which could trigger more escalation to violent actions.

Offense and Defense

If we practice a true traditional martial art that truly encompasses all aspect with emphasis on a code or a moral stand then we must look to both offense and defense as to how they are defined by that practice.

If MA's are to live up to the creed or code or moral belief then offense does not exist. We must remain non-aggressive where I mean we must not only never initiate conflict but must do our best to avoid it, to deescalate it if avoidance is not possible, etc.

If MA's are to live up to this moral standard than their defense, if all else fails, must focus on what techniques are necessary to "protect."

MA's must achieve a level of proficiency such that they need not have to take a posture, kamae, of either offense or defense where the goal is to achieve an advantage which requires a form of aggressiveness. Aggressiveness means they have transcended protection from harm and into a fighting posture where aggression means "Illegal!"

MA's must find a balance between staying away from conflict vs. protecting agains aggression in conflict. It does seem to be merely a mix on words and contexts but communications in MA instruction can be the difference in applying such things in real life.

Offense in this sense relates to a mind-set of intent to hurt. In reality a MA must achieve not getting hurt by not having to enter into some offensive technique but rather avoidance-deescalation by awareness, manners, and other moral/legal considerations otherwise it is brutality which is not morally balanced.

It can be said a MA'ist must find equilibrium in "offense-defense" as to lean toward one or the other too much leaves the moral belief of MA's. To achieve what I am saying here the practice and training of spirit-mind-body also must balance and MA's must maintain that balance even in the face of great odds.

It we can leave behind any desire to be aggressive, to hurt, then we can avoid being hurt while living up to our belief of not intentionally hurting another if possible. It occurs when we, the MA, let our balance between offense-defense tilt to far in one direction.

To lean toward attacking drops the opposite ability to create a defense so we avoid being hurt. The offense-defense equilibrium is compromised taking our ability as a MA away leaving us in a place not good.

One important belief in my MA training is knowing that I am a trained and proficient MA. I have the advantage over others not trained in this manner. If I allow offense-defense to slip into something less than my training and level of proficiency then am I truly at that level?

In the chapter Kobo Ichi Stephen J. Pearlman stated, "One life, one fight, one technique." I say, "One life, no fight, no technique - yet be prepared."

Offense-Defense | Yang-Yin | In-Yo ...

Verbal Self Defense - Seeing and Hearing

Research has shown that people seen to have a preference as to what kind of sensory information they will prefer over any other. This research then focused pretty much on human vision and hearing. It is nice to also hear that today they are now adding in touch, taste, and smell. Apparently you can detect which is the preferred sensory input by their language.

If someone uses such words as "see or hear" then that might indicate what they see along with what they hear will have the greatest influences. Sometimes other words point to either see or hear.

Sight: see what you mean; see your point; looks good to me, etc.
Hearing: I hear you; I know exactly what your saying; sounds reasonable, etc.
Touch: It does not feel right; I can not put my finger on it; If feels okay, etc.
Smell: That is kind of fishy; the whole affair stinks; I will sniff around and fine out, etc.
Taste: I have a bad taste about it; I can taste what is rotten here; It sickens me, etc.

I have read from one professional that one determinant between a specific kind of attacker is what you smell. It was said that this type usually does not maintain their bodies so you will smell then when in a fight, etc. Another expert then explains that when it does get up close and personal your ability to feel the attacker will be superior to what you see, hear, etc.

Now as to avoidance-deescalation if your hearing someone using the stage of verbal attacking in the monkey dance or your encountering a charm predator then listen to the words, know what to look for in the verbal content then attach what they are using for their sensory input. This may affect what you do and say to avoid/deescalate the situation. Simplistic but should provide impetus to gain more knowledge and understanding in a complex field.ß

Match the sensory mode to the person. Just one more technique to achieve the SD of avoidance-deescalation. Yes? No? Maybe? Comments ...

Fundamental Principles of Martial Systems

The book, "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts," written by Steven J. Pearlman is the main fundamental guide to anyone who ventures into the MA and emphasizing the SD/Combative traditional training aspect.

Pearlman Sensei writes about the martial power which is the title yet my interpretation is that this book provides all systems and styles with the universally fundamental/basic principles that must be present to achieve proficiency in application of all martial techniques - regardless. It is, in my view, the one "book" that actually deserves the title "The Bible of Karate or The Bible of Martial Systems." [Note: I really hesitate to use the word bible because of the possible perception it has some religious meaning - IT DOES NOT]

A metaphor might be one who builds a house with out the foundation. Foundations, like principles, are universal to all house regardless of the particular architecture. If one builds a house with little, incomplete, partial or no foundation it will not be fit for living beings. Just consider entering a house like this and finding the walls and roof shimmy and shaking when the door is closed, if it closes. Windows will bind, doors will jamb, the walls will crack and crumble simply because its foundation is not present. Add in a solid foundation created to exacting specifications to support the architecture you have a house that will last and be fit for human habitation.

The fundamental principles of all martial systems provide that universal foundation that would fit all architectures or you can say the FPoMS provides the foundation (fundamental/basics/principles) that will fit all martial styles/systems.

OFF TOPIC: Lady Gaga ... I just don't get it

Can anyone explain it to me. I watched the very first time this Lady Gaga and I gotta tell you I just don't see what all the hoopla is all about.

Grateful-Appreciated

I just wanted to recognize the following blogs and say simply, "Thank you for all your efforts, your blogs are an inspiration and an education. - Thanks!"

Martial View by John Vesia, Kowakan by Mario McKenna, Mokuren Dojo by Patrick Parker, Chiron by Rory Miller, Karate Thoughts by Charles C. Goodin, Dojo Rat by Dojo Rat ;-), 24 FightingChickens by Rob Redmond, My Journey to Black Belt and Countdown to Shodan by Sue C, Martial Secrets podcasts and blog by Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder, Tai Chi With Melissa by Melissa, Bushido Road by Felicia, and of course the many folks who take the time to read my stuff and especially those who provide feedback and comments.

While I am at it I want to say thank you to those many authors who provided me more knowledge than was available when I began. Old dogs do learn new tricks.

Thanks,

Charles

People are Good

I believe on a fundamental level that all people are good. I also believe that on a fundamental level all people are also bad. I look at it as yin-yang - good-bad - where martial artists or anyone who either works in the field of protection of practices some form of protective system must see both sides of the coin of the human condition.

As MA's we must train ourselves to see this in everyone yet we must not allow one side or the other to to dominate one side or the other. If we see people as good and disconnect from the thought of seeing people as bad we can create an opening for bad people to make us a victim. On the other side of that coin if we tend to see everything as a dark cloud where we cannot see any silver lining then we would "see evil behind every tree and in every corner." This too is not a good way.

Sometimes it is necessary to allow evil into our lives simply so we can recognize it when it rears its ugly head. We as MA's and SD practitioners cannot bury our heads in the sand and hope it will bypass us - doesn't that make us a target, a victim?

Someone wrote once that they didn't realize that knowing and recognizing violence, violent persons, and other violent stuff was necessary to properly defend themselves. Reading it here may seem obvious yet most SD is taught mechanically and don't provide the knowledge to "see" and "hear" and "recognize" the various colors of violence.

When some read the books I have been promoting here they may say, "Oh, this is awful. Oh, this is never going to happen to me so why do I need to learn this stuff." I guess if one performs a self-analysis of their need to know SD then it may be true yet those who are MA's and who seek SD must understand this or it will not work in an attack.

Actually, there is no guarantee anything will work in a violent attack but not knowing about all its many faces is much, much worse.

I can say that many of my years of training and practice were not "complete" because I didn't understand many things such as the topic of violence, etc. I was actually geared toward the military combat view which here on the streets of America can get you in trouble for fighting or worse.

This is something to think about. If you practice traditional self protection in your MA, if you are training in SD for self protection, if you are considering a professional career as military, police, jail/prison guard, etc. then you really need to consider learning everything - both sides of the coin, yin-yang or good-bad or peaceful-predatory, and so on.

Sociopathy and Psychopathy - UPDATE

Traits that sociopaths and psychopaths share include:
    •    a disregard for the rights of others
    •    a failure to feel remorse or guilt
    •    a disregard for laws and social mores
    •    a tendency to display violent behavior and emotional outbursts

For MORE ...

Excellent material yet must be taken from the view it is meant to inform then lead to additional research to include queries to professionals in the field.

Mr. Rory Miller - Once Again ...

Mr. Rory Miller touches on some excellent points for training/sparring. A must read !!!

Point of Impact (POI)

Generally it is the point where you make contact not to be mixed with targeting. It may be why some tend to target the point of impact. One reason may be the sport aspect as achieving points in a tournament mean tagging a point on the exterior of the body or the point of contact.

Notice I said contact and not impact. I say this because the point of impact is where the power transference begins and the actual target is where it reaches at the apex of power generation and transference. Does this make sense?

Targeting for me is the vertical axis. Some say it should be about two to three inches below or past the point of impact. I believe targeting the vertical axis of the body and allowing the body to naturally achieve proper depth according to the various principles of power for martial applications. This means go for the target, know that the power generation process begins at or just past the point of impact and final power gen/trans occurs at the end of the impact or punch or strike, depending on your definitions (impact technique). The principles of power, of course, are critical for maximum results. If your distance is off it may be to little or end up being a push in lieu of full impact technique (vertical punch, elbow strike, bitch slap, etc.).

Review the martial principles and see how they would/can blend into a perfect application of martial impact technique and then practice to achieve that same in fighting - a very difficult way well worth the effort don't you think?

Note: In the process of reaching your target after the POI any attempt to force the impact technique beyond its natural end of power stroke into the body converts it from impact to pushing.

Symbolism - The Coveted Black Belt

Black Belt, a very mysterious piece of material. Mysterious as in the why to its importance and expectations from those who perceive and achieve it as some mysterious point in practice. No other level is considered more important to most, if not all, practitioners of martial arts. It becomes some undefinable symbol to the person who achieves it for it is a pivot point in martial training and practice. In some cases it ends up being the end point but that is another story/post.

What is symbolizes is also a mystery that is perceived individually with no clear cut meaning across the board. It can be said that in one particular and small point it does have a universal meaning. It is what all who venture into martial arts believes is the significant goal of training and practice, to be awarded a black belt.

It begs the question, "What is the symbolism of the coveted black belt?" This is not an easy question to answer and sometime, mostly for me, that answer is not a concrete one but fluid. It is like water. It flows, it ebbs, it rises like the tide then recedes depending on many factors. Those factors tend to be personal. I believe this is important for its symbolism should be personal. Your version must be unique and cannot be determined according to any others perceptions, views, beliefs, and ideologies.

The symbol, "a black belt," is unique, sometimes mysterious to the uninitiated, and a personal view/perception that should be delved into by the wearer or even the perspective wearer. Know the truth behind its awarding, know the truth behind its meaning in the martial arts community, and most important of all know its symbolism to you. You, in the end, are the only source that matters on the wearing of the black belt.

Examples: Think of the kanji we see in martial arts of Asia. They are actually characters that symbolize a meaning that also depends on its usage or association to the topic, idea, etc. If you look them up you find a variety of meaning which depends on its usage and association to other symbols or characters.

Take this quote,

"Symbolism is an expression of the beliefs of the artist. Seek to see a little deeper into the art. The art itself is where a person, artist, can lean what the art and artist is all about at their core." - unknown

Sociopath vs. Psychopath

Sociopath: A person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior and a lack of conscience. Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by an abnormal lack of empathy combined with abnormally immoral conduct despite an ability to appear normal. Unconcerned about the adverse consequences for others of one's actions.

Psychopath: A person suffering from chronic mental disorder with abnormal or violent social behavior. An unstable and aggressive person. An abnormal lack of empathy combined with abnormally immoral conduct despite an ability to appear normal. A person with a personality disorder indicated by a pattern of lying, exploitativeness, heedlessness, arrogance, sexual promiscuity, low self-control, and lack of empathy and remorse.

I am not a qualified medical professional so the use of either of these is open to debate, question, validation, and many other explanations. In my attempts to further understand a predator both these terms come up.

To me, a layman to say the least, these two connect a bit. It seems to me that the sociopath tends to explain most predators yet psychopath can explain the worst predator imaginable. A lack of empathy and remorse describes the ability of both and the ability of the predator, the why of predatory violence, and predatory attacks/assaults, etc.

I say this with great trepidation because this type of classification can be dangerous but in the arena I am trying to use, predatory assaults/attacks, it would make no real difference as I am not judging a person other than to help me accept these types of folks, recognize what a predator is and does, and to train/practice accordingly. I will leave an analysis of persons for judgement in the courts and prisons to those professionals with credentials in psychology/psychiatry, etc.

In the final analysis it might be prudent to say a predator of violence and violent attacks/assaults would be of the sociopath nature. The psychopath is an extreme way to describe a possible violent person but the psychopath is relevant to all predators in nature and explanations, etc.

So, with that said, I would take my view of predators as psychopaths off the table and say knowing about sociopaths in relation to predator violence, persons, assaults, and attacks would suffice.

Yes, No, Maybe? Comments ...

p.s. why this is merely a learning forum, blog, etc. no answer is absolute or right until it is absolutely right. ;-)

Symbiotic Relationship

Symbiosis/Symbiotic: close and often long-term interactions ... a relationship with mutual benefit between two individuals ... the relation between two that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other ... An intimate association between two persons, which benefits both.

This describes the dojo relationships of all its practitioners. It is not exclusive to this as the relations of humans, i.e. wife and husband - parents and children - family and neighbors, etc., but extends to the very Universe as to Yin-Yang. The degree of that symbiotic relationship determines the "balance" of it. Equilibrium at its best makes the yang-yin even with minimal fluctuations resulting in harmony and peace - to name a few benefits of symbiosis.

We humans are so different in many ways with similarities that are shared. It can be those similarities that allow us to create symbiotic relationships. Nature provides us this capability as a part of the survival instincts. This instinct is what makes relatively normal folks adverse to hurting others of our species - humans.

In the dojo due to its relatively dangerous potential a symbiotic relationship between Sensei and Practitioners, Practitioners and Practitioners, and humans in general makes this imperative a critical one. Failure to gain such relations will result in some not so nice results where our humanity is reduced to sometimes one of predatory nature.

Here is another example of training in avoidance. Symbiotic relation development tends to achieve tribal grouping where rules and requirements for survival exist for the benefit of all the tribe (dojo).

When practicing dangerous techniques having a balanced, mutually trusting relationships, and other such traits contributes to learning, mentoring, and understanding all the martial "ways" that lead to a better person and a better tribe.

Acceptance

We must accept the truth if we are to act/react to an assault/attack. We can and do accept that the monkey dance fight or school yard scuffle will not end in major injuries or death - mostly as there are always exceptions to anything. In the Anti-social driven predatory attacks if we don't accept the truth of who these folks are and the fact that in order to do what they do tend to be a bit different than us we are going to freeze and we are going to get hurt.

Question I am asking myself, is this true - mostly - partly?

Lets face it, predators and such criminals have different traits the drive what, how and who they do things to. The psychological make up of such persons may provide the validation and ? that allow us to accept them and what they can do so we may act accordingly. Maybe this type of knowledge is how we so called "normal folk" can "other" the predator so we can take the necessary actions to remain alive and free.

I got to thinking that to justify and validate why reasoning, etc. will not work when confronting predatory assaults I needed a layer of understanding as to why they do it vs. just knowing that they do it. Are these guys a level of psychopathic personalities? There are twenty such traits that are used in certain area's of professionals but any set of those traits may be present in the person who lives as a predator.

Maybe how far a predator goes in doing their "job" may also be governed by the traits they have assuming that this list is accurate and validated to be true and effective in identification. We should then, if so, accept them so we can train/practice accordingly before confronting one.

I am not sure this is true or even relevant to self-protection by understanding not only the why a person is one but the how to recognize one when confronted. I am fishing on this one. If you know comment.

Another question, if this list of traits is true regarding predators then can a person who does not have any of these traits become a predator and remain free of them?

Thinking Outside the Box

Another out of the box idea sprung up today while in practice. I bought a new pair of gloves today. These are not marital arts related gloves. They are "Mechanix Wear" gloves. The pair I bought are labeled the, "Impact Pro Glove." Go to their site to see the particulars.

The idea is this, much like training and practice where you might wear your street clothes, etc. try adding into the mix a pair of gloves. Now, this is most likely more relevant to professionals such as police who wear gloves to protect the hands and most importantly put a barrier between their hands and body fluids, etc.

This glove here is not meant for this so don't assume that it is this type of protection, read the web site and talk to professionals!

I wore them today in practice to get them adjusted to my hands, i.e. stretched, etc. I found that it changed drastically how I was able to apply impacts as it changed the way I formed a fist, how that fist formed on contact, i.e. contraction/tighten, etc. so would assume that if a professional as well as a martial artist used gloves they might find it changing how they apply techniques in real life especially if they don't train with them.

It is like asking police officers to train in full police grear, it changes things. Just my take on it yet I feel it is applicable to us as civilians as well. Your walking along one very cold winter day when you are attacked. Your wearing thick warm gloves, a bulky warm jacket, and so on - will it adversely affect how you protect yourself.

One good point tho, all that bulky warm gear will be a bit lit protection but don't depend on it. Oh, I know someone is going to say, "I wear gloves all the time sparring and competing." Well, it ain't the same and you don't wear them on the street either.

Available on Amazon as well.

Predators vs. Psychopaths

It occurred to me that both of these are related. I listened to a report on psychopaths and the traits they have so it made me think, "Do these traits tell us something about the predator, predatory violence, and predatory attacks?"

This should supplement your knowledge of what to look for in violence. I say this because it "may" have relevance in understanding and accepting facts about attacks with emphasis on "predatory attacks."

Why? Just hearing that this is so and this is why of predatory attacks but understanding and accepting those statements may not be enough for some. Knowing the traits and how they are affected or if they are affected teaches you a lot which may make the decision to accept it and then apply training, practice, and real life application appropriately.

Take some time, search this out, then evaluate for yourself if this equates/relates to predators and their violent behavior.

Strikes, Punches, and Impact

Strike: A sudden attack; Hit forcibly and deliberately with one's hand or a weapon or other implement; Inflict (a blow); Come into forcible contact or collision with; Carry out an aggressive or violent action, typically without warning;

Punch: Strike with the fist; Drive with a blow from the fist; deliver a quick blow to; (boxing) a blow with the fist; A punch is a striking blow with the fist. It is used in some martial arts and combat sports, most notably boxing where it is the only type of technique allowed. In sports hand wraps or other padding such as gloves may be employed to protect athletes and practitioners from injuring themselves.

Impact: Come into forcible contact with another object; the striking of one body against another; an impact is a high force or shock applied over a short time period when two or more bodies collide;

In recent posts on many of the SD sites I frequent the discussion of strikes vs. punches comes up where strikes are alluded to being with the open hand against harder targets while punches are punches with the fist. Then you find a variety of sources that use the term interchangeably. This prompted this post.

I felt there should be just one term used that covers both striking and punching. I decided to use "impact." If you read the three definitions above you will hopefully find that "impact" actually covers both strikes and punches be they with the fist, the open hand, or other parts of the body.

Even tho the word "bodies" is prevalent in this definition of impact you can assume that it includes the body and all its parts.

Generally, discussions on striking or punching or kicking can be explained using impact because regardless of which is used the result is a sudden and forcible contact to the opponent using appropriate force, etc.

When to Spar, etc.

This is a most difficult question. It is driven by several factors which start with the individual. Each individual is unique and Sensei must monitor those new to the martial arts closely so they know when that individual is "ready" to start applying their new knowledge in a controlled drill/sparring environment.

Pushing someone to fast into the dangerous and difficult physical contact can have adverse effects both on the individual and on the dojo. This brings back up the importance of relationship development in a difficult and dangerous practice.

Most martial artists and most martial arts instruction tend to put folks into that environment way to early. Long before they have encoded into their brains actual martial techniques. I attribute this to the sportification of martial arts. In the excitement of competition and winning trophies and accolades we tend to forget fundamental principles that make martial practices work and simply instruct in a few simple boxing/kicking techniques to get "points" and "win."

In my dojo, in my instruction, I would not allow anyone to participate in free sparring until the stage/level of "Go-kyu." It was simple, any practitioner who wants to actually learn martial arts, i.e. in my case karate, must establish a foundation comprised of fundamentals with principles or it will not work and be merely "fighting/brawling." This is why sport tends to NOT be martial arts or karate regardless of beliefs and instructions to the contrary.

The Sensei-deshi | Sempai-Kohai relationship is either a detriment or benefit to a practitioner where forward movement is dependent on how that is applied in instruction.

Note: There are many ways to train realistically so you learn proper application of martial techniques. Sparring both free style and drill style are only a small part.

12-vs-6 Maxim - Great Post at Chiron by Rory Miller

Rory Miller has a great post at Chiron on the old statement/sound bite about preference of 12 jurors vs 6 pallbearers. It is worth the time if you don't already read the Chiron Blog.

An Obstacle

The obstacle is knowledge. How can this be an obstacle. Well, if you have no knowledge of something then if it confronts you how will you know it for what it is? How will you be able to handle it what ever that may mean?

Then another obstacle is, "how can you get the knowledge to people?" If the don't know of it and they don't know that they need it then how do you overcome the obstacle of passing that knowledge along to others?

In a nutshell most who have never encountered an event will have nothing to base their decisions on so won't even be aware of its existence. If you have knowledge that others should know and understand but have no awareness of that knowledge or its need then how do you get them to hear/read and accept it as something important?

I post what I believe and understand as true regarding my system of martial arts, karate. I might have something important that someone else might find of value yet if they have no knowledge of it, they don't understand or have an awareness of it or the need then how do you get them to read/hear/see that information and knowledge.

If someone actually does see/hear/read it then how do they know if it is pertinent to them and that they might need it someday? They may assume due to a lack of knowledge and understanding that it does not apply to them so disregard it totally and completely except one day when it confronts them the will freeze while the brain it saying to them, "You should have known that knowledge was of value, too late."

The plethora of knowledge one needs long before they take up karate or any defense art is something necessary before encountering violence/fighting. Yet how do we convey that so it will be accepted? If I present someone who is not a professional or a martial artist the book on violence how will they know it is necessary and of value to them, i.e. "It cannot happen to me."

We just have to keep trying and hope most who cannot "see" or "hear" what is needed will open their eyes and ears so they can "see and hear."

Physical Damage vs. Mental Damage

It is my belief that humans tend to give more credence to the types of damage that cannot be photographed. I firmly believe this is usually the result of allowing pride and ego to greatly influence our lives. This is the monkey brain and emotions dictating our actions and beliefs. This seems wrong.

In the martial arts we try to overcome ego's and pride so we can practice and apply the martial arts to our lives. This would apply to other less physical and violent practices as well, i.e. the tea ceremony or the art of calligraphy, etc. Any endeavor if practiced in the right mind-set can achieve the same.

What causes most fights? Ego, pride and our monkey brain promoting such stories that lead our ego's and pride into conflict. This is not all that occurs but for this post it is enough to convey an idea.

Our psyches tend to be sensitive. Someone "dising" you might be perceived as some sort of damage or injury. How can it be so if it results in something that cannot be photographed, touched, tasted, or tactile felt? Pride and Ego are monkey traits and when emotions are triggered it is incumbent upon us to remove the connection of emotion to monkey brain egoistic pride.

Remember, we all are subject to our emotions. They will come and they will go, guaranteed. How long and to what extent their effect is completely dependent on us. When emotions are triggered they can be great or not so great. They tend to last a short time unless you allow the monkey brain to attach a story to the emotion.

Ok, that guy cut me off and it made me angry. If the monkey starts up I might start the story of what a jerk that guy is, he has no right to do that to me, he could have killed me and my family, the more I think about how insensitive that guy was the more I want to knock his block off and yadda, yadda, yadda and the story builds. Each level of the story as it builds pumps fuel into that emotion - anger. As it continues to run in your mind the flames build until you lose control - the monkey is now driving your life willy nilly up to a point of high blood pressure and such anger that you suffer the physical and mental anguish and unhealthful results. Worse case scenario, you pass the guy cussing and gesturing with you hand, get in front of him, slam on the brakes while the monkey feeds the emotion with, "I am going to kick that motherfuckers ass!" You jam on the brakes, jump out, and commence to posture and monkey dance which further pumps fuel on the flames of anger until you strike out trying to knock his block off. Phew ... all that for something that like emotions does pass. If it didn't it would be photogenic.

When it is done. When you are in jail. When the other guy is in the hospital. When you are prosectued and convicted. When your family is sued by his family taking all your financial stuff away from you putting your family on the streets. While you are in jail for long time and your best buddy is romancing your wife who is pissed you did such a stupid thing you have to ask yourself, "Was it or Is it worth it?"

Just remember, if you can't photograph it, it ain't real damage and you will get over it!

Sport and Curriculum Orientation/Influences

"I want to stress in the strongest way this particular post is not directed toward any one martial system or instructor or dojo or association or what ever but a post of my particular interpretative lens, my view, my theory, mine alone."

I don't believe that today's version of karate, karate-do, or martial system's are oriented toward combat or in particular self-defense. I do believe there are a few out there who have either actually learned a combative system or have reverted or in the process of reverting their system to its original conception as combative but in relation to all the schools, training halls, dojo's, etc. are still very few. Phew, a long statement but then again I am wordy.

Here is the reason I believe this is true. Today's martial arts have been heavily influenced by both the "sport" industry and the "Curriculum" generated so that it would be acceptable to young adults in the school systems.

On the second, the changes and orientation of karate was started late 1800's and/or early 1900's because the Japanese and Okinawan's wanted to incorporate the spirit and training of karate into the school systems to train their youth in preparation of being soldiers, etc. Don't get me wrong they wanted the discipline and moral training it provides to make them better citizens too. In this effort a lot of the combative aspects were removed and kata were adjusted accordingly.

On the first part the sportive aspects, i.e. kata competitions, kumite competitions, weapons competitions, etc. evolved from the original contests between Okinawan villages and when you couple the influences of the Japanese budo systems such as the new "Judo" by Kano Sensei it allowed for a safer sportive orientation that helped promote and expand dojo and student enrollment. Consider that in general humans prefer to avoid combative encounters. It is instinctive we use a sport aspect to decide such things as social standings, etc. because if we truly injured or killed from that regard then the tribe or social group would not survive, etc. It made sense and was far more acceptable, yes?

Think about it, most who go to war don't really want to be there. Most who do have to be trained realistically and then be psychologically influenced to see "others" as something less that can be killed. Even then the psychological ramifications to our veteran's of combat is horrible. So, it makes sense to be more sportive.

The trick is that those who do tend to be the so-called "Sheep Dogs" or "Professionals, i.e soldiers, police, jailers, etc." need to have the combative versions - to a point due to societal views on violence and hurting another human being, etc. Restrictions that can be killers. Anyway, when those folks venture into harm's way to protect and serve must then adjust thinking and training so they will have what is needed to combat violence and win wars.

Todays martial arts are oriented closer to sport and academic curriculum orientations that is acceptable to societal beliefs and views regardless of whether they are realistic or just stories we tell ourselves to feel safe and comfortable.

Make sense? Yes? No? Maybe? Comments ... I do really want to hear comments both "pro and con" on this one.

Respect

Something earned between two individuals. Once earned it can be most difficult to lose. It is, to me, one of those traits we earn that except in extraordinary circumstances can not be lost. It does not happen like love at first sight but is gradually earned as the relationship grows, etc.

Instructors and Practitioners must develop a mutual respect if either expect the process of learning a martial system to be successful and fruitful. Practitioner to Practitioner must also do the same if it is going to work.

There are no words or deeds that can remove respect. The only way respect can be lost is if the person in receipt of another's respect loses it. The person who respects another cannot lose that other persons feeling of respect, impossible. If you warrant/have earned another respect only your actions and deeds can cause it to be lost. If the person who respects you fails to act or do something that says a lack of respect, not necessarily lost, it means that person has lost some of your respect, i.e. respects diminishes or is lost is only feasible from the person in receipt of respect.

I had someone one day tell me that because I didn't do a particular task involving them that I had no respect for them. This statement actually means from my view that the person lacks self-respect. No failure to do some task especially a particular task that the other perceives as respect oriented can remove that giver of respect - the respect they have for the recipient. Make sense?

Respect can be earned, it can be given, it can be lost as well yet all this does not occur in an instant or because someone else fails to meet expectations of the person in receipt of respect from another.

I had a good deal of respect for that someone. I did from time to time forget to do something that involved the someone which was a disappointment to that someone yet it did not reduce, remove, or alter my respect for them one iota. It seems that maybe my focus should be on finding out how and why they have lost respect for themselves or why they perceive a deed as indicative of respect or no-respect. Sounds like a monkey brain story emotional event that has nothing to do with the presenter of respect.

Respect once earned is like forged steel, it just doesn't damage all that easily. Like water flowing over rocks, it takes time to erode away the rock yet even then the rock remains in an altered state which to nature tends to be a good thing. Respect can do that.

Respect in the dojo also forges steel. The relations of the dojo tend to become strong and can last for life even when things happen, as they will with foible human beings, it tends to be altered yet remains at its core. This must be of great consideration when seeking instruction in martial "combative" arts/systems.

Articulation + Understanding + Knowledge

Articulation: The action of putting into words an idea or feeling of a specified type; The formation of clear and distinct sounds in speech; the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made; expressing in coherent verbal form; The quality, clarity or sharpness of speech; etc. but not to forget its inference as follows: the act of joining things in such a way that motion is possible; A joint or the collection of joints at which something is articulated, or hinged, for bending; etc.

Knowledge: Facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject; True, justified belief; certain understanding, as opposed to opinion; Awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation; etc.

Understanding: The ability to understand something; comprehension; The power of abstract thought - intellect; An individual's perception or judgment of a situation; the cognitive condition of someone who understands; etc.

It is apparent by the above definitions that one must accept that to articulate something/anything they first must have a solid "understanding of the knowledge" that comprises that particular something/anything. To articulate then takes a combination of all three disciplines, i.e. "to articulate," "to be knowledgeable," and "to understand."

Articulations is on one end of the spectrum. Knowledge is on the other. Understanding is what provides the balance to the two so one can achieve proficiency which is necessary in communications be it as a teacher, a speaker, or anything involving interactions between the human species.

Yes? No? Maybe? Comments ...

You cannot articulate if you have no knowledge. You cannot have knowledge unless you understand it. If you cannot understand, uh-oh.

The Art of Verbal Self-Defense - Highly Recommended!

I read a lot! I mean since I was very little and first able to balance a book to read I was reading. I have grown to love all kinds of materials and have read/studied a variety of topics. I always find other books to read from the current reading materials. One reason I try and I do love to see bibliographies with the author's recommendations for I find real diamonds in those lists.

My latest diamond is the book, "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense," by Suzette Hayden Elgin. Let me try to explain what I am gaining from reading, studies, practice, training, etc.

Picture yourself going on a trip. You are going to a country where no English is spoken. You have no clue as to the language spoken at this country yet your are excited because you learned that this place was the absolute best in learning new and exciting things. Imagine how difficult it would be if you did not try to gain knowledge of how they communicate.

Now, you find a source that provides you English to "This countries language" and it provides not one direct translations but many examples that you can use to learn and understand to you can apply this when you arrive.

This puts language together to create understanding. If you had not found this or taken the time to learn then upon arrival you would simply have no references to draw upon to express yourself and to understand others.

What this book and all the others provide me is a source of words and meanings that provide me a tool to express or articulate meaning so others may "see" and/or "hear" knowledge which in turn they can use to build on their knowledge and ability to express/articulate. It is the most wonderful tool anyone can learn and use. Wouldn't you agree?

This book provides me knowledge so I can express something I may not know or may have known/understood in an unconscious way so now connect the new knowledge with the current knowledge so I can find new and different ways to articulate it to others. In the case of VSD (verbal self-defense) it now provides me triggers that will allow me to recognize attacks, both incoming and outgoing, and allows me to learn proper responses that are not attacks, i.e. direct or implied (presupposition?).

I have a personal goal to achieve more harmony in my encounters with other humans, etc. with emphasis on my personal relationship so find this tool critical in attaining that goal. Yet, as a MA I also "see" how it can be related to "awareness" which translates to self-preservation if I have to avoid-deescalate/manners to keep from using body mechanics/legal ramifications which in reality falls under the main heading of "avoidance."

Needless to say I recommend adding this book to your library and don't be surprised when you read it if you don't suddenly realize that you are actually using the attacks, i.e. blamer, placater, distractor, and leveler modes in your everyday conversations with others.

Awareness, the first circle of SD, is also awareness of what you say and mean as well as recognizing what others say or mean, i.e. both direct and implied expressions/statements/etc.

I would add this one as a MA Fundamental to teaching self-preservation strategies and tactics. Far more important than specific techniques -to- specific attacks.

Make Sense? Yes? No? Maybe? Comments ...

Bibliography:
Elgin, Suzette H. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Barnes & Noble Books. New York. 1990.

Concentric Circles of Self-Defense - ADDENDUM

"Awareness - Avoidance - Deescalation/Manners - Body Mechanics/Legal Ramifications"

After a bit of contemplation of my concentric circle of self-defense I arrived to the conclusion that I needed to combine "Deescalation and Manners" as well as "Body Mechanics and Legal Ramifications." I did this because those seem to fit with one another to form a more balanced strategy toward self-preservation.

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I also changed it to "legal ramifications" simply because when body mechanics or physical intervention is required to protect then you "will" deal with legal ramifications, i.e. prosecution and possible civil suits, etc. I stress these two as to ramifications as they will be the most obvious yet if one instructs SD it will be most apparent before an encounter the physical/medical/psychological ramifications in acting will also be of concern.

In this example tho the most direct and immediate concerns are of priority while the others related to violence will remain yet be of a concern toward ethics, etc. that must be decided long before learning this model of self-preservation.

Comment Scrutinized

"I cringed when you mentioned "reality" based martial arts as being "one" of the most practical for the street because the seasoned sport fighter (like I was) could easily use distance and initial movement to pick their shots and mount an effective defense."

This post is my view on the comment quoted above and not meant to disparage the author or his beliefs. I am simply trying to convey my personal thoughts on issues and this quote triggered a self-defense thought I wished to express.

This particular comment has what I perceive as a belief system that sport aspects are good for self-defense. The use of distance and initial movement to pick you shots just does not fly with my understanding of street violence. This may be "ok" in the monkey dance but predatory attacks it is not a wise tactic/strategy to assume or believe.

If your mind is glued to picking shots your done. In what I understand as predatory violence you will not have time to use any distance or any initial movement, yours or his, to pick shots and mount an effective defense - too late. You must have your defense trained long before the violence. It is a shame that too many feel that the sportive aspects of their training leads them to believe that it will be adequate in self-defense of the A-Social kind.

Since I am not an expert in predatory violence I will stop here but one point to remember is that these types of statements can get the believer and any of their followers in deep doo-doo if they are actually and violently attacked on the street. What this guy is promoting to my mind is "fighting" which we know on the street is "illegal."

Exactly Enough

A sound bite from a new book I am reading that triggered another light as to self-defense and my martial training/practice. The entire quote was, " ... there is no excuse for anything more than just exactly enough." The hard part is knowing that point, to know when it is just exactly enough.

Knowing when enough is enough falls into many different actions. One may know that pushing a person back and away from your own body is enough to discourage any physical intrusion or trespass. It is also important to recognize when enough is enough within your own actions. If you feel anger and allow yourself to explode verbally or even physically then you don't know when enough is enough for you own actions.

If you are very unlucky and find yourself in some physical confrontation where you MUST protect yourself this becomes more critical to the actions you take. If you have been listening, really actively paying attention to what you read, you already have started to study about violence and know the many variables you encounter in deciding to take protective actions against another human.

If you help an attacker meet with both gravity and the earth allowing you to leave quickly for safety and you stop there you have found, hopefully, that point of "just exactly enough." If you don't and you allow your monkey to tell you to teach this person the error of their ways and continue by kicking them, etc. then you have lost that point and gone beyond - you will suffer the consequences of not know when enough is enough.

Ceremonies vs. Rituals vs. Announcements, etc.

As a prelude to my post you might read "Ceremonies" by Rob Redmond of the 24 Fighting Chickens Blog.

Ceremony: A formal public occasion, typically one celebrating a particular event or anniversary; An act or series of acts performed according to a traditional or prescribed form; The ritual observances and procedures performed at grand and formal occasions; Formal polite behavior, etc.

This is simply a "formal event" that is performed on a special occasion. It is performed in a solemn elaborate and formal way. Sometimes it is related to an event that is religious in nature. A ceremony is an outward sign of a rite or ritual. It is open and a visible witness to those who are concerned and the community, i.e. the dojo members in this case, and recognizably consistent for the purposes of giving evidence of an event related to a given rite. In another nutshell is is a special celebration or ritual for a notable occasion.

Ritual: A series of actions or type of behavior regularly and invariably followed by someone; A prescribed order of performing such a ceremony, esp. one characteristic of a particular religion or church [ i.e. in this case a martial system, etc.]; An action arising from convention or habit; A customary observance or practice; a prescribed procedure for conducting ceremonies; a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value. It may be prescribed by the traditions of a community. The term usually excludes actions which are arbitrarily chosen by the performers, or dictated purely by logic, chance, necessity, etc.; etc.

Announcement: A public and typically formal statement about a fact, occurrence, or intention; The action of making such a statement; etc.

Mr. Rob Redmond provided a wonderful post on "ceremonies" and in the comments differentiates between a ceremony, a ritual, and just an announcement. I tend to think a bit differently on his view of a ceremony. To me if one is applying a public formal act for a specific occasion, i.e. a new person joining a dojo, then it is a ceremony. As to the particulars of such a ceremony, that would provide the difference between it being a formalized ceremony vs. a simple dojo ritual. After all the definitions of both do cross over a bit.

I would agree that if you simply inform the dojo members that here is a new guy please make them feel welcome, that is merely an announcement.

I believe that if a dojo has a formalized ritualistic event, act or a series of acts to start all training and practice then that is a ceremony. If everyone lines up according to some order, faces a wall that may contain a type of setting such as the systems creator's picture, etc. and perform a meditation session which is an act that is part of a series of acts then it is a ceremony. When it continues the series of acts such as bowing to the kamidana, bowing to Sensei, bowing to the Dai-sempai and then rising and given a command to begin training to me that is a ceremony.

This is also a dojo ritual because the meaning actually references it being a type of ceremony. It is also a custom that is considered by some systems as a tradition for that system. The lines can be a bit blurred much like all the lines that are used to differentiate between rank awards, etc.

One person's ceremony can be another's ritual and still another's tradition; but they all, depending on the views of the individual, cam be a ceremony of one level/degree or another.

In a nutshell, it depends and is dependent entirely on those who practice such things. No one outside that particular group can or has the right to say it is or is not a ceremony, etc. Much like I have no right to say if someone is or is not a qualified black belt. That also is exclusive to the relationship of the Sensei and the individual.