Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

Weaponry Handicapped

Not!
I have witnessed first hand in an Isshinryu dojo, as well as others, the practitioners gravitating toward the practice of weaponry. In most cases they skirt by the basics and have no clue or desire to do fundamentals and learn only what is absolutely "required" to get to weapons.

In a dojo where I participated for about a year very seldom did they spend any real time either working hand fighting but remember sparring only two maybe three times. No bag work, no makiwara, no punching/striking against any resistance, and mostly empty kata practice then a lot of weaponry.

This is a shame for that is only a very small and more insignificant part of the system of karate/karate-do (yes, I know karate is not  really a weaponry system, i.e. kobudo, yet most clump them together). I don't mean to lessen the art of weaponry. I have shown that it is a part that teaches us about the entire system as created (traditions, customs, etc.) yet it is not critical or even recommended, for my dojo, if fighting or self defense is a training goal.

I firmly believe that spending too much time on weaponry and so little time on the empty hand aspects of karate/karate-do puts the system for that individual off kilter, out of balance, not in equilibrium. Weaponry is interesting, it is exciting, it is fun to learn, they are cool yet "if you are interested in the entire system then it [training/practice] should be balanced."

If you fight, you spar, you compete, and/or you expect your system to provide you with that ability to apply it in those areas then you have to hit stuff. You have to practice with others hitting each other. You have to put in the time and effort with a minimum of 10 minutes of hitting stuff for every hour of practice. You have to focus on your body because in most situations, other than combat, you won't have or want to use weaponry.

I, personally, stopped the practice of weaponry a long time ago simply so I could focus back on the basics/fundamentals of the empty hand system I practice based on Isshinryu and others that I have some familiarity with and recommend that to anyone who wishes to make their empty hands work.

I am adamant that although many would argue the point weaponry DOES NOT enhance your hand techniques or ability to use your hands. Weaponry can/are a crutch. I realize that it puts distance between you and your opponent. I also realize that this is natural, the way mother nature made us so we could survive. But, if you plan on defending/protecting yourself then weaponry is not what I would recommend.

Weaponry is primary in the military and police services. In reality, as a Marine for ten years, I can say emphatically you DO NOT WANT to engage in hand-to-hand unless there is absolutely no other way. This is in combat. You want your tools, weaponry, to do all the work. This is one time I agree a lot of distance between you and the enemy is a good thing.

Fighting, not violent attacks of a predatory nature, the type I call school yard scuffle, will get up close and very personal if it escalates to physical attacks. Think about this and take it up with your Sensei.
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