Practicing Cold

You arrive at the dojo. You enter the dressing area, change into your crisp pressed karate uniform. You put on that well earned colored belt. You take a moment to clear your mind then enter the training area proper, bow in, bow to the kamidana, etc. then begin to warm up.

Sensei arrives to start training. You all do your etiquette thing then get into position for "formal warm-ups and basic waza time." Later you do your kata practice and finally at the end you all participate in the sparring session. In this dojo the last hour is dedicated to self-defense training because your dojo provides a large percentage of training and practice geared toward the combative aspects for self-defense.

Cool, every body is happy and everyone learns a lot of good stuff and we will assume it involves all the right things for self-defense training and practice except for one "small detail."

The "small detail?" You came to practice in a nice, neat, clean and polished wood floor dojo. You are practicing in your bare feet for that is the traditional way for your dojo. You have on a loose fitting karate uniform or loose fitting sweat gear. All is perfect and right in the world.

Do you ever practice cold? I mean do you sometimes have to apply our knowledge cold, no warm up or any kind as if you were strolling along the street when suddenly you are attacked? This brings up another issue, you are on the street in trousers, shirt, socks and shoes let alone some of you who may be in a suit. If you practiced in a karate uniform and barefoot how will your respond when in shoes, slippery dress shoes or non-skid type athletic shoes?

Now are you on a nice clean dojo wood smooth floor or on a sidewalk with obstacles all over the place?

Back to practicing cold and in the every day clothing you wear. Do you practice your self defense in those clothes and in various area's similar to what you encounter to and from work, around your work site, where you go shopping, and so on?

I practice every single day in what I normally wear and I find places I can either physically practice or at least visualize practice as if attacked. This is above and beyond simply practicing avoidance, etc. but that practice, etc. when all else failed and you are attacked.

It is very difficult just jumping into self-defense techniques stone body cold with muscles, tendons, cartilage, etc. not stretched/warmed up for action. It is something that has a different feel and action when applied. Is this something you see done in your self-defense training facility or course you teach/instruct?

Hey, what the heck. If you get attacked you can always tell your attacker, "Hold on man, I have to warm up first." I am sure he will go for that ... ;-)