Marc MacYoung used these two terms at the end of an article that got me to thinking of how many males tend to assume that physical conditioning and aggressive intent are all you need to succeed in a physical crises - fight or attack. I felt that this was a strong part of fighting and self-defense. I spent many hours in the gym and dojo pushing my physical conditioning to the limits. I did weights. I did machines in a circuit training manner. I ran and ran and ran, mini-marathons and much more.
I used both my conditioning and an aggressive intent to literally flood over an opponent like a tidal wave over the Okinawan rocky shoreline. It worked a lot. It was one of those things that one day I kept on trying to do when my opponent kept slamming me, dumping me, hitting me hard and harder. I got stuck. I allowed my monkey brain to keep me in that loop because it was successful in the past and I wasn't in danger of being killed - just hurt, minor damage.
I discovered then what I now understand as fundamental principles of martial systems. I was brutally shown in the dojo just how ineffective my conditioning and aggressive intent was for fighting. The guy demonstrating was a new friend who was smaller, lighter, and not nearly as strong as I was - strength ill-applied is shit.
I then discovered that all those bulging muscles did nothing but create a body that looked good in a bathing suit. True physical conditioning is not body building musculature. I am not saying it does not have its benefits and purpose - it does not mean power. I learned a lot that year.
Marc MacYoung and Rory Miller both will tell you from real life experiences that big strong conditioned and aggressive guys don't win if they go against anyone who knows how to fight - real fighting.
Aggressive intent is a benefit when controlled. Raw aggressive intent for the sole sake of rolling over someone may work for a time. It will fail if you encounter a person who knows. Physical conditioning may project perceived toughness. It will also fail if you encounter a person who knows.
It took me almost twenty years to encounter one and I was very, very lucky it was in the circumstances posted here and not a person who knows - in a real fight or attack or both.
p.s. once again a re-read of an article added more to my knowledge - cool.
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.
1 comment:
You're giving me hope that little 'ol me won't be immediately splattered by the big guys if I train correctly! ;-)
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