The Triad of Senses in Martial Systems: Touch

The most likely sense that is most likely to be misunderstood in communications. Lets include this in martial systems as well. It would seem that we take this one for granted far more than sight and hearing. For good reason; not so good reasons.

In martial systems we can divide touch into two distinct categories, one is tactile/tactual and the other is kinesthetic or body/balance. In MA systems we rely heavily on sight or seeing. Even hearing in the sport aspect takes a back seat to seeing the threat or in sport the opponent. This is also a detriment to training, practice and application.

Eyes, hearing and touch as to the kinesthetic aspects comes in much earlier than actual martial applications. We as MA's can use these three in our efforts to avoid. In the kinesthetic aspect we orient our bodies to what we see, hear and feel. Tactile feeling does come into play as to interpretations especially if the individual is a touch dominant person.

If we are approached from behind how we see, hear and feel our environment tells the brain/mind whether we are under a threat or just normal every day encounters. As to touch we rely on what we feel. The pressure of touch, the intensity of the touch, the sensation as interpreted by the brain along side experiences and training, and the pain receptors will tell us how it all feels as it relates to being a threat or not a threat.

Couple that will the two most unlikely senses taught for awareness in training of martial systems, i.e. smell and taste. In some instances senses trigger taste as it may relate to some past experience. As to smell you can tell the type of threat and its possible levels by the smell of someone who is touching you, i.e. so close you smell the breathe, the body oder, etc. Reading the book by Rory Miller, "Facing Violence," he will tell you that the smell of someone very close to you may have a meaning as to how this encounter may go. This is important and the practitioner must study this thoroughly.

The largest organ on the body and one that is considered more important to the body than sight or hearing is the skin. How the muscles move under the skin, both yours and a threats, can "tell" someone aware volumes as to intent and appropriate actions in response to intent. Many art forms of a particular system may rely heavily on what you feel, how you manipulate the threats body to include rubbing, pinching, etc. of the skin and underlying pressure points, etc.

This is important and the practitioner must study this thoroughly.