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.

Mind Control of Mind and Body


We do not have full control of our minds and we do not have full control of our bodies. Our bodies reveal, our bodies impact and our bodies shape our minds. 

The goal of martial discipline is to gain as much control over our minds and bodies. This connectivity also addresses such factors as group dynamics. In groups, especially those with connections and like mindedness, emotions, etc. are contagious infecting each person until the entire group is feeling and experiencing that emotional experience. 

Emotions, our monkey brain, are contagious and that transcends just humans and involves humans and animals. This also applies to groups or tribes, i.e., our micro acts of positivity are contagious to others in our group and that also applies to our micro acts of negativity as well. 

Wonder why your animals act the way the do as pets? Well, like humans pets are influenced by the emotional feelings of their human owners. It goes to say that in the dojo the actions and emotions of others especially when it comes to body language we all speak effects us on how we act, practice and train. This is one of those things that should be a part of the process of teaching and learning martial disciplines. 

Our nonverbal displays of power also effects others across the board and changes according to group membership and others, i.e., those outside the group. Taking high power displays, i.e., take up more physical space and open our body posture, effects us and other positively while low power displays, i.e., take up less physical space and close our body posture, effects us and others negatively.

“Just as powerful as words, your ordinary, everyday nonverbal behaviors reveal who you are, what you are thinking and feeling, they impact people around you, and can shape your own mind. Our bodies can be used to change minds, i.e., empower others through touch and empower self by upright open posture and nods. You are not or ever alone; micro acts of positivity ripple and emotions ripple.

Always act in positive ways, use acts of touch to cause positivity too. A simple pat on someones back empowers them and makes them feel like they are in control. Head nods are self-affirming. 

Cortisol is a chemical in the body that rises when stressed - body posture for power, i.e., big and expansive causes the cortisol to go down - power poses, etc.

Overall: Without a single spoken word, a slight nod of the head can begin the hijacking of an airplane, a smile can turn an adversary into a friend, and a wink can turn a friend into a lover. With speechless efficiency, the language of nonverbal behavior communicates complex human thought and feeling. 

Sometimes nonverbal messages convey intended information. Other times nonverbal behaviors can convey messages you are trying to hide. And deeper still, sometimes nonverbal messages convey information buried below the reaches of introspective access. 

In this talk I will present some of the most compelling findings to emerge from the science of nonverbal communication. For example, you will learn that a tiny contempt expression on the face can predict divorce with up to 94% accuracy. You will learn that a simple pat on the back can significantly increase the likelihood that someone will take a risk. 

You will learn that skin-to-skin physical touch is the newest therapy to help autistic babies learn to overcome social deficits. And I will tell you that you can nearly double your chances of landing an online date if in your profile you display just a hint of nonverbal dominance.
Bibliography (Click the link)

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