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.

Body Language and Posture - Attitude and Aura

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

In martial arts teaching fense (Offense and Defense) instruction refers to an aura or attitude created to make the user not a target of predatory endeavors. In other words, creating an aura that is perceived by some as either a non-entity that does not attract attention and projects something akin to nothingness resulting it a predatory gaze to simply bypass you and move on to other more inviting targets. Then there is the other attitude and aura that projects confidence and an ability that deters a predator who takes notice and simply moves on to easier targets. The only issue of concern to the second concept is running into a predator who would not be impressed but challenged by such an aura and attitude. 

Our posture, our structure and our body language - the non-verbal signals come from these and provide impressions and trigger intuitions that say, not this one - as to how we move and how that movement effects how others see us along with moods and habits overlap and crate an overall impression that often triggers certain things in the observers. 

We want to impose an effect on the opinions of people who observe us in our environment and how those opinions are subconsciously influenced from our physical behavior matters a great deal especially when avoidance, deescalation along with escape and avoidance are not on the table and not dealt in the hand dealt. Our body language and our posture affect not only out thoughts but those who observe us, think about this.

A good example, “When participants in the study nodded in agreements or shook their heads to signal disagreement, these actions affected their opinions without them realizing.” Do you know which one caused and affected which opinion, i.e., that they actually agreed or that you perceived that they actually didn’t agree? 

Did you know that simply standing taller literally makes you look more powerful. This is taught in the military through teaching the position of attention along with marching and maneuvering with what is called, “Military Bearing,” that is actually walking tall to make us look powerful especially toward our enemies. In the Marines we have this training called, “Making our war face.” It is reminiscent of those ancient helmets and masks worn by samurai to add height to their stature as well as depict a fearsome face to strike fear in the hearts of their enemies. This same feat is accomplished through psychological means or the military would have no need for the proverbial “propaganda” used so well in military campaigns. 

The same aspects described work in reverse, i.e., along with certain psychological attitudes those stances, postures and body languages also boost our mind-set and mind-state toward a fearsome fighting spirit. It is this kind of development that we strive for in martial arts for fense. 

Now, as to how that is accomplished is not just about training and practice of martial arts but a more comprehensive and detailed form of training, practice and the gaining of experience (both in practice and in reality). In short, it builds spirit and if appropriate assists the individual to step across that nature of human animals and do harm onto others before they do harm upon him. 

If does not come from just books or simplistic training for body language like all languages are driven by social cultural belief and communications systems as diverse as the varied forms or styles of martial arts and their kata. In its simplest forms, what may work in your environment may be deadly to you in other environments.  This too, is critically important and warrants study, study and study.  

Oh, and “p.s.” don’t assume that mimicking your favorite movie action star will do the trick, it’s a movie for heavens sake and it ain’t reality. 


Bibliography (Click the link)

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