Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
I recently stopped by a local magazine and newspaper stand to take a look at the BB publication especially for the editorial/article by Dave Lowry. I always find inspiring things in his works, often illuminating as well toward the martial arts - in general. As I do with many of my studies I take extracts of things others present then go off on a tangent about the extracted quote (I write on the quote as if it had nothing to do with its origins in the article or the author’s work). Such things make me think, hopefully, outside the box that is my experience, perceptions, distinctions and beliefs.
Today, I write about a view on strategies as I perceive the quote if it were applied to modern karate and martial arts. I think of strategies as those actions taken by a person in defense of self and/or others toward some form of conflict and/or violence. I see the following as a major ignored problem when it comes to applying martial arts and karate toward a very narrow aspect of the discipline, i.e., self-defense. Here it is:
“Many martial artists [and karate-ka] do not understand strategy [at this level]. They think of strategy only in contests. They think it’s nothing more than coming up with a plan for a fight or a violent encounter. This is a narrow view of strategy.” - Lowry
Those who, in my humble opinion based on nothing at all, take this perspective of self-defense utilizing martial arts and karate self-defense technique-based models are putting their very lives on the line based on things that are not fully explored, trained, practiced and understood. Just read Marc MacYoung’s basic treatise on self-defense found here. He and other luminaries on conflict communications such as Rory Miller have tons of documents, books and video’s etc., on the subject one can study to one’s benefit (see my biblio link below). I am about to begin my fifth go round reading that book and have done the same for the other’s as well.
The forthcoming arguments will be something like, “I have had self-defense encounters and I won so what you say is not true (I’m being kind in this statement for many will vehemently with colorful euphemisms would say something more colorful) but a bit more honest self-analysis would teach us all that every form of martial arts and karate or other discipline of the same goals will work, when they work, and will NOT work, when they don’t work. The issue in this article is, “Do you want luck to rule your health and life in such encounters simply because it works in competitions?”
I don’t say this from personal experiences although those few self-defense encounters were successful but from the personal accounts of those who a violence professionals who encounter violence almost every day of their jobs. It is only such intense ongoing experiences that one can truly expect to understand what works and doesn’t and what might or might not work and how much is luck. In short, almost all of us including me have benefited from a good deal of luck by not encountering situations that led to grave harm, death or legal/moral/economical ramifications from using our martial prowess in the name of self-defense (pun and inference meant).
Don’t believe me, don’t assume I know what I am talking (writing) about and still assume some reality and benefit exists in my efforts if for no other reason then getting you to research and hone your skills to include such things - you won’t regret it!
Bibliography (Click the link)
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