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.

The Brain (Fun is key)

Nō []


FUN: Rory Miller, of viody, once wrote me that fun was an important part of training and practice and it took me a while to see what he meant by that - this article gives some reasoning to that statement.


Activity regulates synapse formation

These results show that the formation of new synapses is driven by the tendency of neurons to maintain a 'pre-set' electrical activity level. If the average electric activity falls below a certain threshold, the neurons begin to actively build new contact points. These are the basis for new synapses that deliver additional input -- the neuron firing rate increases. This also works the other way round: as soon as the activity level exceeds an upper limit, the number of synaptic connections is reduced to prevent any overexcitation -- (think balance: think yin/yang: think moderation) -- the neuron firing rate falls. Similar forms of homeostasis frequently occur in nature, for example in the regulation of body temperature and blood sugar levels.


Today, many scientists believe that this Hebbian principle plays a central role in learning and memory processes. While synaptic plasticity in involved primarily in short-term processes that take from a few milliseconds to several hours, structural plasticity extends over longer time scales, from several days to months.


https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131010205325.htm


There are many varying theories on repetitive practices to create the brain wiring for retention, the type of retention with its associated recall and application, and there is one that points to a more holistic wholehearted path. 


This particular theory says we need at least 300-400 reps per session (having fun with it can reduce this setting) to begin rewiring the brain to provide meaningful outcomes. - With the right focus and repetition, brains rewire to enhance or add pathways that result in new skills, knowledge, and habits.


Key is to have fun with it, because the fun mind-state seems to allow superior creation, retention and recall/action of brain synapses or wiring. 


REACH:


Repetition. You must do something repeatedly to significantly rewire (don’t forget to have fun with it) your brain.


Effort. You must put in significant effort. The activity can’t be easy for you. You have to care about the activity.


Attention. You must focus and sustain rapt attention on the activity. (this is a hint as to the importance of visualization, etc.)


Complexity. The more complex and challenging the activity, the more rewiring you’ll get. (for martial disciplines one would work challenging with more gusto then complexity)


Health. Eat, sleep, and exercise well to keep your body and brain healthy and ready for growth. Shaar and Britton suggest 50 specific activities for maintaining healthy habits, including ways to build a growth mindset.


https://www.happybrainscience.com/blog/reach-to-rewire-your-brain/


Hebbian principle: Hebbian theory is a neuropsychology theory claiming that an increase in synaptic efficacy arises from a presynaptic cell's repeated and persistent stimulation of a postsynaptic cell. It is an attempt to explain synaptic plasticity, the adaptation of brain neurons during the learning process. - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebbian_theory


Visualization (Shikaku-ka [視覚化]):

  • Reality-based methodologies
  • Solitary/Partner methodologies
  • Experience-based methodologies
  • Reality-based environment methodologies
  • Stimulates same parts of brain triggered by actual experiences 
  • Mokuso-based meditation/visualization of methodologies/scenarios 

As you readily perceive, simply performing repetitive practices without visualization in practice may ingrain the “movements” but it will have no “substance (Busshitsu [物質]” therefore an attack will find no “triggers (Hikigane [引き金])” in our minds so we cannot act effectively, efficiently and realistically.


To sufficiently and adequately study, train, practice and, critically important, apply methods and methodologies under the duress, stress, and damage in Violence; using these principled methods are absolutely critical to learn to use martial disciplines for self-protection!


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