Focus

Focus

Self defense requires intense focus.  More focus should go into the training and preparation for the altercation rather than the altercation itself.  This requires a good self defense system to train in.

There is a vast difference between martial arts training and self defense training.  Martial arts training focuses on the etiquette (bowing, Japanese, Korean, or Chinese terminology), uniforms, etc.  The focus of this type of training is treating the body as a piece of clay and molding it.  This is the art of martial arts.  Becoming a master of yourself.

Self defense on the other hand requires none of these things.  The focus is entirely on self preservation.  So which is more important?  Techniques or principles?  I lean towards principles because these are the foundations for all techniques.  This is my area of focus.  I teach techniques to learn the principles so that the principles become more important in understanding more techniques down the road.  For me it is easier to understand a technique when I know the principles behind it.  This way I can speed up the learning process for myself and this type of focus is what I pass on to others.

My question for you is…Which do you think is more important…Technique or Principles?

Next time we will talk about Goals

Ciao!

Mark

8^th Degree Black Belt

Author of Books & DVDs

International Seminar Speaker

Empowerment

Empowerment

Empowerment literally means the giving or delegation of power or authority; authorization.

We are basically giving ourselves permission of said power or authority…mainly over ourselves.  In today’s times, to be empowered…is to have and demonstrate confidence.  Where does this confidence come from?

Any activity or endeavor that we excel at, we become empowered first within the realm of that thing that we mastered.  Do this a few more times and we become empowered to act on many things that are outside our comfort zone. 

I can give you examples that I have used, but what is more important is for you to think back about times that you succeeded at something…anything…that gave you that feeling of empowerment.  Some of these things may seem small or insignificant to another, but to you…they were like climbing Mt. Everest!

When we focus on that “feeling” of accomplishment…we start to stand a little taller, walk more confidently, and our eyes have a sharp focus that is not there when that feeling is absent.  We can use this every day to get us going in a positive direction, no matter the circumstances.

Self defense is a great way to get and retain these feelings of empowerment.  It first starts off with a few simple techniques and principles.  Once we have a better grasp of the material…the learning curve gets less curvy and length of time it takes to not only learn, but grasp the material, get shorter.  This affects our every day life in such a positive way that it is hard to calculate. 

In our self defense classes we focus directly on each person’s strengths and weaknesses.  I am talking more about the mental side than the physical.  It all starts with the “Yes I can attitude” and the rest become easy.  Remember…A journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step.

Next time we will talk about Focus.

Ciao!

Mark

8^th Degree Black Belt

Author of Books & DVDs

International Seminar Speaker

D for Determined

Those who practice self defense regularly learn much more than physical skills.  Martial arts training is more about conquering the inner self than control over another.  Basically, if you cannot control yourself, how can you control another?  You many be able to pull it off occasionally, but I doubt you will be consistent. 

We become more and more determined the more we practice anything, especially physical things.  Hard work and hard training, go hand in hand.  There is a slight degree of suffering when training hard.  This is not referred to as suffering, but rather character building.

Adversity makes us tougher...if we pay attention to the lessons.  Dogs in extreme heat will either look for shade or lay down and possibly die.  They do not assess the heat situation as we would and this could have disastrous results.  Our training teaches us to keep going and never give up.  This does not mean continue on a bad path, but rather look at our current situation and change course if necessary.  We may go slightly off track at first, but with proper focus and determination, we can continue on towards our goals.

Nothing happens in a straight line.  There are ups and downs in anything.  Look at someone who is successful long term and may look at where they are today, but not realize what it took to get there...determination.

Next time we will talk about Empowerment.

Ciao!

Mark

C for Control

The ABC's of Self Defense

 

C for Control

We cannot control everything...even as much as we would like to.  That is just a plain fact.  In martial arts and self defense classes we are always trying to control an opponent.  The biggest, scariest opponent that we will ever face is ourselves.  Our goal in martial arts training is not to conquer another, but control over ourselves.

In many schools of martial arts, the beginner starts out with first learning how to punch, stand, kick, and/or roll.  These are all done by yourself, under the supervision of someone who has been trained well.  As we had spoken of before in the Basics post, you must first go slowly in order to go quickly.  We can say that until we are blue in the face, but the fact remains..."slow and steady wins the race."

"It is a martial arts class...right?  We are supposed to be learning self defense...right?"  The answer is yes to both questions.  Can we properly execute techniques on another person if we first do not have control over ourselves?  Not likely!  So back to the beginning...we must first aim to learn how to control ourselves, from the inside out.  Not an easy task at all.  

Let's say we are a great technician and can execute these techniques flawlessly.  When the defecation hits the rotating oscillator...we better have control over our emotions as well.  Martial arts training is not solely the training of physical body, but of the mind and soul.  This is the essence of control...from the inside out.

Next time we will talk about Determination

Ciao!

Mark

B for Basics

The ABC's of Self Defense

B for Basics

Not many people like the word Basic.  I guess the synonym could also be "Boring!"  Many people equate basics with a boring activity.  While it is more fun going fast, sometimes very fast, in order to really go fast and to do anything well consistently....you must first go slow.  

Let's look at martial arts training for example.

Any physical skill or activity takes a combination of a few things: focus, timing, repetition.  There are more, but lets start here.  It is really important to go slow in the beginning in order to link the mind and body...to create the muscle memory.  This can happen rather quickly, as long as you are focused while going slowly.  This will help build up psychological momentum as well as physical coordination.  This leads to us to timing.  While learning new activities...our timing is usually terrible.  We can get good timing through practice, but it  must be focused practice.  Many will go through the motions.  Those who are really competitive with themselves, will pick up the skills faster...as long as they do not let their ego get in their way...which does happen sometimes. Once we get our focus and timing down...the next part...where we can really build our skill set is through repetition.  IMO, the best skill building comes not during the first few reps, but through the last few.  When we get to reps 7-10. we get mentally tired, thereby losing our focus.  Our physical skills and timing deteriorate slightly.  These reps, IMO are the most important with which to build the neural pathways...or the "recipe" for success.

Here are the 4 stages to learning anything:

1. Unconscious incompetence -You don't know that you don't know it.

2. Conscious Competence - You tried it and you stink at it.

Most people quit after this realization

3. Conscious Competence - You now have an idea of what to do and must practice

4. Unconscious Competence - You have practiced enough to get the technique(s) into your subconscious.  

These 4 steps can take weeks or months to get a certain skill, or can take a matter of minutes.  It all depends on the first part...FOCUS.

Next time we will talk about Control.

Ciao!

Mark

A for Awareness

The ABC's of Self Defense

A for Awareness

Everyone talks about awareness.  They tell you to look at your surroundings, to look at the path you are traveling, etc.  What I am talking about with regards to awareness is YOU!  

Let's start out with your mood.  Is is a good mood or a bad mood?  Generally speaking, a good mood conveys confidence and usually those who intend to do you harm, will wait for those who show a lack of confidence.  At my school Kaizen Martial Arts we speak about this all the time because we want all of our students to convey this air of confidence about them at all times.  This shows strangers that you are comfortable with who you are and depending on the situation, not someone to take lightly.

What about your clothes?  We always want to dress well and look presentable.  Depending on who you are meeting with and where you are meeting...you could stick out like a sore thumb.  Years ago when I went to Brazil for New Year's week, we were told not to wear any jewelry we wanted to lose.  I left the gold chain at home and the watch....no problems whatsoever.  

Your clothes can also have an impact on your self defense...if you ever have to use it.  I had a student who went clubbing with some friends.  She was wearing a mini skirt and heels.  She was looking sharp.  She had to use some of her skills that night with a guy who kept on putting his hands on her, even after she told him no.  She went to walk away from him and he grabbed her waist.   She touched his hand to make him relax and then BAM!  She grabbed his finger, pinned it to her body and spun, dropping him to the floor.  The bouncers stepped in to help her, but the situation was already "handled."  I asked her why she chose that particular technique.  She said, "Because of the skirt, I could not kick, because of the heels, my balance was not so great.  You always told us to attack what was attacking us...I just did as you trained me."

Next time we will talk about B for Basics

Ciao!

Mark