On self defence / self defense

munting around on the Interwebs at work today, I felt the need to respond to a post I saw here

This is a portion of the original post:

I think I finally mastered the knife disarm!

Self defense seems so imprecise to me…the attacker will never be in
the same exact position that you’ve practiced, so much of defense, I
feel, is improvised on the spot. Since I dislike improvising anything
(can’t everything come with an instruction manual?) I struggle with all
the “what ifs” (especially, when it comes to things like “what if I
miss in disarming him?”)…….

This is such a common theme. Really most self defence can be summed up in a single word, bullshit, and sometimes; bullshit that will get you killed.

Really, self defence in a nutshell should consist of how to stay the fuck out of dangerous situations, and then, only if you’ve messed that up, how to punch, knee, headbutt, bite, elbow and gouge as hard and as much as required to make the threat go away. Obviously if you’ve got time, a continuum of force idea could be introduced and legal issues addressed. but I digress.

Anyway, here’s my reply:

“Self defence seems so imprecise to me”

If you think about it, what you really mean is that it’s too precise. ie; the attacker has to have their arm in exactly position A, otherwise technique B wont work.

100% foolproof [insert weapon/body part etc here] defence is not a realistic goal, exactly because of all those ‘what ifs’ you’ve mentioned. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security.

The ‘improvisation’ you’re talking about is the goal of self defence and martial arts in general. You need to respond without thinking to the situation as it evolves, and it will evolve and change far, far too fast for you if you’re trying to remember a technique from amongst a list of hundreds that you’ve memorised.

On the other hand; if you have learned and practice a set of principals and internalised them, then from these you can rely on your self to adapt spontaneously to the fight.
eg: If someone taught you that 2 + 3 is 5 and didn’t explain the function of the ‘+’ sign then you would only ever be able to answer 2+3, you’d be stumped when some one asked you to do 5 + 7!! however, if they taught you the principal that the ‘+’ means to add the values together, you’d be able to do any addition you wanted.

But, you can’t just be told that, you need to put in the practice adding things before it comes naturally.

to bring this back to martial arts; the first 2 + 3 you do is like this ‘knife disarm’ technique you’re learning; you can only do the disarm successfully within very fixed parameters.
After a while and you move on to disarm number 2 and 3 etc. you are still confined to the new parameters of the techniques.
After a number of these techniques you will start to see a common theme, the principals of knife defence. This is where you learn what the ‘+’ does, and how you can make it yours.

These principals that you should be trying to discover are not set in stone. some people may like to trap the knife close to there body, some may like to deflect it and counter attack. each has it’s benefits, but the only measure of correctness is if it works for that person.

It’s from these principals come the answers to the ‘what ifs.’

Remember, the overriding goal is to stop the person from harming you. however you get there is good, as long as you do get there.

Shit, this turned out to be quite long. It’s an important point though. The take home message is really run as fast away as you can if someone comes at you with a knife (Principle number 1!)

Good luck in the training!

A Good list of QiGong related articles

look here

Nice one Monabooks!!

Apparently the Essence of Internal Martial arts books I and II are sold out. I really shouldn’t have to repeat what I said in an earlier post about the necessity of reading these, but I really think that you need them in your life!

If you can brave the awful [sorry guys, but it's my professional opionion ] Monabooks website (don’t worry about the company behind the website, they’ve been going for years and a lot of people in the UK have them to thank for reading material over the last few years) you can get your hands on a copy or two before they disappear all together.

Go here and search for ESSENCE OF INTERNAL MARTIAL ARTS” and send them then link to this blog!

For those of you in the US, you might be able to get hold of them here

EDIT: Also try here at ryukyu books

EDIT: Table of contents for both books

Book 1

Table of Contents

---

Acknowledgements ………………………………….	v
About the Author ……………………………………..	vi
Preface …………………………………………………	xvi
Forward …………………………………………………	xvii

---

Section One:
Fighting Method and Theory

• Chapter 1. Foundation Movement and Applications
• Chapter 2. Rolling Hands: Kun Shou
• Chapter 3. Two-Man Sets
• Chapter 4. Free Form Fighting: San Shou
• Chapter 5. Internal Boxing Awareness Skills: Nei Ch’uan
• Chapter 6. The Six Combinations & Eight Methods
• Chapter 7. Establishing Realistic Training Goals

Section Two:
Eight Animal Fighting Methods and Theory

• Chapter 8. Eight Animal Fighting Characteristics of the I-Ching
• Chapter 9. The Lions & The Heaven Trigram: Ch’ien
• Chapter 10. The Unicorn & The Earth Trigram: K’um
• Chapter 11. The Snake & The Water Trigram: K’an
• Chapter 12. The Falcon & The Fire Trigram: Li
• Chapter 13. The Dragon & The Thunder Trigram: Chen
• Chapter 14. The Pheonix & The Wind Trigram: Sun
• Chapter 15. The Bear & The Mountain Trigram: Ken
• Chapter 16: The Monkey & The Lake Trigram: Tui

Section Three:
Palm Training Methods and Theory

• Chapter 17. Palm Training
• Chapter 18. Classical Palm Liniments
• Chapter 19. Stage One Palm Training
• Chapter 20. Stage Two Palm Training
• Chapter 21. Stage Three palm training
• Chapter 22. Harmful Side Effects of Incorrect Practicing

Section Four:
Death Touch Methods and Theory

• Chapter 23. Death Touch: Ssu Chu Chueh
• Chapter 24. Attacking the Nerves: T’ien Ching
• Chapter 25. Attacking the Blood Vessels: T’ien Hseuh
• Chapter 26. Attacking the Body’s Energy: T’ien Hsing Ch’i

Section Five
Healting Methods and Theory

• Chapter 27. Herbal Medicine
• Chapter 28. Tui Na: Massage and Acupressure

---

Glossary of Terms ……………………………………	300
References …………………………………………….	303
Also Available by the Author ……………………….	307
Book and Video Information ………………………..	310
Preview: Volume II Energy Theory & Cultivation……….	312
Afterword ……………………………………………….	315

Book 2

Table of Contents..	Page
Acknowledgements…	v
About the Author…	vi
Preface…………	xvi
Forward…………	xvii
Introduction…….	xviii
Section One - Metaphysical Boxing
Methods and Theory
CHAPTER 1. Metaphysical Boxing
1-1. Introduction	21
1-2. Energy Bubble	23
1-3. Projecting Energy	25
1-4. Projecting and Listening Exercises	28
1-5. Perceiving Energy Holes in your Opponent’s Energy Bubble	31
1-6. Awareness	32
1-7. Eight Direction Perception Meditation Stage One	36
1-8. Perception Meditation Stage Two	41
1-9. Perception Meditation Stage Three	42
CHAPTER 2. Increasing Psychic Awareness
2-1. Introduction	43
2-2. The Ego	46
2-3. The Psychic Opening	46
2-4. The Four Stages of Training Psychic Perception	48
2-5. Changing Emotional Energy of Ching into Building Ch’i	49
2-6. Transforming Ch’i into Shen	51
CHAPTER 3. Extending Energy
3-1. Introduction	53
3-2. Three Levels of Energy Extention	55
3-3. Ching Plane Energy Extention	56
3-4. Ch’i Plane Energy Extension	60
3-5. Shen Plane Energy Extension	65
3-6. Uprooting with Energy Extension	67
3-7. Sound Blast Resonation	68
3-8. Energy Associated with Emotion	70
3-9. The Five Emotions	72
CHAPTER 4. Transforming Emotions into Ch’i
4-1. Introduction	79
4-2. Healing Sounds and Colors	80
4-3. Fusion of Body, Emotion and Spirit	80
CHAPTER 5. Auras and Emotional Energy
5-1. Introduction	83
5-2. Shen Kung Meditation	86
5-3. Physical Body Tissue Colors	88
5-4. Energetic Body Aura Colors	88
CHAPTER 6. The Integration of Body, Mind, Emotion & Spirit
6-1. Introduction	89
6-2. Emotional Energy and Functional Applications	92
6-3. The Four Transitions of the Internal Boxer	95
6-4. The Four Transitions of Light	96
6-5. The Four Transitions of Darkness	101
CHAPTER 7. Time Displacement
7-1. Introduction	105
7-2. The Foundation is the Mind	105
7-3. The Importance of Waiting	106
7-4. Five Stages of Attack	107
7-5. Scientific Explanation	108
7-6. Time Displacement Meditations	109
Section Two - Energy Cultivations
CHAPTER 8. Hidden Truths Of Energy Training
8-1. Introduction	113
8-2. The Three Treasures of Alchemical Dimensions	116
8-3. Internal and External Development	119
8-4. Kinetic Communication	119
8-5. Heart Communication	121
8-6. Visual Communication	122
8-7. Internal Transitions - Level One	124
8-8. Internal Transitions - Level Two	127
8-9. Internal Transitions - Level Three	130
Section Three - Vibrational Training Methods and Theory
CHAPTER 9. I-Ch’uan
9-1. Introduction	133
9-2. Purpose and Goal	134
9-3. Stillness	136
9-4. Preparation and Practice	138
CHAPTER 10. I-Ch’uan Stage One: Static Postures
10-1. Introduction	139
10-2. I-Ch’uan Postures	140
CHAPTER 11. I-Ch’uan Stage Two: Imagery and Intent
11-1. Introduction	145
CHAPTER 12. Joint Opening
12-1. Tendon and Ligament Stretching	149
CHAPTER 13. Marrow Washing and Draining
13-1. Introduction	151
13-2. The Three Stages of Marrow Washing	151
13-3. Marrow Draining	153
CHAPTER 14. Bone Breathing and Squeezing
14-1. Introduction	155
14-2. Stage One - Cleaning	156
14-3. Stage Two - Rebuilding	157
14-4. Stage Three - Squeezing	159
CHAPTER 15. I-Ch’uan Stage Three: Vibration
15-1. Introduction	161
15-2. Resonant Vibrations	163
15-3. Body Vibration	164
15-4. Alignment for Level Three I-Ch’uan	167
15-5. Stage Three I-Ch’uan Exercises	168
15-6. Exercise One	170
15-6. Exercise Two	171
15-6. Exercise Three	172
15-6. Exercise Four	173
15-6. Exercise Five	174
15-6. Exercise Six	174
15-6. Exercise Seven	175
15-6. Exercise Eight	176
15-6. Exercise Nine	177
Section Four - Discharging Energy Methods and Theory CHAPTER 16. Explosive Power: Fa Chin
16-1. Introduction	179
16-2. Discharging Internal Power: “Fa Chin”	180
16-3. Bone Linkage	182
16-4. Four main Energies of Attack	183
16-5. Rippling the Spine	184
16-6. Key Points to Remember	185
16-7. Explanation of Shaking the Spine	186
16-8. Explanation of Whipping the Spine	187
16-9. Reeling the Silk: Drilling Energy	187
16-10. Pulling the Silk: Snapping Energy	187
16-11. Shaking and Releasing	188
16-12. Meteor Shatters the Earth	189
16-13. Structural Connection and Alignment	190
16-14. Martial Integrations	191
16-15. Key Points to Remember During the Transfer of Chin	193
16-16. Sixteen Steps to Transferring Chin	194
CHAPTER 17. I-Ch’uan Stage Four: Movement and Martial Application
17-1. Introducton	195
17-2. Theory of the Ball	196
17-3. Rolling and Drawing Back	197
17-4. Striking	199
17-5. The Hands	200
17-6. Stepping or Walking	201

Debating Martial Arts topics on the interwebs

This morning I got pretty aggravated by some tool that made the statement

‘We can safely say that martial arts started when Bodhidharma travelled
from India to China and taught some emaciated Chinese Buddhist monks
some exercises to stay healthy’

This kind of thing really riles me. In my opinion the Shaolin story is full of shit, propagated by the Chinese government and old skool kung fu flicks. Why do I think this, because of things I have read and researched.

Now, does this really matter a toss? Really? the answer is definitely no. It’s my opinion, should it be other people’s opinion too? who gives a toss, it doesn’t matter. Does it help my training if indeed the first person to ever throw a punch and teach his mates was some Indian Yogi? not at all. So why debate it?!

The martial arts are about training to be good at fighting, you cannot put a gloss on that. As a side effect of deep study in any practical field, you will also, after time, develop a scholarly side and start researching the martial arts and related fields. If your inclined that way you might even develop the internal aspects of the arts as well. It’s really no big shit! don’t get all excited about it!

I’m not sure if this post makes much sense, but in summary:

• Don’t be a tool and just spout shit on the internet/real world - At least try to do some research first before showing your ignorance.
• Debating esoterica, vague history etc. is fully pointless and will not make you a better practitioner. The main part of that word is practice, so when you feel the urge to spout off, can it and get to the gym to do something useful (I’m clearly not following my own advice here with this rant!)

NB: For a much more eloquent expression of what I am trying to say look here and here

Learning Japanese - It’s 2008: Use technology to help!

I said a while ago that I moved, well, part of that has involved learning a new language. Following the martial arts maxim,

Do not seek to just blindly copy and emulate your teachers, instead seek what they sought.

I set about trying to find the tools and strategy that worked best for me to accomplish the goal of learning a new language quickly and well.

I found that the king of SRS (spaced repetition systems) and Japanese language learning tools is the humble PDA

So, First go to http://www.japaneselanguagetools.com/ and get an Axim loaded to the gills with Japanese - English dictionaries. Then get bazillions of example sentences from ftp://ftp.cc.monash.edu.au/pub/nihongo/jp_examples.fpw.tar.gz and stick that on the PDA’s SD Card (get a big one, the bigger the better)

Once that’s done you have a Japanese-English-Kanji-Stroke order-readings etc Dictionary that easily outperforms any of the commercial J-E ‘Wordtank’ kind of dictionaries,you can add further pimpage too by adding the worlds finest SRS　on it by adding PocketStackz from http://www.stackz.com/Stackz/ppc/ppc.htm
after that’s installed add the vocabulary files from http://www.stackz.com/Stackz/Archive/Archive.php

That’s well on the way to being the King of language learning helpers, but adding Declan’s voice flash cards (Yes: VOICE, they speak the words at you!) and the Kanji software will quite honestly put you over the edge!! get them from here -
http://www.declan-software.com/pocket_pc/japanese/index.htm

The Declans and Stackz site has files for all the JLPT levels and quite frankly, any words you’d ever need!

Free trials are available for all the software listed above (Obviously not the Axim)

Good luck!

NB: I am in no way affiliated with these sites, but I do fully recommend the products.

Latin Quotes from the Oldskool

Nihil aliud scit necessitas quam vincere - Necesssity knows nothing else but victory. (Syrus)

Nemo timendo ad summum pervenit locum - No man by fearing reaches the top. (Syrus)

Mens agitat molem - The mind moves the matter. (Vergil)

Maior risus, acrior ensis: quadragesima octava regula quaesitus - The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife: the 48th rule of acquisition

Facilius per partes in cognitionem totius adducimur - We are more easily led part by part to an understanding of the whole. (Seneca)

Facilius est multa facere quam diu - It is easier to do many things than to do one for a long time. (Quintilianus)

Fas est et ab hoste doceri - It’s proper to learn even from an enemy. (Ovid)

Homines, dum docent, discunt - Men learn while they teach. (Seneca)

Gladiator in arena consilium capit - The gladiator is formulating his plan in the arena (i.e., too late) (Seneca)

Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto - I am human, therefore nothing human is strange to me

Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas - Although the power is lacking, the will is commendable. (Ovid)

Veni, vidi, vici - I came, I saw, I conquered. (Julius Caesar)

Video meliora proboque deteriora sequor - I see the better way and approve it, but I follow the worse way

Vis consili expers mole ruit sua - Brute force bereft of wisdom falls to ruin by its own weight. (Discretion is the better part of valor) (Horace)

Vitiis nemo sine nascitur - No-one is born without faults. (Horace)

Aequam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem - Remember when life’s path is steep to keep your mind even. (Horace)

Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero - Seize the day, leave as little as possible to tomorrow.(Horace)

Wisdom is not wisdom when it is derived from books alone.(Horace)

Tai Chi reduces tension headaches apparently!

As part of the study, the researchers conducted a 15-week Tai Chi
program and found that participating patients improved on a
quality-of-life based measurement called SF-36 and also on a test
called HIT-6TM designed to capture the effect of headaches. A 15 week
intervention of Tai Chi practice was effective in reducing headaches.
The patients also reported improvement in energy levels, emotional well
being, social functioning and mental health.

More Here

Qigong Improves Concentration in School Children

Claudia Witt, MD, and associates from the Institute for Social
Epidemiology, Epidemiology and Health Economics at the University of
Berlin, did a study on 140 students to determine the result of a
six-month program of Xianggong (”fragrant qigong”), movement
instruction for the students’ health and behaviour.

More Here

Evolutionary Fitness

I’m looking into this at the moment, sounds pretty interesting

http://www.whywenothithard.com/2008/02/review-evolutionary-fitness.html

More science than an undergrad course, but simple and easy-to-apply
principles make this a superb all-around diet/fitness system. May not
be ideal for high-level athletes though.

Advice: Beginning BJJ / MMA / Martial arts in general

Lately it seems like I’ve been seeing threads pop up left and right from new grapplers who get upset at how quickly they get tapped, or who wonder how they can get better faster, or who simply think they suck. With respect, frankly its starting to get tiresome.

From the Colonel over at Sherdog