| Martial artists in self-defense training should expect | | | | same manner. Some individuals have a higher |
| to experience pain. It is crucial for understanding | | | | tolerance or are able to withstand more than |
| real-life, practical, self defense. If the only thing | | | | others can. These individuals learn how to react |
| that is taught, or learned, in the dojo is technique, | | | | and handle it in different ways. The activities we |
| there will be a false sense of competence during | | | | were involved with as children, such as sports or |
| a real-life encounter. If the first time one is hurt is | | | | martial arts or self-defense training, can also |
| during a life-threatening encounter, they will | | | | create higher tolerance. |
| probably lose and be severely injured. | | | | Martial arts teaches meditation or mushin that is, |
| Pain is a warning signal that there has been an | | | | to a certain extent, able to block the thoughts of |
| injury to the body. The human body has been | | | | pain. Mushin creates extreme concentration and |
| engineered to recognize it and avoid that which | | | | may not allow the sensations to reach a |
| causes discomfort. Even very young children learn | | | | conscious level. Only when mushin, or |
| quickly those things to avoid that may harm | | | | concentration, is interrupted, is pain experienced. |
| them. During a self-defense situation, a punch, kick | | | | Many times during a self-defense encounter, the |
| or piercing wound produces acute pain. Acute pain, | | | | combatants, under mushin, are unaware that they |
| since it comes on quickly, and can be severe, can | | | | have been hurt, even if severely. They do not |
| render a victim helpless, depending on its nature. | | | | become aware of their injuries until the |
| However, not everyone experiences pain in the | | | | confrontation has ended. |