| For years most self defense training practiced by | | | | manipulation, strikes to the back of the head not |
| people was through their local martial arts club or | | | | allowed? Simply because THEY ARE EFFECTIVE! |
| dojo. While most people who do teach Reality | | | | My favourite disallowed technique is that you are |
| Based self defense have some form of a martial | | | | not allowed to put a finger into any orifice or into |
| arts background, there is a huge difference | | | | any cut or laceration on an opponent. That one is |
| between real self defense and martial arts. | | | | just nasty. There are about 20 strikes or |
| My self defense background also began in the | | | | techniques that are not allowed. Guess what? In a |
| martial arts world. I trained and received my black | | | | real street attack those are probably your best |
| belt in Shotokan karate. It was an excellent | | | | tools to utilize. Also, traditionally in martial arts we |
| introduction to learning how to strike, kick, and | | | | learn skills that involve complex motor skills which |
| learn throws. As I began exploring more of the | | | | are just not designed for a high stress situation. |
| world and real self defense, I found while those | | | | When your heart rate reaches approximately 150 |
| skills were necessary and beneficial, they were by | | | | beats per minute all your body is able to perform |
| no means meant for the stress and panic of a | | | | is Gross Motor movements and strikes like palms, |
| real attack scenario. | | | | elbows, and knees. Complex motor skills can only |
| First of all, when you train in a dojo, respect for | | | | be introduced once you are in physical and mental |
| your training partner is paramount, which is the | | | | control of your attacker. |
| exact opposite to how an attacker sees you in | | | | In a real attack scenario you are hit emotionally |
| the street. Think of it, in a real street attack, | | | | first. When I trained and became certified in |
| your attacker has chosen you because they have | | | | Personal Defense Readiness through Tony Blauer |
| no respect for you and consider you to be an | | | | I quickly realized how true this is. Most systems |
| easy target. Why else would they have chosen | | | | completely ignore this aspect of self defense and |
| you? An attacker does not look at a potential | | | | it is just as important, if not important, than |
| victim as a challenge that will make them into a | | | | having the physical tools to defend yourself. As |
| better attacker. | | | | Mr. Blauer says, "The mind navigates the body". |
| Rather,they have sized you up as the easiest | | | | What this means is you can have all the physical |
| person to get whatever they are after. As Tony | | | | knowledge of self defense in the world, but if you |
| Blauer (self defense expert) says, "An attacker | | | | are not prepared mentally, you will not be able to |
| only wants one of 3 things, either your property, | | | | use those physical skills. Real self defense training |
| your body or your life". In a dojo, your training | | | | incorporates Emotional Climate training (PDR) in |
| partner does not want any of those things, so | | | | their drills. Instead of having a partner who |
| how do you train to give yourself the best tools | | | | cooperates with you, they provide the resistance |
| necessary to handle a real street confrontation. | | | | and emotions of a real attacker. What this does is |
| MMA and the UFC are huge these days attracting | | | | help to recreate as much as possible, all the |
| millions of viewers and fans. While these warriors | | | | details of a real attack. |
| are obviously well skilled in striking, grappling and | | | | In closing, while martial arts is a great way to |
| many forms of the martial arts, we still set rules | | | | learn some of the skills involved in self defense, |
| when they are in combat. Think of it, why are | | | | one must learn all else that goes with the physical |
| strikes such as eye gouges, biting, small joint | | | | skills. |