CLOUD MOUNTAIN
Martial Arts & Wellness Centre
Self Defence
19/12/07 20:54
Important points:
Training is
not Fighting
During
practice, some element of real combat is always
put aside, in order to enable students to
practise safely. We may regulate speed, or
accuracy, or intent, or power, or some other
aspect. This is a matter of respect and common
sense.
Your goal should be to develop profound skill and
awareness. This can only be done in a relaxed
state. Part of training is learning how to
maintain this relaxed awareness in the face of
increasing levels of conflict.
If you let your aggression take over, your pulse
rate increases, epinephrine increases, you lose
your general awareness and your fine motor
skills. Without a calm mind and a relaxed body,
there is no high level skill. In this state, you
may get lucky and win a fight. But if you train
this way you will learn nothing.
Sparring
is not Fighting
Sparring
is a way to develop specific skills. It must not
be taken out of context.
Sparring has rules, is consensual, respectful,
fair, and is done with respect for the safety of
the training partner. None of this is true in
fight.
Don’t come to class to fight! If you want to
fight, enter a NHB tournament, and have all of
your affairs taken care of.
Results depend on the goal.
If
you train for health and fitness, you might not
become the best fighter, and vice-versa.
If you train to become a better person, and keep
that goal in mind, you will likely achieve your
goal.
Martial arts are meditation
Meditation
is the process of learning to understand and
regulate your own mind. It is like learning to
control your sails so the the winds and currents
of thought, emotion, and physical circumstances
don’t control your life.
Martial arts training gives you instant
feedback. Is
your mind clear? Your opponent will let you know.
There
is no best style.
There
are superior students and superior teachers.
There is no superior martial art. - End of topic.
You may look ridiculous when you
practise.
Learn to
live with that.
Sometimes
you will also look like a
god.
Don’t get hung up on that one either.
Train to be natural
Natural
instinct is the ultimate weapon. Developing
natural instinct takes lots of precise daily
training.
Innovation is
okay.
But
it should be tested well. All ancient traditions
were started by someone. The ones that lasted
were the ones that worked.
Internal power includes external power.
Amongst the elite, there is often little talk
about the superiority of internal or external
styles. The elite will have mastered both. In
fact, you can’t have internal power without the
other.
Fight or
Flight
Do one at a time. Don’t mix them up.
Compassion
can be Fierce
Violence and suffering are often caused by fear
and apathy. In the face of cruelty and suffering,
we must be fearless and tenacious.
Balance
is a Verb
Entropy
wins when we take harmony for granted. And if we
don’t constantly strive for better mental,
physical, emotional and spiritual balance, we
will meet defeated without meeting an enemy.
Respect
When
we train with a partner, we salute our partner to
indicate that we are each placing our safety in
the hands of the other. This attitude is carried
with us into the rest of our lives. We learn to
take responsibility for others, and to trust
them.
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