Karate is Not …

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Karate is not a fighting art. Karate is not a combative system. Karate is not a self-defense system. Karate is a striking system and that means it is governed by those human conditions. How can I say all these things? Well, it comes from my studies and one of those is about using our fists. Using our fists means something that does not equate to violence at levels where grave bodily harm and/or death are involved except by accident (you punch a guy in the face, guy loses balance, falls, gravity takes hold, guy hits head on curb, guy dies).

When you begin to look closely at how karate is practiced and then take into consideration certain human conditions you start to realize that karate, in and of itself as a striking system, does not have those requirements that would cause grave bodily harm and death. Think about it and consider the next set of examples.

In karate the tori and uke tend to face one another. In karate sparring tori and uke use strikes and strike at only those targets that actually provide the human body protection, the bodies natural armor. In the majority of human fights it is of a social nature and therefore meant to be a communication tool rather than a means of causing great damage and death. In karate there are rules, rules for safety that incorporate less effective application of certain principles meant to deliver force and power. 

In karate the non-striking aspects that are far more effective in damaging and killing were removed. One reason was to promote health and a mental state of socially driven spirit that was meant to bring people together for the common good of the society toward survival, i.e., early 1900’s for the sake of war. Those non-striking aspects are just know coming to light and are just in the last decade or so being brought back into the discipline of karate for a more well-rounded system that can actually cause grave bodily harm and even death as the force decisions of both defense and combat may dictate. 

In commercial karate that has not happened except in a limited way. There has actually not been a real combative system using only striking, the empty hand. 

In regard to causing great harm and/or death striking is actually to most ineffectual method to get the job done. This can mean that karate, a striking system, may actually be more of a tribal or social communications and enforcement tool where grave bodily harm and death are not the goal. It may be that karate, the striking art, is the use of the ineffectual hitting of another to convey to the recipient they have broken some rule, some cultural requirement and possible some group dynamic that would expose the tribe to harm or death. Think about the use of the, “Educational Beat Down.(see this article by Rory Miller: http://ymaa.com/articles/more-about-violence-dynamics)” 

Rory Miller wrote, “There are societies and sub-societies where violence is merely an easy way to solve problems; where a beating is considered as easy  and more effective than talking.” 

In human terms survival is about the group (I will refer to groups as tribes as well; interchangeably) and the group runs in a hierarchal model where within the group some will seek to challenge another in the group for increased status. The group will also have issues about certain unwritten rules as well as written rules, laws and such where, as the quote states, a beating will serve better to pull together and keep things in proper order, the EDB. Karate as a striking system and how striking works along with certain human conditions is a great way to enforce such human social group hierarchal systems. 

Also, take a look (actually read) the eBook by Marc MacYoung titled, “Writing Violence III: Getting Hit and Hitting,” and you will begin to see how karate, a striking discipline, is more appropriate and effective as a communications tool for such a group dynamic for survival. Except in rare cases where accidents cause grave harm or death the application of most of karate is far less effective, specifically the striking part using the hands or fists, so if applied in most socially driven conflicts it will not end in grave bodily harm, i.e., making the member of the group unable and ineffective in group survival needs, or death thus losing a valuable member and contributor to the group for survival. 

“In certain groups, this is normal. A casual beating is how rules are enforced and community standards, such as they are, are upheld.” - Rory Miller, More About Violence May 23, 2011 YMAA Article http://ymaa.com/articles/more-about-violence-dynamics

When you really understand human dynamics and group dynamics and how socially driven monkey dances are done it becomes a bit more clear as to a more realistic meaning of karate, karate as a communications and enforcement tool rather than a deadly combative fighting system to cause grave bodily harm and death system. 

Note: There has been a huge effort by a few dedicated professionals to actually bring back, if it ever truly existed in karate from its ancient origins, those aspects of fighting and self-defense that are actually more effective in causing bodily damage and death. Some liken it to revealing secrets and/or discovering ancient combatives lost, etc. In truth whether it existed in those ancient early times or not the effort to install them into karate and other martial disciplines is here today and only time will tell of that success, success in morphing karate, the striking system, into a truly effective combative fighting discipline OR an effective and comprehensively complete self-defense system.

Bibliography (Click the link)

Hand to China Hand to Empty Hand

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Just remember to keep thinking, “Pure Conjecture.” The Okinawan discipline of karate or empty hand began, so we are all told, as a system called, “Ti.” Then some called it, “Toudi.” Then at some time they called it, “China Hand.”

Funakoshi Ginchin Sensei then changed it to, “Empty Hand,” using the Japanese characters/ideograms so that it could become an accepted martial art of Japan. The transitions and evolution of the naming of this, “Traditional or Classical” discipline of Okinawan martial discipline cannot be explained, it is just accepted.

I don’t just accept things, I tend to question and come to conclusions from the data and facts I can dig out. Granted, there is not much if any data and/or facts about the naming done on karate. I have some idea’s tho and that is the purpose of this article.

First, if true, the Okinawan’s called their indigenous system of defense Ti, meaning, “Hand.” Whether open, empty or closed no one can say with any certainty. It is just accepted. Assumptions and conjecture can be made but that is all. 

I would venture to theorize that the final, “Empty Hand,” naming was derived from the more efficient application of the open hand vs. the closed fist. Using the fist is not exactly efficient in applying the type of force and power necessary to end a threat. Considering the dangerous environment of those early years, i.e., the fifteen hundreds to the late eighteen hundreds, the need to end violence quickly and efficiently was required. The use of the open hand techniques are considered in some circles as superior to punching and striking, especially with the close fist.

Neither empty hand or open hand are about the use of the fist in defense. There are way to many variables that have to align to apply enough force and power to the target to work efficiently in a fight. There are way to many power leaks such as the shoulder, elbow and wrist when not aligned, i.e., when physiokinetic principles are not applied at their very best. I also believe, theorize, that because of this deficiency of fist use for punches and strikes they developed the makiwara in the effort to overcome the other variables that are very difficult to apply sufficiently, efficiently and to their most stable structure, etc. 

I also hypothesize that when renaming it to empty hand this type of distinction didn’t occur and since the Okinawans were not really all that keen on documentation they didn’t care if it was called hand, China hand, Empty hand or even, “Open Hand.” It may have been about naming the system after the use of the hands where weapons were not available or lost. An empty hand denotes nothing held within therefore weapons lost or not available leaving on those, “Empty Hands,” available for defense, fighting and/or combatives. This is also supported in that Ti was used primarily to train and prepare military types for the rigors of weapons training. Like a pre-requisite to learning weapons like the sword, spear, halberd, etc. 

I also feel that since the chaos and nature of true fighting, combatives and/or self-defense were close, very close, and required a lot of hand and arm applications along with those ju-jitsu like grappling and pressure point type applications that it was that which resulted in the use of Ti, Toudi, China and Empty hand names. It could have just as easily gone toward, “Open Hand (Hirate [平手]).”

The parts of the body used to strike with that are the most efficient and powerful are the elbow’s, the knee’s and the “OPEN” hands. The system we practice as karate today could have been called, “Hira-te,” just as easily as “Kara-te.” I also think that it is possible that since the system of Ti was to be adopted with appropriate changes to the educational systems that when changed the name of “Empty hand” become more appropriate. 

Hand [手] Te

China Hand [唐手] touti or toudi or karati/te

Empty Hand [空手] karate

Open Hand [平手] hirate

Bibliography (Click the link)

The Good Samaritan

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As a human being I suppose I can say comfortably that humans want to be good samaritan’s, especially in our own tribe (society/social group). Being a good samaritan means having, showing and taking actions under the heading of empathy for the suffering of others. I also advocate that one must not just go this route willy nilly but with knowledge, experience and the appropriate methods and actions necessary to do good. It happens a lot that a good samaritan tries to do the right thing but are almost always missing the necessary mind-set and accompanying requisites to apply that action or deed.

Take a moment and read the following post/article from FaceBook, by Marc MacYoung: 

https://www.facebook.com/marc.macyoung/posts/10153449340009769

In a recent article(s) it came to light that a martial artists tried to act as a good samaritan and died. I would venture to guess that his prowess in the sport community along with a lack of knowledge and understanding toward violence and self-defense, either of self and/or of others, he thought he had the skills and ability and willingness to get the job done. Those missing components killed him - my thoughts only.

Being a good samaritan, like self-defense, involves a lot more than good intentions. In this particular instance of a robbery with a firearm and if not directly involved and/or threatened I would have stayed an observer while making a phone call to authorities. I understand that in a robbery with a firearm the one path to take is to, “Follow the Script.” I would guess, generally, that the same adage recommended when dealing with police would also apply with a robber (I could be wrong here so check it out with a professional), i.e., when being confronted and facing a robber with a gun, be polite and follow his instructions - to a point and that is where the complexities come into play just like in self-defense. In my mind the robber has a goal, to earn money by robbing you. The gun - generally speaking - is a tool to ensure that you will comply and not do anything stupid. 

In a very general sense that type of action and response should result in your losing some material stuff including any money you have and then going home a bit scared, a bit fearful and a lot grateful you lived. Yes, this is general and lots of things can go wrong but mostly being polite and complying with the robber should, can and might just get you home alive. It is, usually, something you do or say that gets you killed so take responsibility for your actions, deeds and most of all, YOUR MOUTH and MONKEY BRAIN. 

Now, go back and re-read Mr. MacYoungs comments and then see the links on the right, especially the No Nonsense Self-defense link. When you get there you will see that my little ditty above barely covers these types of issues. Taking on an armed robber with nothing but your hands and taking on an armed robber without all the tools necessary to do it right and taking on an armed robber is just plain stupid. Ok, read the article again - cause it needs to sink in, a lot and very deeply. 

I am a martial artists of thirty-nine years. I am an inactive Marine who served on active duty for ten years. I have a very limited amount of experience with conflict and violence of this level. If I were on a bus and not in immediate threat of grave bodily harm or death I would not use my skills, now realized as wholly inadequate to the task at hand, and try to take out an armed robber. I would comply politely if faced directly by the robber and only take action if it escalated toward something that would cause grave bodily harm or possibly death - which, by the way is on the table with a firearm in the mix. 

My goal is to urge, recommend and inspire everyone to seek out the complete picture involving conflict, violence, violent conflict and self-defense because to me it is absolutely stupid to teach the kind of crap taught today in martial arts dojo and called self-defense. Not every dojo but enough to be a majority do not address the complete spectrum involving conflict, violence, violent conflict and self-defense. 

Ok, here is another point that you should go back and read the article above again then go to the bibliography here, below, and begin your studies because as this one individual found out the hard way, it ain’t easy and it takes a whole different mind-set to be a good samaritan.

Note also that being a good samaritan does not mean actual physical intervention, especially when you do not have the knowledge, skills and experience in those physical interventions. Being a good samaritan means making the call to the authorities as quietly as possible because that can escalate things. Being silent and observing as a good witness is another way but where it does not alarm the offender causing an escalation. Stopping your monkey brain from running the show and getting you and others around you into danger of grave bodily harm or possibly death is another great way to be a good samaritan too. Being smart is a good samaritan thing too. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Martial Analyst (Analysis)

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Kaiseki [解析] The characters/ideograms mean, “Analysis; analytical study; parsing; parse.” The first character means, “Unravel; notes; key; explanation; understanding; untie; undo; solve; answer; cancel; absolve; explain,” the second character means, “analyze , chop; divide; tear.”

An analyst is a person who conducts analysis. In martial analysis we attempt to analyze the system itself. Therefore a martial analyst performs analysis of the system to achieve knowledge, understanding and in the case of the physical, ability (efficiency, proficiency and mastery). 

To be an analyst the analysis must consist of a detailed examination of all the principles of the system that include how the principles apply toward the structure of the martial system as to its ultimate goals. It comes down to interpretation of the individual within their study, training, practice and application of that martial system. 

When you consider what is involved you begin to understand the relation to things like kihon, kata and bunkai for they are all processes of analysis by the separation into the specific, atomistic, elements that are identified, tested and implemented in order to meet the systems essential and ultimate goals. The disassembly of the system into its smaller parts is a means for the uninitiated and inexperienced to achieve a certain understanding and connection of the action to the principles that allows them to absorb and encode the mind and body for a foundation that later, in a more complex study and practice, can be assimilated or pieced together in an ad-hoc holistic fashion according to any particular situational moment. 

To understand any complex system requires such break down, i.e., the very meaning of bunkai is to disassemble, dismantle and analyze that component the reassemble accordingly to apply it in a dynamic and chaotic situation and moment. A very difficult process that few achieve especially when the last component is applied, the adrenal stress conditions of both reality of combat and/or reality-based adrenal scenario training systems. 

Martial analysts use the analysis for discovery, discovery being a practical method of physical discovery within a martial discipline. As a matter of fact, the chief method of learning, training and applying martial arts in self-defense. 

The process of martial analysis is also one of those concepts and models not adequately taught in martial disciplines, especially those focused on the systems essence of fighting, combatives and self-defense goals, tactics and strategies. It holds the same importance as adrenal stress conditions scenario-based training and practices. 

Martial analysis can be added to the list of analyst models such as Boolean analysis, Formal analysis, Scientific method analysis, Sensitivity analysis, and so on. You could say the martial discipline analysis falls under “Systems Analysis,” as a sub-model therein. Martial disciplines are systems and those systems require such analysis to achieve efficiency, proficiency and mastery. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Japanese Mentality in Okinawan Karate

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Partial Quote taken into another context for this article, “ … so many Okinawan karate followers train with a Japanese mentality…” - Michael Clarke, Shinseidokan Dojo Blog Go West Young Man….. http://shinseidokandojo.blogspot.com/2015/06/go-west-young-man.html

I am going to go all “Theory-ized” on you with this one. You know, like I tend to do anyway but in this instance I believe that my thoughts may be closer to reality than one might want to believe, let alone accept. But, what the hey, I am just trying to get a grip on things not documented historically or even present day. 

Yes, modern westernized martial arts with an eye toward Karate, an Okinawan culturally oriented system, karate today is pretty much Japanized. Why? Because Japan started to influence strongly things Japanese on the Okinawan’s starting, at least, in the 1600’s. Even our Okinawan ancestors, speaking as to originators of karate only, wanted to be assimilated into the Japanese ways so they could be accepted, accepted in the tribe or group or society. It is one of those survival instincts rearing up and influencing things. 

It isn’t just western practices that seem to be of Japanese mentality because in the late 1800’s and into the 1900’s up to and including today Japan has influenced greatly the practice of martial disciplines and that includes Okinawan karate.  Granted, Okinawan cultural influences still persist but that too is slowly being absorbed or assimilated into a mixture that is dominated by Japanese influences. 

American practitioners of Okinawan karate found that the many budo and bushido and Zen Buddhist influences “Fit” what they were trying to create more than any influences present, if taught or learned at even the base levels, in Okinawan teachings. Remember that the military, except for very very few, didn’t stay long enough to learn about the cultural influences that may or may not have been present in Okinawan karate. 

Even those who travel to Okinawa make “Assumptions” that what they are getting is inherently and exclusively of Okinawan cultural humble beginnings. I also attribute this to the effort to put karate and other martial disciplines into the educational systems of Japan (that include Okinawa too). Most of what was and is taught today has deep roots in Japanese influences and this comes from the connections and inter-cultural practices where the focus was more on Japanese acceptance than Okinawan. Okinawan karate masters of the day wanted and needed Japan more than Japan wanted or needed Okinawa. Come on, Okinawa is a conquered entity and when conquered the conquerers pretty much force their ways on to the conquered. Yes, Okinawan’s did resist and worked to maintain their cultural identities but then again when certain aspects of all cultures that encountered and did business with them had effects, i.e., they took what they liked and assimilated it while leaving other aspects out. I think you are getting the picture.

There is and was a lot more cultural exposure from Japan than ever from Okinawa, even today. Just remember there are few who are not living a Japanized form of Okinawan life that teach karate. Okinawa is Japan or a part thereof even if a few kilometers or so south separated by an Ocean. Japanese influences were strong, persistent and accepted even by Okinawans. One reason why the Okinawan language or dialect of “Uchinaguchi (pardon the spelling)” is almost a lost dialect. There is a reason why Okinawan language is Japanese. 

If a person looks very closely they will see huge Japanese cultural influences. Now, why so many followers of Okinawan karate train with a Japanese mentality? Because both in and out of Okinawa Japan was accepted and karate was changed to present a more “Japanized” version so that Japan martial communities would accept karate as a valid martial discipline. 

I would also pose that Chinese influences and mentality tend to bleed into Okinawan followers even those who claim traditional/classic forms or disciplines because China also pushed and Okinawans accepted aspects of Chinese culture that strongly influenced and changed Okinawan Ti or Toudi, the precursor to karate of modern times. 

I would challenge anyone to show anything that is exclusive and solely Okinawan cultural in today’s karate both in and out of Okinawa that speaks to being inherently Okinawan? 

Think of it this way, just because they labeled it “Empty Hand” does not mean they created it exclusively for you will find empty handed combatives in all cultures and all of them used various parts of the body in their respective implementations and applications. The Greeks used a type of kick that was devastating, etc. and so have many other cultures. Take a look into their history books with reservations because, like Okinawa and others, those who conquered wrote the books but regardless you will see similarities across the board. One such similarity is principles, they all have the same underlying principles such as structure, posture, etc. to create force and power, right?

We want, we need and we strive for uniqueness and group identity that will put us, the tribal group mentality, into its own unique group with a goal to achieve status, etc. that puts us above others in a superior and hierarchal fashion, all human survival instinct traits, so we can say, “Look at me, I belong to <fill in tribal name here> and we are superior to all others,” type mentality. 

In the end, it is not too difficult to find out why Japanese mentalities dominate in most martial disciplines including those seen as Okinawan. Take a closer look and open the mind to where those perceived Okinawan karate or martial discipline philosophies are derived and you may find that it is not as exclusive to any one culture no matter what you believe.

In the end, it is about you and what you want, need and believe. If it gets you what you want, if it gets you into a community that benefits both you and your group, and if it speaks to you regardless in a positive and moral way suited to your live and survival then have at it. In the end it doesn’t really matter if it has a Japanese mentality or flavor, if it has a Chinese mentality or flavor or if it has an Okinawan mentality or flavor - if it gives you what you want and what you need and what you seek then go for it. 

Now, you might be thinking that I am dissing Clarke Sensei’s meaning in his post or that I am saying his philosophy is wrong and not associated to Okinawan karate but I am not because I believe his philosophy is true and Okinawan. I believe he has and practices the spirit of Okinawan karate budo (a term uniquely Japanese). I do tend to go out there in my thinking and consideration toward my personal practice and this is what I am doing here. 

Who knows, one day I will be writing on the American mentality toward martial disciplines to include Okinawan karate. Or, did I do that already here? Just do this, “Think about it?”

Bibliography (Click the link)

My Name is Nobody

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Hey, I can use movie titles, especially if they help me tell my story. This one involves who I am, “I am nobody.” You might be saying, what are you talking about now? 

Here it is, while composing another article built on the shoulders of a modicum of experience and a huge contribution from the efforts and experiences of others I thought, “Why would anyone read and believe in what I write about?” 

Since I am “Nobody” with no real experiences to draw upon in the world of professionals, i.e., those who live, breath and experienced the world of violence as police, corrections officers and military, etc., and no real experience using martial arts in self-defense why would you even consider what I have to write about? 

Well, even the teachings of professionals needs to be tested by each individual to see if it will work for them. In so many studies I have made those professionals stated from time to time that just because it worked for them does not mean or guarantee it will work for the individual. It is like when Marc MacYoung, in his book In the Name of Self-Defense (and others), says that one time you might experience these adrenal effects, the next time not and yet others may crop up and then another time some different adrenal effects will hit, you just don’t know. Even with gaining and accumulated experience there are no guarantees it will or will not work.

In other words, what I am presenting are actually, “Possibilities!” Everything I write about has possibilities for other martial discipline practitioners especially if they practice toward self-defense. This issue has been a bane to our professionals as wall as human survival over the ages when experience falls away due to the loss of our warriors and a few generations of professionals unable to experience combat, fighting and self-defense, etc. You have to provide them with the best you can present until they test it in harms way, right? 

This conundrum has existed since man first picked up a club to raise the force levels to gain an advantage over other tribes they encounter who come into conflict over whatever. At least what I present is a possibility and even if I had the most experiences ever imagined it still has to be tested by each individual to see if it will work - for them (Note: the conundrum goes deeper because it may work one time and fail the next only to work the following times). 

What I present in possibilities makes for more to validate and use because it just might work for you. Remember, a professional once said - I think - “You need to know what you don’t know in order to know!” He said something like, “What gets you killed is what you thought you knew but you didn’t know,” type thing (sorry if I got the exact quote incorrect). 

So, I keep studying and collating information and knowledge in the hope of better understanding and I write to allow others to consider, test, validate and absorb (if it is beneficial). One day, some professional who found value even in just one article may actually teach it to his successor(s). That to me makes any effort worthwhile. Your greatest challenge is, “Separating the wheat from the chaff, i.e., the crap from the diamonds.” 

Note: If you really want to know the exact quotes I mention, start reading the bibliography because it is there in some form or another - I can’t remember or find this stuff every time, you gotta do some work here :-)

Bibliography (Click the link)

Defining Fight

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"I will not quit. I persevere and thrive in adversity. If knocked down, I will get back up. Every time. I am never out of the fight." - The Navy Seal Creed

Fight is not just going toe-to-toe in mutual aggressive combat, it is also about the psychological obstacles we encounter ever single day or our lives. Human existence is about our ability to fight adversities. This requires a mind-set, one that is made up of the psychological traits of, “Talent, Intelligence, Education, discipline, and determination (intestinal fortitude, etc.).”

Without this core mind-set, all the other mind-sets a person needs to battle conflict and violence in all its forms is for naught. This core mind-set is what it takes to achieve the goals of encoding the other mind-sets into the disciplines of handling life, conflict and violence. You see this mind-set and the others in the professionals - daily - such as police, military, corrections officers, EMT’s, bouncers/security professionals and many others. 

Persistence and determination are the corner-stones of this mind-set. We cannot achieve success in anything without the corner-stones and the mind-set that results, we will get struck down without it. 

In self-defense outside the professional fields this mind-set is paramount to success along side the appropriate and comprehensive training, practice and teaching programs that make it all work as “One.” 

When I see fight in the Navy Seal Creed, I assume it is not just about actual combat engagements but the fight they and we must defeat in every facet of our existence to succeed, succeed whether it is at work, for home or in self-defense. 

“We rarely rise to the occasion when placed under extreme pressure. We sink to the level of our preparedness and persistence” - Brent Gleeson: A Navy SEAL’s 5 Point Perspective on Persistence. http://www.inc.com/brent-gleeson/a-navy-seal-s-5-point-perspective-on-persistence.html?cid=sf01002

Fight: A battle or combat; any contest or struggle; an angry argument or disagreement; to contend in any manner; strive vigorously for or against something; to contend with or against in any manner; to engage in battle or in single combat; attempt to defend oneself against or to subdue, defeat, or destroy an adversary; to contend in any manner; strive vigorously for or against something, etc.

To fight is to use any manner of some technique, tactic and strategy to contend with, defend against or to subdue, defeat, or destroy that something be it an adversary or a life obstacle, i.e., like fighting cancer, like contending with and overcoming a personal obstacle such as depression, a difficult project at work, the supervisor or manager who is a bully and many other life challenges standing on one’s path, etc.

Synonyms: encounter, engagement, affray, fray, action, skirmish, melee; scuffle, tussle, row, riot. Fight, combat, conflict, contest denote a struggle of some kind. Fight connotes a hand-to-hand struggle for supremacy, literally or in a figurative sense. Combat suggests an armed encounter, to settle a dispute. Conflict implies a bodily, mental, or moral struggle caused by opposing views, beliefs, etc. Contest applies to either a friendly or a hostile struggle for a definite prize or aim.

As can be seen by the various definitions as well as synonyms, the context and intent of the usage determines its true role in a conversation, or in the case of self-defense, the teaching, training and understanding as it applies when used. 

In the end one who is a fighter, unless constrained by the defining situation, is one who struggles against something with that something being a hand-to-hand or weapon-to-hand or weapon-to-weapon engagement between two or more individuals with a gaol of causing great bodily harm or death on the opponent or adversary or attacker, etc. When the defining situation involves a bodily (like cancer or a debilitating defect, injury, etc.), mental (like depression, schizophrenia or obsessive-compulsive issues, etc.) or moral (determining the right or wrong of a decision and/or action according to moral social codes, laws, requirements, etc.) usually caused by opposing view, beliefs, perceptions, perspectives and other influences usually outside the control of the individual or caused by said individual or group. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Coping Skills

Caveat: Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.

This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.)

“Coping skills are those skills that we use to offset disadvantages in day to day life. Coping skills can be seen as a sort of adaptation, such as the finely tuned hearing that many visually impaired people develop. Coping skills can be positive or negative. Positive coping skills help us get through situations at nearly the same level as those who do not have the disadvantage. Negative coping skills, however, may provide short-term relief or distraction, but ultimately worsen our disadvantage.” Lisa Fritscher, Phobias Expert. at About Health http://phobias.about.com/od/glossary/g/copingskillsdef.htm

When we end up in a fight I wonder how often it comes down to adequate coping skills. I realize, fundamentally, in the SD community that it is attributed to falling prey to the monkey dance (speak of the predominant social conflict/violence paradigm). I would ask if the monkey is about not have adequate coping skills? Is taming the monkey brain about learning and using coping skills?

If I look closely at the definition about I believe I can attribute a lot of monkey taming to acquisition of coping strategies, tactics and methods. Isn’t this a goal in our training and practice of martial disciplines for self-defense? I am just trying to connect the dots. 

One personal example I can present is one where I have to deal with a person with Obsessive Compulsive behaviors (note: not sure behaviors is the right term here). My frustrations and resentments went very high until I ran across some information that explained how it works for the OCPerson. That knowledge lead to understanding and finally the ability to cope and handle that so its effects, etc., didn’t make for continued stress, frustration and resentment - all emotionally triggers that could and did make for monkey mania. 

Now I have to wonder if teachers/instructors consider these types of issues and then create training that extends past the martial techniques toward a more robust “Conflict Communications” that would allow better strategies and tactics aimed at avoidance and/or deescalation?

Bibliography (Click the link)

Variations equals Styles

Caveat: Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.

This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.) 

“ … variations, represent idiosyncratic differences between instructors and their respective understanding of the system (original: kata).” - Garry Parker, “Poor Sensei” Article

The quote was pointed to the kata but in reality, as to my views, it is what makes styles, styles. Styles are merely variations in the way individuals view, perceive and understand of their practice of a style. When an individual reaches a certain level of proficiency they often find what they apply changes according to many things of which some are mental and physical make up such as a large framed person of slender built vs. a large frame person with a heavy weight build vs. a small framed person of short stature, etc. 

When this occurs they end up making the style they practice their own and some go so far as to create a new style that reflects these changes through practice, training and experiences. This makes the overall statement reflect the essence as to how styles come into being. 

 “Styles are merely individual perspectives, perceptions and experiences that create individualized variations represented as their idiosyncratic differences between how they were trained and taught resulting in their respective understanding, application and uniqueness derived from their individual traits of mind and body creating spirit that creates style.” - cejames

First Strike (attack)

Caveat: Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.

This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.)

First, if you are a karate-ka then you already know or are at least aware of “There is no first attack in karate.” If you are also studying self-defense along with your karate you also know that depending on circumstances you may have to make a move, not necessarily a first move but move that comes at an appropriate juncture in the self-defense road. 

I say road because a leading proponent of the self-defense world uses the highway as an analogy that has a start point, many points along the way with signs indicating that conflict is happening as well as when those signs and highway changes, lanes, off ramps, etc., turn into the accident called violence. 

Except in what the professionals say is a rare instance almost all the violence you may encounter will have signs and signals all along the road all the way up to the point the first blow is thrown. This means that for a karate-ka there are many chances to avoid completely the need to use any skills in a physical violent manner. The first move should always come from the other guy and in almost every case they will let you know that they are threatening that first blow so then you can act appropriately be it simply walking away (Avoidance) to using verbal self-defense (Deescalation) or some other way to not strike at all. 

Even in predatory resource instances such as robberies you still have a road you will go down that allows you to perceive an immanent attack and you can once again take appropriate actions that do not involve karate or martial skills except in awareness, see it coming from recognition, etc., avoidance, move off and away or simply pass the interview (failure means the attack or robbery is on) or run like hell. If you are actually accosted then your best choice is to follow the robber’s script and go home alive. Note: this is just one example and there are more side roads you can take other than a road of violence.

Once you apply just one physical technique of karate skill you are locked into the world of violence and as many other references indicate then you are locked in to handling that violence then all the violence that will follow from others such as police, prosecutors, attorneys, and so on.

There is no first attack even if you went with the literal mistaken belief that you had to get in that first shot to survive with self-defense. Lets just say you failed miserably in your karate and find yourself in a situation where you need to foil an attackers attack by attacking first. First, you lost because you failed to live up to what a karate-ka must live up to in your practice and training. Second, if you preemptively take action it will look like you are the aggressor UNLESS you can articulate and prove that your attacker was going to apply some violence by pre-attack indicators, etc., making your actions legal and righteous. If you can’t you are the aggressor and the first responders are going to be looking at you very, very closely.

As a karate-ka if you are not aware of and knowledgable of that road to violence and you don’t take the appropriate actions to avoid then you have failed as a karate-ka. If you have to resort to attacking first, you have failed as a karate-ka. If you do take the first preemptive action, not attack, by avoidance by leaving or running away then you have failed as a karate-ka. If your level of force after everything else has failed exceeds what is necessary to stop the threat then you have failed in self-defense and therefore failed as a karate-ka.

There is literally no first strike or first attack in karate and these are just a few of the reasons why this is true. If you have studied and practiced the true, complete and reality based regimen and syllabus of a karate dojo then you will never strike or attack first because you will not let anyone gain that type of advantage over you. You will not allow your monkey brain ego pride emotional drive to take over the bus and  pull a “Speed” drive down the highway and across the abyss from the missing overpass into the crash of conflict, violence and violent conflict. You got that far, you failed as a karate-ka. 

There are way to many signs, lane changes, off ramps and speed restrictions that if you just follow the right road-way or path you will drive around conflict, around violence, around the need for physical violence and around violent conflicts thereby living up to the expectations you put upon yourself and are a true karate-ka. The use of your karate skills are always a last resort of one who failed to see the signs and follow the right road-way. Be a karate-ka, stay the path, follow the road and signs and avoid, like a karate-ka would, should and can. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Is Karate Truly a Striking System?

Caveat: This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.) 

Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.

One of the great things of our modern society is the ability to see a lot more information out there because of the technology we have, literally, at our fingertips. Since my foray into the World Wide Web, the Internet, I have moved forward knowledge/academia wise then in all the years of study before. The plethora of information out there is astounding and the only caveat is similar to the old saying, “Buyer Beware,” where it should be “Researcher Beware.” 

One of the great things about martial disciplines in modern times is all that information, knowledge, can be tested by each and every practitioner to see if it works. Once caveat, when a martial practitioner tests it to make sure it works they tend to do so only in the dojo with only a hand full that actually take it outside the dojo - usually those professionals who deal with conflict and violence in their jobs.

One of the great things about practice in our modern times is our freedom to travel great distances to find venues that will add that extra ingredient in testing to make sure something works, in a adrenal stress conditioned reality-based training scenario(s).

Ok, ok, I will get back to the point but I wanted to lay a small amount of pre-article information before I get into, “Is karate truly a striking system?”

First, yes it is but here is the rub for me, karate before it was named karate, i.e., both set of characters for “China Hand” and “Empty Hand.” The biggest fact for me that tells me “Ti or Toudi” was more than just striking is the push to put karate into the educational system. It was dumbed down and most of the other stuff that made up Ti or Toudi was, in likelihood, removed because those smart parts were about doing grave bodily harm and death to an adversary. 

Humans are pretty much alike in a lot of ways across the board and when human adults of a certain era in the time line of human existence sees conflict and violence being exposed to the young of their families the natural instinct is to protect. In the times of the late eighteen hundreds and early nineteen hundreds the times and social mind-set was changing to remove as much of the ability to apply conflict and violence, violent conflicts in particular, so that when it was pushed into the educational system it was meant more to condition health and fitness wise young adults to ready them for war (kind of strange way of thinking, yes?). Even so, the removed those parts they didn’t want their children to be exposed to while at the same time exposing them to the concept that it would and was preparing them for service to the Emperor for the upcoming war. 

Now, we move forward to after the war. Most of Ti’s or Toudi’s practitioners were dead or close to it and those practicing and teaching were Ti-ka or Toudi-ka who were exposed mostly to the educational versions and already exposed to the two names of China Hand and Empty Hand. The first teachers of the American occupying forces were well inducted and indoctrinated to the more modern rendition, mandated because when the war ended the occupiers were adamant in stomping out all war like activities and that meant martial disciplines. This explains the effort of the Japanese, as the Okinawans, to change their martial heritage into something more or less non-threatening so we have “The Way” and “Sport” oriented systems, i.e., jujitsu to judo, etc. 

Ti and Toudi were changed to Kara-te to make the Japanese happy and the island karate practitioners were still heavily influenced by that educational system thereby passing that to the American Occupiers who then brought that watered down version to the U. S..

Ok, so for decades karate in the states was a “Striking Art.” Here is where the modern technological models of today are coming in to teach us the true nature of karate, taking it back, as far as possible considering all the missing history of Okinawan martial disciplines. The ability to get information out to the most people possible is now so easy it makes it possible for those who have not only learned a lot of martial disciplines but have actually taken it hands-on in a world of conflict, violence and violent conflict and bring it back to the martial disciplines so that the least effective defense in a life threatening situation, the strike, will not be the only focal point of practicing, training and applying, “Karate or Empty Hand.” 

Karate needs a lot more than the ability to strike or kick. To truly handle a self-defense situation you need the ability, think mind-set and mind-state coupled with appropriate knowledge and experience (either or both adrenal stress oriented or actual hands-on or both). To make it work you need a lot more than striking and striking, from where I sit, means using a strike of either a fist or open handed to build a compilation of different attack models (impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression) to stop the threat vs. relying solely on strikes/punches or kicks, etc. taught in edu-karate. 

This means taking the mainstay of karate, the linear head-to-head safe model of fighting, and pursuing the attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression.

In other words, bring what I have come to believe of modern karate back to its historical roots as a combative fighting model for self-defense using those attack methodologies to achieve something that will work in the adrenal stress charge conditions of actual attacks both social or asocial in nature. 

The current model of karate today is a striking system but an ineffective one for self-defense but with the concerted effort of many karate-ka and many martial disciplines karate can and will return to a model that will incorporate all those attack and defense methodologies such as impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. Then maybe we can rename it back to its historical origins of “Ti or Toudi.” Then again maybe find a name that will truly symbolize and represent a overall principle based model for self-defense, for fighting and for combatives. 

My hope remains high!

Bibliography (Click the link)

Violence in Schools

Caveat: Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.

This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.)

Nope, not what you think. I think that violence along with conflict and violent conflict should be taught in schools. I also think that a part of that subject series should by about self-defense, a self-defense that keeps folks well within the integrity of the self-defense square. 

Come on, education is important and a complete and comprehensive education is critical. If we keep coddling our children out of our own fear of conflict, violence and violent conflict we are actually conditioning them to be “Victims.” The social feeling that all violence should be avoided and that to engage in violence of any kind and for any reason would result in no violence is simply ridiculous and immature emotional irrational thinking. Sounds more like the emotional fear mongering monkey than the logical human brain in action.

If we keep our children ignorant to those things that make us adults uncomfortable then we are teaching them that they are, “Incapable of defending themselves,” and what results is exposing our children when they grow up to damage - both psychological and physical with no tools to handle such damage. 

Due to the ignorance of our law makers we have created laws that don’t really protect or dissuade violence and violent acts but we have made it even harder for folks to protect and defend themselves. Remember, if this training were implemented then those most ignorant would finally understand that criminals and folks bent on violence don’t recognize and accept our lofty beliefs of violence and conflict so they just keep on doing what they do best, commit violence on all of us. These laws simply make it easy for prosecutors to build up greater wins in the win/loss columns because it is easier to win when you prosecute/attack those who try to defend themselves. It is about ignorance as well because such training and education would then provide those who need to defend the tools to remain in the self-defense square. Education on the laws and how it works would provide them more coping tools instead they just put defenders in untenable positions, i.e., damed if they do and damed if they don’t. If they don’t defend themselves then they will suffer loss, grave bodily harm and even death but if they do defend themselves and due to ignorance and a lack of proper education on such things then they will suffer loss, prosecution, jail time, economic ruin, family disruption and both economic and psychological damage, along with physical damage resulting in grave bodily harm and possibly death from being in prison. 

If you don’t provide someone the tools then put them on the line when the football goes into play then they just don’t have what it takes to stay safe. Society needs this to lesson and control fear of conflict, violence and violent conflict. Society needs this to create appropriate laws, rules and requirements that would guide all parties toward a more effective system that would actually defend and protect its members. Society needs this so they can properly evaluate and properly adjudicate defenders even if they slip a bit out of the square because truthfully being attacked creates false dichotomies that allow folks hell bent on winning to keep using the win as the motivation rather than what is right both morally and legally. 

Yes, I am apparent very naive but I do have hope. I do appreciate and embrace the efforts of those professionals who are working diligently to educate all of us on this touchy and sensitive subject but we just can’t continue to make decisions based on ignorance and emotionally driven efforts. That is just stupid. I propose that we take violence education by the throat and take back control of it and those who would use it for nefarious reasons. We have to stop being victims and making victims. It isn’t those who do violence but those who resist it as taboo resulting in a whole new generation incapable of coping when it comes and knocks on their doors. 

Ok, I am done now :-)

There is a Right Way

Caveat: This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.) 

Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented

More often than I care to admit it is not about a right way but rather about the way a person wants it to be. We want violence to be non-existent. We want the system we practice and train so hard at to be effective. We want our system to provide us the “Way” to a better self. What we want is not always what is right.

We want our striking system, like karate, to be effective and yet I have come to understand that except in social situations for social reasons the striking system, like karate, is not really effective for self-defense, fighting and/or combatives. One reason is in striking systems, like karate, we gravitate toward a social condition acceptance that to strike is the most dangerous and effective way to stop our adversary’s. In truth, as I have come to understand it, it is not all that effective. In reality the right way is a combination of various ways to stop a person, i.e., impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression - a variety of different techniques (tactics and attack methodologies) that accumulate into a more effective way to stop the threat. 

I can only theorize about how the martial system, like karate, became so ineffective in self-defense. I can attribute its continued ineffective practice to the “My Way vs. Right Way” thinking and belief but I also suspect that it began, for karate, in the very early nineteen hundreds when the push, a very concerted effort, to implement it into the educational system where it was “Watered Down” to suit the perceptions of adults as to teaching “Children.” 

That model, I suspect and as told in previous articles, was adopted by the current practitioners and then taught to adults where the more terse and easily taught educational version was then taught to the anxious and impatient American Military. This easily translates into the strike dominant practice and teaching of martial systems, like karate. 

When I consider what it really takes to properly defend, fight or apply combatives of empty-handed systems where the actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat then I can begin to accept the age old story of how martial systems of Okinawa, like karate, had (we say today have and call them secret techniques - poppycock) other aspects such as impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, i.e., ground work, pressure point techniques, etc. 

This “Right Way” of learning, teaching, and practicing of a martial system, like karate, still has to overcome the accepted belief that striking arts are the most effective way to stop a threat with empty-hands or hand-to-hand techniques. It then justifies, promotes and highly recommends that the current martial system, like karate, must bring back into the system those removed tactics and techniques that were removed for educational implementation, for children, so that it once again becomes effective for self-defense.

Last and not least there is one more aspect that seems to have been forgotten, misplaced or simply ignored that MUST be a part of any martial discipline system to be effective for self-defense, fighting and combatives - the adrenal stress condition reality-based training scenario’s. The biggest hurdle is making the leap across the chasm that is a natural part of human existence, the ability to handle and use the adrenal chemical dump for effective defense above the instinct of freeze, flight or fight. This part, until in recent times say the last ten to fifteen years, has been kept in a dark room except maybe for the professionals who live, work and apply such things in their professions. 

It is time to turn on the light, turn on that spot light and direct it onto these important aspects of defense of violence and conflict so that we become knowledgeable and effective while maintaining the integrity of the self-defense square. 

There is a “Right Way” and it means that “My Way” must step aside, sometimes, to achieve the “Right Way” of doing things. 

Bibliography (Click the link)