Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
In martial arts teaching fense (Offense and Defense) instruction refers to an aura or attitude created to make the user not a target of predatory endeavors. In other words, creating an aura that is perceived by some as either a non-entity that does not attract attention and projects something akin to nothingness resulting it a predatory gaze to simply bypass you and move on to other more inviting targets. Then there is the other attitude and aura that projects confidence and an ability that deters a predator who takes notice and simply moves on to easier targets. The only issue of concern to the second concept is running into a predator who would not be impressed but challenged by such an aura and attitude.
Our posture, our structure and our body language - the non-verbal signals come from these and provide impressions and trigger intuitions that say, not this one - as to how we move and how that movement effects how others see us along with moods and habits overlap and crate an overall impression that often triggers certain things in the observers.
We want to impose an effect on the opinions of people who observe us in our environment and how those opinions are subconsciously influenced from our physical behavior matters a great deal especially when avoidance, deescalation along with escape and avoidance are not on the table and not dealt in the hand dealt. Our body language and our posture affect not only out thoughts but those who observe us, think about this.
A good example, “When participants in the study nodded in agreements or shook their heads to signal disagreement, these actions affected their opinions without them realizing.” Do you know which one caused and affected which opinion, i.e., that they actually agreed or that you perceived that they actually didn’t agree?
Did you know that simply standing taller literally makes you look more powerful. This is taught in the military through teaching the position of attention along with marching and maneuvering with what is called, “Military Bearing,” that is actually walking tall to make us look powerful especially toward our enemies. In the Marines we have this training called, “Making our war face.” It is reminiscent of those ancient helmets and masks worn by samurai to add height to their stature as well as depict a fearsome face to strike fear in the hearts of their enemies. This same feat is accomplished through psychological means or the military would have no need for the proverbial “propaganda” used so well in military campaigns.
The same aspects described work in reverse, i.e., along with certain psychological attitudes those stances, postures and body languages also boost our mind-set and mind-state toward a fearsome fighting spirit. It is this kind of development that we strive for in martial arts for fense.
Now, as to how that is accomplished is not just about training and practice of martial arts but a more comprehensive and detailed form of training, practice and the gaining of experience (both in practice and in reality). In short, it builds spirit and if appropriate assists the individual to step across that nature of human animals and do harm onto others before they do harm upon him.
If does not come from just books or simplistic training for body language like all languages are driven by social cultural belief and communications systems as diverse as the varied forms or styles of martial arts and their kata. In its simplest forms, what may work in your environment may be deadly to you in other environments. This too, is critically important and warrants study, study and study.
Oh, and “p.s.” don’t assume that mimicking your favorite movie action star will do the trick, it’s a movie for heavens sake and it ain’t reality.
Bibliography (Click the link)
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