Simple Self Defence

People are tricked into thinking that self defence is simple. It is not simple, it is instinctual. The problem is that our instincts have become numb and the efficiency of our body mechanics are pretty much a mystery to most people these days.

A good example is when teaching my mother the lateral step and pivot(step to the side and turn away) the other night. She commented that, when you wish to move out the way of somebody, It is a natural instinct to move to the side.
After having some trouble with the step in the beginning, she started to get the hang of the step and see how efficiently it can work. Especially when you use good body alignment in preparation. As opposed to what she performed under mild pressure. Practice and consistency is the key to any skill you wish to aquire. Self Defence has the bonus of being damn good fun.

Unfortunately the the world of SD has become a thriving market for , pardon my french, bullshit. Propagated by folk that focus solely on the impact of their physical training. Often without any real life experience on which to base this ‘Visceral’ approach that they so love to sell to an unsuspecting public. What gets left by the wayside is wonderful study of the art that is expressing yourself physically. Left firmly in the dark and substituted with ego and sales pitch. A sales pitch that usually paints a horrible picture but often ignoring the TRUE horror of violence. The element that is claimed to be taught. The element of control. A control that is often absent in reality.

But getting back to my original point and it is rather relevant to the issue of control. Without the art in what you do. How can you possibly seek to control anything? That’s not to say you cannot teach some fast and effective techniques to people. But you will never teach them to control those skills with out time and dedication. Something that comes through the study of the art. Whatever that art may be. For me, it is the art of expressing the human body, to coin a famous phrase. That is what I study. That is what I teach. In Martial Arts and Health&Fitness. The true nature. Never lose the art in what you pursue in life.

Stay safe folks.