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August 2012

28/8/2012

I thought I’d share an article on HOW TO WALK AWAY FROM A FIGHT… It’s not an article I’ve written myself and although I don’t agree with every little detail, I feel it’s general message is an important one!

Particularly liked this bit: "Fighting is not a game and should not be used to resolve petty conflicts. Serious legal as well as physical consequences may result. The worst thing that could happen in a fight is that someone may end up dead. There are no rules or referees on the street and the person who ends up dead could be you (even though you may have ‘won the fight!’)."

So, For God’s Sake People… Don’t Try To Be A Hero Out There! You’re no good to anyone dead… or maimed… or in a coma… especially because you tripped and hit your head on the pavement after your friend patted you on the back for ‘teaching that prick a lesson!’ Hopefully, some ‘food for thought’...

HOW TO WALK AWAY FROM A FIGHT

1.   Keep your distance from the person that wants to fight you.

2.   Talk to the person about why he/she wants to fight you, and acknowledge their freedom to want to fight quickly.

3.   Back away from the troublemaker.

4.   Try to ignore any negative things he/she might have to say about you or your mother (or, in very extreme cases, your grandmother) as you're walking away.

5.   Don't escalate the argument. The important thing is avoiding a fight, not arguing petty points about the disagreement you two have. Don't insult your opponent or become angry with them, but just be calm and try to convince them that a fight is a bad idea. If necessary, acknowledge that they have a valid argument for whatever it is that's instigating the fight, even if you're in the right.

6.   Avoid getting into situations that threaten fights. Keep an eye out for danger signs, like high tension, the presence of alcohol, a late night, or somebody who is upset over something else already, and stay away. Attempt to defuse the situation as soon as it arises.

7.   When all else fails, remember that there is no shame in running away -- you did your best. After all, the alternative could be much worse: You could die, get crippled, or end up in jail. Remember what's important to you and how a fight could impact your life.

8.   When trying to avoid a fight, keep eye contact and also try to keep an eye on the hands. Discuss the problem and apologize for anything you have caused, even if you're right.

Tips

While attempting to defuse the situation, it is important to keep your hands in a defensible yet non-aggressive position.

Be ready to block sucker punches to your face/body, but not in a "fighting stance".

Use the "prayer position" with both palms pressed together, which looks non-threatening, but keeps your hands up near your face.

Use the "stay back" position, hands facing your aggressor palms outward.

Use the "I'm thinking" position, with a hand on your chin/head.   Remember; try to seem natural while you do this. Keep protected at all times.

Some people are scared and don't want to confront their opponent, but you should never assume your opponent won't fight.

Do not take the moral approach in your attempts to defuse the situation. For example, saying something like "I've got better things to do than fight on the streets" or "fighting is so childish" can cause your aggressor to go out of his way to prove you wrong. It's just another way to try to "win" the fight by making yourself seem better; your objective is not to win: it's to not be a part of the fight whatsoever.

For people unfamiliar with adrenaline bursts, walking away can be nearly impossible. People who get their adrenaline pumping regularly in a peaceful manner have more control of themselves in a stressful situation. Regardless, try to keep a level and clear head. If you can't get away just tell someone that you want to get away… just don't use many details. When someone threatens to kill you just find the closest responsible adult and tell them.

If you are in a car or vehicle, lock the doors and refuse to come out. Drive away if possible.
Remember walking away from a fight doesn't determine you're a coward it determines you're mature and thinking responsibly.

Be careful when and if you do try to walk away. If the other person is very angry, they may simply attack you from behind. When walking away face the person who is causing your trouble as to prevent them from attacking you from behind while walking away. Also make sure to glance back every now and then to check for potential escape routes. Do not turn you head as you look back.

In a truly dangerous situation, the most important thing is to leave your ego aside. Tell him what he wants to hear. He/she wants their ego gratified, and if you can do that without taking a beating so much the better. Think of the people who are important to you, and swallow your pride.

Warnings

•   In some situations, the person might say something provocative. But again, be the better person and ignore it.

•   Sometimes the person that wants to fight you is looking for it and will hit you anyway. Your best option is always walking away, but if the person is a threat to you, and backing off isn't an option, you must defend yourself. Usually the first hit can be the strongest and can also catch the person off guard. A follow up can quickly end the fight if it is well timed and delivered.

•   Of course, if there's authority around you, don't hesitate to alert them.

•   Fighting is not a game and should not be used to resolve petty conflicts. Serious legal as well as physical consequences may result. The worst thing that could happen in a fight is that someone may end up dead. There are no rules or referees on the street and the person who ends up dead could be you.

•   Always keep in mind that there is no shame in turning down a fight. If you are around people, this is no different. People calling you ‘yellow’ should not something to make you have to fight. Remember that it is what you think of yourself when a fight is about to start and when you turn it down that is important. Besides, there is more maturity in turning down a fight, and remember: "War does not make one strong."

•   When walking away, do not turn your back on the enemy. That makes it too easy to get jumped. Walk away to the side at an angle and keep them in your sight or head towards a crowd. Be mindful of obstacles because if you fall you can get jumped.

                                                                         Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Walk-Away-from-a-Fight

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January 2012

12/1/2012

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Welcome to GOSHIN-DO'S BLOG and the commencement of training for 2012.

This week sees the commencement of a new 12-week beginner’s course and the resumption of the intermediate classes. So a big warm “Goshin-Do Welcome” to all the novices and a hearty “welcome-back” to all the intermediate students!

I hope to make regular contributions to this blog but also actively encourage students and others to respond, enquire and explore any aspect of self-defence theory, training and practice.

I am often asked “What is Goshin-Do all about?” or “What’s different about Goshin-Do when compared to other martial art styles?”

Goshin-Do (from the Japanese words Goshin meaning "protection of the body" and Do meaning "the way") is a modern, eclectic, self-defence motivated ‘system’ utilizing striking, kicking, throwing and submissions. Goshin-Do’s purpose is to teach effective self-defence for a wide range of real world scenarios. The concepts and techniques of Goshin-Do originate from a number of fighting styles, from which the simplest, most practical and effective techniques, have been taken. These skills are integrated so that the elements build upon and incorporate one another to form a comprehensive approach to self-defence. Goshin-Do emphasizes techniques that can be used effectively on the street as a means of self-protection rather than in competitions or performances.

At its most basic level, Goshin-Do strives to teach the skills you need to survive a realistic confrontation. During an attack, an attempted rape or a fight, you will get hurt, feel pain, and experience fear. Goshin-Do teaches how to maximize your chances of survival, of getting away in one piece and how to minimize your chances of ending up in the hospital or worse. In essence, “Self-Defence” is essentially about “Self-Preservation” or at least it should be!

On a larger scale, Goshin-Do is a sort of martial arts laboratory where the most effective and practical hand-to-hand combat skills can be improved, refined, and personalized. One martial art or teacher is not superior when trying to win a conflict, only the martial artist themself. Goshin-Do offers the instructors, fellow-students and space to ‘pressure test’ and incorporate the best skills of effective self-defence for you.

When it comes to other formal, traditional styles what often comes to mind for me is a Bruce Lee quote: “In memory of a once fluid man, crammed and distorted by a classical mess.”

Commenting on martial art styles, Lee said that in order ‘to reach the masses, some sort of big organization (whether) domestic and foreign branch affiliation, is not necessary. To reach the growing number of students, some sort of pre-conformed set must be established as standards for the branch to follow. As a result all members will be conditioned according to the prescribed system. Many will probably end up as a prisoner of a systematized drill.

Styles tend to not only separate men - because they have their own doctrines and then the doctrine became the gospel truth that you cannot change. But if you do not have a style, if you just say: Well, here I am as a human being, how can I express myself totally and completely? Now, that way you won't create a style, because style is a crystallization. That way, it's a process of continuing growth.

To me totality is very important in (combat). Many styles claim this totality. They say that they can cope with all types of attacks; that their structures cover all the possible lines and angles, and are capable of retaliation from all angles and lines. If this is true, then how did all the different styles come about? If they are in totality, why do some use only the straight lines, others the round lines, some only kicks, and why do still others who want to be different just flap and flick their hands? To me a system that clings to one small aspect of combat is actually in bondage.’

My utmost respect for traditional martial arts as distinct ‘art forms’ is certainly still as present and true for me, as it ever has been. Over the past forty years, I have trained and graded in various traditional martial arts, although in recent years I have focused on aligning myself rather to a specific style or ‘school’ but towards more practical orientations or approaches which are solely based on ‘what works’ in realistic, street-based situations.

Hence, for me now, instruction and training needs to encompass a dynamic, fluid and open approach to close-combat self-defence rather than a rigid ‘style’ or ‘set of rules and assumptions.’ In this sense, I guess Goshin-Do is very Jeet-Kune-Do’sque in its approach, in that it’s perhaps ‘a style with no particular style.’

Here’s some more wisdom from Bruce Lee to round off.

“In the long history of martial arts, the instinct to follow and imitate seems to be inherent in most martial artists, instructors and students alike. This is partly due to human tendency and partly because of the steep traditions behind multiple patterns of styles. Each man (or woman) then belongs to a style which claims to possess truth to the exclusion of all other styles.

You cannot see a street fight in its totality, observing it from the viewpoint of a boxer, a kung-fu man, a karate-ka, a wrestler, a judo man and so forth. You can see clearly only when style does not interfere, you then see it without “like” or “dislike”, you simply see… and what you see is the whole and the partial.

Styles become institutes with their explanations of the “Way”. Instead of facing combat in its ‘suchness’, then, most systems of martial art accumulate a “fancy mess” that distorts and cramps their practitioners and distracts them from the actual reality of combat, which is simple and direct. Instead of going immediately to the heart of things, flowery forms (organised despair) and artificial techniques are ritualistically practiced to simulate actual combat.

When you get down to it, real combat is not fixed and is very much “alive.” The fancy mess (a form of paralysis) solidifies and conditions what was once fluid and when you look at it realistically, it is nothing but a blind devotion to the systematic uselessness of practicing routines or stunts that lead nowhere.”

However Lee also reminded us to not just deny the classical approach simply as a blind reaction, “for you will have created another pattern and trapped yourself there.”

Remember, I welcome your comments, so please feel free to contribute to help ‘get-the-ball-rolling’...

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