Self defence
Okinawan karate became more sophisticated by continuing relationships with
Chinese combat arts experts, Okinawans began concentrating on some of the
finer details, especially those of the Chinese internal arts like tai chi.
These arts stress subtle muscle movements and the stretching of tendons and
ligaments. Anything that reflected a Chinese influence would have been
highly regarded and recognised as advanced.
(Dave Lowry)
We do not offer self defence courses
Some people have naïve expectations regarding self defence.
They expect to learn a few techniques, tips and pointers, and be perfectly
capable of
defending themselves.
This is not realistic.
Self defence courses are like urban myths; they promise something that
is seldom delivered.
Self defence courses
If you want to learn self defence you must fundamentally change your nervous
system and your perception.
This is not going to happen overnight. No matter what the publicity tells you.
You cannot take a self defence course, walk away and expect to be protected for
life.
Panic
When faced with violence, most people panic.
Panic is an adverse reaction to unexpected events.
Instead of going with the flow of what is happening, the mind begins racing and
composure is lost.
When you are caught off-guard by an assailant, what is
going to happen?
Your stomach is churning, your thoughts racing and your vision has narrowed.
Do you earnestly expect to remember techniques from a self defence course?
No rules
In real life, you are likely to face situations different to those encountered
in the training hall, dojo or boxing ring.
Remember that a classroom environment is a controlled situation.
There are rules.
In the street there are no rules at all...
Kung fu
Kung fu teaches a wide variety of skills.
The ability to defend yourself is just one of these skills.
In order to learn kung fu, it is necessary to change how you look at
things.
You must remove anger, aggression and conflict from your life.
Instead of fighting with people: physically, verbally, emotionally and
psychologically, you learn how to approach situations differently.
It will affect every aspect of your life.
Kung fu habit patterns
If you are taught to move a certain way and respond a certain way,
there is a higher likelihood of your body doing something constructive.
Under pressure you cannot rely upon your memory to save you; there simply will
not be time to think.
You must respond.
In reality, what comes out comes out.
Security & confidence
Self defence is the practical application of your art. This means that you
should be capable of handling:
Punches
Kicks
Grapples
Multiple opponents/gangs
Armed assailants
Unexpected attacks
Going to the floor
It is necessary to maintain composure, stay calm and apply a wide variety of
pragmatic skills in combat.
These skills cannot be learned overnight.
You need them to work spontaneously and comfortably.
You must pressure-test them with different situations and variables.
Incapacitation
The self defence approach taught by Sifu Waller aims to
incapacitate the
attacker.
We are not interested in 'beating' anyone up or winning contests.
Self defence is all about escaping injury, not causing it.
If you can escape without inflicting pain, that is good. You have nothing to
prove to anyone.
Self defence is not about payback or vengeance.
More...
Page created 25 August 1994