This got me thinking about what I believe is the key to self defense. Whether it be self defense against an attacker, against pollution, against heart disease, or really just about anything, there is a common key to defending oneself effectively.
Awareness.
My Sifu, Master Tom Pardue often talked about awareness. He would say that if you are walking out of Wal-Mart, and you look around and notice something that gives you a gut feeling that something is wrong, trust that gut feeling, and go back in.
That example hits awareness on several levels. First being aware that a parking lot at night is not always a safe place to be and so looking around. Second, being aware of things that are warning signs such as people behaving suspiciously. Finally, being aware that sometimes there is a reason we have those subconscious feelings and feel the urge to go back inside.
Martial arts training should also bring awareness. Awareness of what ones strengths and weaknesses are. Awareness of how to compensate for, or even remove the weaknesses, awareness of how to best use ones strengths.
Awareness is the key to effective self defense.
No comments:
Post a Comment